ACR Electronics AEROFIX 406 GPS I P-ELT User Manual Rev E

AeroFix™ 406 GPS I P-ELT

AeroFix™ 406 GPS I/O P-ELT

Personal Locator Beacon

FCC Type Approved

FCC ID:B66ACR-PLB200
FCC ID:B66ACR-PLB201

[phone] • Fax [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

PRODUCT

SUPPORT

MANUAL

Y1-03-0175

Rev. E

Product No. 2799.2

PLB-201

Product No. 2799.4

PLB-200

ACR Electronics, Inc.

5757 Ravenswood Road

Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33312

www.acrelectronics.com

* * * WARNING * * *

THIS TRANSMITTER IS AUTHORIZED FOR USE ONLY DURING SITUATIONS OF

GRAVE AND IMMINENT DANGER

* * * DELIBERATE MISUSE MAY INCUR A SEVERE PENALTY * * *

For proper use refer to section 2 – Responsible Use

PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE PERFORMING ANY OF THE TESTS.

Forward

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the ACR AeroFix™ 406 GPS Personal Emergency Location
Transmitter. The combination of superior design, high quality raw materials and quality controlled
manufacturing produce a product that will perform for years to come. The Test Facility at ACR can
reproduce some of the harshest environmental conditions known to man. This assures that the life saving
devices can stand up to the rigors found in any environment on earth. With proper care and maintenance,
your P-ELT will be in service for years to come.

ACR is proud to be certified to the ISO 9001:2000, the International Standard for Quality.

This manual provides operation and maintenance instructions for the AeroFix™ 406 GPS P-ELT,
hereinafter referred to as the P-ELT. This manual also describes the characteristics and details of the P-ELT
System.

Table of Contents

1.0 Registration..................................................................................................................................2

2.0 Responsible Use ..........................................................................................................................4

3.0 False Alarms................................................................................................................................4

4.0 Operation.....................................................................................................................................5

5.0 P-ELT Holster.......... ...................................................................................................................9

6.0 Care and Maintenance.................................................................................................................10

7.0 The Search and Rescue System...................................................................................................11

8.0 Authorizations .............................................................................................................................13

9.0 Technical Data.............................................................................................................................14

10.0 GPS FAQ.....................................................................................................................................15

11.0 Warranty......................................................................................................................................16

Figure 1 Key Pad functions..................................................................................................................5

Figure 2 Antenna Position ...................................................................................................................6

Figure 3 Keypad Cover........................................................................................................................6

Figure 4 Activation..............................................................................................................................6

Figure 5 Deactivation...........................................................................................................................6

Figure 6 GPS Interface with holster.....................................................................................................9

Figure 7 GPS Interface without holster ...............................................................................................9

Figure 8 Removable holster.................................................................................................................10

Figure 8 Bulk Head Mount..................................................................................................................10

Figure 10 GEOSAR Satellite Coverage.................................................................................................13

Figure 11 Satellite Orbit.........................................................................................................................13

Y1-03-0175 Rev. E 1

SECTION 1 - REGISTRATION OF 406 MHz P-ELTS

1.1 Registration Importance

It is mandatory that the owner of this 406 MHz P-ELT registers it with the National Authorities*.
All 406 MHz P-ELTs transmit a Unique Identifier Number (UIN) when activated. This UIN is
programmed in the P-ELT based on the country in which the P-ELT was purchased. Registration
provides the Search and Rescue (SAR) forces with emergency contact information, and will speed the
launch of a rescue operation. The National Authorities use the information to verify if an actual
emergency exists. Valuable Search and Rescue resources are wasted every year responding to false
alarms. For P-ELTs that are not registered, SAR authorities will not know who you are, or who to
contact regarding additional information of your current situation. This could delay the launch of a
rescue operation.

*A National Authority is the governmental body that is responsible for P-ELT Registration Database
administration for the country for which the P-ELT is programmed.

1.2 Where to register

The owner of a 406 MHz P-ELT should register it with the National Authority of which the P-ELT
was programmed, (typically the country where purchased), regardless of where you use your P-ELT.
Each P-ELT is programmed with a UIN for the country where the unit is shipped, and will only be
accepted for registration in that country. To verify the country, for which a P-ELT is programmed,
see the label with the UIN on the back of the unit. Units that do not have a country specified on the
UIN label are programmed for the United States. For a list of the national authorities in your area,
please view them at http://www.cospas-sarsat.com/Management/listOfParticipants.htm

1.3 Registration in the United States

It is the Owner’s responsibility and required by law to Register 406 MHz P-ELTs that are
programmed for and purchased in the United States. The National Authority that accepts registrations
in the United States is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The owner
should complete the enclosed registration form (Do not confuse this with the ACR Electronics
Warranty Card) and mail it with the pre-addressed; postage paid envelope to:

SARSAT Beacon Registration,

E/SP3, RM 3320, FB-4

NOAA/NESDIS

5200 Auth Rd.

Suitland, MD 20746-4304

P-ELT registration is also available online at: www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov

The information provided on the Registration Form is used only for rescue purposes. The
Registration Form should be filled out and mailed immediately. Registration can be expedited by
faxing the registration form or by completing the form online in the event the P-ELT is to be placed
in immediate use.

Typically, registration forms will be entered in the 406 MHz P-ELT Registration Database within 48
hours of receipt. 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 and affix the decal to your P-ELT in the area marked “Beacon Decal here”. If
you do not receive confirmation, contact NOAA for additional information at: [phone].

Y1-03-0175 Rev. E 2

1.3.1 Registration in Canada

The National Authority in Canada is the NSS (National Search & Rescue Secretariat). Canadian
residents can register online at http:beacons.nss.gc.ca. For more information please contact the NSS
at [phone] or [phone].

National Search and Rescue Secretariat

400-275 Slater Street

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K2

1.4 Registration Outside of the United States

In countries other than the United States, 406 MHz P-ELTs are registered with that country’s
National Authority at the time of Purchase. The Sales agent should assist in filling out the forms and
sending to that country’s National Authority. To verify that the unit is properly programmed for that
country, view the UIN label on the side of the unit. In the event that the P-ELT is not programmed for
the country in which it has been purchased, the sales agent, (if properly equipped) can reprogram the
unit for that country.

1.5 Change of ownership or contact information

It is the owner’s responsibility to advise the National Authority of any change in the information on
the registration form. If the current owner of the P-ELT is transferring the P-ELT to a new owner, the
current owner is required to inform the National Authority by Letter, Fax or telephone, of the name
and address of the new owner. The new owner of the P-ELT is required to provide the National
Authority with all of the information requested on the Registration form. This obligation transfers to
all subsequent owners. Registration forms are available from NOAA, call [phone] or visit
our website at www.acrelectronics.com.

1.6 Lost P-ELT’s

Inform NOAA immediately at 1-888-212-SAVE (7283), or your national authority, that your P-ELT
has been lost. They will update your P-ELT registration information with the appropriate
information.

1.7 Stolen P-ELT’s

Things That You Need To Do:

• Report to your local police department that the P-ELT has been stolen.

• Contact NOAA at 1-888-212-SAVE (7283), or your national authority, with the following
information so your P-ELT registration information can be updated with the appropriate remarks:

- Police Department Name

- Police Phone Number

- Police Case Number

If your P-ELT were to activate, the information you provide will be forwarded to the appropriate
Search and Rescue Authorities who will ensure that your P-ELT gets back to you. And, if someone
attempts to register a P-ELT reported as stolen, NOAA or your national authority will notify the
appropriate Police Department.

Visit the COSPAS-SARSAT website for more detailed information: www.cospas-sarsat.org/

Y1-03-0175 Rev. E 3

SECTION 2 – RESPONSIBLE USE

2.1 The AeroFix™ 406 GPS P-ELT should only be used in situations of grave and imminent danger!

What exactly does this mean? Technically speaking you should only activate your P-ELT when all
other means of self rescue have been exhausted. This means you have tried to use your
cellular/satellite phone, signaling mirrors, strobe lights, or any other safety device you may have.
When all else fails and you feel your situation has truly become extreme, ask yourself the following

questions:
Am I in danger of losing life, limb, eye sight, or valuable property if I am not rescued soon?
Am I in danger of not surviving the night or upcoming hours if not rescued soon?

If you answer yes with confidence to these questions, it is time to activate your P-ELT.

SECTION 3 - FALSE ALARMS

3.1 Preventing False Alarms

• Ensure that your P-ELT is registered with NOAA or your national authority. This does nothing to

reduce false alarm rates, but does have a dramatic effect on the impact of a false alarm. If the
P-ELT is properly registered, the situation will be resolved with a phone call most of the time. It
will also help speed rescue in an actual distress.

• Test your P-ELT in accordance with the recommendations enclosed in this manual.

• Use care when leaving your P-ELT and with whom you leave it with. Ensure that they are aware

of the device and know the ramifications of causing a false alarm. A lot of false alarms are
generated by curious individuals.

• Maintain your P-ELT. Ensure that the batteries are within their expiration date and that all

manufacturer recommendations are followed.

• Finally, realize that the COSPAS-SARSAT satellites are very good at what they do, detecting

emergency P-ELTs. An activation of a 406 MHz P-ELT for just a few seconds will usually be
detected. After a few minutes, it will usually be detected and located. This is good if you're in
distress, but if you're not, you just generated a false alarm.

3.2 Should there be an inadvertent activation or false alarm, it must be reported to the nearest search and

rescue authorities. The information that should be reported includes the P-ELT Unique Identifier

Number (UIN), Date, Time, duration and cause of activation, as well as location of P-ELT at the time

of activation. Outside the United States contact your National Authority.

3.3 To report false alarms in the United States contact any of the following:

AFRCC-United States Air Force Rescue Coordination Center Tel: [phone]

Y1-03-0175 Rev. E 4

SECTION 4 - OPERATION

4.1 General

The AeroFix™ 406 GPS P-ELT models are designed to be manually deployed and activated. It is

only to be activated when all other means of self-rescue have been exhausted. Activation of the

P-ELT tells Search and Rescue who you are, where you are, and that you are facing a life threatening

situation.

Self Test Button

GPS Test Button

- GPS I

(P/N 2799.2)

- GPS I/O (P/N 2799.4)

Green & Red LED

GPS Interface

Off Button

Press both test and
GPS buttons together
for 1 second to
activate the beacon in
an emergency

ON

Figure 1. Key Pad Functions

(P/N 2799.4 shown)

4.2 AeroFix™ 406 GPS P-ELT Emergency Activation

4.2.1 Activation

To activate your P-ELT in an emergency situation, unfasten the antenna from the case or holster and

move it into the upright position (See figure 2). Lift the holster cover revealing the P-ELT keypad

(see figure 3). Depress the “self-test” and “

GPS I” or “GPS I/O” buttons simultaneously for at least

1/2 second and less than 5 seconds (see figure 4). Your P-ELT is now activated. While transmitting

your emergency signal, the red LED will flash once every 2 seconds alerting you that your P-ELT is

activated. If GPS data is present in the P-ELT via the

GPS I or GPS O the red LED will turn off and

the green LED will take over flashing once every 2 seconds.

4.2.2 Activation with

The AeroFix™ 406

GPS I (P/N 2799.2 and P/N 2799.4)

GPS I and GPS I/O are equipped with a GPS Interface. Prior to activating your

P-ELT you can download your GPS LAT/LON into the P-ELT using an external GPS receiver and

GPS Interface cable provided with the P-ELT. Once your external GPS has acquired good global

the

positioning data, press the GPS test button for at least ½ second and no longer than 5 seconds and

your GPS data will download into the P-ELT (for full instructions see Section 4.7.2). Once you

activate your P-ELT, your GPS coordinates are included in the distress signal. The green LED will

immediately start flashing every 2 seconds to alert you that your P-ELT is activated and transmitting

your GPS coordinates with the 406 MHz signal.

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