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Summary of Contents for mcmurdo Fastfind Plus
- Page 1 Fastfind & Fastfind Plus Personal Locator Beacon Owner’s manual...
- Page 2 Register PLB with NOAA SARSAT (refer to details on Page 2 following) before use McMurdo Limited reserves the right to change this specification at any time without notice, and hereby specifically disclaims liability for any consequences of such action.
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
Using the PLB in an emergency ..........9 How does it work?..............10 PLB Registration ...............11 COSPAS-SARSAT Satellite System.........12 Indicators...................14 Fastfind (non-GPS version).............14 Fastfind Plus (integral GPS version) ..........15 False Alarms and Complete Deactivation.........17 Service and Maintenance ............18 Before use..................18 After use..................18 Inadvertent Activation..............18 Battery Packs ................18... -
Page 5: Recommendations And Safety Notices
Recommendations and Safety Notices This Fastfind or Fastfind Plus Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is an emergency radio beacon for use only in situations of grave and imminent danger. False alarms cause expensive disruption to search and rescue services, and may endanger lives. Deliberate misuse of the PLB can result in a severe penalty. -
Page 6: Registration And Licensing
Registration and licensing Each PLB is programmed with a unique digital identity before reaching the customer. This 15 digit hexadecimal number appears on the programming information label located on the back of the PLB (visible when the battery pack is removed), and is pre-printed on the registration card included in the PLB pack. -
Page 7: Quick Checklist
Quick Checklist • Test the PLB before taking it on a trip • Ensure that the PLB is registered with NOAA SARSAT • Make sure that you know how to activate and position the PLB in an emergency • Check the battery expiry date Don’t: •... -
Page 8: Introduction
McMurdo directly. The Fastfind and Fastfind Plus PLBs are Personal Locator Beacons. In an emergency, activating the beacon causes an alarm to be transmitted to the rescue services through the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite array. -
Page 9: Operation
Operation Self-test Emergency ON button Green lamp Red lamp Self-test/OFF button PLB control panel (Fastfind shown) The PLB should be tested before setting out, but testing should be limited to about 12 times per year to minimise the total power taken from the battery. - Page 10 Self-test On successful completion of the self-test sequence, the green light on the left will flash 3 times and the buzzer will sound 3 times. The PLB will switch itself off after completing a self-test, even if the OFF button is still held down.
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Page 11: Emergency Operation
This is to allow time to switch the unit off in the event of accidental activation, preventing a false alert being sent to the search and rescue services. During this period the red indicator light comes on continuously on both the Fastfind and Fastfind Plus models. Pulling anti-tamper cover from PLB Antenna erected... -
Page 12: Switching Off
Switching off To switch off the PLB after it has been activated in an emergency (eg when rescue has been effected), press the OFF button and hold it down until the indicator lights go off and the buzzer stops sounding. A five second delay is built in to the operation of the OFF switch to prevent inadvertent de-activation during an emergency situation. -
Page 13: Using The Plb In An Emergency
Using the PLB in an emergency • Keep PLB flat with antenna vertical • Try to place PLB where it has a clear view of the sky Don’t: • Obscure or hold the antenna • Place PLB next to large metal objects •... -
Page 14: How Does It Work
How does it work? Once you activate the PLB, the PLB transmits a continuous series of radio signals on 406 MHz. Providing the PLB’s batteries are in good condition, the signal should continue for a minimum of 24 hours. These signals can be detected by aircraft within range and by orbiting and geostationary satellites. -
Page 15: Plb Registration
If an aircraft hears an activated beacon, it will immediately make a report to the Federal Aviation Administration who will pass this information to the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC). Detection of the beacon by aircraft or satellites is highly dependent on the beacon placement and antenna position. -
Page 16: Cospas-Sarsat Satellite System
COSPAS-SARSAT Satellite System This diagram shows the path the distress signal takes from the PLB through the satellite and ground station to the Search and Rescue organization, as was described on Page 10. The orbiting satellites circle the entire Earth; the illustration shows the satellite “footprint”... - Page 17 The images below show the coverage areas of the geostationary NOAA satellites over North America. GOES-W can see the entire continent, although the East coast is marginal; only Alaska and Hawaii are invisible to GOES-E. Consequently, coverage overlaps over virtually all the continental US and there is always one satellite which can see any place.
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Page 18: Indicators
Indicators Fastfind (non-GPS version) PLB SELF-TEST Event Self-test button pressed and held Self-test completed and passed Red Light On while self-test sequence in progress (approx 8 seconds) Green Flashes 3 times Light Buzzer Sounds 3 times EMERGENCY OPERATION First 2 minutes After 2 minutes Event Start/On button pressed... -
Page 19: Fastfind Plus (Integral Gps Version)
Fastfind Plus (integral GPS version) PLB SELF-TEST Event Self-test button pressed and held Self-test completed and passed Red Light On while self-test sequence in progress (approx 8 seconds) Green Light Flashes 3 times Buzzer Sounds 3 times EMERGENCY OPERATION First 2... - Page 20 DIAGNOSTIC INDICATIONS SPECIAL MODES Event Self-test Self-test During operation Protocol button completed Programming pressed and held Red Light Flashes 3 Only flashes Flashes every Flashes times for 2 seconds 2.5 seconds, continually. every 50 but no long (2 seconds second) flash Green Does not flash Light...
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Page 21: False Alarms And Complete Deactivation
False Alarms and Complete Deactivation If the PLB has been accidentally activated, or if rescue has been effected before arrival of the rescue services: Attempt to contact the rescue services, coastguard, or police by radio or telephone to advise them of the situation. Only switch off the PLB if you cannot make contact with the authorities, otherwise leave it on until instructed by the rescue services or authorities to turn it off. -
Page 22: Service And Maintenance
Service and Maintenance WARNING: If the PLB has been used in an emergency, the battery pack must be replaced. It is advisable to return the PLB to a dealer for a complete service. Before use If the PLB has not been examined for more than 1 month, check the battery expiry date. -
Page 23: Spare Parts
The PLB contains no user-serviceable parts. It must be returned to a dealer or Service Agent if it requires service. A list of dealers and service Agents is on the McMurdo web site, www.mcmurdo.co.uk, and on the McMurdo Pains Wessex site, www.mcmpw.com... -
Page 24: Specification
Specification General Approved to COSPAS-SARSAT T.007 Class 1 Complies with EN 60945 RTCM 76-2002/SC110-STD V1.1 Operating temperature range -40°C to +55°C with Class 1 battery fitted, -20°C to +55°C with Class 2 battery fitted Storage temperature range -50°C to +70°C Operational life, Class 1 24 hours minimum at –40°C Operational life, Class 2... - Page 25 GPS receiver/engine (Fastfind Plus only) Centre frequency Band L1 1.57542GHz Received signal sensitivity -175dBW minimum Maximum number of satellites tracked Transmit antenna Type Flexible vertical tape monopole Characteristics Vertically polarised, omni-directional Receive antenna (Fastfind Plus only) Type Ceramic dielectric patch...
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Page 26: Mcmurdo Limited Product Warranty
Following a valid warranty claim McMurdo Limited shall be entitled to repair or replace the product (or part) in question free of charge, or at McMurdo Limited's sole discretion to refund to the buyer the price of the product (or a proportional part of the price). McMurdo Limited shall... - Page 27 User Notes Page 23...
- Page 28 Contact: McMurdo Pains Wessex Inc 200 Congress Park Drive Suite 102 Delray Beach, Florida 33445 Telephone 561 819 2600 561 819 2650 Toll free: 1 800 576 2605 www.mcmpw.com Website: www.mcmurdo.co.uk Email: customerservice@mcmurdo.co.uk Manufactured by: McMurdo Ltd Silver Point Airport Service Road...
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