PLB Question

Armageddon Aviator

Armageddon Aviator

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Alon Smolarski
Hi,

I recently tried to order an ACR PLB from Marv Golden.

I was notified that they only stock "pre-programmed" PLB's for U.S. registration and that they would need a lead time of 10 days to order a unit that is programmed for registration in a different country.

http://www.marvgolden.com/acr-resqlink-406-personal-locating-beacon-plb-with-gps.html

I thought that all PLB's were the same - and that all you need to do is to register your beacon with the competent authorities in your country of residence.

What did I miss here ? :dunno:
 
Last edited:
Armageddon Aviator said:
Hi,

I recently tried to order an ACR PLB from Marv Golden.

I was notified that they only stock "pre-programmed" PLB's for U.S. registration and that they would need a lead time of 10 days to order a unit that is programmed for registration in a different country.

http://www.marvgolden.com/acr-resqlink-406-personal-locating-beacon-plb-with-gps.html

I thought that all PLB's were the same - and that all you need to do is to register your beacon with the competent authorities in your country of residence.

What did I miss here ? :dunno:
Click to expand...


Not sure what is going on there, I have bought a few hundred 406 devices since they came out and I have never run into any 'pre programmed' anything. You fill in the card, mail it off and done, or just do it on the internet now. Maybe it has to do with what Earth Station it has the pre addressed card for, but regardless, you should be able to buy anywhere for use anywhere, COPAS/SARSAT is a global system.
 
Henning said:
Not sure what is going on there, I have bought a few hundred 406 devices since they came out and I have never run into any 'pre programmed' anything. You fill in the card, mail it off and done, or just do it on the internet now. Maybe it has to do with what Earth Station it has the pre addressed card for, but regardless, you should be able to buy anywhere for use anywhere, COPAS/SARSAT is a global system.
Click to expand...


That's what I thought as well...

Read Marv Golden's warning about the PLB's being compatible with U.S. registration only:

http://www.marvgolden.com/acr-resqlink-406-personal-locating-beacon-plb-with-gps.html
 
It would seem a PLB transmits the country code that is ultimately responsible for the beacon:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distress_radiobeacon

So that is what is what is probably programmed in. Manufacturers must send units with "blank" or default codes to distributors who sell world-wide, who in turn are responsible for setting the proper code before shipment to the final user.
 
Jim Logajan said:
It would seem a PLB transmits the country code that is ultimately responsible for the beacon:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distress_radiobeacon

So that is what is what is probably programmed in. Manufacturers must send units with "blank" or default codes to distributors who sell world-wide, who in turn are responsible for setting the proper code before shipment to the final user.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot Jim - that explains everything.

I guess that the Marv Golden guys were right after all...

Let's just hope they'll get the Israeli code properly programmed....I wouldn't want to be identified as a Syrian pilot in distress by mistake....:D
 
Jim Logajan said:
It would seem a PLB transmits the country code that is ultimately responsible for the beacon:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distress_radiobeacon

So that is what is what is probably programmed in. Manufacturers must send units with "blank" or default codes to distributors who sell world-wide, who in turn are responsible for setting the proper code before shipment to the final user.
Click to expand...

Yep, Jim's got it... Three digit hexadecimal code for country prior to the longer individual PLB, EPIRB, or ELT serial number unique code in the data burst.

There's also two standards for message length. So called "National" and "International". A good/modern emergency receiver will decode either one.
 
denverpilot said:
Yep, Jim's got it... Three digit hexadecimal code for country prior to the longer individual PLB, EPIRB, or ELT serial number unique code in the data burst.

There's also two standards for message length. So called "National" and "International". A good/modern emergency receiver will decode either one.
Click to expand...


Thanks for this information - is there a way of knowing the code for each country ?
 
Personally I would have one with a US code regardless, the Israelis will figure it out from there; now you have 2 flags of interest coming after you.
 
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