COSPAS: Cosmicheskaya Systyema Polska Aariynyich Sudov (Russian)
SARSAT: Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking
Founded in 1982 by USA, Canada, Russia, and France. Currently 38 nations are participating. The system only receives 406 MHz signals.
http://www.cospas-sarsat.org/
ALERT: As of Feb. 1, 2009 Cospas-Sarsat ceased coverage of 121.5 MHz and 243 MHz Emergency Beacons
For more information on the NOAA Satellite and Information Service, click on the link below.
http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/
For sailors, the rescue all starts on water. Several leading emergency beacon suppliers are listed below:
EPIRBs and PLBs characteristics:
- 406 MHz primary digital frequency (50x more powerful than old analog system)
- 121.5 MHz SAR homing frequency
- Can be GPS enabled
- Must meet stringent COSPAS-SARSAT specs
- Must approved by FCC in USA
- 5-year battery service life
http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov/
Test the EPIRB but follow guidelines:
- Test the beacon accordance with the manufacturer's instructions
- Use the dedicated TEST button/switch for the unit
- Test only for designated duration set by the vendor
- Not more than once per month, not more than 60X in five years
- False alarms can result in severe penalties
- If accidentally activated, deactivate immediately and call the US Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at 800-851-3051
http://www.amver.com/