ACR Electronics RAPIDIFIX 406 EPIRB User Manual

OWNER_____________________________

VESSEL_____________________________

RADIO CALL SIGN_____________________

Product Support Manual

Satellite2 406™ & RapidFix™

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon

Product No. 2774 Cat.1

Product No. 2775 Cat.2

Product No. 2776 GPS Interface Cat.1

Product No. 2777 GPS Interface Cat.2

RLB-32/33

Y1-03-0148

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]

i

* * * WARNING * * *

THIS TRANSMITTER IS AUTHORIZED FOR USE ONLY DURING SITUATIONS OF GRAVE

AND IMMINENT DANGER

DELIBERATE MISUSE MAY

INCUR A SEVERE PENALTY

i		Y1-03-0148 Rev. F

Foreword

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the ACR Satellite2™ 406 or RapidFix™ 406 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 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 Satellite2™ 406 and RapidFix™ 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
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	Registration Outside of the United States ................................................................		2
1.5	Change of ownership or contact information...........................................................		2
1.6	Commercial Vessels World Wide ..............................................................................		2
1.7	Lost or Stolen EPIRB’s...............................................................................................		2
SECTION 2 - FALSE ALARMS ..................................................................................................			2
2.1	Prevention of false alarms. ........................................................................................		2
2.2	Reporting of false alarms...........................................................................................		3
SECTION 3 - INSTALLATION....................................................................................................			3
3.1	Mounting Location (Product No 2774, 2775, 2776 and 2777) ..................................		3
3.2	Visual Inspection ........................................................................................................		4
3.3	Hydrostatic Release Dating Instruction (Product No. 2774 & 2776) Cat 1.		............ 4
SECTION 4 - OPERATION.........................................................................................................			5
4.1	General ........................................................................................................................		5
4.2	Automatic Deployment and Activation (Cat. 1) ........................................................		5
4.3	Manual Deployment and Activation (Cat. 1 and Cat. 2) ...........................................		6
4.4	Manual Activation Without Deployment ...................................................................		7
4.5	Deactivation ................................................................................................................		7
4.6	Full Functional Self Test ............................................................................................		7
4.7	External GPS Interface (P/N 2776 & 2777 only) ........................................................		8
SECTION 5 - CARE AND MAINTENANCE................................................................................			9
5.1	Routine Maintenance..................................................................................................		9
5.2	Hydrostatic Release....................................................................................................		9
5.3	Battery Replacement ..................................................................................................		9
SECTION 6 – THE SEARCH AND RESCUE SYSTEM............................................................			10
6.1	General Overview......................................................................................................		10
6.2	Satellite Detection.....................................................................................................		10
6.3	GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS)..................................................................		11
SECTION 7- AUTHORIZATIONS .............................................................................................			12
7.1	Characteristics..........................................................................................................		12
7.2	Technical Data — Satellite2™ 406 and RapidFix™ 406 .........................................		12
7.3	Specifications............................................................................................................		12
	ii	Y1-03-0148 Rev. F

SECTION 1 - REGISTRATION OF 406 MHZ BEACONS

1.1Registration Importance

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.

1.2Where 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.

1.3Registration 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 # [phone] 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.

1.3.1Commercial 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	Y1-03-0148 Rev. F

1.4Registration 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.

1.5Change 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.

1.6Commercial 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.

1.7Lost 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

2.1Prevention 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	Y1-03-0148 Rev. F

2.2Reporting 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.

2.2.1To report false alarms in the United States contact any of the following:

Atlantic Ocean / Gulf of Mexico

USCG Atlantic Area Command Center Tel: [phone]

Pacific Ocean Area \ USCG Area Command Center

Tel: [phone] From Any Location

USCG HQ Command Center

Tel [phone]

2.2.2To report false alarms worldwide contact your national authority. SECTION 3 - INSTALLATION

3.1Mounting Location (Product No 2774, 2775, 2776 and 2777)

3.1.1The 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.

3.1.2Also 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.

3.1.3Beacon 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.

3.1.4Do 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.

3.1.5Consideration 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.

3.1.6The Satellite2™ 406 and RapidFix™ 406 (Product No. 2774 & 2776) Cat. 1 float-free mounting bracket 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.

3.1.7The Satellite2™ 406 and RapidFix™ 406 (Product No. 2774 & 2776) Cat. 1 float-free mounting bracket 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.

3	Y1-03-0148 Rev. F