PRODUCT SUPPORT MANUAL RapidFix™406 and Satellite2 406™ // Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) Model Nos.: RLB-33 (RapidFix™) and RLB-32 (Satellite2 406™) Y1-03-0148-2 Rev.
PLEASE READ ALL WARNINGS, CAUTIONS AND NOTES CAREFULLY CAUTION: Before proceeding to install, test or use your new ACR Electronics’ product, please read this Product Support Manual in its entirety. If you have questions regarding the contents of the manual, please contact our Technical Service Department at ACR Electronics, Inc., Telephone +1 (954) 983- 3333. Please be ready to provide the technician with the page number you wish to discuss.
Table of Contents SECTION 1 – FOREWORD AND PRODUCT FEATURES .............................................................................................. 1 SECTION 2 – REGISTRATION OF 406 MHZ BEACONS ............................................................................................... 2 2.1 Registration Importance .................................................................................................................................... 2 2.2 Where to Register ............................
APPROVED FOR GMDSS USE WARNING: Some of these products contain a lithium battery To avoid possible fire, explosion, leakage or burn hazard, do not open, recharge, disassemble or heat beacon above +70°C (+158°F) or incinerate. Some of these products contain lithium in the form of a battery: refer to table below for Class 1 batteries. Shipping of hazardous materials requires special handling and documentation. MSDS sheets along with shipping information can be found on our website at http://www.acrartex.com.
SECTION 2 – REGISTRATION OF 406 MHZ BEACONS 2.1 Registration Importance It is mandatory that the owner of this 406 MHz beacon register it with the national authority.* All 406 MHz beacons transmit a Unique Identifier Number (UIN) when activated. This UIN is programmed in the beacon based on the country in which the beacon was purchased. Registration provides the Search and Rescue (SAR) forces with up to date emergency contact information, which will speed up the launch of a rescue operation.
2.6 Do I Need a Radio Station License? The information in this section is provided for informational purposes only. Always check the FCC’s website at http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=licensing&id=ship_stations or call toll-free 1-888-CALLFCC (2255322) for the latest information. You do not need a license to operate a marine VHF radio, radar, or EPIRBs aboard voluntary ships operating domestically. The term "voluntary ships" refers to ships that are not required by law to carry a radio.
SECTION 3 – FALSE ALARMS 3.1 Prevention of False Alarms An ACR 406 MHz EPIRB can be activated in an emergency by two different methods. Whether you have a Category I or 2, these methods are the same. 1. 2. When the beacon is out of its bracket and in the water, the unit will start transmitting. When the switch is moved to the “ON” position, in or out of the bracket, the unit will start transmitting. There are a few precautions that should be taken to prevent false alarms.
The Category I float-free mounting bracket should be mounted securely to a vertical or horizontal surface (the mount has predrilled holes for attachment to a flat surface) where there are no overhead obstructions. Location aboard a vessel must be chosen to allow the beacon to float free of sinking craft and as high as possible, especially on small vessels. This will help ensure operation of the hydrostatic release unit in the event the vessel capsizes without sinking. See section 4.3 on removing the HRU.
SECTION 5 – ACTIVATION AND DEPLOYMENT 5.1 Bracket Configuration Y1-03-0148-2 Rev.
5.2 Dimension Drawings Category I Dimension Drawing NOT TO SCALE Bracket Sensor Magnet (inside bracket) Figure 4 Y1-03-0148-2 Rev.
Category II Dimension Drawing NOT TO SCALE Bracket Sensor Magnet (inside bracket) Figure 5 Y1-03-0148-2 Rev.
5.3 Configuration Overview Category I beacons are designed to be automatically deployed and activated. The beacon may also be hand held on the deck of vessels, or floated in water and attached to a raft or life vest with the lanyard provided. Category II beacons are designed to be manually deployed from the bracket. The beacon is designed to operate best while floating in water. Hand held operation should be avoided when possible. Do not operate inside life raft or under any similar cover or canopy.
ON position: Notice the Activation Indicator Plastic Pin has been broken off. OFF position: Note the Activation Indicator Plastic Pin Figure 6 NOTE: Some countries may fine vessel owners for causing false alarms. The permanent breakage of the Activation Indicator Plastic Pin is a positive indication of a manual activation. 5.7 Manual Activation without Deployment The beacon can be activated while still in its bracket by placing the thumb switch in the ON position.
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.
nominal 20 minutes if old GPS position data is stored in the memory of the RapidFix™. If there is no old GPS position data present, the beacon will acquire current data within a minute of being connected to a GPS with a valid position fix. You can force the RapidFix™ to update its position at any time by connecting to a GPS with a valid position fix and initiating the Self-Test (see 5.10). If valid GPS position data is not available, the beacon will not clear the previously stored GPS position data.
For both models Always refer battery replacement and any other beacon service to a factory authorized Service Center. Battery replacement includes servicing the beacon by replacing all o-rings, testing the water seal and the electrical properties and doing a full functional test on the unit. NOTE: There are no user serviceable items inside the beacon. DO NOT OPEN THE BEACON EXCEPT TO DISABLE IN CASE OF FAULTY ACTIVATION. Otherwise, always have beacon serviced by an authorized Battery Replacement Center.
The LUT processes the Doppler-shifted signal from the LEOSAR and determines the location of the beacon, then the LUT relays the position of the distress to a Mission Control Center (MCC) where the distress alert and location information is immediately forwarded to an appropriate Rescue Coordination Center (RCC). The RCC dispatches Search and Rescue (SAR) forces. The addition of the GEOSAR satellite system greatly improves the reaction time for a SAR event.
SECTION 8 – TECHNICAL INFORMATION 8.1 Type Approvals and Standards The RLB-32 and RLB-33 meet the requirements of Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Part 80 and Category I EPIRBs meet the GMDSS requirements: Type Approvals FCC COSPAS-SARSAT MED FCC ID: B668L2ACR-RLB-33 (RLB-33) FCC ID: B668L2ACR-RLB-32 (RLB-32) Certificate No. 108 (RLB-33) Certificate No. 107 (RLB-32) BSH Certificate No.: 6492/050564-2/2004 (RLB-33) BSH Certificate No.
8.4 Specifications 406 MHz Transmitter Frequency Output Power Digital Message Format Duration Frequency Stability Rate Modulation Encoding 406 MHz 5 Watts 2 RLB-33: Standard Location Protocol 1 RLB-32: Standard Location Protocol RLB-33: 520 ms RLB-32: 440 ms ±2 parts per billion/100ms 400 bps ±1.1 radians peak Biphase L 1 Leaves ACR with Serialized U.S. code but can be reprogrammed at a service center to Maritime or other coded format including nationality of registration.
8.5 Warranty Limited Warranty This product is warranted against factory defects in material and workmanship for a period of 1 (one) year* from date of purchase or receipt as a gift. During the warranty period ACR Electronics, Inc. will repair or, at its option, replace the unit at no cost to you for labor, materials and return transportation from ACR. For further assistance, please contact our Technical Service Department at ACR Electronics, Inc., 5757 Ravenswood Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312-6645.
EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY ACR Electronics hereby declares that the following product is in conformity with Council Directive 96/98/EC of 20 December 1996 on Marine Equipment (MED) last amended by Commission Directive 2009/26/EC of 6 April 2009, and has been type examined as described in this Declaration.
EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY ACR Electronics hereby declares that the following product is in conformity with Council Directive 96/98/EC of 20 December 1996 on Marine Equipment (MED) last amended by Commission Directive 2009/26/EC of 6 April 2009, and has been type examined as described in this Declaration.
INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION SHORE BASED MAINTENANCE The Maritime Safety Committee approved guidelines for shore-based maintenance (SBM) of satellite EPIRBs, for the purpose of establishing standardized procedures and minimum levels of service for the testing and maintenance of satellite EPIRBs to ensure maximum reliability whilst minimizing the risk of false distress alerts. (IMO MSC/Circ.
ACR ELECTRONICS INC.
ACR ELECTRONICS INC.
