Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the ACR Satellite
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 produce 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 Satellite
406 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
™ 406 or RapidFix™ 406 Emergency Position
2
™ 406 and RapidFix™
2
SECTION 1 - REGISTRATION OF 406 MHZ BEACONS........................................................... 1
It is mandatory that the owner of this 406 MHz beacon registers it with the National Authorities.* 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 beacon s 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.
* National Authority is the governmental body that is responsible for EPIRB registration database
administration for the country the EPIRB is programmed for.
1.2 Where to register
The owner of a 406 MHz beacon (EPIRB) should register it with the National Authority of which the beacon
was programmed, (typically the country where purchased), regardless of where they do their boating. Each
beacon is programmed with a 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
For Faster Service, Register online!
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
to Fax # (301) 568-8649 or register online. Registrations should be completed online or faxed in the event
the beacon is to be placed in immediate service and followed up with the mailing of the hard copy form.
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.
1.3.1 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).
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1.4 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 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.
1.5 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 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 (888) 212-7283 or visit our website at
www.acrelectronics.com
.
1.6 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.
1.7 Lost or Stolen EPIRB’s
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 EPIRB’s, 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 the COSPAS-SARSAT website for more detailed information: www.cospas-sarsat.org
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.
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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.
2.2.1 To report false alarms in the United States contact any of the following:
Atlantic Ocean / Gulf of Mexico
USCG Atlantic Area Command Center
Tel: (757) 398-6390
Pacific Ocean Area \ USCG Area Command Center
Tel: (510) 437-3700
From Any Location
USCG HQ Command Center
Tel (800) 323-7233
2.2.2 To report false alarms worldwide contact your national authority.
SECTION 3 - INSTALLATION
3.1 Mounting Location (Product No 2774, 2775, 2776 and 2777)
3.1.1 The location selected must be sufficiently rigid to support the weight of the total installation and at the
same time consider vibration, exposure to the elements, exposure to surrounding hazards, such as
equipment movement, doors being opened, accidental covering, personnel traffic, etc., and yet be readily
accessible at all times for the emergency use for which the beacon is intended.
3.1.2 Also to be considered in selecting a location for installation is the harmful effect that certain corrosive
vapors might have on the beacon. Under no circumstances should a location be selected for installation
where the beacon would be jeopardized by any foreign articles being temporarily or permanently
positioned during “at sea” or “in port” activities.
3.1.3 Beacon should face inboard on rail mount applications and should not be subjected to breaking waves.
CAUTION:
Care must be taken to prevent any lanyard, line, or other emergency equipment that may be
attached to the beacon from becoming entangled or fouled which could prevent the beacon from being
removed in an emergency.
3.1.4 Do not mount the beacon in the vicinity (3.3 ft) of strong magnetic (such as loud speakers) or electrical
(such as radar or high power radio transmitter) fields. The beacon should not be mounted closer than (3.3
ft) to a navigation compass.
3.1.5 Consideration should be given to mounting the beacon in a vertical (antenna upward position). In certain
circumstances, such as medical emergencies or disabled vessels, manual activation of the EPIRB for
location and homing purposes is sometimes requested. Mounting in this orientation provides the best
homing signal.
should be mounted securely to a vertical or horizontal surface (the mount has predrilled holes for
attachment to a flat surface) where there are no overhead obstructions. Location aboard a vessel must be
chosen to allow the EPIRB to float free of sinking craft and as high as possible especially on small vessels.
This will help ensure operation of the hydrostatic release unit in the event the vessel capsizes without
sinking.
should be securely attached to the vessel. The use of #10 stainless steel hardware is recommended. To
access third mounting hole it is necessary to remove the hydrostatic release and allow spring to deploy.
Hold spring with one hand and slide hydro up into keyway. Be careful to release spring slowly. Mount
bracket to wall and reassemble. See Figures 1, 2 and 3.
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Y1-03-0148 Rev. F
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