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Locator Beacons
Types of Beacon
Current (406 MHz frequency) Emergency Locator Beacons come
in two broad categories, those designed to be carried by
an individual (mainly, although not exclusively, on land,
by trampers, climbers etc or those like kite surfers, sea
kayakers etc who want something that can be carried in a
pocket on their personal flotation device. The other type
is aimed at those who will carry it on the water and is designed
to be mounted on a bracket on a vessel. Both types Personal
Locator Beacons (or PLB’s) and Emergency Position Indicating
Radio Beacon's (EPIRB's), respectively, can manage position
accuracy to within 5km without their own built in GPS. This
sounds good (and is a great improvement on the older pre
406 MHz beacons) but can still lead to significant delays
in rough seas or difficult terrain. We only stock beacons
with built in GPS. These provide position location accuracy
to less than 100 metres and significantly improve speed of
rescue.
406 MHz Versus the old Analogue Beacons
Advantages of a 406 MHZ EPIRB over the older analogue EPIRBs
include world wide coverage, position location accuracy to
within 5 kms (and often less than 100 m for the GPS models)
and a more stable transmitted signal resulting in faster
response time. Most importantly, the addition of a unique
digitally coded message provides Search and Rescue authorities
with vital information including the country of beacon registration
and identification of the vessel in distress thus greatly
reducing the incidence of false alerts and unnecessary deployment
of valuable rescue resources. An auxiliary homing transmitter
is included to enable suitably equipped Search and Rescue
forces to home on the distress beacon.
COSPAS-SARSAT
COSPAS-SARSAT is the international satellite system that
provides distress alert and location data to assist Search
and Rescue operations. It detects and locates the signals
of beacons operating on 406MHz. Please note it no longer
monitors for the older analogue beacons. The position of
the distress and other related information is forwarded to
the appropriate Search and Rescue point of contact through
the COSPAS-SARSAT mission control center network. The goal
of the system is to support all organizations in the world
with responsibility for SAR operations, whether at sea, in
the air or on land. The COSPAS-SARSAT system provides distress
alert and location data to rescue coordination centers for
406MHz beacons activated anywhere in the world. For further
information see: http://www.cospas-sarsat.org
Please note that it is important to source your beacon in
New Zealand as each country has an individual 406 code. When
you purchase a 406MHz distress beacon, it needs to be programmed
for the New Zealand Rescue Co-ordination Centre. Units designed
to operate in our area are programmed with a unique identity
including the New Zealand country code number 512. A unit
obtained from elsewhere would have to be reprogrammed by
a registered service centre at your cost. If this is not
done, then when the unit is activated the satellite may notify the
wrong rescue coordination centre which could mean
a long, potentially life-threatening delay in your rescue.
McMurdo Fast Find 211
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This Personal
Locator Beacon should only be used in situations of grave and imminent
danger, and only as a last resort when all means of self-rescue have
been exhausted.
The smallest, lightest
PLB on the market, the affordable McMurdo Fast Find 211 Personal Locator
Beacon with GPS provides true global coverage to find you quickly, even
in the most remote of locations.
Description
- 5-watt transmitter sends a 406MHz signal (for at least
24 hours) to the subscription-free COSPAS-SARSAT (Search
and Rescue Satellite) system to pinpoint your location
anywhere on the Earth's surface. T
- Built-in 50-channel GPS with ceramic patch antenna includes
your coordinates in the emergency satellite transmission
to identify your exact position.
- LED signal light can be manually activated and blinks
an SOS pattern to help searchers locate you during a nighttime
rescue.
- Operates in temperatures ranging from -4°F (-20°C) to
131°F (70°C).
- Sealed construction allows PLB to be immersed to 10m
(33 ft.) for up to 5 minutes.
- Integral battery has a storage life of 5 years (battery
must be replaced by the manufacturer).
- McMurdo Fast Find 211 PLB meets the rigorous testing
standards of COSPAS-SARSAT, FCC, NOAA and the U.S. Air
Force Rescue Coordination Center.
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- Signal identifies your unique PLB and gives Search and Rescue the PLB
owner's data and family contacts (requires free registration).
- Simultaneously transmits a 121.5MHz homing signal (similar to that
of an avalanche beacon) to help rescuers speed up the local response
time.
- Once activated, the Fast Find 211 signals will continue to transmit
for at least 24 hours.
- Simple 3-stage activation: pull antenna cover off, unwrap antenna until
it stands vertical and press the "ON" button (antenna cover
must be replaced by manufacturer after use).
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McMurdo Fast Find 211 Personal Locator Beacon with GPS
Specifications
Suggested use |
Inland/personal use |
GPS/Satellite detectable |
Onboard GPS/Yes |
Activation |
Manual |
Location accuracy |
0.05 miles |
Time until SAR notification |
3 minutes |
Dimensions |
measures D 34mm x W 47mm x L
106mm or 4.17 x 1.85 x 1.34 inches |
Weight |
150g or 5.3 ounces |
Material |
Plastic |
Waterproof |
10 meters |
Battery type |
9V Lithium metal (5-year replacement
life) |
Battery operational life |
Over 24 hrs. at -20C |
Certification |
Approved by FCC; COSPAS-SARSAT; R&TTE |
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Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon's (EPIRB's)
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McMurdo Smartfind Plus G5 406 GPS MHz EPIRB |
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This Personal Locator Beacon
should only be used in situations of grave and imminent
danger, and only as a last resort when all means of
self-rescue have been exhausted.
Meeting the demands of both commercial mariners and
recreational boaters, the new McMurdo SMARTFIND Plus
heralds the arrival of the next generation in EPIRB technology
incorporating a high accuracy 12 channel GPS for enhanced
position location and come complete with a Carry Safe
Manual Bracket. The G5 SMARTFIND PLUS has all the advanced
features of the standard E5 SMARTFIND with the addition
of an integral 12 channel GPS receiver. The addition
of a GPS receiver to the EPIRB ensures that the exact
position of a casualty is relayed to the rescue services.
This can in turn improve the speed of recovery by updating
the position of the beacon at regular intervals. Once
removed from its Carry Safe Manual Bracket the unit can
be activated automatically by immersion in water, or
manually by following the activation instructions printed
on the unit. |
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Specification:
• GPS receiver (SMARTFIND Plus)
• Maximum number of satellites tracked: 12
• GPS Receive Antenna Type: Ceramic dielectric patch
• Meets the requirements of international standards: COSPAS-SARSAT T.001 class
2, RTCM; SC110-STD Version 2 class 2, IEC 61097-2, EN 60945, Part 80 of FCC regulations.
• EPIRB temperature range: Operating - 20C to +55C (Class 2), Storage -30C to
+70C
• SOLAS Float-Free Housing -30C to +65C (Class 2)
• EPIRB sealing depth: Waterproof to 10 m
• EPIRB Weight: 657g (1.5 lb)
• Float-Free Housing & EPIRB: 2130 g or 4.7 lb
• 406 MHz transmitter Frequency: 406.028MHz + 1kHz
• Output power: 5W + 2dB
• 121.5MHz homing transmitter
• Frequency: 121.5MHz + 3 kHz |
Product Features
• Integrated 12 channel GPS
• IMO Approved
• Non hazardous battery for safe and easy transportation
• Unique CARRYSAFE bracket for safe transportation included
• High brightness LED flashing locator lights
• Comprehensive diagnostic and self-test facilities
• Once activated, will transmit for a minimum of 48 hours
• 5 year warranty
• 5 year battery life |
• Output power: 50mW + 3dB PERP
• Transmit Antenna Type: Blade vertically polarised, omni-directional
• Type: Flashing white LED lamp
• Light output: > 0.75 candelas over 75% of the horizontal plane
• Message formats: EPIRB National, Standard and User Location Protocol as applicable,
plus EIPRB user protocols. Serialised, MMSI and radio call sign.
• Controls: Manual activation, Self TEST switches
• Beacon operation: Automatic activation by seawater switch within 5 seconds
of immersion. Manual activation by sealed switch.
• Battery Classed as non-hazardous for transportation
• Temperature range: Operating -20C to +55C, Storage -30C to +70C
• Operational life: 48 hours minimum at -20C
• Battery replacement interval: 5 years |
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