ACR Electronics english User Manual
Y1-03-0169 Rev. B
1
SECTION 1 - THE SYSTEM
1.1 GENERAL
1.1.1 This manual provides operation and maintenance instructions for the 406 Personal Locator
1.1 GENERAL
1.1.1 This manual provides operation and maintenance instructions for the 406 Personal Locator
Beacon, Product No. 2792 and the GyPSI™ 406 Personal Locator Beacon, Product No. 2793
hereinafter referred to as the PLB. This section describes the characteristics and details of the 406
PLB and GyPSI™ 406 PLB Systems.
hereinafter referred to as the PLB. This section describes the characteristics and details of the 406
PLB and GyPSI™ 406 PLB Systems.
1.2
PURPOSE
1.2.1 The PLB provides distress alerting via radio transmission on 406 MHz to satellites of the
COSPAS-SARSAT network. The GyPSI™ PLB can also transmit a distress alert to the
GEOSAR network that includes GPS latitude and longitude coordinates that are inputted through
an I/R Interface that connects to the data output of a GPS Receiver.
GEOSAR network that includes GPS latitude and longitude coordinates that are inputted through
an I/R Interface that connects to the data output of a GPS Receiver.
1.2.2 The message transmitted by the PLB is unique for each beacon, which provides identification of
the transmitter through computer access of registration files maintained by the National Search
and Rescue Secretariat or other national authority. It is the user's responsibility to fill out and
mail the enclosed registration form to the appropriate agency of the country under which
the PLB is registered. The PLB is programmed by ACR during manufacture and can be
reprogrammed by an ACR authorized programming facility for the registered country.
Remember, if your PLB is not registered, SAR Authorities do not know who you are, where you
live or where to contact anyone who might know anything about your situation.
and Rescue Secretariat or other national authority. It is the user's responsibility to fill out and
mail the enclosed registration form to the appropriate agency of the country under which
the PLB is registered. The PLB is programmed by ACR during manufacture and can be
reprogrammed by an ACR authorized programming facility for the registered country.
Remember, if your PLB is not registered, SAR Authorities do not know who you are, where you
live or where to contact anyone who might know anything about your situation.
1.2.3 Once Search and Rescue (SAR) forces are alerted by the PLB signal (406 MHz), relayed through
the COSPAS-SARSAT and/or GEOSAR network, they can converge on the position estimated by
the satellite. When GyPSI™ PLB GPS interface is used SAR authorities can know your precise
location and speed up reaction time. Intermediate and short range location is aided by the PLB
with its on board radio beacon homing signal transmitter (121.5 MHz).
the satellite. When GyPSI™ PLB GPS interface is used SAR authorities can know your precise
location and speed up reaction time. Intermediate and short range location is aided by the PLB
with its on board radio beacon homing signal transmitter (121.5 MHz).
1.2.4 Power is provided by a self contained long life battery pack with a recommended 5 year
replacement cycle. See Factory Authorized Service Center for replacement (Section 4.0 –
Maintenance).
Maintenance).
1.2.5 Self test (Section 2.5) is initiated by momentarily moving the switch to the test position then
release. During self test, an actual satellite message is transmitted while certain key performance
parameters are measured and recorded. The self test message is modified such that the satellite
will not forward an alert message during self test. The LED will flash 3 times amber before
turning green. During this time the unit will also beep 3 times to indicate correct test status. In
the GyPSI™ PLB model, approximately 2 seconds after self test the unit will beep and amber
LED will flash to indicate if the unit has GPS data.
parameters are measured and recorded. The self test message is modified such that the satellite
will not forward an alert message during self test. The LED will flash 3 times amber before
turning green. During this time the unit will also beep 3 times to indicate correct test status. In
the GyPSI™ PLB model, approximately 2 seconds after self test the unit will beep and amber
LED will flash to indicate if the unit has GPS data.