Registration In Other Countries; Change Of Ownership Or Contact Information; Lost Or Stolen Beacons; Section 3 - False Alerts - ACR Electronics PLB-300 Product Support Manual

2.5

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 should assist in filling out the forms and sending to
that country's national authority. To verify that the unit is properly programmed for that country, view the UIN
label on the side of the unit. In the event that the beacon is not programmed for the country it has been
purchased in, the sales agent, (if properly equipped) can reprogram the unit for that country.
2.6

Change of Ownership or Contact Information

It is your responsibility to advise the national authority of any change in the information on the registration
form. If the current owner of the beacon is transferring the beacon to a new owner, the current owner is
required to inform the national authority by using their online database or by letter, fax or telephone, of the
name and address of the new owner. The new owner of the beacon is required to provide the national
authority with all of the information requested on the registration form. This obligation transfers to all
subsequent owners. Registration forms for the United States are available from NOAA by calling
1 (888) 212-7283 or by visiting our website at www.acrelectronics.com.
2.7

Lost or Stolen Beacons

Things you need to do if your beacon is stolen:
•
Report to your local authorities that the beacon has been lost or stolen.
•
Contact NOAA at 1-888-212-SAVE (7283), or your national authority, with the following information so
your beacon registration information can be updated with the appropriate remarks:
Police Department Name
o
Police Phone Number
o
Police Case Number
o
If the beacon were to be activated, the information you provided will be forwarded to the appropriate search
and rescue authorities who will ensure that your beacon gets back to you. If someone attempts to register an
beacon reported as stolen, NOAA or your national authority will notify the appropriate police department. Visit
www.cospas-sarsat.org
SECTION 3 – RESPONSIBLE USE
The personal locator beacon is a distress signaling device of last resort, for use when all other means of self-
rescue have been exhausted; where the situation is grave and imminent, and the loss of life, limb, eyesight or
valuable property will occur without assistance. Deliberate misuse may incur a severe penalty.
3.1

Prevention of False Alerts

A false alert is any activation of the beacon, intentional or otherwise, that does not result from a situation of
grave and imminent danger.
Be sure to do the following:
•
Register your beacon. This does not reduce false alert rates; however, it does have a dramatic effect
on the impact of a false alert. When the beacon is properly registered, the situation can be resolved
with a phone call.
•
Be careful who you leave your beacon with. Make sure that they how to use it, and that they
understand the ramifications of causing a false alert. A lot of false alerts are generated by curious
individuals. If you notice the beacon is flashing the red or green LED and BEEPING periodically on its
own, this likely means it has accidentally been activated and needs to be shut off and reported.
The COSPAS - SARSAT satellites detect distress beacon transmissions immediately. These satellites will
locate the transmission within a few minutes of the beacon activation. If you're not in distress, you just
generated a false alert.
NOTE: If you report a false alert and the authorities have not received the signal, don't worry. This may mean
the beacon was deactivated before transmitting the signal.
Y1-03-0228 Rev. C
for more detailed information.
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