GME MT401FF, Instruction Manual

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I N S T R U C T I O N M A N U A L
OWNER DETAILS
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Beacon UIN/15-HEX ID:
Congratulations on purchasing your new MT400 series EPIRB. The GME
MT400 and MT401 are the most advanced 406 MHz digital satellite beacons
available today. Using new digital frequency generation technology, GME
have developed and approved world wide, a new family of affordable high
performance 406 MHz beacons.
A CAUTIONARY NOTE:
The satellite EPIRB is the most signifi cant advance in
search and rescue technology in many years. It is not a substitute for a marine
radio – mariners should not be over-reliant on any single system. Wise, safe
mariners plan carefully, ensure that shore contacts know their sail plan, carry a
marine radio and the right range of other safety equipment and operate their
craft sensibly to suit conditions at sea.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The GME MT400 and MT401 digital Emergency Position Indicating Radio
Beacons (EPIRB) are designed for use when the safety of your craft and crew
is endangered and you have no other means of communication. The EPIRB
can save your life and the lives of others on board by leading an air/sea
rescue to your precise location. In the past, extensive and lengthy searches
have been carried out for missing craft, sometimes to no avail.
Your GME EPIRB is a self contained 406 MHz radio transmitter that emits an
internationally-recognized distress signal on a frequency monitored by the
COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system. The MT400 and MT401 contain a unique
identity code which can be cross referenced to a database of registered 406
MHz beacons, allowing the beacon’s owner or vessel to be immediately
identifi ed in the event of an emergency. Both models can be manually
activated by the operator in an emergency situation. The MT401 will also
automatically activate out of the mounting bracket if it is fl oated in water.
Additionally each includes a ultra high performance solid state strobe and
121.5 MHz VHF homing beacon to assist in leading rescuers to your precise
location.
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 fi gure above.
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 AND TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP
Registration of your 406 MHz satellite EPIRB with the Registration Section of
your National Authority is important 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 fi ll in the owner registration form upon completion
of the sales transaction, then mail, fax or email it to your National Authority.
If the beacon is to enter service immediately, complete the registration form
and fax or email the information.
Should the beacon be transferred to a new owner, as the previous owner
you are 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 required to provide their National Authority
with the information as shown on the registration form. This obligation
transfers to all subsequent owners.
NOTE: Your MT400/401 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, who your
emergency contacts are and what type of vessel or craft you are in. In situations
of accidental activation they can also immediately eliminate your beacon as an
emergency situation by contacting you when activation is detected.
PREVENTING ACCIDENTAL ACTIVATION
The signal from an EPIRB is regarded by authorities as an indication of
distress and is given an appropriate response. It is the responsibility of every
owner of an EPIRB to ensure that it is not activated unintentionally or in
situations that do not justify its use.
Most cases of accidental transmission result from poor or inappropriate
storage or failure to totally disable an old model EPIRB before disposal.
The need to treat EPIRBs responsibly cannot be too highly emphasized.
The MT400/401 will not commence transmitting until approximately 60
seconds after activation, providing a safety period of audible and visual
warning. If you hear the beacon beeping while it is being carried or stowed,
you may still be able to deactivate it during this time period without
actually transmitting a distress signal. If in doubt, report the incident to your
local authorities just in case.
To minimize the possibility of accidental activation, EPIRB owners are urged
to pay careful attention to the following points:
1. Always stow the EPIRB in the mounting bracket and with the switch
cover closed. The mounting bracket and switch cover are designed
specifi cally to prevent accidental activation.
2. Avoid stowing the EPIRB where it may lie in water.
3. Avoid mounting the EPIRB where it will be subjected to continuous
direct sunlight. This could cause the beacon’s internal temperature
to exceed the maximum storage temperature of +70°C. Long term
stowage under these conditions could result in reduced battery life, poor
performance or degradation of the plastics due to excessive U.V. light.
4. Do not allow children to interfere with the EPIRB. P/N: 310221 Dwg No: 42210-1
www.gme.net.au
Standard Communications
PTY LTD.
HEAD OFFICE:
Locked Bag 2086, North Ryde, N.S.W. 1670, Australia.
Tel: +61 (0) 2 9844 6666 • Fax: +61 (0) 2 9844 6600
INTERNATIONAL ENQUIRIES
International enquiries should be direccted to:
export@gme.net.au
NATIONAL AUTHORITY DETAILS
Australia
24 hour Emergency Contact
Phone: 1 800 641 792
Registration
Beacon Registration Section, AusSAR
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Reply Paid No 81
GPO Box 2181, Canberra ACT 2601
Fax: +61 (0)2 6230 6868
Email: aus_beacon_query@amsa.gov.au
Phone: +61 (0)2 6230 6811
New Zealand
24 hour Emergency Contact
Phone: 0508 4 72269
Fax: +64 (0)4 914 8388
Registration
Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand
PO Box: 30050, Lower Hutt 6009
Fax: +64 (0)4 914 8388
Email: 406registry@msa.gov.nz
Phone: +64 (0)4 914 8383
NATIONAL DISTRIBUTOR DETAILS
Chemistry:
LiSO
2
(2.4 g Lithium per cell).
No./Size: 2 D size cells.
PHYSICAL
Operating:
-20°C to +55°C.
Storage:
-30°C to +70°C.
Weight: 555 g (plus 98 g for bracket).
Compass Safe
Distance:
MT400 - 0.1m
MT401 - 0.7m (incl mounting bracket) from magnetic
navigational device when inactive.
Dimensions: 260 mm (H) x 102 mm (W) x 83 mm (D) max.
when stowed in bracket.
Materials:
UV stabilized plastic chassis.
Performance: IEC 61097; IEC 60945; AS/NZS 4280.1;
ETSI EN 300 066.
OTHER FEATURES
Retention Lanyard:
Buoyant type approximately 5.5 metres long.
Refl ector: SOLAS retro-refl ective tape encircling unit above waterline.
Solid-state Strobe: High reliability solid state 3 emitter design exceeds IMO
requirements.
Antenna: Flexible self straightening stainless steel design.
Bracket: Quick release mechanism (manual). Retained by four (4)
vessel fi xing points.
* Standard factory setting. Dealer programmable via external interface.
Specifi cations are subject to change without notice or obligation.
GME FIVE YEAR WARRANTY
GME limit this warranty to the original Purchaser of the equipment.
GME warrant this product to be free from defects in material and
workmanship for a period of 5 years from the date of purchase from the
authorised Dealer.
Replacement of batteries due to expiry or usage is excluded from this Warranty.
Should the product require servicing during this period, all labour and parts
used to effect repairs will be supplied free of charge. GME reserve the right
to determine whether damage has been occasioned by accident, misuse or
improper installation, whereby the Warranty could be void.
In the event of a defect occurring during the Warranty period, the original
purchaser may return the defective unit along with suitable proof of
purchase (i.e. receipt, credit card slip etc.) and a full description of the
defect to the Dealer from whom the unit was purchased. The Dealer will
forward the unit to an authorised GME Service Depot in your State.
All freight charges incurred for transportation by the Dealer or GME are the
Purchasers’ responsibility.
E M E R G E N C Y
POSITION INDICATING
R A D I O B E A C O N
E P I R B
406 MHz
Homer/Strobe
M A N U A L & W A T E R
A C T I V A T I O N
MT400
M A N U A L A C T I VAT I O N
MT401
MT401 also has
water activation
MT400
(orange – chassis)
MT401
(yellow – chassis)