Step Two - How The Beacon Works - ACR Electronics PLB-350B Product Support Manual

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 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 authority at the time
of purchase. The sales agent may have assisted you in filling out the
forms and sending them to the country‟s national authority. Alternatively,
many countries allow online registration in the International 406 MHz
Beacon Registration Database (IBRD) at www.406registration.com.
To verify that the unit is properly programmed for your country, view the
UIN label on the back of the unit. In the event that the beacon is not
programmed for your country, the sales agent (if properly equipped) can
reprogram the unit for the correct country.

STEP TWO - HOW THE BEACON WORKS

NOTE: Please be aware that, throughout your user manual, reference is
made to the beacon „BEEPING‟. Please note that the „beeps‟ are of a very
high pitched tone that some people are unable to hear. Be aware that the
beeps are not the indication of a fully functional beacon but only a guidance
to Technicians and Engineers to troubleshoot the unit.
1. How your beacon brings help
406 MHz beacons are a type of portable emergency equipment that
transmits a distress signal to search and rescue (SAR) organizations.
The purpose of these beacons is to aid SAR teams in tracking and
locating ships or individuals in jeopardy as rapidly as possible.
The 406 MHz frequency is a worldwide dedicated emergency frequency
that is detected by a network of satellites called the Cospas-Sarsat
system. This satellite system was established by, and continues to be
supported by, its primary benefactors - the USA, Russia, Canada and
France. The Cospas-Sarsat system has saved over 28,400 lives - and
counting - since its inception. See Appendix or the Cospas-Sarsat
website for more information about the system at www.cospas-
sarsat.org.
When a 406 MHz beacon is activated, the digital distress message is
sent to Cospas-Sarsat satellites and, in turn, the distress message is
relayed to SAR. The distress message contains the beacon UIN and on
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