Ameri-King AK-451-P-ELT User Manual

Document No. IM-451 Rev. 4, Vol 2 dated 9/26/07

OPERATION MANUAL

FOR SATELLITE PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACON

Model No.: AK-451-PLB

Harsh/ Robust/ Heavy Duty PLB

with Long Lasting Batteries

24 hrs for 406.028 MHz

78 hrs for 121.5 MHz
78 hrs for 243.0 MHz

AMERI-KING CORPORATION

17881 Sampson Lane

Huntington Beach, CA 92648, USA

Phone [phone]

Fax [phone]

www.ameri-king.com

Email: [e-mail]

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* * * WARNING * * *

THIS TRANSMITTER IS AUTHORIZED FOR USE ONLY DURING SITUATIONS OF GRAVE AND

IMMINENT DANGER

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

PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE PERFORMING ANY OF THE TESTS

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the Ameri-King AK-451-PLB Satellite Personal Locator Beacon.
of superior design, high quality raw materials and quality controlled manufacturing
to come. This assures that the life saving devices can stand up to the rigors found in any environment on earth. With proper care and
maintenance, your will be in service for years to come.

The PLB is designed to exceed the requirements of RTCM Paper 76-2002/SC110-STD, FAA TSO-C126 and FAA TSO-C91a and the
mandatory automatic PLB requirements of FAR Part 91. The PLB meets the requirements of Canadian DOT Aviation Regulations
Section 3, Chapter 3, Part 2.

This manual provides operation and maintenance instructions for the Ameri-King AK-451-PLB, hereinafter referred to as the PLB. This
manual also describes the characteristics and details of the System.

Table of Contents

SECTION 1 - REGISTRATION OF 406 MHz PLBS ............................................................3

SECTION 2 - RESPONSIBLE USE..................................................................................4

SECTION 3 - FALSE ALARMS ......................................................................................5

SECTION 4 - OPERATION ............................................................................................5

SECTION 5 - CARE AND MAINTENANCE......................................................................9

SECTION 6 - THE SEARCH AND RESCUE SYSTEM ......................................................10

SECTION 7 - AUTHORIZATIONS ................................................................................11

SECTION 8 - TECHNICAL DATA - 406 .........................................................................12

SECTION 9 - WARRANTY AND REPAIR SERVICE .....................................................13

produce a product that will perform for years

The combination

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SECTION 1 - REGISTRATION OF 406 MHz PLBS

1.1 Registration Importance

It is mandatory that the owner of this 406 MHz registers it with the National Authorities*. All 406 MHz PLBs transmit a Unique
Identifier Number (UIN) when activated. This UIN is programmed in the 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.
resources are wasted every year responding to false alarms. For PLBs
you are, or who to contact regarding
*A National Authority is the governmental body that is responsible for Registration Database administration for the country for which
the PLB is programmed.

1.2 Where to register

The owner of a 406 MHz 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 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
a list of the national authorities in your area, please view

1.3 Registration in the United States

additional information of your current situation. This could delay the launch of a rescue operation.

them at http://www.cospas-sarsat.com/Management/listOfParticipants.htm

that are not registered, SAR authorities will not know who

programmed for the United States. For

Valuable Search and Rescue

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 should
Warranty

SARSAT Beacon Registration,
E/SP3, RM 3320, FB-4
NOAA/NESDIS
5200 Auth Rd.
Suitland, MD 20746-4304

PLB registration is also available online at:

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
the event the PLB is to be placed in immediate use.

Typically, registration forms will be entered in the 406 MHz Registration Database within 48 hours of receipt. A confirmation
letter, a copy of the actual registration and a proof-of-registration
these documents, please check the information carefully and affix the decal to your PLB in the area marked “Place Beacon Decal Here”.
If you do not receive confirmation, contact NOAA for additional information at: [phone].

Card) and mail it with the pre-addressed; postage paid envelope to:

1.3.1 Registration in Canada

complete the enclosed registration form (Do not confuse this with the Ameri-King Corp. Electronics

www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov

faxing the registration form or by completing the form online in

decal will be mailed to you within two weeks. When you receive

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The National Authority in Canada is the NSS (National Search & Rescue Secretariat). Canadian
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

1.4 Registration Outside of the United States and Canada
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,
country in which it has been purchased, 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
current owner of the is transferring the to a new owner, the
or telephone, of the name
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 [phone] or visit our website at

1.6 Lost PLB’s
Inform NOAA immediately at 1-888-212-SAVE (7283), or your national authority, that your PLB
your registration information with the appropriate information.

1.7 Stolen PLB’s
Things That You Need To Do:

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

• Contact NOAA at 1-888-212-SAVE (7283), or your national authority, with the following
information can be updated with the appropriate remarks:

- Police Department Name

- Police Phone Number

- Police Case Number

and address of the new owner. The new owner of the PLB is required to provide the National

view the UIN label on the side of the unit. In the event that this is not programmed for the

current owner is required to inform the National Authority by Letter, Fax

www.ameri-king.com

residents can register online at

the registration form. If the

has been lost. They will update

information so your registration

If your was to activate, the information you provide will be forwarded to the appropriate Search and Rescue Authorities who will ensure
that your gets back to you. And, if someone attempts to register a reported as stolen, NOAA or your national authority will notify the
appropriate Police Department.

Visit the COSPAS-SARSAT website for more detailed information:

SECTION 2 - RESPONSIBLE USE

2.1

What exactly does this mean? Technically speaking you should only activate your when all
exhausted. This means you have tried to use your cellular/satellite phone, signaling mirrors, strobe lights, or any other safety
device you may have.
Am I in danger of losing life, limb, eye sight, or valuable property if I am not rescued soon? Am I in danger of not surviving the night or
upcoming hours if not rescued soon?

If you answer yes with confidence to these questions, it is time to activate your PLB.

The Ameri-King AK-451-PLB should only be used in situations of grave and imminent danger!

When all else fails and you feel your situation has truly become extreme, ask yourself the following questions:

www.cospas-sarsat.org

other means of self rescue have been

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The Ameri-King AK-451-PLB models are designed to be manually deployed and activated. It is
means of self-rescue have been exhausted. Activation of the PLB
you are facing a life threatening

SECTION 3 - FALSE ALARMS

3.1 Preventing False Alarms

• Ensure that your PLB is registered with NOAA or your national authority. This does nothing to reduce false alarm rates, but

does have a dramatic effect on the impact of a false alarm. If the is properly registered, the situation will be resolved with a
phone call most of the time. It will also help speed rescue in an actual distress.

• Test your in accordance with the recommendations enclosed in this manual.

• Use care when leaving your and with whom you leave it with. Ensure that they are aware of

ramifications of causing a false alarm. A lot of false alarms are

•

Maintain your PLB. Ensure that the batteries are within their expiration date and that all
are followed.
PLBs. An activation of a 406 MHz for just a few seconds will usually be
be detected and located. This is good if you're in

3.2 Should there be an inadvertent activation or false alarm, it must be reported to the nearest search and

information that should be reported includes the Unique Identifier
well as location of at the time of activation. Outside the United States contact your National Authority.

Finally, realize that the COSPAS-SARSAT satellites are very good at what they do, detecting

situation.

tells Search and Rescue who you are, where you are, and that

generated by curious individuals.

detected. After a few minutes, it will usually

distress, but if you're not, you just generated a false alarm.

Number (UIN), Date, Time, duration and cause of activation, as

only to be activated when all other

the device and know the

manufacturer recommendations

emergency

rescue authorities. The

3.3 To 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 Atlantic Area Command Center Tel: [phone]

USCG HQ Command Center (From any location) Tel: [phone]

NOAA Tel: [phone]-SAVE (7283)

AFRCC Console Tel: [phone]
(For official mission correspondence only)

SECTION 4 - OPERATION

4.1 GENERAL

This section describes the operation of the Satellite Personal Locator Beacon, model AK-451-PLB.

The following types are applicable for the model AK-451:

The AK-451 is a "third generation PLB," transmitting on 406.028, 121.5 and 243.0 MHz. The PLB is designed to meet or exceed the
requirements of RTCM Paper 76-2002/SC110-STD, FAA TSO-C126 and TSO-C91a and the mandatory automatic PLB requirements
of FAR Part 91. The PLB meets the requirements of DOT Aviation Regulations, Section 3, Chapter 3, Part 2.

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