ARTEX PRODUCTS / ACR ELECTRONICS, INC
DESCRIPTION, OPERATION, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
ME406 (453-6603), ME406HM (453-6604)
Page 33 of 72
Mar 19/15
25-62-30
SUBTASK 25-62-30-750-009
N.
Digital Message Verification – Item 5g
1)
Set the 453-1000 ELT Test Set (ETS) beacon reader to receive and decode the ELT digital message.
Refer to the ETS operating manual (570-1000) for ETS operating instructions and additional details.
NOTE: A beacon reader equivalent to the ETS may be used, provided it is capable of receiving and
decoding the 406 MHz digital message. Examples of equivalent beacon readers include the
IFR-4000, BT100A, and other models available. Consult documentation for the beacon
tester in question and contact Artex Technical Support for further information.
NOTE: The SARTECH 453-0131 ELT Tester is no longer supported and cannot properly read the
latest generation of 406MHz ELTs.
2)
Activate the ELT by placing the control switch in the “ON” position.
3)
Allow the ELT to transmit for approximately 5 seconds.
4)
Deactivate the ELT and read the test message broadcast at “turn-off”. A sample message is shown in
Figure 10 406 MHz Message Example on page 33.
a)
The test message broadcast by the ELT at “turn-off” contains all the information in an actual
distress message, except there is a special digital prefix that informs COSPAS-SARSAT satellites
to ignore the message.
b)
The example in Figure 10 406 MHz Message Example on page 33 is an ELT programmed for
“User Protocol ELT with Serial Number”, with a test Hex ID.
c)
Actual messages will vary depending on the protocol and information programmed into the ELT.
5)
Repeat the activation and deactivation cycle if the ETS fails to read the message on the initial try. The
406 MHz oscillator may not be warmed up. If continued attempts to read the message fail, check for
self-test error codes and refer to Table 6 on page 37.
Figure 10 406 MHz Message Example
