ACR Electronics TERRAFIX IO406 MHZ PLB Product Support Manual

ACR Electronics TERRAFIX IO406 MHZ PLB Product Support Manual

Personal locator beacon

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TerraFix™ 406
TerraFix™ 406
Product No. 2798.4
Personal Locator Beacon
FCC Type Approved
Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33312
+1(954) 981-3333 • Fax +1 (954) 983-5087
Email: Info@acrelectronics.com
PRODUCT
SUPPORT
MANUAL
Y1-03-0174
Rev. D
PLB
GPS I
Product No. 2798.2
PLB-201
PLB
GPS I/O
PLB-200
ACR Electronics, Inc.
5757 Ravenswood Road
www.acrplb.com

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Summary of Contents for ACR Electronics TERRAFIX IO406 MHZ PLB

  • Page 1: Product Support

    GPS I Product No. 2798.2 PLB-201 TerraFix™ 406 GPS I/O Product No. 2798.4 PLB-200 Personal Locator Beacon FCC Type Approved ACR Electronics, Inc. 5757 Ravenswood Road Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33312 +1(954) 981-3333 • Fax +1 (954) 983-5087 www.acrplb.com Email: Info@acrelectronics.com...
  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    * * * WARNING * * * THIS TRANSMITTER IS AUTHORIZED FOR USE ONLY DURING SITUATIONS OF GRAVE AND IMMINENT DANGER * * * DELIBERATE MISUSE MAY INCUR A SEVERE PENALTY * * * For proper use refer to section 2 – Responsible Use PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE PERFORMING ANY OF THE TESTS.
  • Page 3: Registration

    United States. The National Authority that accepts registrations in the United States is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The owner should complete the enclosed registration form (Do not confuse this with the ACR Electronics Warranty Card) and mail it with the pre-addressed; postage paid envelope to:...
  • Page 4 information carefully and affix the decal to your PLB in the area marked “Beacon Decal here”. If you do not receive confirmation, contact NOAA for additional information at: +1-888-212-7283. 1.3.1 Registration in Canada The National Authority in Canada is the NSS (National Search & Rescue Secretariat). Canadian residents can register online at http:beacons.nss.gc.ca.
  • Page 5: Responsible Use

    SECTION 2 – RESPONSIBLE USE The TerraFix™ 406 GPS PLB should only be used in situations of grave and imminent danger! What exactly does this mean? Technically speaking you should only activate your PLB when all other means of self rescue have been exhausted. This means you have tried to use your cellular/satellite phone, signaling mirrors, strobe lights, or any other safety device you may have.
  • Page 6: Operation

    SECTION 4 - OPERATION General The TerraFix™ 406 GPS PLB models are designed to be manually deployed and activated. It is only to be activated when all other means of self-rescue have been exhausted. Activation of the PLB tells Search and Rescue who you are, where you are, and that you are facing a life threatening situation.
  • Page 7: Figure 2 Antenna Position

    4.2.3 Activation with GPS I/O (P/N 2798.4 Only) The TerraFix™ 406 GPS I/O is also equipped with an Onboard GPS receiver. Once activated the TerraFix™ 406 GPS Onboard GPS engine will start up and search to find your LAT/LON and incorporate it into your 406 MHz signal.
  • Page 8 LED flash alone, your PLB has failed the self test, please contact ACR Electronics or an authorized Battery Replacement Center for servicing of your PLB. NOTE: During a self test your PLB will send a 406 MHz signal coded as self-test to the satellite system.
  • Page 9 GPS Testing 4.7.1 GPS O (Onboard) Test (P/N 2798.4 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.
  • Page 10: Plb Holster

    Figure 7. Figure 6. GPS Interface without holster GPS Interface with holster 4.7.3 GPS I (Interface) connection The TerraFix™ 406 GPS PLB (P/N 2798.2 and 2798.4) comes standard with a GPS interface cable with serial port adapter. Connect the serial port adapter to your external GPS connection data cable. If the holster is on the PLB, align the two tabs on the bottom of the interface with the holes in on the holster directly above the interface port (see figure 6).
  • Page 11: Care And Maintenance

    Figure 8. Removable Holster To secure antenna when the holster is on your TerraFix™, be sure to deploy antenna prior to placing the holster onto the unit. Slide the antenna through the holster to secure it to the beacon. The holster will clip together at the bottom of holster.
  • Page 12: The Search And Rescue System

    Battery Replacement Power is provided by self contained long life batteries with a five-year recommended replacement cycle. See Factory Authorized Service Center for replacement. The batteries (P/N 1099.2) must be replaced by the date indicated on the PLB. At each inspection, check the time remaining until replacement is required.
  • Page 13 Satellite Detection 7.2.1 The TerraFix™ 406 GPS transmits an encoded phase modulated radio signal to the satellite portion of the COSPAS-SARSAT System. The system was developed and implemented by the COSPAS- SARSAT Partners (Russian Federation, Canada, France and the United States). 7.2.2 COSPAS-SARSAT is an international system that uses Russian Federation and United States low altitude, near-polar orbiting satellites (LEOSAR) that assist in detecting and locating activated 121.5/243 MHz PLBs and 406 MHz Satellite PLBs.
  • Page 14: Authorizations

    GEOSAR SATELLITE COVERAGE Figure 9 SATELLITE ORBIT Figure 10 SECTION 8 - AUTHORIZATIONS The TerraFix™ 406 GPS PLB meets the requirements of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Part 95 Subpart K , European R&TTE Directive Characteristics The TerraFix™ 406 GPS PLB is a buoyant, battery operated Personal Locator Beacon. The PLB case, with its external antenna, is waterproof.
  • Page 15: Technical Data

    with your PLB. The TerraFix™ 406 GPS I/O (P/N 2798.4) also contains an Onboard GPS engine that will acquire your LAT/LON if an external GPS receiver is not present. SECTION 9 - TECHNICAL DATA -TerraFix™ 406 The TerraFix™ 406 GPS PLB is available in two combinations. The following product codes define the options available to meet specific operational requirements: Applicable Documents NSS PLB01-01...
  • Page 16: Gps Faq

    Material High impact and UV resistant plastic Color ACRtreuse Weight (less holster) 12 oz (338 grams) Waterproof Exceeds RTCM Standards - Factory Tested to 10 meters at room temperature Temperature Range Operating Class I -40°C to +55°C (-40°F to +131°F) (future accessory) Class II -20°C to +55°C (-4°F to +131°F) Storage...
  • Page 17: Warranty

    NMEA output. Q. What is the maximum length my GPS cable can be? A. ACR Electronics recommends a maximum length of 400 feet using 24 AWG wire. Contact your GPS owner’s manual for more detailed information. Q. What happens if I plug the GPS into the PLB first and press the GPS I or I/O button without waiting for the GPS to acquire satellites? A.

This manual is also suitable for:

Terrafix 406 gps i/o plbPlb-201Plb-200

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