ACR Electronics IPRO User Manual Rev D

OWNER
VESSEL
RADIO CALL SIGN
UIN #

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.acrelectronics.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™ iPRO/ RLB-36
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.

Y1-03-0233 Rev. D 1

PLEASE READ ALL WARNINGS,

CAUTIONS AND NOTES CAREFULLY

Table of Contents

STEP ONE - REGISTERING YOUR BEACON ___________________________________ 2

STEP TWO - HOW THE BEACON WORKS ____________________________________ 6

STEP THREE - INSTALLING THE BEACON ___________________________________ 16

STEP FOUR - MAINTAINING THE BEACON __________________________________ 21

APPENDIX A - USING AND TESTING THE GPS SYSTEMS ________________________ 27

APPENDIX B - USER INTERFACE: SPECIAL ICONS ______________________________ 29

APPENDIX C - USER INTERFACE: DIGITAL DISPLAY DURING OPERATION ___________ 30

APPENDIX D - USER INTERFACE: DIGITAL DISPLAY DURING SELF-TEST ____________ 33

APPENDIX E - USER INTERFACE: DIGITAL DISPLAY DURING EXTENDED GPS TEST____ 36

APPENDIX F- USER INTERFACE: LANGUAGE TRANSLATIONS ____________________ 37

APPENDIX G - THE COSPAS-SARSAT SYSTEM ________________________________ 38

APPENDIX H - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS _________________________________ 39

APPENDIX I - WARRANTY, USEFUL LIFE POLICY, NOTICES ______________________ 40

Y1-03-0233 Rev. D 2

STEP ONE - REGISTERING YOUR BEACON

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!

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.

note that all 406 MHz beacons are required to have their registration updated
every two years by the owner.

Please

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:

NOAA SARSAT Beacon Registration
NSOF, E/SP3
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-of­registration 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 23,500 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 or download coordinates from an
external 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.

// 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.

// External GPS interface

The external GPS interface serves as the connection to the ship’s GPS

system.

// 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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GPS

Interface

Internal GPS

Receiver

Activation/Test

Switch

Red

LED

Digital Display

Screen

OFF/READY

Position

TEST

Position

ON/TRANSMITTING

Position

Top View

Switch Positions

Strobes

Antenna

Green

LED

Y1-03-0233 Rev. D 8

Spring

Release

knob

HydroFix™

Hydrostatic

Release Unit

(HRU)

GPS

Interface

Cable

Front cover
hook (detent)

Release
Latch

Antenna hook

Water Sensor
Deactivation Magnet

GPS Interface
Stowage Port

Category 2 – LowPro™3 Bracket

Category 1 – SeaShelter™3 Bracket

Front Cover
Release Tabs

GPS
Interface
Stowage
Port

Ejector
spring

Antenna
hook

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3. Digital Display

GPS √

EPIRB

ON

The digital display in the beacon is used as a secondary visual aid,
supporting the green/red LED and the audio tone, which indicate the status of
the beacon during testing and during emergency operation.

The messages on the digital display typically appear as one or two words at a
time, until the entire message has been displayed.

When the beacon is activated, the display will show the message EPIRB ON.
The beacon will begin to send 406 MHz emergency signal bursts, at which
time the display provides other messages including 406 SENT, 121.5 ON and
GPS coordinates, provided the data was acquired. If GPS data has not been
successfully downloaded into the beacon, the digital display will give you tips

like “GIVE CLEAR VIEW TO SKY.”

In Self-Test, the display illustrates the test result of each step with “√”
indicating a pass and “X” indicating a failure. There are a total of five tests,

plus a battery check. If all tests pass, SELF-TEST PASS will be displayed at
the end of the Self-Test mode. This will be followed by the GPS coordinates
horizontally scrolling through the display, provided the beacon has
successfully downloaded an external GPS location. See Appendixes B
through E for details about display messages.

Language translations of the digital display messages are available from your
local Battery Replacement Center (BRC). The messages can be converted to
French, Spanish, German and Italian. See Appendix F for a list of messages
by language.

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4. Activating your beacon

WARNING: This transmitter is authorized for use only during

situations of grave and imminent danger. Deliberate misuse may incur a
severe penalty.

Overview
Category I beacons are designed to be automatically deployed and activated
in the event of a sinking vessel. The beacon may also be hand held on the
deck of vessels, or floated in water and attached to a raft or life vest with the
lanyard provided.

Category II beacons are designed to be manually deployed from the bracket.
Two conditions must be met for a Category II beacon to automatically

activate:

// It must be out of its bracket
// It must be wet

NOTE:

Category I and II beacons can always be manually activated in or out of their
bracket.

The beacon and bracket are designed to allow the user to perform periodic
testing while the beacon is in its bracket.

Either condition by itself will not automatically activate the beacon.

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Category I beacons-Automatic deployment and activation

HRU releases the rod
separating the front and
back cover of bracket at a
depth between 4-13 feet

Ejector Spring
launches EPIRB
from the bracket
allowing it to float
freely to the water
surface

If the vessel sinks, the HydroFix™ HRU frees the beacon from the bracket,
allowing it to float to the surface. Built-in sensors detect that the beacon is no
longer in its bracket and when continuity is created by water between two of
the top cap screws, an activation circuit is completed.

NOTE: Transmission of the 121.5 MHz and 406 MHz signals will not occur
until 100 seconds after activation.

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