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    1-800-SPORTYS (776-7897)
    Aerofix 406 GPS Personal Locator Aerofix 406 GPS Personal Locator
    Rated 4.25/5 based on 4 customer reviews
    Product description: Personal Locator Beacon with Built-in GPS In an emergency, this satellite PLB could quite simply save your life. It transmits on 406 MHz via the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system with a registered unique, digitally encoded distress signal and 121.5 MHz homing frequency. Plus, onboard GPS acquires LAT/LON when the unit is activated, meaning search and rescue crews will know your location within 100 meters. It is unaffected by terrain, obstructions or weather, and works anywhere in the world. It is also buoyant and totally waterproof. Weighs just 12 oz. and measures 1 3/4”d x 5 3/4”h x 3”w. Powered by two lithium-ion batteries. What are the differences between older 121.5 MHz ELTs and new 406 MHz PLBs? New 406 MHz PLBs represent a new generation in technology, and thus offer many features that are unavailable with older ELTs. ELT 121.5 MHz ELT 12 nm radius 452 sq. nm search area Average 6 hour notification PLB w/GPS 406 MHz PLB w/GPS 0.05 nm radius 0.008 sq. nm search area Est. 5 min. notification Advantages: Digital Signal The 406 MHz signal is digital and can be stored aboard the satellite for later relay to the next available ground station, giving it global capability. The 121.5 MHz signal is analog and is not stored aboard the satellite. The satellite must see the beacon and the ground station simultaneously for a 121.5 MHz transmission to be detected. Data Encoding The 406 MHz signal contains digital information unique to each beacon which provides a link to information contained in a registration database. The registration information helps the search and rescue forces identify the aircraft in distress and greatly speeds up response time. The 121.5 MHz beacon is not capable of data encoding. Frequently Asked Questions: What is a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)? PLBs are portable units that operate much the same as aircraft-based ELTs. These beacons are designed to be carried by an individual person instead of being permanently installed on a boat or aircraft. Unlike ELTs, they can only be activated manually and operate exclusively on 406 MHz. And like 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." The new Aerofix PLB also features a built in GPS. This GPS-encoded position dramatically improves the location accuracy down to the 100-meter level…that’s roughly the size of a football field! How does SARSAT work? The SARSAT system uses NOAA satellites in low-earth and geostationary orbits to detect and locate aviators, mariners, and land-based users in distress. The satellites relay distress signals from emergency beacons to a network of ground stations and ultimately to the U.S. Mission Control Center (USMCC) in Suitland, Maryland. The USMCC processes the distress signal and alerts the appropriate search and rescue authorities to who is in distress and, more importantly, where they are located. Truly, SARSAT takes the "search" out of search and rescue! NOAA-SARSAT is a part of the international COSPAS-SARSAT Program to which 36 nations and two independent SAR organizations belong to.
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    Aerofix 406 GPS Personal Locator

    Price: $349.00
    ID #: 2885A
    Overall Customer Rating Read all 4 Reviews

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    Personal Locator Beacon with Built-in GPS
    In an emergency, this satellite PLB could quite simply save your life. It transmits on 406 MHz via the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system with a registered unique, digitally encoded distress signal and 121.5 MHz homing frequency. Plus, onboard GPS acquires LAT/LON when the unit is activated, meaning search and rescue crews will know your location within 100 meters. It is unaffected by terrain, obstructions or weather, and works anywhere in the world. It is also buoyant and totally waterproof. Weighs just 12 oz. and measures 1 3/4”d x 5 3/4”h x 3”w. Powered by two lithium-ion batteries.

    What are the differences between older 121.5 MHz ELTs and new 406 MHz PLBs?
    New 406 MHz PLBs represent a new generation in technology, and thus offer many features that are unavailable with older ELTs.

    ELT
    121.5 MHz ELT
    12 nm radius
    452 sq. nm search area
    Average 6 hour notification

    PLB w/GPS
    406 MHz PLB w/GPS
    0.05 nm radius
    0.008 sq. nm search area
    Est. 5 min. notification

    Advantages:
    Digital Signal
    The 406 MHz signal is digital and can be stored aboard the satellite for later relay to the next available ground station, giving it global capability. The 121.5 MHz signal is analog and is not stored aboard the satellite. The satellite must see the beacon and the ground station simultaneously for a 121.5 MHz transmission to be detected.

    Data Encoding
    The 406 MHz signal contains digital information unique to each beacon which provides a link to information contained in a registration database. The registration information helps the search and rescue forces identify the aircraft in distress and greatly speeds up response time. The 121.5 MHz beacon is not capable of data encoding.


    Frequently Asked Questions:

    What is a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)?
    PLBs are portable units that operate much the same as aircraft-based ELTs. These beacons are designed to be carried by an individual person instead of being permanently installed on a boat or aircraft. Unlike ELTs, they can only be activated manually and operate exclusively on 406 MHz. And like 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." The new Aerofix PLB also features a built in GPS. This GPS-encoded position dramatically improves the location accuracy down to the 100-meter level…that’s roughly the size of a football field!

    How does SARSAT work?
    The SARSAT system uses NOAA satellites in low-earth and geostationary orbits to detect and locate aviators, mariners, and land-based users in distress. The satellites relay distress signals from emergency beacons to a network of ground stations and ultimately to the U.S. Mission Control Center (USMCC) in Suitland, Maryland. The USMCC processes the distress signal and alerts the appropriate search and rescue authorities to who is in distress and, more importantly, where they are located. Truly, SARSAT takes the "search" out of search and rescue! NOAA-SARSAT is a part of the international COSPAS-SARSAT Program to which 36 nations and two independent SAR organizations belong to.



    Overall
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    Recommended
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    4

    Date - 8-3-2009

    Rating - Commercial

    Overall
    Durability
    Reliability
    Value
    Usability
    Expected
    Recommended Yes
    Pros

    Easy to use and simple under stress. Took 30 seconds to figure all features out.

    Cons

    Heavy and bulky.

    General Comments

    A great piece of mind having this in your survival bag.

    Date - 12-26-2008

    Rating - ATP

    Overall
    Durability
    Reliability
    Value
    Usability
    Expected
    Recommended Yes
    Pros

    Here in Hawaii, we need to have Satellite detection because if you go into the water, you are so low that normal aircraft detection on 121.5 would be limited in range. Quality looks great. Simple to operate. Glad it floats.

    Cons

    Wish the antenna was a little easier to unclip and release. If you go into the water, there's going to be brain overload of things to do, such as getting out of the cockpit alive if the plane is overturned in a water landing (Cessna 172). Also a way to attach it to yourself aside from the string lanyard.

    General Comments

    ( No General Comments Listed From Reviewer )

    Date - 8-14-2008

    Rating - Private

    Overall
    Durability
    Reliability
    Value
    Usability
    Expected
    Recommended No
    Pros

    Looks like as advertized.

    Cons

    Don't know yet.

    General Comments

    A hard product to respond to a satisfaction survey on. Given the product, If it works when needed, I'll let you know. If it doesn't work as it is supposed to and I survive, I'll complain at that time.

    Date - 11-7-2007

    Rating - Private

    Overall
    Durability
    Reliability
    Value
    Usability
    Expected
    Recommended Yes
    Pros

    Single unit. Should survive a crash if you do. Waterproof. Uses the new frequency as well as the older one. Advertised feature set is excellent.

    Cons

    If you are worried about price get ready for sticker shock, until you do the research.

    General Comments

    I bought this for my wife. She was ecstatic. She explained that the old frequency, in most planes' emergency beacons, will stop being monitored. With the cost of upgrading the beacons, older rental planes will probably not have it. If you buy a used plane the previous owner may not have upgraded yet, then you'll have to absorb the cost. I bought it for her to make sure she gets home safe if something were to happen. I look at it as a backup in case the plane's beacon fails.

    ( No Reviews Found )
    Page of 1
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