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5. GPS Testing (GNSS Self-Test) This test is NOT required as 100% of all GPS receivers that leave ACR have been tested to ensure they perform correctly. However, if you would like to ensure your GPS receiver is working, please follow these instructions very closely. CAUTION: For PLB-350C models, the following test can not be performed more than sixty times during the life of the battery pack. Once this GPS testing feature reaches 60 times, the feature will be disabled by internal softw
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6. Changing ownership or contact information As the owner of the beacon, it is your responsibility to advise the national authority of any change in your registration information. If you are transferring the beacon to a new owner, you are required to inform the national authority. You can do this by using their online database or by letter, fax or telephone and informing the authority of the name and address of the new owner. The new owner of the beacon is required to provide the nationa
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APPENDIX A - ACCESSORIES 1. Multi-Function Belt Clip The SARLink™ View comes standard with a multi- function belt clip. To install the clip, simply align the bottom tabs on the clip with the insert holes located on the bottom of the beacon. Snap the clip in place by pressing the top of the clip so that the two top tabs engage in the two insert holes on the top of the beacon (see Figure 5). To remove the clip, push up and back on the top tabs one at a time to disengage the clip from the
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2. Attachment Clip The AquaLink™ View comes standard with an attachment clip. To install the clip, simply align the bottom tabs on the clip with the insert holes located on the bottom of the beacon. Snap the clip in place by pressing the top of the clip so that the two top tabs engage in the two insert holes on the top of the beacon (see Figure 6). To remove the clip, push up and back on the top tabs one at a time to disengage from the beacon. This clip has been designed to secure yo
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About Cobham Life Support, ACR Products Cobham Life Support, ACR Products www.acrelectronics.com, designs and manufactures a complete line of safety and survival products including EPIRBs, PLBs, AIS, SARTs, Strobe Lights, Life Jacket Lights, Search Lights and safety accessories. The quality systems of this facility have been registered by UL to the ISO 9001:2008 Series Standards. Recognized as the world leader in safety and survival technologies, ACR has provided safety equipment to
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Table of Contents STEP ONE - REGISTERING YOUR BEACON ______________________ 4 STEP TWO - HOW THE BEACON WORKS _______________________ 6 STEP THREE - MAINTAINING YOUR PLB ______________________ 15 APPENDIX A - ACCESSORIES _______________________________ 19 APPENDIX B - USER INTERFACE: SPECIAL ICONS ________________ 21 APPENDIX C - USER INTERFACE: DIGITAL DISPLAY- OPERATION ___ 22 APPENDIX D - USER INTERFACE: DIGITAL DISPLAY - SELF-TEST ____ 25 APPENDIX E - USER INTERFACE: DIG
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STEP ONE - REGISTERING YOUR BEACON Why is registration important? As the owner of this 406 MHz beacon, it is mandatory that you register it with the PLB national authority of your country: It is the law. Please note that all 406 MHz beacons are required to have their registration updated every two years by the owner. Your personalized ID code programmed inside each beacon is transmitted to Search and Rescue YOUR RESCUE WILL BE DELAYED IF YOUR (SAR). SAR forces use this code to pul
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What country should I register in? The beacon must be registered in the country of the owner’s residence. If the beacon is not programmed to that country’s code and protocol, and the residence is outside of the USA, the beacon needs to be reprogrammed. Additionally, the beacon must be reprogrammed if you, as the owner, move out of the country where the beacon is registered. To verify the country for which a beacon is programmed, see the label with the UIN (Unique Identification Number
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Registration in Canada Canadian residents can register online at: http://canadianbeaconregistry.forces.gc.ca/ or contact the Canadian Beacon Registry by phone at: 877-406-7671 or by fax at: 877-406-3298. Canadian registration forms can also be mailed to: Canadian Beacon Registry CFB Trenton, PO Box 1000 Stn Forces Astra, Ontario K0K 3W0 Registration in Other Countries In countries other than the United States and Canada, 406 MHz beacons are registered with that country’s national
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The 406 MHz signal is detected by multiple satellites and from that information the location of the beacon can be calculated. This data alone is sufficient for SAR to find persons or ships in distress in a reasonable timeframe. However, as a further enhancement, some beacons have a GPS engine onboard. This feature allows the beacon to acquire current location coordinates from an internal GPS receiver. The purpose of this feature is to send an even more precise location of the beacon to the
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4. Anatomy of your beacon Digital display UIN Label: Applied at FRONT BACK the factory, the 15 Antenna: character hexadecimal Wrapped number is unique to around each beacon. beacon Antenna Multi-language label: This optional label may latch be applied for ease of use. Activation button cover Registration decal supplied by some countries: Once the beacon is registered, Keypad the label goes here. GPS Battery expiration label antenna with the month
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5. Distinguishing PLB Features The distinguishing features available on your PLB vary with the particular model that you selected. The following table summarizes the similarities and differences in models. PLB-350C Product AquaLink™View 406 SARLink™ View 406 GPS PLB names GPS PLB ACR Product 2884 2885 Number Unique Digital display, LED strobe, 60 GPS acquisition tests features GPS engine Internal, 66-channel GPS receiver Top case Clear Buoyant Yes No Included Attachment Clip
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In Self-Test, the display illustrates the test result of each step with “√” indicating a pass and “X” indicating a failure. There are a total of five tests, including a battery check. If all tests pass, SELF-TEST PASS will be displayed at the end of the Self-Test mode. In the GNSS Self Test mode, the digital display will show the letters “GPS Test” moving left to right while the internal GPS receiver is acquiring the coordinate data. Once the data is acquired, the coordinates will display
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NOTE: The appearance of your key pad may vary from this picture. Activation diagram ON / OFF Button (visible only when antenna is deployed) When activated: (Flashing Red LED) (IR LED) Programming transmitting 406 MHz Interface during activation (Not owner accessible) (Flashing Green LED) 406 MHz includes GPS data GPS Self-Test Button Self-Test Button PLB-350C Figure 2 - Key Pad Functions NOTE: If you notice the PLB is flashing the red or green LE
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Steps to activate (406 MHz and 121.5 MHz) To activate your beacon in a distress situation, follow these steps (see Figure 3 below). 1) Unclip the antenna from the case. 2) Move it into the upright position 3) Depress the ON/OFF ( ) button for 1 full second. You will see the Red LED flashing and the display reads “PLB ON”. Your beacon is now activated. While transmitting your distress signal, the red LED will flash once every 2 seconds, alerting you that your beacon is active.
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The same GPS data will be sent with each 406 MHz signal for the next twenty minutes. At that time the internal GPS will start up again, search to find your LAT/LON and incorporate it into your next 406 MHz signal. If for any reason the internal GPS cannot update your LAT/LON, your last position will be used for the next four hours. At that time the green LED will stop blinking and the red LED will flash once every 2 seconds until new GPS data is obtained. 10. GPS receiver orientation Wh
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12. Preventing false alerts A false alert is any activation of the beacon, intentional or otherwise, that does not result from a situation of grave and imminent danger. Be sure to do the following to help minimize false alerts: // Register your beacon. This does not reduce false alert rates; however, when the beacon is properly registered, the situation can usually be resolved with a phone call. // Be careful with whom you leave your beacon. Make sure that they know how to use it, an
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To report false alert in the United States, contact the AFRCC: United States Air Force Rescue Tel: 1-800-851-3051 Coordination Center (AFRCC) To report false alerts outside of the USA, contact the national authority where your beacon is registered. STEP THREE - MAINTAINING YOUR PLB 1. Routine Maintenance Carefully inspect the beacon case for any visible cracks. Cracks may admit moisture, which could falsely activate the beacon or otherwise cause a malfunction. Any cracks observe
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3. Self-test ACR strongly recommends performing the Self-test once per month, or at least two weeks prior to a trip allowing enough time for service should your beacon require it. A Self-test is initiated by holding the Self-test button for at least ½ second and less than 5 seconds. Your beacon will flash the green LED to signify the test has begun and the Digital Display will show Pass or Fail message. The green LED will flash a second time to indicate that the self test was succes
