User's Manual

Y1-03-0343 Rev. T1 Company Confidential 15
Testing Your Beacon
Your beacon has the ability to perform 2 different tests to ensure that the beacon is working
perfectly. The first is a basic self-test which checks the beacon’s design performance and sends
a self-test message transmitted with default location data. The second is a GPS/GNSS self-test
that turns the GPS receiver on, acquires your position and then transmits this data in a 406 MHz
self-test satellite burst (GPS and GNSS are used interchangeably to describe the GPS/GNSS
Test).
NOTE: Self-test should only be performed in the first 5 minutes of any hour.
Basic Self-Test (No GPS Data)
During a self-test, your beacon will send a 406 MHz signal coded as a self-test to the satellite
system and will also momentarily activate the 121.5 MHz homing signal.
The beacon has enough excess battery life to perform 60 self-tests over the 5 year life of the
battery.
To perform a basic self-test:
1. Unclip the antenna latch from the case and rotate antenna 90 degrees into the upright
position. (ON/OFF button will be exposed on face of beacon once antenna is in upright
position)
2. Depress the Test button between 2 to 5 seconds.
3. A quick flash of the green LED is an indicator that Self-Test was initiated. This will
always be the first LED flash in the self-test sequence.
A green LED will flash to show the start of the Self-Test and will be followed by 3 green LED
flashes (total of 4) and a strobe, indicating a successful Self-Test. The third green LED flash is
an indication that 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz RF was transmitted. The PLB-425 will show this light
sequence and will also flash a message on the screen saying “Self-Test Pass” at the end of the
self-test.
Any red LED flash observed in the above sequence indicates that the beacon has failed self-test.
Repeat the self-test. If the failure persists, contact ACR Electronics, Inc. or an authorized
Battery Replacement Center (BRC) for servicing of your beacon. The PLB-425 will flash a
message saying “Self-Test Fail” at the end of a failed self-test.
ACR strongly recommends performing the self-test once per month, or at least two weeks
prior to a trip, allowing enough time for service should your beacon require it. Do not exceed
the self-test limit to ensure confidence in the operation of the PLB for greater than 24 hours.
Low Battery Indicator during Self-Test
If the total ON time of the beacon exceeds 2 hours, there will be 3 green LED
flashes followed by 2 red LED flashes. In addition to the LED indicators, the display
on the PLB-425 will indicate a “Self-Test Fail” and will show a low battery warning.
While the beacon may still operate normally in a distress situation, ACR strongly
recommends you have your battery replaced to ensure that you will have at least
24 hours of battery power in an emergency.