ACR Electronics PATHFINDER 3 SART User Manual
PRODUCT
PathFinder
SUPPORT
MANUAL
Y1-03-0170
Rev. B
™
3
Product No. 2714
FCC ID. B66ACR-SART-PF-3
Search and Rescue Transponder
(SART)
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
Forward
Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the ACR PathFinder
Transponder (SART). The combination of computer aided design; high quality raw materials
and quality-controlled manufacturing produce a superior product. The Test Facility at ACR can
reproduce some of the harshest environmental conditions known to man. This assures that the
products we produce can stand up to the rigors found in a marine environment. With proper care
and maintenance, your SART 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 PathFinder
SART, hereinafter referred to as the SART. This manual also describes the characteristics and
details of the SART system. This SART has been tested and approved to IEC 1097-1 standards
and meets IMO RES A.802(19). This device complies with the GMDSS provisions of Part 80 of
the FCC rules. Meets EC Council Directive 96/98/EC for ship wheel approval.
TM
Search and Rescue
3
TM
3
Table of Contents
Warning notice..............................................................................................................................3
1.0 SART Overview................................................................................................................4
2.0 Introduction.......................................................................................................................5
3.0 Vessel name......................................................................................................................7
4.0 Life raft stowage...............................................................................................................8
5.0 Activation..........................................................................................................................8
6.0 Sequence of Operations ....................................................................................................9
7.0 Pole mounted SART.......................................................................................................10
8.0 Hanging SART................................................................................................................11
9.0 Vessel Mounting / Ship installation................................................................................12
10.0 Testing and Maintenance................................................................................................14
11.0 Servicing.........................................................................................................................15
12.0 Battery Pack Replacement..............................................................................................15
13.0 Transportation.................................................................................................................16
14.0 Technical Specifications.................................................................................................16
15.0 Warranty Information .....................................................................................................18
16.0 Declaration of conformity...............................................................................................19
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Y1-03-0170 Rev. B
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Y1-03-0170 Rev. B
1.0 SART Overview
The SART helps search and rescue services to quickly locate a life raft in the event of a
rescue at sea. The SART can either be stowed in a life raft, or mounted next to
emergency exits and then carried to the life raft in an emergency.
During an emergency, simply switch the SART on. When a vessel or aircraft with
marine X-band Radar comes within 5 to 7 nautical miles of the life raft, the SART
generates a distinctive “distress” pattern on the Radar screen (See figure 1). The radar
signal guides the rescuers directly to the SART.
Radar Distress Pattern
SART Location
Radar Screen
Figure 1
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Y1-03-0170 Rev. B
2.0 Introduction
The SART is a Search and Rescue Transponder that provides location information to search
radars operating in the X-band (9.2 – 9.5 GHz). Once activated the SART detects the radar
signal of the search craft and sends a series of response pulses to the radar of the search
craft that causes a series of 12 equally spaced arcs to appear on the radar display (see figure
1). The arcs indicate the direction to the SART location. The rescue craft follows the
direction shown and proceeds to the SART.
To achieve the maximum useful range the SART must be mounted at least 3.3 feet (1
meter) above sea level. Increasing the height of the SART antenna will increase the range.
For example, lashing the SART to the top of a pole or an oar in the survival craft will
increase the height and thus the range.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) requires all vessels of more than 300 GRT
to carry at least one SART and vessels 500 GRT and over must carry at least two SART’s,
while RoRo Ferries are required to carry 1 SART for every 4 survival crafts.
Figure 2 on page 6 shows the key features of your PathFinder
activation switch ring is located under the white top cap. Located in the middle of the
switch ring is a red pull tab that must be removed to activate your SART. The pull tab
locks the switch ring in place and stops the SART from accidentally being placed in the
ON position.
Turning the switch ring to the left allows you to test the SART. When held to the left,
the SART will beep once and continue to flash every four seconds. When released the
switch ring will return to the OFF position. TEST mode is identical to ON mode and will
generate a “distress” pattern on any Radar within range. Use TEST mode carefully to
avoid false alarms.
To activate your SART in times of emergency, turn the blue activation switch ring to the
left into the test position and remove the red pull tab by pulling down on the lanyard
attached to the tab. Turn the blue activation switch ring to the right and into the ON
position (see page 9 for complete activation instructions).
When first turned ON, the SART will beep once and continue to flash every four
seconds. The SART is now operational. When responding to Radar the red light flashes
every 1 second and the SART will beep every second. For best results a telescopic pole
is supplied in the base of your SART allowing mounting 1m (3.3 ft) above sea level.
TM
3 SART. The blue
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Y1-03-0170 Rev. B
Hanging Lanyard
Lanyard Spool
Rotate bottom cap to
release lanyard and
telescopic pole
Control and
Battery Housing
Telescopic
Pole
Antenna
Pull Tab Lock
Activation Switch
Ring
Pull Tab
Figure 2
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Y1-03-0170 Rev. B
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