SARSAT Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking

There are three types of beacons used to transmit distress signals:

EPIRBs (for maritime use)

Read below to find out more on these types of beacons…

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)

EPIRBS are for use in maritime applications. They transmit a digital identification code on
406 MHz and a low-power "homing" signal on 121.5 MHz.
The 406 MHz EPIRBs are divided into two categories:

Category I EPIRBs are automatically activated. The automatic activation is triggered when
the EPIRB is released from its bracket. Category I EPIRBs are housed in a special bracket
equipped with a hydrostatic release. This mechanism releases the EPIRB at a water depth
of 3-10 feet. The buoyant EPIRB then floats to the surface and begins transmitting. If you
own a Category I EPIRB, it's very important that you mount it outside your vessel's cabin
where it will be able to "float free" of the sinking vessel.
Category II EPIRBs are manually activated. If you own one of these, it should be stored in
the most accessible location on board where it can be quickly accessed in an emergency.
If you have a 406 MHz EPIRB their signal can be instantly detected by geostationary
satellites. This means that even a brief inadvertent signal can generate a false alert. To
avoid getting a call from the Coast Guard make sure that when you test your EPIRB you
follow the manufacturer's recommendations carefully. Tests by beacon owners should only
be done in the beacon’s “self-test” mode. Or, follow these guidelines for general beacon
testing & inspecting procedures.
Also, make certain that you register your EPIRB. Registration will help rescue forces find
you faster in an emergency and allow you to make an important contribution to the safety of
others by not needlessly occupying SAR resources that may be needed in an actual
emergency. To register a 406 MHz EPIRB, you can now register online or you may
download a beacon registration form from the registration website and then fax the form to
NOAA at: 301-817-4565.
For any other registration questions, please call NOAA at: 1-888-212-SAVE (7283).
Note: Class A, B, and S EPIRBs that operate on the 121.5 MHz frequency became
prohibited for use after December 31, 2006.
The U.S. Coast Guard has an outstanding website with even more information on EPIRBs.
Click here to view the Coast Guard EPIRB Homepage.

Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs)

ELTs were the first emergency beacons developed and most U.S. civil aircraft are required
to carry them. ELTs were intended for use on the 121.5 MHz frequency to alert aircraft
flying overhead. Obviously, a major limitation to these is that another aircraft must be within
range and listening to 121.5 MHz to receive the signal. One of the reasons the Cospas-
Sarsat system was developed was to provide a better receiving source for these signals.
Another reason was to provide location data for each activation (something that overflying
aircraft were unable to do).
Different types of ELTs are currently in use. The older generation 121.5 MHz ELTs have
proven to be highly ineffective. They have a 97% false alarm rate, activate properly in only
12% of crashes, and provide no identification data. In order to fix this problem 406 MHz
ELTs were developed to work specifically with the Cospas-Sarsat system. These ELTs
dramatically reduce the false alert impact on SAR resources, have a higher accident
survivability success rate, and decrease the time required to reach accident victims by an
average of 6 hours.
Presently, most aircraft operators are mandated to carry an ELT and have the option to
choose between either a 121.5 MHz ELT or a 406 MHz ELT. The Federal Aviation
Administration has studied the issue of mandating carriage of 406 MHz ELTs. The study
indicates that 134 extra lives and millions of dollars in SAR resources could be saved per
year. The only problem is that 406 MHz ELTs currently cost about $1,500 and 121.5 MHz
ELTs cost around $500. However, no one can argue the importance of 406 MHz ELTs and
the significant advantages they hold.
For more information on the differences between 121.5 MHz Beacons and 406 MHz
beacons click to view a Comparison.
Due to the obvious advantages of 406 MHz beacons and the significant disadvantages to
the older 121.5 MHz beacons, the International Cospas-Sarsat Program have made a
decision to terminate 121.5 MHz satellite alerting on February 1st, 2009. All pilots are highly
encouraged to consider making the switch to 406!
If you need to register a 406 MHz ELT, you can now register online or you may download a
beacon registration form from the registration website and then fax the form to NOAA at:
301-817-4565.
For any other registration questions, please call NOAA at: 1-888-212-SAVE (7283).

Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs)

PLBs are portable units that operate much the same as EPIRBs or ELTs. These beacons
are designed to be carried by an individual person instead of on a boat or aircraft. Unlike
ELTs and some EPIRBs, they can only be activated manually and operate exclusively on
406 MHz. And like EPIRBs and ELTs all PLBs also have a built-in, low-power homing
beacon that transmits on 121.5 MHz. This allows rescue forces to home in on a beacon
once the 406 MHz satellite system has gotten them "in the ballpark" (about 2-3
miles).Some newer PLBs also allow GPS units to be integrated into the distress signal. This
GPS-encoded position dramatically improves the location accuracy down to the 100-meter
level…that’s roughly the size of a football field!
The FCC authorized the use of PLBs in the United States in 2003.
Prior to July 1st, 2003 only residents of Alaska had been able to use PLBs. The Alaska PLB
Program was set up to test the capabilities of PLBs and their potential impact on SAR
resources. Since March of 1995, the experiment proved very successful and helped save
nearly 400 lives while generating only a few false alerts. The success of the Alaska PLB
program undoubtedly paved the way for nationwide usage of these devices.
If you need to register a 406 MHz PLB, you can now register online or you may download a
beacon registration form from the registration website and then fax the form to NOAA at:
301-817-4565.
For any other registration questions, please call NOAA at: 1-888-212-SAVE (7283).