OWNER_____________________________ VESSEL_____________________________ RADIO CALL SIGN_____________________ Product Support Manual Satellite2 406TM & RapidFixTM Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon Product No. 2774 Cat.1 Product No. 2775 Cat.2 Product No. 2776 GPS Interface Cat.1 Product No. 2777 GPS Interface Cat.2 RLB-32/33 Y1-03-0148 Rev. F FCC Type Accepted ACR Electronics, Inc. 5757 Ravenswood Road Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33312 Tel : +1(954) 981-3333 Fax: +1 (954) 983-5087 www.acrelectronics.com Email: Info@acrelectronics.com i * * * WARNING * * * THIS TRANSMITTER IS AUTHORIZED FOR USE ONLY DURING SITUATIONS OF GRAVE AND IMMINENT DANGER DELIBERATE MISUSE MAY INCUR A SEVERE PENALTY i Y1-03-0148 Rev. F Foreword Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the ACR Satellite2TM 406 or RapidFixTM 406 Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. The combination of superior design, high quality raw materials and quality controlled manufacturing produce a product that will perform for years to come. The test facility at ACR can reproduce some of the harshest environmental conditions known to man. This assures that the products we produce can stand up to the rigors found in a marine environment. With proper care and maintenance, your EPIRB will be in service for years to come. ACR is proud to be certified to the ISO 9001:2000, the International Standard for Quality. This manual provides installation, operation and maintenance instructions for the Satellite2TM 406 and RapidFixTM 406 EPIRB, hereinafter referred to as the beacon. This manual also describes the characteristics and details of the beacon system. The FCC authorizes the use of 406 MHz Radio beacon by any ship that is also equipped with a VHF ship station. This will make the 406 MHz Radio beacon available for use on most U.S. ships and boats. EPIRB carriage requirements are contained in USCG regulations. Table of Contents SECTION 1 - REGISTRATION OF 406 MHZ BEACONS........................................................... 1 1.1 Registration Importance............................................................................................. 1 1.2 Where to register ........................................................................................................ 1 1.3 Registration in the United States............................................................................... 1 1.4 Registration Outside of the United States ................................................................ 2 1.5 Change of ownership or contact information........................................................... 2 1.6 Commercial Vessels World Wide .............................................................................. 2 1.7 Lost or Stolen EPIRB's............................................................................................... 2 SECTION 2 - FALSE ALARMS .................................................................................................. 2 2.1 Prevention of false alarms. ........................................................................................ 2 2.2 Reporting of false alarms........................................................................................... 3 SECTION 3 - INSTALLATION.................................................................................................... 3 3.1 Mounting Location (Product No 2774, 2775, 2776 and 2777) .................................. 3 3.2 Visual Inspection ........................................................................................................ 4 3.3 Hydrostatic Release Dating Instruction (Product No. 2774 & 2776) Cat 1. ............ 4 SECTION 4 - OPERATION......................................................................................................... 5 4.1 General ........................................................................................................................ 5 4.2 Automatic Deployment and Activation (Cat. 1) ........................................................ 5 4.3 Manual Deployment and Activation (Cat. 1 and Cat. 2) ........................................... 6 4.4 Manual Activation Without Deployment ................................................................... 7 4.5 Deactivation ................................................................................................................ 7 4.6 Full Functional Self Test ............................................................................................ 7 4.7 External GPS Interface (P/N 2776 & 2777 only) ........................................................ 8 SECTION 5 - CARE AND MAINTENANCE................................................................................ 9 5.1 Routine Maintenance.................................................................................................. 9 5.2 Hydrostatic Release.................................................................................................... 9 5.3 Battery Replacement .................................................................................................. 9 SECTION 6 ­ THE SEARCH AND RESCUE SYSTEM............................................................ 10 6.1 General Overview...................................................................................................... 10 6.2 Satellite Detection..................................................................................................... 10 6.3 GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS).................................................................. 11 SECTION 7- AUTHORIZATIONS ............................................................................................. 12 7.1 Characteristics .......................................................................................................... 12 7.2 Technical Data -- Satellite2TM 406 and RapidFixTM 406 ......................................... 12 7.3 Specifications............................................................................................................ 12 ii Y1-03-0148 Rev. F SECTION 1 - REGISTRATION OF 406 MHZ BEACONS 1.1 Registration Importance It is mandatory that the owner of this 406 MHz beacon registers it with the National Authorities.* All 406 MHz beacons transmit a Unique Identifier Number (UIN) when activated. This UIN is programmed in the beacon based on the country in which the beacon was purchased. Registration provides the search and rescue forces with up to date emergency contact information, which will speed up the launch of a rescue operation. The National Authorities use the information to verify if an actual emergency exists. Valuable search and rescue resources are wasted every year responding to false alarms. For beacon s that are not registered, SAR forces will not know who you are, what type of vessel you have, your homeport, or who to contact that might know of your current situation. This will delay the launch of a rescue operation. 406 MHz beacons are required to have their registration updated every two years. * National Authority is the governmental body that is responsible for EPIRB registration database administration for the country the EPIRB is programmed for. 1.2 Where to register The owner of a 406 MHz beacon (EPIRB) should register it with the National Authority of which the beacon was programmed, (typically the country where purchased), regardless of where they do their boating. Each beacon is programmed with a UIN for the country that the unit is shipped to, and will only be accepted for registration in that country. To verify the country, for which a beacon is programmed, see the label with the UIN on the side of the unit. Units that do not have a country specified on the UIN label are programmed for the United States. 1.3 Registration in the United States It is the owner's responsibility to register 406 MHz beacons that are programmed for and purchased in the United States. The National Authority that accepts registrations in the United States is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The owner should complete the enclosed registration form (Do not confuse this with the ACR Electronics warranty card) and mail with the pre-addressed; postage paid envelope to: SARSAT Beacon Registration, E/SP3, RM 3320, FB-4 NOAA/NESDIS 5200 Auth Rd. Suitland, MD 20746-4304 For Faster Service, Register online! www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov The information provided on the registration form is used only for rescue purposes. The registration form should be filled out and mailed immediately. Registration can be expedited by faxing the registration form to Fax # (301) 568-8649 or register online. Registrations should be completed online or faxed in the event the beacon is to be placed in immediate service and followed up with the mailing of the hard copy form. All registration forms will be entered in the 406 MHz beacon registration database within 48 hours of receipt. A confirmation letter, a copy of the actual registration and a proof-of-registration decal will be mailed to you within two weeks. When you receive these documents, please check the information carefully and affix the decal to your beacon in the area marked "Beacon Decal here". If you do not receive confirmation back from NOAA, please call toll free 1-888-212-7283 for assistance. 1.3.1 Commercial Vessels in the United States In the United States, commercial vessels that are required to have a radio station license are required to modify that license when an EPIRB is added to the vessel. Please use the enclosed FCC FORM 506 to modify your radio station license. For information on whether you need a radio station license, call toll free 1-888-CALLFCC (225-5322). 1 Y1-03-0148 Rev. F 1.4 Registration Outside of the United States In countries other than the United States, 406 MHz beacons are registered with that country's National Authority at the time of purchase. The sales agent should assist in filling out the forms and sending to that country's National Authority. To verify that the unit is properly programmed for that country, view the UIN label on the side of the unit. In the event that the beacon is not programmed for the country it has been purchased in, the sales agent, (if properly equipped) can reprogram the unit for that country. 1.5 Change of ownership or contact information It is the owner's responsibility to advise the National Authority of any change in the information on the registration form. If the current owner of the beacon is transferring the beacon to a new owner, the current owner is required to inform the National Authority by letter, fax or telephone, of the name and address of the new owner. The new owner of the beacon is required to provide the National Authority with all of the information requested on the registration form. This obligation transfers to all subsequent owners. Registration forms are available from NOAA. Call 1 (888) 212-7283 or visit our website at www.acrelectronics.com. 1.6 Commercial Vessels World Wide 406 MHz beacons that are carried on commercial vessels world wide, should be registered with the country where the vessel is flagged regardless of where the vessel operates. When a commercial vessel acquires a 406 MHz beacon from outside of its home country; the beacon should be reprogrammed for the home country and registered there. 1.7 Lost or Stolen EPIRB's Inform NOAA immediately at 1-888-212-SAVE (7283), or your national authority, that your EPIRB has been lost or stolen. They will update your EPIRB registration information with the appropriate information. Stolen EPIRB's, Things That You Need To Do: · Report to your local authorities that the EPIRB has been stolen. · Contact NOAA at 1-888-212-SAVE (7283), or your national authority, with the following information so your EPIRB registration information can be updated with the appropriate remarks: - Police Department Name - Police Phone Number - Police Case Number If you're EPIRB were to activate, the information you provide will be forwarded to the appropriate search and rescue authorities who will ensure that your EPIRB gets back to you. If someone attempts to register an EPIRB reported as stolen, NOAA or your national authority will notify the appropriate police department. Visit the COSPAS-SARSAT website for more detailed information: www.cospas-sarsat.org SECTION 2 - FALSE ALARMS 2.1 Prevention of false alarms. An ACR 406 MHz EPIRB can be activated by two different methods. Whether you have a Category 1 or 2; these methods are the same. 1. When the beacon is out of its bracket and in the water, the unit is transmitting. 2. When the switch is moved to the on position, in or out of the bracket, the unit is transmitting. There are a few precautions that should be taken to prevent false alarms. · Do not mount or transport beacon within 1 meter (3.3ft) of a magnetic source. · Do not store beacon outside of its bracket if it can get wet. · Do not ...