Orolia PLB 4 User Manual
Fastfind MaxG
, Fastfind MaxG(B)
User manual
mcmurdo
mcmurdomcmurdo
mcmurdo
Personal Location Beacon
& Fastfind Max
ii
Notices to Purchasers
Personal Location Beacons (PLB) must be registered with the appropriate
National Authority. Failure to register your PLB could delay a Search and
Rescue (SAR) response and maybe unlawful.
Your PLBs
unique
identification
information
Stick copy
Programming
label here
WARNING
A PLB should only be activated in situations of grave and imminent
danger to life. Misuse or false activation is unlawful and could result in
a penalty
Important
PLBs are intended for use within the maritime, aviation and land
environments where permitted by national administrations. When activated,
the PLB sends an emergency alert to the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system.
The time taken for the alert to be processed is dependant upon the extent of
satellite system coverage at that time and any overhead obstruction that
could impair the signal path to the satellite. The actual time to rescue in an
emergency will be dependant upon the performance of all factors within the
SAR (Search and Rescue) system, and as such, is outside the control of
McMurdo Ltd.
Applicability of this manual
Fastfind Max and MaxG build standard: May 2008
This manual is applicable to both the Fastfind Max & MaxG models. Only
MaxG versions have an inbuilt GPS receiver, consequently references to
GPS and the GPS system will only apply to the MaxG and MaxG(B) models.
i
Contents
Safety notices...............................................................................................1
Quick start checklist .....................................................................................2
Emergency operation ........................................................................................... 2
Introduction...................................................................................................3
Preparing the PLB for use............................................................................3
Handling false alerts.....................................................................................4
Emergency Operation ..................................................................................5
Switching off an active PLB.................................................................................. 6
Emergency Operation with GPS (Fastfind MaxG)................................................ 7
Self-test ........................................................................................................8
Getting the best from the PLB......................................................................9
General use.......................................................................................................... 9
Get the best from GPS PLBs ............................................................................... 9
Satellite Distress Beacons explained.........................................................13
Why GPS PLBs?................................................................................................ 13
How does your PLB work?.........................................................................14
Registration and Licensing.........................................................................15
Radio transmitter Licence requirements............................................................. 16
Service and Maintenance...........................................................................17
Deactivation................................................................................................18
Battery Pack ...............................................................................................18
How to assemble your PLB........................................................................19
Fitting the battery................................................................................................ 19
Technical Specifications.............................................................................20
Usage statement ................................................................................................ 22
Declaration of Conformity...........................................................................23
Product Warranty .......................................................................................24
End of Life Statement.................................................................................25
Battery Removal................................................................................................. 25
Disposal ............................................................................................................. 25
Annex 1. Registration information..............................................................26
Annex 2. Quick user card detail .................................................................29
ii
Safety notices
Please take time to read this manual fully as it contains important information
regarding the correct use and maintenance of your PLB.
Important
The PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) is an emergency radio beacon; only ever
operate it in situations of grave and imminent danger to life.
CAUTION: False alerts endanger lives and cause expensive disruption to Search
and Rescue services, deliberate misuse of the PLB could result in penalty.
CAUTION: The PLB and battery pack contain no user-serviceable parts. Do not
dismantle the PLB or the battery pack.
CAUTION: The battery pack contains lithium batteries. Do not attempt to
recharge the battery under any circumstances. Do not incinerate, puncture, deform, or
short-circuit. Dispose of spent battery packs safely and in accordance with local waste
disposal regulations. Refer to End of Life Statement.
CAUTION: Avoid using chemical solvents to clean the PLB as some solvents can
damage the case material.
CAUTION: Radio licensing, the PLB is a radio transmitter. Some administrations
may require that the user holds a valid radio licence to cover its ownership and use.
Radio Frequency Exposure Warning
WARNING: The PLB is a radio transmitter which emits radio frequency radiation
when activated. Because of the low power levels used and the intermittency of these
transmissions PLBs should not expose users to RF energy in excess of safe limits.
However it is advisable not to handle the antenna while the unit is transmitting.
Disclaimer
The information and illustrations contained in this publication are to the best of our
knowledge correct at the time of going to print. We reserve the right to change
specifications, equipment, installation and maintenance instructions without notice as
part of our policy of continuous product development and improvement. No part of this
publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form,
electronic or otherwise without permission in writing from McMurdo Ltd. No liability
can be accepted for any inaccuracies or omissions in the publication, although every
care has been taken to make it as complete and accurate as possible.
1
Quick start checklist
Emergency operation
1. Open the flip cover
2. Tear off the red plastic tab
3. Press and hold the red button for 2 seconds
Do
• Register the PLB with the National Authority
• Learn how to activate and position the PLB in an emergency
• Check that the battery is in date
• Self-test the PLB once a month
Don’t
• Activate the PLB unless there is a genuine emergency
• Allow the GPS ZONE to become covered (clearly marked on
the front of the PLB case)
• Handle the antenna
2
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing your McMurdo Ltd Fastfind Max Personal Location Beacon
(PLB). The Max ranges are the very latest state of the art McMurdo Ltd PLBs
manufactured by Signature Industries Limited. When carrying a Fastfind Max, you will
enjoy the reassurance of having a PLB as a last resort safeguard against any life
threatening incidents that may occur anywhere in the world. Whether alone or in a
group, on holiday or at work, enjoying your sport or hobby, if you ever find yourself in
a remote area without any other form of emergency communication, on land, at sea or
in the air the Fastfind Max comes into its own.
Once activated, the Fastfind Max transmits a unique identification signal via the
COSPAS SARSAT satellite system. Provided the PLB has a clear view of the sky its
location can be determined anywhere on the earth’s surface. Details of the PLB alert
will quickly be passed to regional SAR (search and rescue) authorities. Keeping your
PLB Registration details up to date is critical to ensure a quick and appropriate SAR
response is sent to your rescue.
The Fastfind MaxG and MaxG(B) have an inbuilt Global Positioning System (GPS)
navigation receiver. Once activated in an emergency, GPS positional information is
automatically transmitted as part of the distress message. The inclusion of GPS
based positional information can greatly reduce the time it takes for the SAR
authorities to arrive on scene.
Should your have any questions, or require advice regarding McMurdo Ltd products
our website ‘frequently asked questions’ is a good place to start. From the web site
you can also leave a message for our customer service team, visit;
www.mcmurdo.co.uk
Preparing the PLB for use
Carefully unpack the carton and check the contents.
Carton contents list;
PLB with attached battery and Lanyard
Belt bag
User manual
User card
Registration paper work
Confirm that the battery expiry date shown on the rear of the battery pack is in date
for the duration of intended use.
Check that the outside of the PLB is undamaged and that the flip top lid cover is
present. Lift the flip top lid and confirm that the anti-tamper seal is intact
Self-test the PLB following the instructions detailed in the self test section.
A self-test pass indication verifies that the PLB is ready for use.
Always carry the PLB securely, so it is close at hand in the event of an emergency.
Securely attach the PLB lanyard clip to clothing or life vest.
3
Handling false alerts
If the PLB has been accidentally activated, or if rescue have been effected before
arrival of the rescue services:
• Only switch off the PLB when instructed to do so by the rescue services or
authorities.
• Attempt to contact the rescue services, coastguard, or police by radio or
telephone to advise them of the false alert.
PLB with antenna deployed
4
Emergency Operation
PLB
c
ontrol
s
(Max)
Anti-tamper
cover seal
Flip-top lid
GPS ZONE do not
cover
(Fastfind MaxG)
Activation
button
Green light
Red light
Self-test/OFF
button
5
Emergency Operation
Important: ONLY pull the red anti-tamper seal in an emergency.
1. Raise the flip-up lid to expose the red anti-tamper cover. Once opened, the
flip-up lid can be pulled off the PLB and discarded if necessary.
2. Grasp the handle part of the red anti-tamper cover, and pull sharply away
from the PLB body. This uncovers the START/ON button. The antenna will
spring into an upright position as soon as the anti-tamper cover is removed.
CAUTION: Spring action antenna deployment; tilt the PLB away from
your face when pulling the anti-tamper seal to deploy the antenna.
3. Press and hold the ON button for at least 2 seconds.
The RED ON indicator light will turn on
An audible alarm buzzer will start to sound
4. After 2 minutes has elapsed, the RED ON indicator light will start to
slowly flash indicating that the PLB has started transmitting
emergency alerts.
The PLB will continue to transmit alerts for a minimum of 48 hours. 406 MHz
transmissions are announced by a long flash of the GREEN indicator light once every
50 seconds and the sounding of the audible alarm buzzer.
Lift flip cover and Pull anti-tamper cover to deploy the antenna, push and hold
ON button to activate the PLB.
Important: After the PLB is switched ON the first emergency transmission is delayed
for 2 minutes. This delay allows time to switch the PLB off in the event of accidental
activation before a false alert is transmitted.
Switching off an active PLB
Press and hold the OFF button for a minimum of 5 seconds until the indicator lights go
off and the alarm buzzer stops sounding.
6
Emergency Operation with GPS (Fastfind MaxG)
GPS
PLB
c
ontrol
s
(MaxG
& MaxG(B)
)
When the PLB is first activated the inbuilt GPS receiver will attempt to acquire a valid
geographical position fix.
Once a GPS position fix is acquired the GREEN indicator light will start to
flash once every 3.5 seconds in sequence with the red indicator light.
Activation
button
Green light
flashes when
GPS position
is good
GREEN and RED indicator lights ‘long flash’ in sequence once every
50 seconds to indicate each 406 MHz transmission containing a valid
GPS position.
After 4 hours without a valid GPS position fix the GREEN light will go
out completely.
- 3.5 seconds -
GPS position acquired
- 50 seconds -
Transmission with valid GPS position
- 50 seconds -
- 50 seconds -
GPS position lost
- 3.5 seconds -
Red light
Self-test/OFF
button
7
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