User's Manual

9 Y1-03-0215 Rev. T3
SECTION 9 – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Question:
Why do I have to register my beacon?
Answer:
Registering your PLB is mandatory
. Registration is free and should be continually maintained. When you register your
beacon you are providing potential search and rescue personnel with valuable information that will expedite a rescue. If
you should be in an emergency and activate your PLB, the MCC will pull up your registration information based on the
satellite signal received from your beacon. With this information in hand, they will now know who the beacon belongs to,
what type of trip you may be on, and who to contact to verify that this is an emergency. You can also add other valuable
information to your registration like any medical conditions that you or someone accompanying you may have. In an
emergency, every piece of information helps, take the time and properly register this beacon.
Question:
Is their a monthly fee for this service?
Answer:
No, once you own your PLB there are no hidden fees or monthly service charges.
Question:
Why does my PLB say give clear view to sky, will it work inside my house or car if need be?
Answer:
Your PLB will work indoors or in a car, but due to the shielding effect of your signal to the satellites this may increase the
time it will take rescuers to locate your signal. By using the PLB this way you will not be able to download GPS data into
your beacon. In order for the GPS receiver to work properly, it needs to be outdoors so that any GPS satellite signals
can get to your beacon. In an emergency, try to get your beacon into an open clearing with a clear view of the sky so that
your beacon can acquire GPS data and transmit this information to search and rescue personnel. This will decrease the
time it takes for SAR forces to know exactly where you are.
Question:
Will my PLB work if I can not download any GPS data?
Answer:
Absolutely, the GPS receiver is an added bonus to get your rescue message sent faster. If for some reason you are
unable to download GPS data, rest assured that the LEOSAR satellites will pin point your location using Doppler Shift.
With each pass of a satellite, your position is recalculated and the search area is narrowed down. SAR forces will then
home in on your location thanks to the 121.5 homing frequency.
Question:
How long does the PLB hold GPS data in memory?
Answer:
4 hours. If new GPS data has not been downloaded, the ResQFix™ will return to default mode and utilize the LEOSAR
satellites to obtain your position using Doppler shift.
Question:
Why can I only test my GPS once per battery life?
Answer:
All ACR beacons that have internal GPS receivers are extensively tested before they leave the factor, so rest assured
that your GPS receiver will work properly. If you do feel the need to test your GPS receiver, you are consuming some of
the PLB’s battery power. ACR recommends a one time test per battery life cycle because we want to make sure that in
an emergency you have as much battery life as possible in case you are stranded in a remote location that takes search
and rescue forces longer to get to.
Question:
Is it okay if I lend my PLB to a friend who is going on a trip?
Answer:
Of course, give a copy of this product support manual so your friend will properly know how to use this beacon in an
emergency, along with the responsibilities that come along with owning one. Then you must register the beacon again
with your friend’s information in case an emergency should arise. Once the PLB is returned to you, again, update your
registration. Remember, registering your beacon is free, update your registration as much as you want.