PRODUCT SUPPORT MANUAL Y1-03-0174 Rev. D TerraFixTM 406 GPS I PLB Product No. 2798.2 PLB-201 TerraFixTM 406 GPS I/O PLB Product No. 2798.4 PLB-200 Personal Locator Beacon FCC Type Approved ACR Electronics, Inc. 5757 Ravenswood Road Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33312 +1(954) 981-3333 · Fax +1 (954) 983-5087 www.acrplb.com Email: Info@acrelectronics.com * * * WARNING * * * THIS TRANSMITTER IS AUTHORIZED FOR USE ONLY DURING SITUATIONS OF GRAVE AND IMMINENT DANGER * * * DELIBERATE MISUSE MAY INCUR A SEVERE PENALTY * * * For proper use refer to section 2 ­ Responsible Use PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE PERFORMING ANY OF THE TESTS. Forward Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the ACR TerraFixTM 406 GPS Personal Locator 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 life saving devices can stand up to the rigors found in any environment on earth. With proper care and maintenance, your PLB 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 operation and maintenance instructions for the TerraFixTM 406 GPS PLB, hereinafter referred to as the PLB. This manual also describes the characteristics and details of the PLB System. Table of Contents Registration.................................................................................................................................. 2 Responsible Use .......................................................................................................................... 4 False Alarms................................................................................................................................ 4 Operation ..................................................................................................................................... 5 PLB Holster ................................................................................................................................ 9 Care and Maintenance ................................................................................................................ 10 The Search and Rescue System................................................................................................... 11 Authorizations ............................................................................................................................ 13 Technical Data............................................................................................................................. 14 GPS FAQ..................................................................................................................................... 15 Warranty ...................................................................................................................................... 16 Key Pad Functions....................................................................................................................... 5 Antenna Position ......................................................................................................................... 6 Keypad Cover.............................................................................................................................. 6 Activation .................................................................................................................................... 6 Deactivation................................................................................................................................. 6 GPS Interface with holster........................................................................................................... 9 GPS Interface without holster................................................................................................... .. 9 Removable holster.................................................................................................... ................... 10 Satellite Orbit............................................................................................................................... 13 GEOSAR Satellite Coverage....................................................................................................... 13 1 Y1-03-0174 Rev. D 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 11.0 Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10 SECTION 1 - REGISTRATION OF 406 MHz PLBS 1.1 Registration Importance It is mandatory that the owner of this 406 MHz PLB registers it with the National Authorities*. All 406 MHz PLBs transmit a Unique Identifier Number (UIN) when activated. This UIN is programmed in the PLB based on the country in which the PLB was purchased. Registration provides the Search and Rescue (SAR) forces with emergency contact information, and will speed 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 PLBs that are not registered, SAR authorities will not know who you are, or who to contact regarding additional information of your current situation. This could delay the launch of a rescue operation. *A National Authority is the governmental body that is responsible for PLB Registration Database administration for the country for which the PLB is programmed. 1.2 Where to register The owner of a 406 MHz PLB should register it with the National Authority of which the PLB was programmed, (typically the country where purchased), regardless of where you use your PLB. Each PLB is programmed with a UIN for the country where the unit is shipped, and will only be accepted for registration in that country. To verify the country, for which a PLB is programmed, see the label with the UIN on the back of the unit. Units that do not have a country specified on the UIN label are programmed for the United States. For a list of the national authorities in your area, please view them at http://www.cospas-sarsat.com/Management/listOfParticipants.htm 1.3 Registration in the United States It is the Owner's responsibility and required by law to Register 406 MHz PLBs 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 it 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 PLB registration is also available online at: 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 or by completing the form online in the event the PLB is to be placed in immediate use. Typically, registration forms will be entered in the 406 MHz PLB 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 2 Y1-03-0174 Rev. D information carefully and affix the decal to your PLB in the area marked "Beacon Decal here". If you do not receive confirmation, contact NOAA for additional information at: +1-888-212-7283. 1.3.1 Registration in Canada The National Authority in Canada is the NSS (National Search & Rescue Secretariat). Canadian residents can register online at http:beacons.nss.gc.ca. For more information please contact the NSS at (613) 966-1504 or (800) 727-9414. National Search and Rescue Secretariat 400-275 Slater Street Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K2 1.4 Registration Outside of the United States In countries other than the United States, 406 MHz PLBs 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 PLB is not programmed for the country in which it has been purchased, the sales agent, (if properly equipped) can reprogram the unit for that country. 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 PLB is transferring the PLB 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 PLB 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. Lost PLB's Inform NOAA immediately at 1-888-212-SAVE (7283), or your national authority, that your PLB has been lost. They will update your PLB registration information with the appropriate information. Stolen PLB's Things That You Need To Do: · Report to your local police department that the PLB has been stolen. · Contact NOAA at 1-888-212-SAVE (7283), or your national authority, with the following information so your PLB registration information can be updated with the appropriate remarks: - Police Department Name - Police Phone Number - Police Case Number If your PLB was to activate, the information you provide will be forwarded to the appropriate Search and Rescue Authorities who will ensure that your PLB gets back to you. And, if someone attempts to register a PLB 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 1.5 1.6 1.7 3 Y1-03-0174 Rev. D SECTION 2 ­ RESPONSIBLE USE 2.1 The TerraFixTM 406 GPS PLB should only be used in situations of grave and imminent danger! What exactly does this mean? Technically speaking you should only activate your PLB when all other means of self rescue have been exhausted. This means you have tried to use your cellular/satellite phone, signaling mirrors, strobe lights, or any other safety device you may have. When all else fails and you feel your situation has truly become extreme, ask yourself the following questions: Am I in danger of losing life, limb, eye sight, or valuable property if I am not rescued soon? Am I in danger of not surviving the night or upcoming hours if not rescued soon? If you answer yes with confidence to these questions, it is time to activate your PLB. SECTION 3 - FALSE ALARMS 3.1 Preventing False Alarms · Ensure that your PLB is registered with NOAA or your national authority. This does nothing to reduce false alarm rates, but does have a dramatic effect on the impact of a false alarm. If the PLB is properly registered, the situation will be resolved with a phone call most of the time. It will also help speed rescue in an actual distress. · Test your PLB in accordance with the recommendations enclosed in this manual. · Use care when leaving your PLB and with whom you leave it with. Ensure that they are aware of the device and know the ramifications of causing a false alarm. A lot of false alarms are generated by curious individuals. · Maintain your PLB. Ensure that the batteries are within their expiration date and that all manufacturer recommendations are followed. · Finally, realize that the COSPAS-SARSAT satellites are very good at what they do, detecting emergency PLBs. An activation of a 406 MHz PLB for just a few seconds will usually be detected. After a few minutes, it will usually be detected and located. This is good if you're in distress, but if you're not, you just generated a false alarm. Should there be an inadvertent activation or false alarm, it must be reported to the nearest search and rescue authorities. The information that should be reported includes the PLB Unique Identifier Number (UIN), Date, Time, duration and cause of activation, as well as location of PLB at the time of activation. Outside the United States contact your National Authority. To report false alarms in the United States contact any of the following: Atlantic Ocean / Gulf of Mexico USCG Atlantic Area Command Center Tel: (757) 398-6390 Pacific Ocean Area USCG Atlantic Area Command Center USCG HQ Command Center (From any location) NOAA AFRCC Console (for official m ...