ACR Electronics GLOBALFIX 406 EPIRB User Manual

OWNER_____________________________________

VESSEL_____________________________________

RADIO CALL SIGN____________________________

Product Support Manual

GlobalFix™ 406
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon

Product No. 2742 Cat.1

Product No. 2744 Cat.2

RLB-35

Y1-03-0157

Rev. F

FCC Type Accepted

ACR Electronics, Inc.

5757 Ravenswood Road

Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33312

Tel : [phone]

Fax: [phone]

www.acrelectronics.com

Email: [e-mail]

* * * WARNING * * *

THIS TRANSMITTER IS AUTHORIZED FOR USE

ONLY DURING SITUATIONS OF GRAVE

AND IMMINENT DANGER

DELIBERATE MISUSE MAY

INCUR A SEVERE PENALTY

Magnet

Safe Distance

1m (3.3 ft)

Keep this beacon a
safe distance away

from all magnetic

sources

Stereo Speaker

Safe Distance

1m (3.3 ft)

Keep this beacon a
safe distance away

from all stereo

speakers

LIMITED WARRANTY
This product is warranted against factory defect in material and workmanship for a period of five

years from date of purchase or receipt as a gift. During the warranty period ACR Electronics, Inc.
will repair or, at its option, replace at no cost to you for labor, materials or return transportation,
provided you obtain a Return Authorization from ACR Electronics, Inc., 5757 Ravenswood Road,
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. 33312-6645. To obtain a Return Authorization, call our Customer Service
Department at [phone]. This warranty does not apply if the product has been damaged by
accident or misuse, or as a result of service or modification by other than the factory. Except as
otherwise expressly stated in the previous paragraph, the COMPANY MAKES NO
REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO
MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR ANY OTHER MATTER WITH
RESPECT TO THIS PRODUCT. The Company shall not be liable for, consequential or special
damages.

In order to place the warranty in effect, the accompanying registration card must be returned to
us within ten days of purchase.

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Y1-03-0157 Rev. F

Foreword

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the ACR GlobalFix™ 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 products we manufacture can stand up to the rigors found in a marine
environment. With proper care and maintenance, your 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 installation, operation and maintenance instructions for the GlobalFix™ EPIRB, hereinafter
referred to as the beacon. This manual also describes the characteristics and details of the beacon system. The FCC
authorizes the use of 406 MHz Radio beacon by any ship that is also equipped with a VHF ship station. This will make
the 406 MHz Radio beacon available for use on most U.S. ships and boats. EPIRB carriage requirements are
contained in USCG regulations.

Table of Contents

SECTION 1 - REGISTRATION OF 406 MHZ BEACONS................................................................................................ 1

1.1 Registration Importance.................................................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Where to Register............................................................................................................................................... 1

1.3 Registration in the United States...................................................................................................................... 1

1.4 Commercial Vessels in the United States........................................................................................................ 1

1.5 Commercial Vessels World Wide...................................................................................................................... 1

1.6 Registration Outside the United States............................................................................................................ 2

1.7 Change of Ownership or Contact Information ................................................................................................ 2

1.8 Lost or Stolen EPIRBs ....................................................................................................................................... 2

SECTION 2 - FALSE ALARMS........................................................................................................................................ 2

2.1 Prevention of False Alarms............................................................................................................................... 2

2.2 Reporting of False Alarms................................................................................................................................. 2

SECTION 3 - INSTALLATION.......................................................................................................................................... 3

3.1 Mounting Location ............................................................................................................................................. 3

3.2 Visual Inspection................................................................................................................................................ 3

3.3 Hydrostatic Release Dating Instruction (Product No. 2742) Cat. 1............................................................... 3

SECTION 4 – ACTIVATION AND DEPLOYMENT........................................................................................................... 4

4.1 Bracket Configuration........................................................................................................................................ 4

4.2 Configuration Overview..................................................................................................................................... 5

4.3 GPS Acquisition ................................................................................................................................................. 5

4.4 Automatic Deployment and Activation (Cat. 1)............................................................................................... 5

4.5 Manual Deployment and Activation.................................................................................................................. 6

4.6 Manual Activation without Deployment........................................................................................................... 6

4.7 Deactivation ........................................................................................................................................................ 6

4.8 Full Functional Self Test.................................................................................................................................... 6

4.9 Internal GPS Test................................................................................................................................................ 7

SECTION 5 - CARE AND MAINTENANCE...................................................................................................................... 8

5.1 Routine Maintenance ......................................................................................................................................... 8

5.2 Hydrostatic Release........................................................................................................................................... 8

5.3 Battery Replacement.......................................................................................................................................... 8

5.4 Shore Based Maintenance (SBM) for SOLAS Vessels , IMO Circ. 1040 ....................................................... 9

5.5 Annual Testing IMO Circ. 1039.......................................................................................................................... 9

SECTION 6 – THE SEARCH AND RESCUE SYSTEM ................................................................................................... 9

6.1 General Overview............................................................................................................................................... 9

6.2 Satellite Detection .............................................................................................................................................. 9

6.3 Global Positioning System (GPS)..................................................................................................................... 9

SECTION 7 - AUTHORIZATIONS.................................................................................................................................. 10

7.1 Characteristics.................................................................................................................................................. 10

7.2 Technical Data - GlobalFix™........................................................................................................................... 10

7.3 Specifications ................................................................................................................................................... 10

7.4 Accessories ...................................................................................................................................................... 11

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITIES............................................................................................................................ 12

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Y1-03-0157 Rev. F

SECTION 1 - REGISTRATION OF 406 MHZ BEACONS

1.1 Registration Importance

It is mandatory that the owner of this 406 MHz beacon registers it with the National Authority.* All 406 MHz
beacons transmit a Unique Identifier Number (UIN) when activated. This UIN is programmed in the beacon
based on the country in which the beacon was purchased. Registration provides the search and rescue forces
with up to date emergency contact information, which will speed up 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 beacons that are not registered, SAR forces
will not know who you are, what type of vessel you have, your homeport, or who to contact that might know of
your current situation. This will delay the launch of a rescue operation. 406 MHz beacons are required to have
their registration updated every two years.

*The National Authority is the governmental body that is responsible for EPIRB registration database
administration for the country for which the EPIRB is programmed.

1.2 Where to Register

The owner of a 406 MHz beacon (EPIRB) should register it with the National Authority for which the beacon
was programmed, (typically the country where purchased), regardless of where they do their boating. Each
beacon is programmed with a Unique Identification Number (UIN) for the country that the unit is shipped to,
and will only be accepted for registration in that country. To verify the country, for which a beacon is
programmed, see the label with the UIN on the side of the unit. Units that do not have a country specified on
the UIN label are programmed for the United States.

1.3 Registration in the United States

It is the owner’s responsibility to register 406 MHz beacons 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 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

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 to
Fax # [phone] or register online. Registrations should be completed online or faxed in the event the
beacon is to be placed in immediate service.

For Faster Service, Register Online!

www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov

All registration forms will be entered in the 406 MHz beacon 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 beacon in the area marked “BEACON DECAL HERE.” If you do not receive confirmation back
from NOAA, please call toll free 1-888-212-7283 for assistance.

1.4 Commercial Vessels in the United States

In the United States, commercial vessels that are required to have a radio station license are required to
modify that license when an EPIRB is added to the vessel. Please use the enclosed FCC FORM 506 to modify
your radio station license. For information on whether you need a radio station license, call toll free
1-888-CALLFCC (225-5322).

1.5 Commercial Vessels World Wide

406 MHz beacons that are carried on commercial vessels world wide, should be registered with the country
where the vessel is flagged regardless of where the vessel operates. When a commercial vessel acquires a
406 MHz beacon from outside of its home country; the beacon should be reprogrammed for the home country
and registered there.

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Y1-03-0157 Rev. F

1.6 Registration Outside 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 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 beacon is not programmed for the country it has been purchased
in, the sales agent, (if properly equipped) can reprogram the unit for that country.

1.7 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 beacon is transferring the beacon 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 beacon 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 [phone] or visit our website at www.acrelectronics.com

.

1.8 Lost or Stolen EPIRBs

Inform NOAA immediately at 1-888-212-SAVE (7283), or your National Authority, that your EPIRB has been

lost or stolen. They will update your EPIRB registration information with the appropriate information.

Stolen EPIRBs, Things That You Need To Do:

• Report to your local authorities that the EPIRB has been stolen.

• Contact NOAA at 1-888-212-SAVE (7283), or your National Authority, with the following information so

your EPIRB registration information can be updated with the appropriate remarks:

- Police Department Name - Police Phone Number - Police Case Number

If you’re EPIRB were to activate, the information you provide will be forwarded

to the appropriate search and rescue authorities who will ensure that your EPIRB gets back to you. If
someone attempts to register an EPIRB reported as stolen, NOAA or your national authority will notify the
appropriate police department. Visit www.cospas-sarsat.org

for more detailed information:

SECTION 2 - FALSE ALARMS

2.1 Prevention of False Alarms

An ACR 406 MHz EPIRB can be activated by two different methods. Whether you have a Category 1 or 2;
these methods are the same.

1. When the beacon is out of its bracket and in the water, the unit is transmitting.

2. When the switch is moved to the on position, in or out of the bracket, the unit is transmitting.

There are a few precautions that should be taken to prevent false alarms.

• Do not mount or transport beacon within 1 meter (3.3ft) of a magnetic source.

• Do not store beacon outside of its bracket if it can get wet.

• Do not mount EPIRB backwards in its bracket.

• Do not clean beacon with a water hose and brush.

2.2 Reporting of False Alarms

Should there be, for any reason, 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 EPIRB Unique Identifier
Number (UIN), date, time, duration and cause of activation, as well as location of beacon at the time of
activation.

To Report False Alarms in the United States Contact any of the Following:

Atlantic Ocean / Gulf of Mexico
Pacific Ocean Area /

USCG Area Command Center

USCG Atlantic Area Command Center Tel: [phone]

Tel: [phone]

USCG HQ Command Center

Tel [phone]

To Report False Alarms Worldwide Contact the National Authority where your beacon is registered

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Y1-03-0157 Rev. F