Use only in situations of grave and imminent
danger
Register PLB with NOAA SARSAT (refer to details
on Page 2 following) before use
McMurdo Limited reserves the right to change this specification at any time
without notice, and hereby specifically disclaims liability for any consequences
of such action.
Contents
Recommendations and Safety Notices.......................................1
Registration and licensing...........................................................2
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.
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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