ACR Electronics AQUAFIX 406 GPS IOP-EPIRB User Manual

AquaFix™ 406 GPS I P-EPIRB

AquaFix™ 406 GPS I/O P-EPIRB

Personal Locator Beacon

FCC Type Approved

[phone] • Fax [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

PRODUCT

SUPPORT

MANUAL

Y1-03-0173

Rev. D

Product No. 2797.2

PLB-201

Product No. 2797.4

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 AquaFix™ 406 GPS Personal Emergency Position
Indicating Radio Beacon. 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-EPIRB 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 AquaFix™ 406 GPS P-EPIRB,
hereinafter referred to as the P-EPIRB. This manual also describes the characteristics and details of the
P-EPIRB 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-EPIRB 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 .................................................................................................................................5

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

Figure 3 Key Pad 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 9 Bulk Head Mount..................................................................................................................10

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

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

Y1-03-0173 Rev. D 1

SECTION 1 - REGISTRATION OF 406 MHz P-EPIRBS

1.1 Registration Importance

It is mandatory that the owner of this 406 MHz P-EPIRB registers it with the National Authorities*.
All 406 MHz P-EPIRBs transmit a Unique Identifier Number (UIN) when activated. This UIN is
programmed in the P-EPIRB based on the country in which the P-EPIRB 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-EPIRBs 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-EPIRB Registration
Database administration for the country for which the P-EPIRB is programmed.

1.2 Where to register

The owner of a 406 MHz P-EPIRB should register it with the National Authority of which the P­EPIRB was programmed, (typically the country where purchased), regardless of where you use your
P-EPIRB. Each P-EPIRB 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-EPIRB 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-EPIRBs 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-EPIRB 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-EPIRB is to be
placed in immediate use.

Typically, registration forms will be entered in the 406 MHz P-EPIRB 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-EPIRB in the area marked “Beacon Decal here”. If
you do not receive confirmation, contact NOAA for additional information at: [phone].

Y1-03-0173 Rev. D 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-EPIRBs 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-EPIRB 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-EPIRB is transferring the P-EPIRB 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-EPIRB 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 +1(888) 212­7283 or visit our website at www.acrelectronics.com.

1.6 Lost P-EPIRB’s

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

1.7 Stolen P-EPIRB’s

Things That You Need To Do:

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

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

- Police Department Name

- Police Phone Number

- Police Case Number

If your P-EPIRB were to activate, the information you provide will be forwarded to the appropriate

Search and Rescue Authorities who will ensure that your P-EPIRB gets back to you. And, if
someone attempts to register a P-EPIRB 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/

Y1-03-0173 Rev. D 3

SECTION 2 – RESPONSIBLE USE

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

What exactly does this mean? Technically speaking you should only activate your P-EPIRB 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-EPIRB.

SECTION 3 - FALSE ALARMS

3.1 Preventing False Alarms

• Ensure that your P-EPIRB 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-EPIRB 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-EPIRB in accordance with the recommendations enclosed in this manual.

• Use care when leaving your P-EPIRB 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-EPIRB. 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-EPIRBs. An activation of a 406 MHz P-EPIRB 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-EPIRB Unique Identifier
Number (UIN), Date, Time, duration and cause of activation, as well as location of P-EPIRB 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:

Atlantic Ocean / Gulf of Mexico
USCG Atlantic Area Command Center Tel: [phone]

Pacific Ocean Area
USCG Atlantic Area Command Center Tel: [phone]

USCG HQ Command Center (From any location) Tel: [phone]

NOAA Tel: [phone]-SAVE (7283)

Y1-03-0173 Rev. D 4

SECTION 4 - OPERATION

4.1 General

The AquaFix™ 406 GPS P-EPIRB 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-EPIRB 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 2797.2)

- GPS I/O (P/N 2797.4)

Green & Red LED

GPS Interface

Off Button

ON

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

Figure 1. Key Pad Functions

(P/N 2797.4 shown)

4.2 AquaFix™ 406 GPS P-EPIRB Emergency Activation

4.2.1 Activation

To activate your P-EPIRB 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-EPIRB
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-EPIRB is now activated. While
transmitting your emergency signal, the red LED will flash once every 2 seconds alerting you that
your P-EPIRB is activated. If GPS data is present in the P-EPIRB 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 GPS I

The AquaFix™ 406 GPS I

(P/N 2797.2 and P/N 2797.4)

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

your P-EPIRB you can download your GPS LAT/LON into the P-EPIRB using an external GPS
receiver and the GPS Interface cable provided with the P-EPIRB. Once your external GPS has
acquired good global 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-EPIRB (for full instructions see Section

4.7.2). Once you activate your P-EPIRB, your GPS coordinates are included in the distress signal.

Y1-03-0173 Rev. D 5