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Personal Locator Beacons Guide

Cospas-Sarsat is an international satellite system that detects emergency beacons to help search and rescue operations. There are two main types of emergency beacons, 406 MHz and 121.5/243 MHz. Personal locator beacons (PLBs) are one of three applications that include EPIRBs and ELTs. PLBs are small, waterproof devices that are manually activated during emergencies. They transmit on 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz frequencies, include identification information and an optional GPS receiver. When activated, PLBs alert the Cospas-Sarsat system which distributes alerts to search and rescue authorities to coordinate rescue efforts.

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166 views11 pages

Personal Locator Beacons Guide

Cospas-Sarsat is an international satellite system that detects emergency beacons to help search and rescue operations. There are two main types of emergency beacons, 406 MHz and 121.5/243 MHz. Personal locator beacons (PLBs) are one of three applications that include EPIRBs and ELTs. PLBs are small, waterproof devices that are manually activated during emergencies. They transmit on 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz frequencies, include identification information and an optional GPS receiver. When activated, PLBs alert the Cospas-Sarsat system which distributes alerts to search and rescue authorities to coordinate rescue efforts.

Uploaded by

suso_cai
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

P ersonal L ocator B eacons

(PLBs)

What is Cospas-Sarsat???
COSPAS =

Cosmicheskaya Systyema Poiska Aariynyich Sudov


Which loosely translates into: The Space
System for the Search of Vessels in Distress

SARSAT =

Search And Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking

In short, Cospas-Sarsat takes the search out


of Search & Rescue

Emergency Beacons

Two types: 406 MHz


121.5/243
MHz
(121.5 MHz EPIRBs are
prohibited as of 01Jan07)

Three applications:
- Emergency Position
Indication Radio
Beacons (EPIRB)
- Emergency Locator
Transmitters (ELT)
- Personal Locator
Beacons (PLB)

Personal Locator Beacons (PLB)


General Characteristics

Small and lightweight

Manually activated

Watertight

Contains transmitter, antenna, and battery.


-

GPS receiver (optional)

Tested at international and national levels

Personal Locator Beacons (PLB)


International (Cospas-Sarsat) Specifications

Transmit at 406.028 MHz

5 W output

Temperature range
Storage: - 67F to + 158F (Class 1)
Operating: - 40F to + 131F (Class 1)
Storage: - 22F to + 158F (Class 2)
Operating: - 4F to + 131F (Class 2)

24 hours duration

Personal Locator Beacons (PLB)


National (RTCM) Specifications

Floatation
-

Category 1: Must float in water

Category 2: Not required to float

121.5 MHz homing with Morse-code P identifier

Self-test function

Personal Locator Beacons (PLB)


Identification Information

Encoded into beacon:


-

Manufacturer, model, serial number

Category

GPS position (optional)

Registration database:
-

Owner, address, telephone

Application (e.g., hiking, canoeing)

Emergency points of contact

Additional information

Personal Locator Beacons (PLB)


Performance As Demonstrated in Alaska (1995-2002)
Cause of Activation

Number

Percent

Distress Activation

154

85

Non-Distress Activation

14

Undetermined

12

Total Activation

180

100

Total Rescues: 226

Personal Locator Beacons (PLB)


Alert Data Distribution

Air Force RCC


Local User
Terminal

U.S. Mission
Control
Center

Frame Relay

PLB
Processor

Virtual
Private
Network

State SAR
Authority
PLB System

Voice

FOR MORE INFO


NOAA/SARSAT
4231 Suitland Road
Suitland, MD 20746

1-301- 817-4515
Or 1-888-212-SAVE (728
Fax: 1-301-817-4565

Visit NOAAs Website! www.sarsat.noa

Any Questions???

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