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ResQLink PLB
User Manual
19 pgs1.78 Mb0

ACR Electronics ResQLink PLB User Manual

406 MHz Personal Locator Beacons
PRODUCT SUPPORT MANUAL
Model: PLB-375 / Product No.: 2880 (ResQLink), 2881 (ResQLink +)
Y1-03-0251 Rev. E
1
Table Of Contents & Warnings
PLEASE READ ALL WARNINGS, CAUTIONS AND NOTES
CARFULLY
Table of Contents
1. Registration 3
2. Anatomy Of A Rescue 6
3. Anatomy Of Your Beacon 7
4. Activating Your Beacon 8
5. Turning Your Beacon Off 11
6. Testing Your Beacon 12
7. Satellite Testing 14
8. Preventing False Alarms 15
9. Beacon Maintenance 16
10. Product Specifications 18
11. Product Warranty 19
This manual supports all configurations of PLB-375 beacons. In addition to the part numbers listed on the cover page, other configurations of these products may be available, thus you may have purchased a product configuration with a different version of the part number (for
example, 2880.63). As long as the first four digits are the same as one
of the part numbers on the cover, this manual is applicable. If you have questions regarding the contents of the manual or something not covered in the manual, please contact our Technical Service Department at ACR Electronics Inc. +1 (954)-862-2110.
CAUTION: Do not dismantle the PLB, contains no user­serviceable parts.
CAUTION: Remove from pouch prior to operation
battery in accordance with local waste disposal regulations.
2
1. Registration
REGISTERING YOUR BEACON
Why is registration important?
As the owner of this 406 MHz beacon, it is a requirement that you register it with the National Authority of your country. Please note
that in many countries all 406 MHz beacons are required to have their registration updated every two years by the owner. Please check the requirements for your country of registration.
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. Search and Rescue
(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 (if applicable), your address, 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 alerts, and registering your beacon helps to resolve this quickly.
3
1. Registration
What country should I register in? The beacon must be registered in the
country of the owner’s residence. If the beacon is not programmed to that country’s code and protocol, and the residence is outside of the USA, the
beacon needs to be reprogrammed.
Additionally, the beacon must be reprogrammed if you, as the owner, move out of the country where the beacon is registered. 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.
For a complete list of all countries with online registration links visit
www.acrelectronics.com/support/registrations/
Please check to make sure that your PLB is registered correctly
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).
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-of-registration decal will be mailed to you within two weeks. When you receive these
documents, please check the information carefully, and then affix the decal to
your beacon in the area marked “BEACON DECAL HERE.”
It is very important that the proof of registration decal matches the UIN on the beacon. If you do not receive confirmation back from NOAA within two weeks, call toll free (888) 212-7283 for assistance.
The fastest and easiest way to register is online at
www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov/
Or Mail To:
SARSAT Beacon Registration NOAA NSOF, E/SP053 4231 Suitland Road Suitland, MD 20746
Or Fax To:
Faxing a registration is also acceptable. Fax the registration form to 301-817-
4565
User Tip
4
1. Registration
Registration in Other Countries In countries other than the United States and Canada,
406 MHz beacons are registered with that country’s
national authority at the time of purchase. The sales
agent may have assisted you in filling out the forms and sending them to the country’s national authority.
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.
Registration in Canada Canadian residents can register online at:
The fastest and easiest way to register is online at:
http://canadianbeaconregistry.forces.gc.ca/
Or Mail To:
Canadian Beacon Registry CFB Trenton, PO Box 1000 Stn Forces, Astra, Ontario K0K 3W0
International customers should visit
http://www.acrelectronics.com/support/registrations/
to find the proper location to register your beacon.
Or Fax To:
Faxing a registration is also acceptable. Fax
the registration form to 877-406-3298
5
2. Anatomy Of A Rescue
HOW THE BEACON WORKS How your beacon summons 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 network 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 Cospas-Sarsat system has saved over 30,500 lives - and
counting - since its inception. To learn more about the system visit
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 forces. The distress message contains the beacon UIN and on some models the GPS location of the beacon. Additional information
about the beacon is accessed by SAR forces 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 forces 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. The purpose of this feature is to send an even more precise location of the beacon to the satellites, i.e., latitude and longitude data. This helps SAR to reach the location even faster.
Learn more about the Cospas-Sarsat satellite
system: www.cospas-sarsat.org
User Tip
6
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