ACR Electronics AQUAFIX 406 GPS I P-EPIRB - REV E Product Support Manual page 9

4.7 GPS Testing
4.7.1 GPS O (Onboard) Test (P/N 2797.4 only)
This test is NOT necessary as 100% of all Onboard GPS receivers that leave ACR have been tested
to ensure they perform perfectly. However, if you would like to ensure your Onboard GPS is working
properly, please follow these instructions very closely.
Warning: To conserve battery power the following test should not be performed more than
once during the five-year life of the battery pack!
Note: The GPS Antenna is located under the bottom front portion of the case behind the embossed
ACR logo. It is imperative that this location not be obstructed during self test or activation to ensure
that the GPS antenna is acquiring your latitude and longitude position. This test must be performed
outside with a clear view of the sky.
The AquaFix™ 406 GPS P-EPIRB is fitted with an internal Global Positioning System (GPS)
receiver that will determine the latitude and longitude of its position. To test the internal GPS you
must be outdoors and have a clear view of the sky. The P-EPIRB must remain under observation
in order to witness the results of the test. In order to best view the results, avoid bright sunlight
and noisy locations. Depress and hold the GPS I/O button until one Red LED flash, beep and one
Green LED flash, beep are observed (about 5 seconds apart). Then release the GPS I/O button. The
live test of the internal GPS has begun. The GPS will remain ON until LAT/LON position
coordinates have been obtained or until 10 minutes has elapsed. If valid navigation data has been
obtained, the GPS will be turned OFF and the green LED will light for at least 3 seconds. This
LAT/LON data is not saved for use when the P-EPIRB is turned ON. The green LED is proof that
the GPS is functioning properly and that the P-EPIRB is in a location or environment where it can
receive the necessary signals from satellites. If the GPS does not acquire good navigation data, the
GPS will turn OFF after 10 minutes and there will be no successful green LED indication. This test
should not be performed more than once during the five-year life of the battery pack to prevent
excessive battery drain.
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4.7.2 Preload external GPS I (Interface)
The AquaFix™ 406 GPS P-EPIRB (P/N 2797.2 and 2797.4) can interface with a handheld GPS
receiver to provide your LAT/LON to SAR forces and narrow your search area to 110 yards (100
meters). The P-EPIRB can accept NMEA 0183 version 1.5 and above GPS Data (format GPGGA
sentence) through its infra-red interface. The P-EPIRB can be forced to update its GPS data by
pressing the GPS I or GPS I/O button for at least 1/2 second and not longer than 5 seconds only
when the beacon is off. The AquaFix P-EPIRB will hold the last GPS coordinates in memory for 4
hours before returning to the default. Upon activation, your GPS data will be transmitted to the
GEOSAR satellite on the very first burst. AquaFix 406 P-EPIRB will interface with most GPS
receivers, if you are not sure if your receiver is NMEA 0183 compliant please check the interface
settings listed in your GPS manual.
Maximum 500 preloads during the life of the battery.
To optimize your GPS Interface feature be sure that your portable GPS receiver is equipped with the
following:
NMEA 0183 Version 1.5 or higher
GPGGA sentence is enabled
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