blacksunday
02-08-2009, 12:24 AM
How satellite rescue devices work?
GMDSS the Global Maritime Distress and safety system was developed in 1999. With this came EPIRBS and PLBs, which in an emergency, send coded signals to the COPAS-SARSAT satellite network. From here the signal is relayed to a ground station.
The emergency locator transmitters use 406Mhz signals so look for that notation when buying EPIRBs and PLBs . Since Feb. 1st 2009 the 121.5Mhz devices will no longer be active
This does not include SPOT which is a private enterprise, a division of Globalstar. SPOT uses a different call center, see below.
It is important to register your emergency signal devices (http://beaconregistration.noaa.gov/) as the next step after the signal is received by the ground station, is to contact your emergency contact to determine if this is a real emergency or a false alarm. You emergency contact say give your trip plan which will help the SAR (search and rescue) authority. You can register here (http://beaconregistration.noaa.gov/)
This article from the marine electronics (http://www.marineelectronicsjournal.com/pdf/CBG_Staying_Safe_2006.pdf) describes, VHF/DSC, EPIRB, PLB, GMDSS, SARTs, LEOSAR, GEOSAR, and COPAS-SARSAT, SAR etc. OK enough of the acronyms already.
SAR stands for search and rescue.
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t85/blacksunday_05/eprib20rescue20anatomy.jpg
What is an EPIRB
A properly operating EPIRB Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon, will alert rescue agencies such as the Coast Guard and provide them your location. It does this by sending signals to satellites passing overhead. The quickness and accuracy of the fix depends on the satellite coverage in the area. EPIRBs come in a variety of types.
EPIRBS are often mounted in a float free mount, so that if a vessel sinks the EPIRB can float free and immediately start signaling.
http://www.myboatsgear.com/images/products/prod_1383_enlarged.jpg (http://www.myboatsgear.com/mbg/product.asp?prodID=1383)ACR GlobalFix iPRO 406 MHz GPS EPIRB (http://www.myboatsgear.com/mbg/product.asp?prodID=1383)
is an example of the latest in EPIRB emergency locator beacon.
GlobalFix iPRO, a patented, next generation 406 MHz EPIRB w GPS featuring breakthrough technology that makes it the first EPIRB in the world to offer an exclusive Digital Display Screen and Dual GPS capabilities
When activated, the GlobalFix iPRO EPIRB displays latitude/longitude coordinates on the screen for the user. If the endangered person has another means of communication, the lat/long data can be provided to rescuing parties. The screen can be very helpful during emergencies such as reminding the user of what to do to assure that the distress signal is sent and continues to be sent.
Even under conditions where it is difficult to get a GPS location fix, for instance during a severe storm, the 406 MHz signal is always sent and the rescue satellite system will begin to extrapolate the location, by triangulation. Typically, internal GPS coordinates are acquired within the first 100 seconds of activation.
What is an EPIRB
A properly operating EPIRB Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon, will alert rescue agencies such as the Coast Guard and provide them your location. It does this by sending signals to satellites passing overhead. The quickness and accuracy of the fix depends on the satellite coverage in the area. EPIRBs come in a variety of types.
EPIRBS are often mounted in a float free mount, so that if a vessel sinks the EPIRB can float free and immediately start signaling.
McMurdo Fast Find 210 PLB w GPS (http://www.myboatsgear.com/mbg/product.asp?prodID=1700)
(http://www.myboatsgear.com/mbg/product.asp?prodID=1700)
The Fast Find is a 406 MHz Personal Location Beacon (PLB) that should be carried by individuals, who are embarking on trips into areas around the world where there is little or no other forms of communication or where other forms of communication are unlikely to work. The Fast Find acts as your personal Emergency Location Beacon, it is your last resort communication to the national and international search and rescue bodies and it should not be mis-used. The Fast Find is designed as a direct communication, to the 406 MHz Search and Rescue satellite system, its signal indicates that you are in need of urgent response and assistance.
What is SPOT satellite messenger
http://www.myboatsgear.com/newsletter/images/spot.jpg (http://myboatsgear.com/featured_product/spot.asp)
SPOT (http://myboatsgear.com/featured_product/spot.asp) inc is a subsidiary of Globalstar. Spot personal tracker is a more than a tracker it allows messages other than distress to be sent.
Spot uses the simplex side of the Globalstar network so may not be influenced by the poor duplex Globalstar coverage of late.
SPOT does not connect you to SAR but to GEOS Alliance (http://www.geosalliance.com/). By pushing the 911 button a signal is sent to GEOS call center.
The emergency call center works like the SARSAT system, by contacting your emergency contact first, to confirm the alarm and then passing the information including location to the appropriate SAR authority.
http://www.myboatsgear.com/newsletter/images/SPOT_Google_map_400wds.jpgThe additional benefit of SPOT is the ability to track your GPS location via Google maps at any time. . By pushing the OK button a text message is sent to a list of e mails and cell phones you have added to your Own SPOT web site. Hence friends can track you and where you have been.
Globalstar coverage area is not worldwide unlike a EPIRB or PLB, see map below
http://www.myboatsgear.com/newsletter/images/globalstar%20simplexDataMap.jpg
121.5 Mhz
The COPAS-SARSAT network will not be tracking 121.5 by satellite anymore. The 406 Mhz is now the standard for search and rescue.
If you see a device that mentions 121.5 Mhz it is for localized rescue where it is used as a homing device.
GMDSS the Global Maritime Distress and safety system was developed in 1999. With this came EPIRBS and PLBs, which in an emergency, send coded signals to the COPAS-SARSAT satellite network. From here the signal is relayed to a ground station.
The emergency locator transmitters use 406Mhz signals so look for that notation when buying EPIRBs and PLBs . Since Feb. 1st 2009 the 121.5Mhz devices will no longer be active
This does not include SPOT which is a private enterprise, a division of Globalstar. SPOT uses a different call center, see below.
It is important to register your emergency signal devices (http://beaconregistration.noaa.gov/) as the next step after the signal is received by the ground station, is to contact your emergency contact to determine if this is a real emergency or a false alarm. You emergency contact say give your trip plan which will help the SAR (search and rescue) authority. You can register here (http://beaconregistration.noaa.gov/)
This article from the marine electronics (http://www.marineelectronicsjournal.com/pdf/CBG_Staying_Safe_2006.pdf) describes, VHF/DSC, EPIRB, PLB, GMDSS, SARTs, LEOSAR, GEOSAR, and COPAS-SARSAT, SAR etc. OK enough of the acronyms already.
SAR stands for search and rescue.
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t85/blacksunday_05/eprib20rescue20anatomy.jpg
What is an EPIRB
A properly operating EPIRB Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon, will alert rescue agencies such as the Coast Guard and provide them your location. It does this by sending signals to satellites passing overhead. The quickness and accuracy of the fix depends on the satellite coverage in the area. EPIRBs come in a variety of types.
EPIRBS are often mounted in a float free mount, so that if a vessel sinks the EPIRB can float free and immediately start signaling.
http://www.myboatsgear.com/images/products/prod_1383_enlarged.jpg (http://www.myboatsgear.com/mbg/product.asp?prodID=1383)ACR GlobalFix iPRO 406 MHz GPS EPIRB (http://www.myboatsgear.com/mbg/product.asp?prodID=1383)
is an example of the latest in EPIRB emergency locator beacon.
GlobalFix iPRO, a patented, next generation 406 MHz EPIRB w GPS featuring breakthrough technology that makes it the first EPIRB in the world to offer an exclusive Digital Display Screen and Dual GPS capabilities
When activated, the GlobalFix iPRO EPIRB displays latitude/longitude coordinates on the screen for the user. If the endangered person has another means of communication, the lat/long data can be provided to rescuing parties. The screen can be very helpful during emergencies such as reminding the user of what to do to assure that the distress signal is sent and continues to be sent.
Even under conditions where it is difficult to get a GPS location fix, for instance during a severe storm, the 406 MHz signal is always sent and the rescue satellite system will begin to extrapolate the location, by triangulation. Typically, internal GPS coordinates are acquired within the first 100 seconds of activation.
What is an EPIRB
A properly operating EPIRB Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon, will alert rescue agencies such as the Coast Guard and provide them your location. It does this by sending signals to satellites passing overhead. The quickness and accuracy of the fix depends on the satellite coverage in the area. EPIRBs come in a variety of types.
EPIRBS are often mounted in a float free mount, so that if a vessel sinks the EPIRB can float free and immediately start signaling.
McMurdo Fast Find 210 PLB w GPS (http://www.myboatsgear.com/mbg/product.asp?prodID=1700)
(http://www.myboatsgear.com/mbg/product.asp?prodID=1700)
The Fast Find is a 406 MHz Personal Location Beacon (PLB) that should be carried by individuals, who are embarking on trips into areas around the world where there is little or no other forms of communication or where other forms of communication are unlikely to work. The Fast Find acts as your personal Emergency Location Beacon, it is your last resort communication to the national and international search and rescue bodies and it should not be mis-used. The Fast Find is designed as a direct communication, to the 406 MHz Search and Rescue satellite system, its signal indicates that you are in need of urgent response and assistance.
What is SPOT satellite messenger
http://www.myboatsgear.com/newsletter/images/spot.jpg (http://myboatsgear.com/featured_product/spot.asp)
SPOT (http://myboatsgear.com/featured_product/spot.asp) inc is a subsidiary of Globalstar. Spot personal tracker is a more than a tracker it allows messages other than distress to be sent.
Spot uses the simplex side of the Globalstar network so may not be influenced by the poor duplex Globalstar coverage of late.
SPOT does not connect you to SAR but to GEOS Alliance (http://www.geosalliance.com/). By pushing the 911 button a signal is sent to GEOS call center.
The emergency call center works like the SARSAT system, by contacting your emergency contact first, to confirm the alarm and then passing the information including location to the appropriate SAR authority.
http://www.myboatsgear.com/newsletter/images/SPOT_Google_map_400wds.jpgThe additional benefit of SPOT is the ability to track your GPS location via Google maps at any time. . By pushing the OK button a text message is sent to a list of e mails and cell phones you have added to your Own SPOT web site. Hence friends can track you and where you have been.
Globalstar coverage area is not worldwide unlike a EPIRB or PLB, see map below
http://www.myboatsgear.com/newsletter/images/globalstar%20simplexDataMap.jpg
121.5 Mhz
The COPAS-SARSAT network will not be tracking 121.5 by satellite anymore. The 406 Mhz is now the standard for search and rescue.
If you see a device that mentions 121.5 Mhz it is for localized rescue where it is used as a homing device.