new EPIRB regulations

[Dusky Mike]

has anyone heard about these. I read an article in the paper that said the older EPIRBs are now useless , but some of the digital (400 mHz?) ones are still good.

[The BEAST]

There are two types of EPIRB. One type transmits an analog signal on 121.5 mhz. The other type transmits a digital identification code on 406 mhz and a low-power "homing" signal on 121.5 mhz.


All 121.5 mhz EPIRBs, often referred to as Category B (Mini B) are manual activation units. Although these units do work with the low-earth orbiting satellite system, they do not work as well as 406 mhz (Cat I/II) beacons, and they can not be detected by the geostationary satellites that provide instantaneous alerting for 85% of the globe. Furthermore, 121.5 mhz beacons are a large source of wasted effort by SAR forces. Most 406 mhz false alerts can be resolved easily with a phone call. In contrast, every 121.5 mhz false alert must be tracked to the source using direction finding equipment. These reasons (and more) have lead the International Cospas-Sarsat Program to phaseout 121.5 mhz satellite alerting on February 1st, 2009. Thus, if you have a 121.5 mhz EPIRB it will no longer work with the Cospas-Sarsat Satellites after that date and you will need to make the switch to a 406 MHz (Cat I/II) EPIRB!

Capt. Jim
The BEAST

[CaptKen]

Thanks Jim !
any name brand preference ? ACR any good ?
I have been wanting one.
I have been told to stay away from the $650.00 one as you need to hold it up like a hand held GPS to get it to lock on, be kinda hard in 6' seas swimming along with the makos... I was told by someone you cant even get it locked standing in a parking lot.
I was told to get the $900.00 yellow one with the antenna sticking out the top. any thoughts ????

[LIGHTINING STRYKER]

blue boat you should just spend a little more an get a g-perb with the hydrostatic release. IT will activate when it goes into the water. bought mine at the electronics place on andrews ave.They have a big selection.

[LIGHTINING STRYKER]

P.S. why the big saftey kick lately is the blue boat ok? Or are you just gettin old? LOL

[CaptKen]

Originally Posted by LIGHTINING STRYKER

P.S. why the big saftey kick lately is the blue boat ok? Or are you just gettin old? LOL

What are you laughing about ? Dont forget I have seen your liferaft .lol I cant imagine what your epirb looks like, You get it at a Georgia Flea market ?

[The BEAST]

Originally Posted by CaptKen

Thanks Jim !
any name brand preference ? ACR any good ?
I have been wanting one.
I have been told to stay away from the $650.00 one as you need to hold it up like a hand held GPS to get it to lock on, be kinda hard in 6' seas swimming along with the makos... I was told by someone you cant even get it locked standing in a parking lot.
I was told to get the $900.00 yellow one with the antenna sticking out the top. any thoughts ????

Capt. Ken,

I have had both and now I have the small ACR Aquafix w/integrated GPS. Fits great in my ditch bag with the handheld VHF and handheld Garmin GPS, etc. ACR is based in Ft. Lauderdale which makes for easy repair or battery changes etc.

The antenna is longer than the little rubber one on the larger models. I don't know who told you about having to hold it in the air or about how long it took to get a fix. Probably the same guys who say cat boats aren't stable in rough seas! Funny how people will relay BS as fact simply because they heard it from someone who heard it from someone else. How would they know if it had a fix? Who would turn on an EPIRB long enough (false alert) to test all that. USCG would not be very happy when they make that phone call. ????????? The only differences I know of is they make 2 types, the larger CAT I and CAT II for bulkhead mounting or the personal or P-EPIRB Aquafix. Both can be had with either GPS interface (needs to get relay from boats GPS) and the integral GPS (built in GPS). The GPS interface gives immediate GPS coordinates stored from your boats coordinates at that time when removed and deployed. The integrated GPS gets its own fix, slower, but continues to relay your present postion with each signal sent. Personally with last nights current running 4.2 mph, I would rather have the integrated GPS EPIRB than have them begin searching for me 2 hours after the alert went off, 8.4 miles south, where I first ditched. Get me out of this critter filled water NOW!


Capt. Jim
The BEAST

[Dusky Mike]

Thanks for the details, Jim...I've gotta check on the one I've got--I'm not sure about its frequency!

[CaptKen]

Thanks for the info Jim.
I can tell you that it was a firsthand friend that went to buy one, It was the small flip antenna type, {$650.00 model}They took it outside to do the selftest or whatever you call it and it wouldn't work, brand new off the shelf. Went back inside and came out with the yellow one with a fixed antennae{$900.00 model} worked first time and Thats what he bought.

And just for the record Pontoon boats do suck !! .lol Im kiddin, I like Cats
Again thanks for the info, I am about to bite the bullet on one and like to hear the pros and cons. If $ wasn't an issue I would get the $900.00 no questions asked. Married with children and 1 paycheck, know where Im comming from ?
Thanks

[The BEAST]

Originally Posted by CaptKen

Thanks for the info Jim.
I can tell you that it was a firsthand friend that went to buy one, It was the small flip antenna type, {$650.00 model}They took it outside to do the selftest or whatever you call it and it wouldn't work, brand new off the shelf. Went back inside and came out with the yellow one with a fixed antennae{$900.00 model} worked first time and Thats what he bought.

And just for the record Pontoon boats do suck !! .lol Im kiddin, I like Cats
Again thanks for the info, I am about to bite the bullet on one and like to hear the pros and cons. If $ wasn't an issue I would get the $900.00 no questions asked. Married with children and 1 paycheck, know where Im comming from ?
Thanks

Capt. Ken,

When I purchased my ACR Aquafix, I noticed that the instructions frowned on self tests. I attribut this to the fact that a self diagnosis would require complete start up to include GPS lock on which would mean the sat signal is being sent the entire time the GPS is locking in. This could/would result in a false alert being sent out. I believe that ACR would have checked and double checked the units prior to shipping as the liability aspect of a unit not operating right out of the box would be astronomical. The units that do a self test in a matter of a flash are usually those that have no integrated or internal GPS therefore only need to test that the sat radio signal was sent. Make sure they are comparing apple to apples.

Either way, do your homework and make the choice that is the best for you. I get no compensation for sales. I also understand whole heartedly about buying within your family means. Look over your shoulder, I'm in the same boat as you are.

Capt. Jim
The BEAST