Orolia PLB 1 GPS, PLB 1 User Manual

Fastfind & Fastfind Plus
Personal Locator Beacon
Owner’s manual
WARNING
Use only in situations of grave and imminent danger
Register PLB with NOAA SARSAT (refer to details on Page 2 following) before use
Contents
Recommendations and Safety Notices.......................................1
Registration and licensing...........................................................2
Quick Checklist ...........................................................................3
Introduction .................................................................................4
Preparation for Use.....................................................................4
Operation ....................................................................................5
Self-test ............................................................................................. 5
Emergency operation ........................................................................7
Switching off......................................................................................8
Using the PLB in an emergency .................................................9
How does it work?.....................................................................10
PLB Registration .......................................................................11
COSPAS-SARSAT Satellite System.........................................12
Indicators...................................................................................14
Fastfind (non-GPS version).............................................................14
Fastfind Plus (integral GPS version) ...............................................15
False Alarms and Complete Deactivation.................................17
Service and Maintenance .........................................................18
Before use.......................................................................................18
After use..........................................................................................18
Inadvertent Activation...................................................................... 18
Battery Packs ............................................................................18
Spare Parts ..................................................................................... 19
Service ............................................................................................19
Verification ......................................................................................19
Specification..............................................................................20
McMurdo Limited Product Warranty .........................................22
IMPORTANT
Please take time to read this manual carefully and to understand its contents fully, so that you can maintain your PLB and operate it correctly in case of an emergency
Recommendations and Safety Notices
This Fastfind or Fastfind Plus Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is an emergency radio beacon for use only in situations of grave and imminent danger.
False alarms cause expensive disruption to search and rescue services, and may endanger lives. Deliberate misuse of the PLB can result in a severe penalty.
Make sure you read this manual and understand how to activate/de­activate your PLB, and how to change the battery packs. Ensure that the PEPIRB is registered with NOAA SARSAT office in Suitland, MD. Failure to register may lead to prosecution.
The PLB and battery pack contain no user-serviceable parts. Do not dismantle the PLB or the battery pack. Battery packs contain lithium batteries. Do not incinerate, puncture, deform, or short-circuit. Dispose of spent battery packs safely and in accordance with local waste disposal regulations.
The PLB is a radio transmitter, and as such emits radio frequency radiation when activated. This radiation is classified as harmless because of the levels and duty cycles; however it is advisable not to handle the antenna while the unit is transmitting.
Page 1
Registration and licensing
Each PLB is programmed with a unique digital identity before reaching the customer. This 15 digit hexadecimal number appears on the programming information label located on the back of the PLB (visible when the battery pack is removed), and is pre-printed on the registration card included in the PLB pack. This is the identity which is transmitted to the satellite system when the PLB is activated.
The registration form must be completed, signed, and forwarded to the NOAA SARSAT office in Suitland MD by fax or mail as soon as possible. The registration forms are pre-printed with the correct mailing address and fax number. Registration will also be available on-line (anticipated date: August 1 2003) at http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov, or forms may be downloaded now for completion off-line. Use the PLB form in both
cases.
Emergency Contact
It is VITAL that the Emergency Contact information is accurate, particularly regarding the telephone number, as this will be used to validate an alert. Only if the beacon registration and approximate location details can be confirmed will AFRCC (the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center) launch an immediate rescue, otherwise there will be a delay whilst further alerts from the same source are received and verified.
You will be sent a sticker which must be attached to the PLB. The most convenient place for this is on the front of the unit clear of the recess for opening the cover.
Registration address:
NOAA SARSAT Beacon Registration E/SP3, RM 3320, FB-4 5200 Auth Road Suitland MD 20746-4304
FAX: 301-568-8649
Helpline: 301-457-5678 or toll-free: 1-888-212-SAVE (7283).
Page 2
Quick Checklist
Do:
Test the PLB before taking it on a trip
Ensure that the PLB is registered with NOAA
SARSAT
Make sure that you know how to activate and position the PLB in an emergency
Check the battery expiry date
Don’t:
Activate the PLB unless there is a genuine emergency
Tamper with the red cover or antenna
Test the PLB more than once per month (on
average)
Page 3
Introduction
Congratulations on your discerning purchase of this Fastfind 406MHz PLB. This beacon has been designed to ensure your peace of mind by providing you with many years trouble-free service. If you have any problems or require further help and advice, please do not hesitate to contact your retailer, distributor or McMurdo directly.
The Fastfind and Fastfind Plus PLBs are Personal Locator Beacons. In an emergency, activating the beacon causes an alarm to be transmitted to the rescue services through the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite array. This alarm enables the user’s location to be established; the PLB also transmits a local homing signal to direct the rescue mission.
The Fastfind PLB uses the satellite system to establish the position of the emergency; the Fastfind Plus incorporates a GPS (Global Positioning System) module which pinpoints the user’s position directly and sends this information to the satellite for onward transmission.
Preparation for Use
List of contents
PLB Belt bag Lanyard User manual (this document)
Open the box and check the contents. Test the PLB in accordance with the instructions in the next section of this manual.
Belt bag
The belt bag is for carrying the PLB hands-free. Fit the bag to the belt. Attach the lanyard to the PLB by removing the battery securing screw, as described on Page 15. Clip the lanyard to the D-ring inside the bag, then place the PLB in the bag and close the self-sealing cover. To remove the PLB, pull open the cover and extract the PLB.
Page 4
Operation
Self-test
Emergency ON button
Green lamp
Red lamp
Self-test/OFF button
PLB control panel (Fastfind shown)
The PLB should be tested before setting out, but testing should be limited to about 12 times per year to minimise the total power taken from the battery. Self-test should only be carried out in the first five minutes of any hour.
Open the flip-top lid. Do NOT pull off the red anti-tamper cover.
Self-test uses the OFF/Test button, located under the flexible handle of the red anti-tamper cover on the right side as shown above.
Slide a finger under the flexible handle of the anti-tamper cover to operate the switch. Press the switch and HOLD IT DOWN until the self­test sequence is completed. This will take about 8 seconds. While the button is held down and the self -test sequence is in progress the red indicator light marked “ON” (above the switch) will illuminate.
Page 5
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