ACR Electronics RLB-37 User Manual

PRODUCT SUPPORT MANUAL

GLOBALFIX™ PRO 406 MHz GPS EPIRB //

Model No.: RLB-37

Product No.: 2842, 2844

Y1-03-0242 Rev. F

ACR Electronics, Inc. // 5757 Ravenswood Road // Fort Lauderdale // FL // 33312-6645 Tel: [phone] // Fax: [phone] // www.acrartex.com

CAUTION: Before proceeding to install, test or use your new ACR Electronics’ product, please read this Product Support Manual in its entirety.

If you have questions regarding the contents of the manual, please contact our Technical Service Department at ACR Electronics, Inc., Telephone [phone]. Please be ready to provide the technician with the page number you wish to discuss. If you have a question that is not covered in the manual, please visit our website and access the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section for further information or call our Technical Service Department. The website address is www.acrartex.com. If in the future you lose this manual, you may access and print a replacement on the ACR website.

NOTE re: Applicable products

This manual supports all configurations of GlobalFix™ PRO/ RLB-37 beacons. In addition to the part numbers listed on the cover page, other configurations of these products are available, thus you may have purchased a product configuration with a somewhat different part number. As long as the first four digits are the same as one of the two part numbers on the cover, this manual is applicable.

OWNER

VESSEL

RADIO CALL SIGN

MMSI

EPIRB UIN

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Table of Contents

STEP ONE - REGISTERING YOUR BEACON ____________________________ 3 STEP TWO - HOW THE BEACON WORKS _____________________________ 6 STEP THREE - INSTALLING THE BEACON_____________________________ 15 STEP FOUR - MAINTAINING THE BEACON ___________________________ 19

APPENDIX A - USING AND TESTING THE GPS SYSTEMS__________________ 25 APPENDIX B - THE COSPAS-SARSAT SYSTEM__________________________ 26 APPENDIX C - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ___________________________ 27 APPENDIX D - WARRANTY, NOTICES _______________________________ 28

PLEASE READ ALL WARNINGS, CAUTIONS

AND NOTES CAREFULLY

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STEP ONE - REGISTERING YOUR BEACON

1.Why is registration important?

As the owner of this 406 MHz beacon, it is mandatory that you register it with the EPIRB national authority of your country: It is the law. Please note that all 406 MHz beacons are required to have their registration updated every two years by the owner.

Your unique ID code

programmed inside each EPIRB is transmitted to Search and Rescue (SAR). SAR forces use this code to pull up your registration to find out valuable information about who needs help.

YOUR RESCUE WILL BE DELAYED IF YOUR BEACON ISN’T PROPERLY REGISTERED!

HOW REGISTRATION WORKS:

All 406 MHz beacons transmit a Unique Identifier Number (UIN) when activated. This UIN is programmed into the beacon based on the country in which the beacon is registered, thus authorities are able to determine which country’s database will have your registration information. SAR forces will have information as to who you are as the owner of the beacon, the name and type of vessel that you have, your homeport, and who to contact that might know of your current situation - but only if your beacon has been properly registered. Valuable search and rescue resources are wasted every year responding to false alarms, and registering your beacon helps to resolve false alarms quickly.

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2.What country should I register in?

Register your beacon with the EPIRB national authority of the country for which the beacon was programmed, typically the country where purchased, regardless of where you do your boating.

The beacon must be reprogrammed if you, as the owner, move or the vessel sails under the flag of a different country than the one for which the beacon was previously programmed. To verify the country for which a beacon is programmed, see the label with the UIN (Unique Identification Number) on the back of the unit. Units that do not have a country specified on the UIN label are programmed for the United States.

3.How do I register?

Registration in the United States

The national authority that accepts registrations in the United States is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Here are three ways to register:

1.The fastest and easiest way to register is online at www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov/.

2.Faxing a registration is also acceptable. Fax the registration form to the fax number on the top of the registration form.

NOTE: Do not confuse the registration form with the ACR Electronics warranty card.

3.If online or fax registration is not available, mail the registration form with the pre-addressed, postage paid envelope to:

SARSAT Beacon Registration NOAA

NSOF, E/SPO53

4231 Suitland Road

Suitland, MD 20746

All registration forms will be entered in the 406 MHz beacon registration database within 48 hours of receipt. The information you provide on the registration form is used for rescue purposes only.

A confirmation letter, a copy of the actual registration and a proof-of- registration decal will be mailed to you within two weeks. When you receive these documents, please check the information carefully with the existing label on the unit, and then affix the decal to your beacon in the area marked “BEACON DECAL HERE.” If you do not receive confirmation back from NOAA in the expected timeframe, call toll free [phone] for assistance.

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Registration outside of the United States

In countries other than the United States, 406 MHz beacons are registered with that country’s national authority at the time of purchase. The sales agent should have assisted you in filling out the forms and sending them to the country’s national authority. Alternatively, many countries allow online registration in the International 406 MHz Beacon Registration Database (IBRD) at www.406registration.com.

To verify that the unit is properly programmed for your country, view the UIN label on the back of the unit. In the event that the beacon is not programmed for your country, the sales agent (if properly equipped) can reprogram the unit for the correct country.

4.Do I need a radio license?

In the United States, you may or may not need to obtain or update a radio station license. Check the FCC’s website at http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=licensing&id=ship_stations or call toll-free [phone] (CALLFCC) for the latest information.

Outside of the United States, contact your local authority for the requirements.

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STEP TWO - HOW THE BEACON WORKS

1.How your beacon brings help

406 MHz beacons are a type of portable emergency equipment that transmits a distress signal to search and rescue (SAR) organizations. The purpose of these beacons is to aid SAR teams in tracking and locating ships or individuals in jeopardy as rapidly as possible.

The 406 MHz frequency is a worldwide dedicated emergency frequency that is detected by a special system of satellites called the Cospas-Sarsat system. This satellite system was established by, and continues to be supported by, its primary benefactors - the USA, Russia, Canada and France. The CospasSarsat system has saved over 24,800 lives - and counting - since its inception. See Appendix G or the Cospas-Sarsat website for more information about the system at www.cospas-sarsat.org.

When a 406 MHz beacon is activated, the digital distress message is sent to Cospas-Sarsat satellites and, in turn, the distress message is relayed to SAR. The distress message contains important information about the beacon and its owner. Additional information about the beacon is accessed by SAR from the beacon registration database. At the same time the 406 MHz signal is activated, a 121.5 MHz signal is turned on. The 121.5 MHz signal is used by SAR to home in on the beacon as they approach it.

The 406 MHz signal is detected by multiple satellites and from that information the location of the beacon can be calculated. This data alone is sufficient for SAR to find persons or ships in distress in a reasonable timeframe. However, as a further enhancement, some beacons have a GPS engine onboard. This feature allows the beacon to acquire current location coordinates from an internal GPS receiver. The coordinates are added to the ID of the unit, which is transmitted with the 406 signal. This enables the SAR authorities to locate the beacon to an accuracy of 110 yards (100 m).

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2.Anatomy of your beacon

NOTE: When unpacking your beacon, it is recommended that you save the original packaging for re-use when shipping the beacon for battery replacement in the future.

			Internal GPS
			Receiver
	Antenna
			Digital Display
			Screen
Water Activation
Sensors		GPSInterface	Manual Activation
	Strobe Light		Switch
				Grips
	Red/Green LEDs

Lanyard	Battery
	Housing

// Activation switch with Witness Tab

The activation switch embodies a special, patented method of activating a beacon. Refer to a subsequent section of this manual for how to activate the beacon.

// Internal GPS engine

The internal GPS engine is located where it can most readily get a clear view of the sky.

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Top View

Green

LED

Red

LED

Internal GPS

Receiver

Switch Positions

OFF/READY

Position

Strobes

Antenna

Activation/Test

Switch

TEST

Position

ON/TRANSMITTING

Position

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Category 1 – SeaShelter™3 Bracket

	Spring	HydroFix™
	Release
		Hydrostatic
	knob
		Release Unit
		(HRU)

Category 2 – LowPro™3 Bracket

Antenna hook

Release

Latch

Ejector spring

Antenna hook

Front cover hook (detent)

Water Sensor

Deactivation Magnet

Front Cover

Release Tabs

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