PRODUCT
SUPPORT
MANUAL
Y1-03-0127
Rev. D
MINI B2™
Product No. 2762
MINI B2™ ILS
Product No. 2763
Emergency Position Indicating
Radio Beacon (EPIRB Class B)
FCC Type Accepted Part 80
ACR Electronics, Inc.
5757 Ravenswood Road
Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33312
+1(954) 981-3333 • Fax +1 (954) 983-5087
www.acrelectronics.com
Email: Info@acrelectronics.com
A Chelton Group company
Foreword:
Congratulations and thank you! You have just purchased the finest Class B personal EPIRB available on the
market. Other brands merely attempt to meet the requirements established by authorities. By purchasing this
EPIRB you have distinguished yourself as one of the safest persons in boating.
To be a responsible EPIRB owner:
• Read this manual.
• Activate your EPIRB ONLY in an emergency.
• Mount your EPIRB in an easily accessible spot or store it in your ditch/emergency kit.
• Prepare an emergency evacuation plan and rehearse it.
• In a grave and imminent situation, where you have exhausted all other means of rescue, activate your
EPIRB and leave it “ON” until Search And Rescue forces arrive. Do not turn it off and on in the
misguided belief that you are saving battery power.
• NEVER set off a false alarm. Follow the instructions in section 5 to operationally test your EPIRB.
Search And Rescue forces will respond to all known emergencies. This EPIRB will alert the authorities to an
emergency if activated in most coastal waters, (excluding parts of Africa and Antarctica). The USCG reports
that 99% of all Class A & B EPIRB activation's are false. The high number of false activation events places an
unnecessary burden on the Search and Rescue system. Don’t be guilty of causing a false or accidental
activation. Help educate others that irresponsible handling of EPIRBs risks lives by slowing the response to
real emergencies and wastes tax payer dollars. Please call or write for answers to questions or for information
on other safety products manufactured by ACR Electronics, Inc.
ACR/MINI B
TM
2
EPIRB
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PARA TITLE PAGE
- - - - Foreword i
- - - - Table of Contents ii
Figure 1 ACR/MINI B
SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION 2-4
1.1 General 2
1.2 Purpose 2
1.3 Satellite Detection 2
Figure 2 Search And Rescue Satellite
Aided Tracking (SARSAT) 3
1.4 Authorizations 3
1.5 Characteristics 3
1.6 Technical Data 4
SECTION 2 INSTALLATION 5
2.1 General 5
TM
Outline Drawing 1
2
SECTION 3 OPERATION 5
3.1 General 5
3.2 Manual Deployment 5
SECTION 4 MAINTENANCE 5-8
4.1 General 5
4.2 Battery Check 6
4.3 Inspection Check 6
4.4 Periodic Operational Check 7
4.5 Packaging & Transportation 7
SECTION 5 TESTING 7-8
5.1 General 7
5.2 Operational Testing 7
5.3 Operational Notes 8
FIGURE 1: ACR/MINI B2 TM EPIRB
SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION
1.1 GENERAL
This manual provides installation, operation and maintenance instructions for the ACR/MINI B
ACR/MINI B
as the Beacon. This section describes the characteristics and details of the Beacon (See Figure 1). An FCC Ship
Station License is required to carry this unit aboard ship.
1.2 PURPOSE
The Beacon is an item of survival equipment and is designed to be carried aboard vessels at sea and in port, so
as to be readily available in any emergency. It may be used on the deck of vessels, on survival craft, or may be
attached to the latter with the provided lanyard, as well as attached to survival suits, etc. When turned “ON,” it
transmits tone modulated signals (VHF) so that rescue aircraft or vessels equipped with suitable direction
finding receiving equipment can “home” to the transmitting unit. This Beacon meets FCC Rules for improved
satellite detection.
1.3 SATELLITE DETECTION
EPIRB use is directly affected by the COSPAS-SARSAT System. SARSAT is an acronym for Search and
Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking. This international system has proven that satellites can be used to detect
distress alerts and to determine position from Class A and B EPIRBs.
COSPAS-SARSAT frequently plays a key role in many operational Search and Rescue decisions. Since the first
recorded rescue in 1982, over 5,000 persons have been rescued as a direct result of SARSAT. These successes
have brought more public awareness and an expanding growth in the use of EPIRBs.
TM
ILS Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB - Class B), hereinafter referred to
2
TM
and
2
1.4 AUTHORIZATIONS
The ACR/MINI B
2
Communications Commission (FCC) Part 80.1055 as a Class “B” EPIRB, for marine use.
TM
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon meets the requirements of Federal
FIGURE 2: SATELLITE DETECTION
1.5 CHARACTERISTICS
The ACR/MINI B
2
antenna is waterproof. The semiconductor circuits are mounted within the case assembly, which also contains
the battery power supply. An “ON-OFF” switch is installed on top of the Beacon, along with a light emitting
diode (LED) operation indicator. The Beacon may be stowed in any convenient place, mounted in a special
bracket aboard a vessel, or tied with its lanyard inside survival craft. The unit is completely waterproof.
The ACR/MINI B
TM
2
the Beacon is transmitting. The audio sound is identical to the signal being transmitted. This sound serves as an
ALERT that the Beacon is on and directly indicates that the Beacon is functioning.
ACR designed the MINI B
The audible warble also allows you to self test your beacon more effectively. NEVER operationally test your
Class B EPIRB except as noted in Section 5.2 of this manual.
1.6 TECHNICAL DATA
Pertinent technical data is listed below:
ITEM CHARACTERISTICS
TM
Beacon is an o-ring sealed battery operated unit. The beacon case, with its external
ILS Product No. 2763 also has an in-line speaker which emits an audio warble whenever
TM
ILS with an audible warble to help reduce the incidence of accidental activation.
2
Frequency 121.5 and 243.0 MHz (simultaneous)
Power Output Minimum 75 mW on each frequency during 48 hours continuous
operation
Operating Life 48 hours minimum at -20°, (-4°F) longer in temperate climates
Battery Lithium battery, 12 year shelf life, 6 year replacement interval
(as per regulation)
Emission Type A3X
Modulation Downward sweeping tone between 1600 and 300 Hz at 2 to 4 sweeps
per second
Frequency .005% (Crystal controlled)
Stability
Operating -20°C to +55°C (-4°F to +131°F)
Temperatures
Activation Manual “ON-OFF” switch
Size 6.0" H x 2.6" W x 1.6" D (152mm x 66mm x 41mm) excluding
antenna
Weight 9.9 ounces (280 g)
Attachments Lanyards, Hanked and Wrist
Accessories ACR/MINI B
TM
Mounting Bracket,
2
(Optional) PN 9321
SECTION 2 - INSTALLATION
2.1 GENERAL
The ACR/MINI B
TM
Beacon has been designed for multi-purpose installation for survival use, personnel, rafts,
2
floats and survival craft. It should be stowed where it will be readily available in an emergency, or mounted
where easily accessible with the optional ACR/MINI B
SECTION 3 - OPERATION
3.1 GENERAL
The ACR/MINI B
deck of vessels or attached with the lanyard provided to survival suits, a raft or life vest. The beacon should be
in a vertical orientation, (antenna “UP”), to transmit effectively. It should be operated in an area free of
obstructions.
3.2 MANUAL DEPLOYMENT
Remove the Beacon from its mounting or storage position and ensure that the antenna is in an upright position.
Flip the switch to the “ON” position. Red LED indicator will illuminate. The LED indicator will remain on for 5
seconds indicating that the batteries are functional. After 5 seconds, the LED indicator will begin flashing,
indicating that the transmitter is functioning properly. The ACR/MINI B
emit an audio warble, again indicating that the transmitter is functioning properly. If operated from the deck of
the vessel, choose the most advantageous position free of surrounding obstacles. If deployed in water, make sure
that the antenna is positioned vertically and the antenna itself is out of the water. It is preferable to hold the unit
above the water, as immersion reduces effectiveness.
TM
Beacon is designed to be manually deployed and activated. It may be hand held on the
2
TM
Mounting Bracket.
2
TM
ILS, Product No. 2763, will also
2
SECTION 4 - MAINTENANCE
4.1 GENERAL
The Beacon has been designed for use with a minimum of maintenance required. A check list is given in this
section, and when accomplished periodically, should help to assure emergency operation and extended life use.
CAUTION: Perform all maintenance operations and checks within a screen room, if available, to prevent
inadvertent transmission of emergency signals. If a screen room is not available, use caution in handling the
Beacon during servicing to prevent signal transmission.
4.2 BATTERY CHECK AND SERVICE
1. See Section 5.2 for battery check. Replace Battery Pack immediately after extended use or emergency.
2. The ACR/MINI B
the actual life of the battery, which is 12 years. Replacement must be done at six (6) years per FCC
regulations. Read the date located on the side of the case as follows:
Battery date of 0507 would be read “05/07” or “May, 2007.”
3. All routine service or battery replacement must be carried out by factory authorized personnel at authorized
service centers. Please call ACR for the location of your nearest authorized service center at least 30 days
before expiration date.
4. Safety Precautions:
a) Warning: To avoid possible fire, explosion, leakage or burn hazard, do not open, recharge,
disassemble, heat above 71°C (160°F) or incinerate.
TM
EPIRB has a dated battery life. The battery is dated at a six (6) year period or half
2
b) DOT regulations require that minimum packaging standards be met when shipping certain materials.
The original shipping container should be retained for this reason. If the original container is lost, please
contact ACR Customer Service prior to shipment of unit.
4.3 INSPECTION CHECK
The following checks should be made during the periodic servicing:
1. Check the antenna tip and spring for any signs of damage or corrosion.
2. Check the antenna for any signs of chafing, wear, cracks, or other damage, and signs of resultant corrosion
beneath the covering.
3. Check the antenna socket at the cap surface for any sign of looseness or corrosion.
4. Check the Beacon housing for signs of damage or mishandling. Dents, or damage to the top end could result
in an operational malfunction during an emergency.
5. Check the lanyards for chafing, fraying or any damage. Check the lanyard anchor points for chafing.
Resecure the lanyards and check the knots for tightness.
4.4 PERIODIC OPERATIONAL CHECK
1. To ensure continued reliability, the unit should be checked for operation at least once every 90 (ninety) days,
following the procedure of Section 5.2.
2. Rinse the outside of the unit with fresh water frequently to remove any salt build-up on case or exposed
parts.
4.5 PACKAGING AND TRANSPORTATION
The ACR/MINI B
TM
contains lithium batteries (solid cathode, total 3.4 grams lithium). The original shipping
2
carton may be used or consult your local transportation authority with regard to applicable regulations for
transporting the EPIRB.
SECTION 5 - TESTING
5.1 GENERAL
The following paragraphs detail the Beacon testing procedures.
5.2 OPERATIONAL TESTING
The Beacon can be tested by turning it ON. The test consists of the following steps:
1. Flip the “OFF-ON” switch to “ON." Switch “OFF” when finished with test.
2. Red LED indicator will illuminate continuously for 5 (five) seconds, indicating a functional battery.
After the 5 (five) seconds, the LED will blink, confirming RF signal transmission. On the ACR/MINI B
TM
ILS the LED will blink and an audible warble will sound, confirming RF signal transmission.
2
NOTE: Tests of more than 5 (five) second duration must be conducted at designated times and duration unless
special arrangements are made with the USCG, FCC and/or local FAA authorities. Operational transmission
testing may be executed only during the first five (5) minute period of any hour and only for three tone or one
operational transmission (LED light flashing/audio warble) second, sweeps of the audio modulating
whichever is longer.
The ACR/MINI B
TM
ILS has a speaker fed by voltage from the microprocessor and the transmitter, which
2
produces the audible warble. This EPIRB will emit a distinctive warbling sound when operationally tested. Any
change in the audible warble, (a loss of sound or intermittent sound), is an indication that you should have your
beacon serviced at an authorized service station. Conduct this test only during the first five (5) minutes of each
hour as indicated above.
You can verify that your EPIRB is actually transmitting by turning it “ON” near an FM radio tuned to 99.5
MHz. The radio will receive the signal and will broadcast the familiar “warble” through its speakers if the
EPIRB is transmitting properly. Conduct this test only during the first five (5) minutes of each hour as
indicated above.
5.3 OPERATIONAL NOTES
The EPIRB is designed to operate best when placed on a flat surface or while over water at sea. An operational
transmission on land should be conducted in an area free of obstructions, which could absorb RF energy and
limit radiation patterns.
Position the antenna straight up (perpendicular to ground) and not pointing toward the receiving station. Note
that the radiation field null occurs directly off the end of the antenna.
Maintain a visual path where possible between the Beacon and the receiver, since beacons characteristically
transmit “line of sight."
The Beacon transmits on 121.5 and 243.0 MHz simultaneously.
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