Personal Locator Beacon
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What is a Personal Locator Beacon?
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Personal locator beacons, or PLB's, are portable units that operate much the same as EPIRBs or ELTs.
These beacons are designed to be carried by an individual person
instead of on a boat or aircraft. Unlike ELTs and some EPIRBs, they
can only be activated manually and operate exclusively on 406 MHz.
And like EPIRBs and ELTs all PLB's also have a built-in, low-power
homing beacon that transmits on 121.5 MHz. This allows rescue forces
to home in on a beacon once the 406 MHz satellite system has gotten
them "in the ballpark" (about 2-3 miles). Some newer PLB's also allow
GPS units to be integrated into the distress signal. This GPS-encoded
position dramatically improves the location accuracy down to the 100-meter
level... that's roughly the size of a football field!
In the United States, PLB's are now authorized for nationwide use. This
authorization was granted by the FCC beginning July 1, 2003.
Prior to July 1, 2003, only residents of Alaska had been able to use PLB's.
The Alaska PLB Program was set up to test the capabilities of PLB's and
their potential impact on SAR resources. Since March of 1995, the
experiment proved very successful and helped save nearly 400 lives
while generating only a few false alerts. The success of the Alaska
PLB program undoubtedly paved the way for nationwide usage of these devices.
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How PLB's Work
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Features and Benefits
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- Transmits on 406 MHz via COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system with your registered
unique, digitally coded distress signal and 121.5 MHz (SAR homing frequency).
- Onboard GPS acquires LAT/LON when the unit is activated, your
LAT/LON are transmitted as soon as acquired -- providing
rescue agencies with your exact position to within 100 meters (110 yards)
- GPS interface (NMEA 0183) allows you to download your GPS coordinates from
a hand-help GPS receiver into your PLB; when activated, your LAT/LON will accompany
your 406 MHz signal on the first burst, dramatically saving valuable time for
your distress message to reach local rescue centers
- Smallest and most functional PLB available, so it can be easily carried in a pack
or pocket; small enough to be worn by skiers, hikers, hunters, kayakers, climbers,
pilots or any outdoor enthusiast
- Removable holster provides functionality, style and protection for your PLB;
carabiner clip allows for multiple mounting options on backpacks, webbing, and life vests
- Full functional self test of internal circuitry, battery power, 406 MHz transmission
and GPS acquisition.
- Flat, stainless steel antenna wraps compactly around the unit for easy stowage;
is easily positioned when needed.
- Floats to avoid loss if dropped in water, exceeds RTCM waterproof requirements
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Specifications
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Material:
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Glass reinforced polycarbonate blend
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Dimensions:
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1.74 x 5.71 x 3.03 in. (4.4 x 14.5 x 7.7 cm)
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Weight:
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12 oz (343 g) without holster; 13.3 oz (378 g) with holster
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Color:
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ACRtreuse with Forest Green holster
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Storage:
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-40°C to +70°C (-58°F to + 158°F)
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Deployment:
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Manual
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Operation:
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Deploy antenna, press both test buttons simultaneously
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Frequency:
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406.028 Mhz, 121.5 MHz
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Batteries:
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Two Lithium battery packs with 2,500mAmp Hours @ -20°C;
5 year replacement life (11 year storage)
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Accessories:
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PLB Holster, GPS Interface Cable with LED
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Certification:
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FCC Approved (Model: PLB-200)
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Limited Warranty:
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5 years
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Radiated Power:
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5 watts +/- 2db (406 MHz) 50 mW +/- 3 dB (121.5 MHz)
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Operational Life:
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In excess of 24 hours @ -20° C (-4° F), longer in higher
ambient temperatures
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Who will find and rescue me in countries other than the US?
A. That depends entirely on the country. In some countries, there
are dedicated Search and Rescue forces. In some countries SAR is a military mission.
In other countries it is the responsibility of the local law enforcement or
volunteer SAR organizations.
Whatever the locale, the3 406 MHz beacon will contribute to a faster response
by whatever SAR forces are available to assist. Because 406 MHz takes the search
out of Search and Rescue, in areas with limited SAR capabilities it can significantly
hasten rescue even more than in areas with the more robust SAR capability.
I purchased and registered a PLB in Canada before they were US legal. Can I
register it in the US now?
A. Yes, but... The US only accepts beacons with country codes: Alaska
(303), Hawaii (338), Puerto Rico (358), US Virgin Islands (379), Northern Marianas
Islands (536), American Samoa (559), and the contiguous United Sates (366, 367, 368,
and 369). If your beacon does not have a beacon coded for these areas you cannot
register your beacon in the US.
Your beacon's country code can be changed to a US legal code to enable a US registration.
Contact the beacon manufacturer for information on how to have the country code reprogrammed.
In general, there will be a slightly quicker exchange of information from the NOAA US
Mission Coordination Center to the Rescue Coordination Center if a beacon set off in
the US is US registered than if the information has to be routed from another country's
registration authority.
Both the US and Canada will accept registration of beacons with the appropriate
country codes from foreign sources. The key is the country codes, not who registers
the beacon.
Will I be charged for the cost of my rescue?
A. In most of the world, the cost of rescue is borne by government
and the volunteers involved in Search and Rescue. There are some areas or instances
where the cost might be chargeable, but in large part these are posted rules for
very specific areas that you would be well aware of beforehand.
In the US, deliberate misuse or transmitting a hoax distress is a federal felony
punishable by a $250,000 fine, imprisonment for six years and restitution to the
rescue agency for all costs incurred responding to the false distress.
What are the advantages of adding GPS to a PLB?
A. There are two primary advantages:
- The location accuracy is much better, on the order of less than 300
feet when everything is working properly.
- It allows instantaneous location and launch of search and rescue assets
when picked up by the geostationary satellites. Anything that cuts down on
the delay in starting the search and the time necessary to execute the search
and locate survivors will improve the chances of saving your life. The basic
406 MHz PLB already is a huge improvement in this regard over older technology,
GPS adds another level of improvement on top of that.
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Ordering Information
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Please Contact Us for ordering and current pricing information.
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