PA G E 3
i n s t r u c t i o n m A n uA l
4 0 6 m H Z P l B
in the past, using the analogue system, (which will become
obsolete in February 2009) extensive and lengthy searches
have been carried out for missing persons, sometimes to
no avail . your GmE PlB is a self contained 406 mHz digital
radio transmitter that emits an internationally-recognized
distress signal on a frequency monitored by the cosPAs-
sArsAt satellite system . the mt410 and mt410G contain
a unique identity code which can be cross referenced
to a database of registered 406 mHz beacons, allowing
the beacon’s owner to be immediately identified in the
event of an emergency . Both PlB models include a high
performance solid state light and 121 .5 mHz vHF homing
signal to assist in leading rescuers to your precise location .
the mt410G also features an integrated 16 channel GPs
receiver which when activated, will automatically acquire a
position and relay the latitude and longitude of the beacon
along with the personal identifier and emergency signal .
abOuT ThE COSPaS-SarSaT SySTEm
the cosPAs-sArsAt system is a complete global search
and rescue service using geostationary and polar orbiting
satellites . many countries provide ground facilities known
as local user terminals (luts) . Polar orbiting satellites
provide complete, although non-continuous, coverage of
the earth (due to fact that these satellites can only view a
portion of the earth at any given time) and can accurately
resolve an active beacons’ location . Additionally,
geostationary satellites can give an immediate alerting
function in many regions of the world .
the basic cosPAs-sArsAt concept is illustrated in the
following diagram
abOuT 406 mhz bEaCONS
406 mHz beacons provide more accurate and reliable
alert data to search and rescue agencies than the older
121 .5/243 mHz systems presently being phased out .
the older 121 .5 mHz analogue system required that the
satellite be within view of both the beacon and the lut
before it could transmit the beacons’ position . this limited
the coverage to an area immediately surrounding the
lut . However, the digital nature of the 406 mHz system
means that the satellites are able to store the beacons’
position and digital message, no matter where in the
world it is received . these details are then relayed to the
next lut that comes into range, giving the 406 mHz
system true global coverage .
rEgiSTraTiON & TraNSfEr Of OwNErShiP
registration of your 406 mhz satellite PLb
with the registration Section of your National
authority is important and now mandatory in
most countries because of the global alerting
nature of the COSPaS-SarSaT system.
owner registration Forms for registering your beacon may
be supplied within the packaging, otherwise, your national
Authority will be able to provide the correct forms . up to
date forms are often available online .
the information provided in the registration is used only
for search and rescue purposes . Promptly fill in the owner
registration form upon completion of the sales transaction,
then mail, fax or email it to your national Authority . if the
PlB is to enter service immediately, complete the
registration form and fax or email the information .
should the PlB be transferred to a new owner, as the
previous owner you are obligated to inform your national
Authority by email, fax, letter or telephone of the name
and address of the new owner . the new owner of the
beacon is also required to provide their national Authority
with the information as shown on the registration form .
this obligation transfers to all subsequent owners .
note:
your mt410/mt410G has been programmed with
a unique identifying code which will be transmitted by
the beacon in an emergency . registering your beacon
provides the authorities with immediate access to your
details when the beacon is detected . this means they will
know who you are and who your emergency contacts
are . in situations of accidental activation they can also
immediately eliminate your beacon as an emergency
situation by contacting you when activation is detected .
registration contacts
australian users
- Address all correspondence to:
Beacon registration section, AussAr
Australian maritime safety Authority
GPo Box 2181, canberra city, Act 2601 .
Phone: 1800 406 406 or international: +61 2 6279 5041 .
Fax: 1800 622 153 or international: +61 2 6230 6868 .
Email: ausbeacon@amsa .gov .au .
new Zealand users
- Address all correspondence to:
rescue co-ordination centre new Zealand
Po Box: 30050, lower Hutt 5009 .
