ARTEX PRODUCTS / ACR ELECTRONICS, INC.
DESCRIPTION, OPERATION, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
ARTEX ELT 4000S
Y1-03-0364 Rev E
Company Confidential
25-62-38
Page
17
of
54
Description and Operation
Description
A.
Functional Overview
1)
The Survival ELT activates via the manual switch or automatically activates upon
contact with fresh or salt water.
2)
A continuous standard sweep tone on 121.5 MHz is emitted. Approximately every 50
seconds, the 406 transmitter turns on for up to 520ms (‘long message’ protocol).
3)
During that time, an encoded digital message is sent to the COSPAS-SARSAT Search
and Rescue satellite system. The message length may be shorter for certain message
formats.
4)
The 406 MHz transmitter will operate for 24 hours and then shuts down
automatically. The 121.5 MHz transmitter will continue to operate until the batteries
are exhausted, which is at least 50 hours.
5)
The GNSS receiver will acquire position and update 406 messages accordingly.
6)
The ELT transmits a digital message that allows search and rescue authorities to
contact the owner/operator of the aircraft through information contained in a
database.
The information contained in the database includes:
a)
Type of aircraft and aircraft registration number
b)
Owner address and telephone number
c)
Alternate emergency contact
7)
After the ELT is activated and the 406 MHz signal is detected by the SAR satellite
system, a position is calculated. The 121.5 MHz transmissions can be used to home in
on the crash site.
8)
Aircraft communications transceivers are not capable of receiving 406 MHz
transmissions; therefore, the only methods of monitoring the ELT are one or more of
the following:
1.
The blinking LED
2.
The buzzer
3.
121.5 MHz transmissions, which can be monitored using the aircraft
communications transceiver tuned to 121.5 MHz or an AM broadcast receiver
held near the antenna.
Functional check:
A monthly functional check is recommended to verify operational status of the ELT.
NOTE:
Please be aware that if the beacon should get wet, it WILL activate.
