Product Support Manual ResQFix™ 406 GPS Personal Locator Beacon Product No. 2897 PLB-300 Y1-03-0215 Rev. B Personal Locator Beacon FCC ID: B66ACR-PLB-300 ACR Electronics, Inc. 5757 Ravenswood Road Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33312 Tel : +1(954) 981-3333 Fax: +1 (954) 983-5087 www.acrelectronics.com Email: Info@acrelectronics.
* * * WARNING * * * THIS TRANSMITTER IS AUTHORIZED FOR USE ONLY DURING SITUATIONS OF GRAVE AND IMMINENT DANGER * * * DELIBERATE MISUSE MAY INCUR A SEVERE PENALTY * * * For proper use refer to section 2 – Responsible Use PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE PERFORMING ANY OF THE TESTS. If you should have any questions or problems with this product, do not return to the store, in which you purchased, call ACR Electronics, Inc. directly at 1 (800) 432-0227 or +1 (954) 981-3333.
SECTION 1 – FREE REGISTRATION OF 406 MHz PLBS 1.1 Registration Importance (Registration is FREE and can be updated as many times as you want) It is mandatory that the owner of this 406 MHz PLB registers it with the National Authority*. All 406 MHz PLBs transmit a Unique Identifier Number (UIN) when activated. This UIN is programmed in the PLB based on the country in which the PLB was purchased.
1.6 Change of ownership or contact information It is the owner’s responsibility to advise the National Authority of any change in the information on the registration form. If the current owner of the PLB is transferring the PLB to a new owner, the current owner is required to inform the National Authority by Letter, Fax or telephone, of the name and address of the new owner.
SECTION 3 – OPERATION The ResQFix™ 406 GPS PLB models are designed to be manually deployed and activated. It is only to be activated when all other means of self-rescue have been exhausted. When properly registered as required, the activation of the PLB tells Search and Rescue who you are, where you are, and that you are facing a life threatening situation.
3.2 Activation with GPS This PLB is equipped with an internal GPS receiver. Once activated the GPS engine will start up and search to find your LAT/LON and incorporate it into your 406 MHz signal. As soon as the GPS receiver acquires good positioning data the red LED will stop blinking and the green LED will begin flashing once every 2 seconds. Once good global positioning data has been obtained, the GPS receiver waits for 20 minutes before looking for new positioning data again.
3.7 Battery Witness Seal Life If your PLB flashes an initial Red LED at the beginning of the Self Test, this indicates that your electronic witness has been broken and you have used more than 1 hour of battery life. While the PLB will still operate normally in a distress situation, ACR strongly recommends you have your battery replaced and the electronic witness reset to ensure that you will have 24 hours of battery power. 3.
4.2 Flotation Pouch The ResQFix™ is a Category 1 PLB thanks to the neoprene floatation pouch attached to the lanyard. The pouch has been designed to work with and without the attachment holster. Simply open the bottom of the pouch using the Velcro and slide the top of the ResQFix™ into the pouch with the GPS receiver exposed through the special cut out hole on the front underneath the ACR logo. The neoprene floatation pouch is only designed to accommodate the ResQFix™ and the attachment clip.
COSPAS and SARSAT satellites receive distress signals from PLBs transmitting on the frequency of 406 MHz. The COSPAS-SARSAT 406 MHz beacon signal consists of a transmission of non-modulated carriers followed by a digital message format that provides identification data. The 406 MHz system uses Satellite-borne equipment to measure and store the Doppler-shifted frequency along with the beacons digital data message and time of measurement.
7.1 Characteristics The ResQFix™ is a battery operated Personal Locator Beacon. The PLB case, with its antenna, is waterproof, while semiconductor circuits are mounted within the case assembly which also contains the battery power supply. Keypads with “self test” and “ON” buttons are installed on the case, along with an internal beeper and three LED’s. The PLB contains a GPS receiver that will acquire your LAT/LON located under the bottom of the front case. SECTION 8 - Technical Data - ResQFix™ 406 8.
Color Weight High Vis Yellow 9.8 oz (277 grams) w/o holster Factory Tested to 32.8 ft (10 m) for 1 hour, at room temperature - Exceeds RTCM Standards This PLB will not float without neoprene floatation pouch (Category 1) Waterproof Buoyancy Temperature Range Operating Storage Class 2 Class 2 -20°C to +55°C (-4°F to +131°F) -40°C to +70°C (-40°F to +158°F) SECTION 9 – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS QUESTION: Why do I have to register my beacon? ANSWER: Registering your PLB is mandatory.
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 factory, 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.
SECTION 10 – LIMITED WARRANTY This product is warranted against factory defect in material and workmanship for a period of five years from date of purchase or receipt as a gift. During the warranty period ACR Electronics, Inc. will repair or, at its option, replace at no cost to you for labor, materials or return transportation, provided you obtain a Return Authorization from ACR Electronics, Inc., 5757 Ravenswood Road, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. 33312-6645.