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Distress Beacons & EPIRBS

These devices do not actually allow you to have a conversation as such but signals from distress beacons can be picked up by satellites and passing aircraft.  They are to be used only in an emergency situation.  They should be correctly stowed so they do not go off accidentally and waste valuable search and rescue resources.  Penalties do apply for misuse.

There are three types:-

EPIRB’s – Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons usually used by marine craft.

PLB – pocket size Personal Locator Beacon

ELT – crash activated electronic locator transmitters, mainly for aircraft.

 

The definition of ‘distress situation’ varies from country to country but it relates to the safety of human life.

A fact sheet No. 22 is available from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).  The ACMA indicate that if vehicles and bushwalkers in remote parts of Australia carry a distress beacon it should be the 406 MHz PLB type.

The 406MHz distress beacons are more accurate, are detected more quickly and identify their owner.  Also the 406MHz operating beacons are compatible with Cospas-Sarsat Satellite System that receives distress signals as it orbits the earth.

The beacon should only be activated in a distress situation.  The fact sheet defines a ‘distress situation’ as:-

A distress situation is generally defined as one in which a person or persons face grave and imminent danger and require immediate assistance. On land such situations might include:

  • the need for urgent medical evacuation;
  • mechanical breakdown where food and water supplies can not be replenished;
  • being lost with little hope of reaching outside assistance before food and water supplies are finished; and
  • similar life-threatening situations.

Each situation is unique and common sense and good judgment need to be exercised.

 

PORTABLE/PERSONAL EPIRB’s

These lightweight personal EPIRB devices are ideal for camping, bushwalking or 4WD in the outback.

The GME MT310 is a personal locator beacon designed and manufactured in Australia. They claim it is small enough to go in your top pocket or be able to be hung around your neck on a lanyard. 

Some other brands/models are ACR Electronics TerraFix, Orvis AeroFix and L.L. Bean ACR TerraFix.

  Related Articles:

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Hand Held / Portable UHF CB
Hand held communications can be useful for caravanners to assist in parking their rigs.  They are also useful for camping, trekking, fishing and sporting events. 

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Is it safe and practical to use public telephones or phone cards whilst travelling?

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What is available to travellers on the road to provide internet access and email communication.  Contains information on all options.

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Choosing the right mobile is important to enable you to "stay in touch" whilst travelling.  CDMA, 3G, Next G?  Which is the best one?

Satellite Phones
Do you need a one?  How do they work? Can you hire a Satellite phones?  Are Satellite phones expensive?

Also see:

Best Tow Vehicle
Different Types of Caravans
Hitches, Anti-Sway Bars & Chains
Fifth Wheelers
Caravan Reversing

 

 

 

 


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