External Gps Interface: Rapidfix™ Only - ACR Electronics SAT2 Product Support Manual

If the thumb switch is accidentally or inadvertently put in the vertical or test position (not in the OFF or ON position), the
beacon would still be turned ON and will drain the battery. It is very unlikely that this would happen, however, if this
should occur, the beacon will sound a beep once per second and will alternately flash the red and green LEDs at a rate
of one per second until the beacon is turned OFF. It is important that the beacon be turned OFF immediately by
lowering the thumb switch to the OFF position (thumb switch at rest in the front position) if this alert is ever obtained.
Category I Self Test Plug
Remove the new Self Test Plug on the front cover for self tests. Be sure to reattach the plug to protect the
beacon from the elements. Note: You may not be able to see the LEDs but you will hear the beeps.
5.10 External GPS Interface: RapidFix™ Only
NOTE: The baud rate output for your GPS receiver NMEA 0183 should be 4800 bps. If you are not sure if your receiver
is NMEA 0183 compliant, check the interface settings listed in your GPS manual. To optimize your GPS Interface
feature be sure that your GPS receiver is equipped with a NMEA 0183 Version 1.5 or higher with GPGGA sentence
enabled.
Using the GPS Interface
Once a compatible, operating GPS receiver is connected to the RapidFix™, the beacon will store data for incorporation
into the emergency message, which is transmitted to the satellite when it is activated in an emergency. This can
provide more accurate positioning data to the Search and Rescue Authority and may lead to a faster rescue. Since the
last valid GPS position data is always kept in the memory of the RapidFix™, the user should take care to make sure
that the GPS position data stored is accurate. This can be accomplished by two methods: first, by always leaving a
properly functioning GPS connected to the RapidFix™ before activation and second, by connecting a properly
functioning GPS with a valid position fix and allowing sufficient time to acquire valid GPS position data. This will take a
Y1-03-0148-2 Rev. K
Easy Access Self Test Plug for Beacons
Figure 9
Figure 8
Your RapidFix™ comes with a GPS Optical Interface
(transmitter plug with lead wires) and a keyed GPS bezel. The
transmitter plug attaches to your RapidFix™, via the keyed
bezel. The GPS Optical Interface lead wires attach to your
GPS via the NMEA 0183 connector from your GPS receiver.
The black lead wire with gray stripes should be connected to
the positive transmitter pin. The black wire should be
connected to the negative pin.
If the external GPS receiver is operational and the connection
has been correctly made to the optical interface, the green
LED in the optical interface will start flashing.
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