ACR Electronics Y1-03-0215-1 User Manual

Product Support Manual

MicrOFix™ 406
GPS Personal Locator Beacon

Product No. 2898

PLB-300

Y1-03-0215-1

Rev. C

Personal Locator Beacon

FCC ID: B66ACR-PLB-300

ACR Electronics, Inc.

5757 Ravenswood Road

Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33312

Tel : [phone]

Fax: [phone]

www.acrartex.com

1

* * * WARNING * * *

THIS TRANSMITTER IS AUTHORIZED FOR USE ONLY DURING SITUATIONS OF

GRAVE AND IMMINENT DANGER

* * * DELIBERATE MISUSE MAY INCUR A SEVERE PENALTY * * *

For proper use refer to section 2 – Responsible Use

PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE PERFORMING ANY OF THE TESTS.

If you should have any questions or problems with this product, do not return to the store, in which you

purchased, call ACR Electronics, Inc. directly at 1 [phone] or [phone].

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the ACR MicrOFix™ 406 GPS Personal Locator Beacon. The combination
of superior design, high quality raw materials and quality controlled manufacturing results in 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 ACR life saving devices can stand up to the rigors found in any environment on earth. With proper care
and maintenance, your PLB will be in service for years to come.

ACR is proud to be certified to the ISO 9001:2008, the International Standard for Quality.
This manual provides operation and maintenance instructions for the MicrOFix™ 406 GPS PLB, hereinafter referred to as

the PLB or Beacon. This manual also describes the characteristics and details of the PLB System.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section 1 - Registration of 406 Mhz PLBs ................................................................................................................................................. 2

1.1 Registration Importance ................................................................................................................................................................. 2

1.2 Where To Register ......................................................................................................................................................................... 2

1.3 Registration In The United States ................................................................................................................................................... 2

1.4 Registration In Canada ................................................................................................................................................................... 2

1.5 Registration Outside of The United States (International Registration Website: Www.406registration.Com) ................................ 2

1.6 Change of Ownership Or Contact Information ................................................................................................................................ 3

1.7 Lost or Stolen PLB’s ....................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Section 2 – Responsible Use .................................................................................................................................................................... 3

2.1 Preventing False alerts ................................................................................................................................................................... 3

2.2 To Report False alerts In The United States contact: ..................................................................................................................... 3

Section 3 – Operation ............................................................................................................................................................................... 4

3.1 Activation ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 4

3.2 Activation With GPS ....................................................................................................................................................................... 5

3.3 GPS Receiver Orientation .............................................................................................................................................................. 5

3.4 406/121.5 Antenna Position ........................................................................................................................................................... 5

3.5 Deactivation .................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

3.6 Self Test ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

3.7 Battery Witness Seal Life ............................................................................................................................................................... 6

3.8 GPS Testing ................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Section 4 – Accessories ............................................................................................................................................................................ 6

4.1 PLB Attachment Clips..................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Section 5 - Care And Maintenance ........................................................................................................................................................... 7

5.1 Battery Replacement ................................................................................................................................ ...................................... 7

Section 6 - The Search and Rescue System............................................................................................................................................. 7

6.1 General Overview ........................................................................................................................................................................... 7

6.2 Satellite Detection .......................................................................................................................................................................... 7

6.3 Global Positioning System (GPS) ................................................................................................................................................... 8

Section 7 – Authorizations......................................................................................................................................................................... 8

7.1 Characteristics ................................................................................................................................................................................ 8

Section 8 - Technical Data - MicrOFix™ 406 ............................................................................................................................................ 9

8.1 Applicable Documents .................................................................................................................................................................... 9

8.2 Specifications ................................................................................................................................................................................. 9

Section 9 – Frequently Asked Questions ................................................................................................................................................ 10

Section 10 – Limited Warranty ................................................................................................................................................................ 12

Section 11 – Customer Support Information ........................................................................................................................................... 12

Y1-03-0215-1 Rev. C

2

SECTION 1 - FREE REGISTRATION OF 406 MHz PLBS

1.1 Registration Importance (Registration is FREE and can be updated as many times as you want)

It is mandatory that the owner of this 406 MHz PLB registers it with the National Authority*. All 406 MHz PLBs
transmit a Unique Identifier Number (UIN) when activated. This UIN is programmed in the PLB based on the
country in which the PLB was purchased. Registration provides the Search and Rescue (SAR) forces with
emergency contact information, and will speed the launch of a rescue operation. The National Authorities use the
information to verify if an actual emergency exists. Valuable Search and Rescue personnel are put at risk and
resources are wasted every year responding to false alerts. For PLBs that are not registered, SAR authorities will
not know who you are, or who to contact regarding additional information about your current situation. This could
delay the launch of a rescue operation.

*The National Authority is the governmental body that is responsible for PLB Registration Database administration
in the country for which the PLB is programmed.

1.2 Where to register

The owner of a 406 MHz PLB should register it with the National Authority of which the PLB was programmed,
(typically the country where purchased), regardless of where you use your PLB. Each PLB is programmed with a
UIN for the country where the unit is shipped, and will only be accepted for registration in that country. To verify the
country, for which a PLB is programmed, see the label with the UIN on the back of the unit. Units that do not have a
country specified on the UIN label are programmed for the United States. For a list of the national authorities in
your area, please view them at http://www.cospas-sarsat.com/Management/listOfParticipants.htm

1.3 Registration in the United States (Registration online is quick and easy: www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov)

It is the Owner’s responsibility and required by law to Register 406 MHz PLBs 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 can complete the online registration by
visiting www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov or complete the enclosed registration form (Do not confuse this with the
ACR Electronics Warranty Card) and mail it with the pre-addressed; postage paid envelope to:

SARSAT Beacon Registration,

NSOF, E/SP053

NOAA/NESDIS

4231 Suitland Road

Suitland, MD 20746-4304

The information provided on the Registration Form is used only for Search and Rescue purposes. The Registration
Form should be filled out immediately. Registration can be expedited by registering online or by faxing the
registration form in the event the PLB is to be placed in immediate use.

Typically, registration forms will be entered in the 406 MHz PLB 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 PLB

in the area marked “Beacon Decal here”. If you do not receive confirmation, contact NOAA for additional

information at: [phone].

1.4 Registration in Canada

The National Authority in Canada is the NSS (National Search & Rescue Secretariat). Canadian residents can
register online at http://beacons.nss.gc.ca/. For more information please contact the NSS at [phone] or
[phone].

National Search and Rescue Secretariat

400-275 Slater Street

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K2

1.5 Registration Outside of the United States

In countries other than the United States, 406 MHz PLBs 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 PLB is not programmed for the country in which it has been purchased, the sales agent, (if
properly equipped) can reprogram the unit for that country.

Y1-03-0215-1 Rev. C

3

If your country has registered with the International Registration Database can apply easily online at

www.406registration.com.

1.6 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 PLB is transferring the PLB 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 PLB 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) 212­7283 or visit our website at www.acrartex.com.

1.7 Lost or stolen PLB’s

In the U.S. contact NOAA immediately at 1-888-212-SAVE (7283), or contact your national authority, that your
beacon has been lost or stolen. They will update your beacon registration information with the appropriate
information.

Things that you need to do if your beacon is stolen:

• Report to your local police department that the PLB has been stolen.

• Contact NOAA (in the U.S. only) at 1-888-212-SAVE (7283), or your national authority as appropriate with
the Police Department Name, Police Phone Number, Police Case Number.

If your PLB were to activate, the information you provide will be forwarded to the appropriate Search and Rescue
Authorities who will ensure that your PLB is returned to you. If someone attempts to register a PLB 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 – RESPONSIBLE USE

The MicrOFix™ 406 GPS PLB is a distress signaling device of last resort, for use when all other means of self­rescue have been exhausted; where the situation is grave and imminent, and the loss of life, limb, eyesight or
valuable property will occur without assistance. Deliberate misuse may incur a severe penalty.

2.1 Preventing False alerts

Ensure that your PLB is registered. This does not reduce false alerts rates, but does have a dramatic effect on the
impact of a false alert. If the PLB is properly registered, the situation will be resolved with a phone call.

Be careful who you leave your PLB with. Ensure that they how to use it, and the ramifications of causing a false
alert. A lot of false alerts are generated by curious individuals. If you notice the PLB is flashing the red LED and
BEEPING periodically on its own, this likely means it accidentally has been activated and needs to be shut off and
reported.

The COSPAS-SARSAT satellites are very good at detecting distress PLB transmissions. The activation of a 406
MHz PLB for just a few seconds will usually be detected. After a few minutes, it will usually be detected and
located. This is good if you're in distress, but if you're not, you just generated a false alert.

Should there be an inadvertent activation or false alert, it must be reported to the nearest search and rescue
authorities. The information that should be reported includes the PLB Unique Identifier Number (UIN), Date, Time,
duration and cause of activation, as well as location of PLB at the time of activation. Outside the United States
contact your National Authority.

If the ON/OFF button is continuously depressed for longer the 10 minutes, the PLB will go into shut down mode
and will stop transmitting your distress message. Once the ON/OFF button is no longer pressed, the PLB will reset
and can be activated by holding the ON/OFF button for greater then 1 second.

2.2 To report false alerts in the United States contact:

United States Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) Tel: [phone]
Inadvertent alerts or activations that are rectified must be reported to the AFRCC to let them know that the situation
has been fixed and everything is fine. Responsibly reporting these events to the AFRCC or your proper authority,
will not incur a penalty, deliberate misuse or not notifying the proper authority may incur a severe penalty.

Y1-03-0215-1 Rev. C