PRODUCT SUPPORT MANUAL ResQMate™ 406 MHz EPIRB // Model No.: RLB-40 Y1-03-0240 Rev. C Available for sale in Australia and New Zealand only ACR Electronics, Inc. // 5757 Ravenswood Road // Fort Lauderdale // FL // 33312-6645 Tel: +1 (954) 981-3333 // Fax: +1 (954) 983-5087 // www.acrartex.
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) 981- 3333. Please be ready to provide the technician with the page number you wish to discuss.
Table of Contents STEP ONE - REGISTERING YOUR BEACON ____________________________ 3 STEP TWO - HOW THE BEACON WORKS _____________________________ 6 STEP THREE - INSTALLING THE BEACON_____________________________ 12 STEP FOUR - MAINTAINING THE BEACON ___________________________ 14 APPENDIX A - THE COSPAS-SARSAT SYSTEM __________________________ 17 APPENDIX B - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ___________________________ 18 APPENDIX C - WARRANTY, NOTICES ________________________________ 19 PLEASE READ ALL WARNINGS,
STEP ONE - REGISTERING YOUR BEACON 1. Why is registration important? As the owner of this 406 MHz beacon, it is mandatory that you register it with the EPIRB national authority of your country: It is the law. Please note that all 406 MHz beacons are required to have their registration updated every two years by the owner. HOW REGISTRATION WORKS: All 406 MHz beacons transmit a Unique Identifier Number (UIN) when activated.
2. How do I register? Registration in Australia The national authority that accepts registrations in Australia is the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). Here are two ways to register: 1. The fastest and easiest way to register is online at www.beacons.amsa.gov.au/beacons. 2.
2. Fill out the enclosed registration form and post, fax or email your form to: Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand P.O. Box 30050 Lower Hutt 5040 New Zealand Phone: +64 4 577 8033 or 0800 406 111 Fax: +64 4 577 8041 Email: 406registry@martimenz.govt.nz NOTE: Do not confuse the registration form with the ACR Electronics warranty card. All registration forms will be entered in the 406 MHz beacon registration database within 48 hours of receipt.
STEP TWO - HOW THE BEACON WORKS 1. How your beacon brings help 406 MHz beacons are a type of portable emergency equipment that transmits a distress signal to search and rescue (SAR) organizations. The purpose of these beacons is to aid SAR teams in tracking and locating ships or individuals in jeopardy as rapidly as possible. The 406 MHz frequency is a worldwide dedicated emergency frequency that is detected by a special system of satellites called the Cospas-Sarsat system.
2. Anatomy of your beacon NOTE: When unpacking your beacon, it is recommended that you save the original packaging for re-use when shipping the beacon for battery replacement in the future. antenna strobe light red/green LEDs manual activation switch battery housing // Activation switch with Witness Tab The activation switch embodies a special, patented method of activating a beacon. Refer to a subsequent section of this manual for how to activate the beacon.
Switch Positions OFF/ READY position (down, front) TEST position (upright) ON/ TRANSMITTING position (down, back) Manual release bracket antenna hook Front cover release tabs Y1-03-0240C 8
3. Activating your beacon WARNING: This transmitter is authorized for use only during situations of grave and imminent danger. Deliberate misuse may incur a severe penalty. Overview Class 3 beacons can always be manually activated in or out of their bracket. The beacon and bracket are designed to allow the user to perform periodic testing while the beacon is in its bracket. Class 3 beacons-Manual deployment and activation Class 3 beacons can be manually deployed by removing the beacon from the bracket.
Push the main switch up 90 degrees, slide toward antenna and all the way down to activate. Witness tab will break once placed in the “ON” position TIPS FOR OPTIMUM DEPLOYMENT OF AN ACTIVATED BEACON: When activating and deploying your beacon in an emergency, DO NOT: // Activate the beacon if you have any other means of self rescue. // Hold or clutch the beacon or antenna. // Operate the beacon while hand held, if at all possible. // Turn the beacon off for any reason, including to save power.
4. Turning off the beacon If your beacon was manually activated and you wish to deactivate, return the thumb switch to the “OFF” position. If deactivation should fail, remove the four screws holding the unit together and unplug the battery to disable the unit. Return the beacon to ACR Electronics for service. 5. False alarms To prevent false alarms, it is important to be aware of how your beacon can be activated.
STEP THREE - INSTALLING THE BEACON 1. Mounting location The selection of a mounting location will vary from vessel to vessel. Beacons should be protected from outside influences while being readily accessible at all times in the event of an emergency. The location selected must be sufficiently rigid to support the weight of the total installation.
2. Manual release bracket Manual release brackets are designed to hold the beacon securely in place. The beacon must be manually deployed. The bracket can be mounted on a vertical flat surface with beacon antenna up or on a horizontal flat surface facing skyward. This location must be easily accessible in order to manually deploy the beacon or to perform the required maintenance and functionality tests. Typical locations include near the helm station or just inside the companionway door.
STEP FOUR - MAINTAINING THE BEACON 1.
Always refer battery replacement and any other beacon service to a factory authorized Service Center. Find a Center near you at http://www.acrartex.com. 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 or accidental activation).
If your EPIRB were to be activated, the information you provided will be forwarded to the appropriate search and rescue authorities who will ensure that your EPIRB gets back to you. If someone attempts to register an EPIRB reported as stolen, your national authority will notify the appropriate police department. Visit www.cospas-sarsat.org for more detailed information. 6. Servicing the manual release bracket To remove a beacon from the bracket, lift the latch and release the pressure from the beacon.
APPENDIX A - THE COSPAS-SARSAT SYSTEM EPIRBs transmit to the satellite portion of the Cospas-Sarsat system. Cospas-Sarast satellites are an international system that utilizes Russian Federation and United States’ low altitude, near-polar orbiting satellites (LEOSAR). These satellites assist in detecting and locating activated 406 MHz satellite beacons. Cospas-Sarsat satellites receive distress signals from EPIRBs transmitting on the frequency of 406 MHz.
APPENDIX B - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS GENERAL/ ENVIRONMENTAL 17.7 H X 10.67 W X 9.09 D cm (6.97 X 4.2 X 3.58 in) 592 g (20.
APPENDIX C - WARRANTY, NOTICES 1. 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.
