Archive for the ‘406 MHz ELT’ Category
Flying into Mexico now requires a 406MHz emergency locator transmitter to be installed in an aircraft. The Mexican government required the use 406 MHz as of July 2009. There is a lot of very remote and rugged terrain all over Mexico and the use of the new ELTs will ensure that an aircraft will be found if it goes down over Mexico. 406 MHz is far advanced from that of the old 121.5 MHz. The advantages are so many that the Mexican government decided (along with ICAO) to implement the use of 406 MHz over the entire country.
Personal locator beacons are saving lives everyday worldwide. The COSPAS/SARSAT system of globally tracking 406MHz signals via satellites is proving to be a real life saving system. The system uses an array of satellites launched and monitored by Canada, the United States, France, and Russia to monitor and distress signal by a personal locator beacon (personal), emergency locator transmitter (aircraft), or an EPIRB (boat). This signal is immediately detected anywhere on the planet and transmitted to the nearest rescue facility. Personal locator beacons are very small and are being used everyday for saving the lives of boaters, pilots, hiker, campers, hunters, etc…
A pilot was saved when his Artex ME406 emergency locator transmitter alerted rescues services to his location. Flying at low altitude for survey work, there was no time to get a radio signal out before preparing for an immediate off airport landing. The pilot executed a great forced landing in the wilderness north west of Anchorage, but was unable to contact anyone via radio due to the remoteness of location. He manually activated his Artex ME406 emergency locator transmitter and was found with a rescue aircraft within two hours.
Ameri-King emergency locator transmitters are one of the best selling units on the market for general aviation. The AK-450 and AK-451 (121.5 and 406 MHz) are standard equipment installed at the factory for many general aviation aircraft. The units also retrofit many aircraft with other models of ELTs. Most of the time the previous wiring and mounting brackets can be used to greatly reduce the installation cost. With a great warranty and reputation as an industry leader, the Ameri-King emergency locator transmitter line is great choice for general aviation.
Many outdoor clubs are finding the personal locator beacon to be an essential part of equipment to be carried during activities. Off road clubs, RV clubs, boating clubs, camping clubs, and many others are finding that personal locator beacons are indispensible when in a life threatening situation. Numerous lives are saved every year when PLBs are used to get help. The small price, long shelf life, durability, ease of use, and no subscription fee make the personal locator beacon a must for many people and organizations.
Artex emergency locator transmitters are the best selling 406MHz beacons for replacement of the old 121.5 MHz ELTs. The Artex ME406 is a very cost effective way to retrofit your existing aircraft ELT system to the new, highly reliable, 406 MHz system. Many aircraft can use the existing coax antenna cable, remote switch wiring, and mounting tray to greatly reduce the installation cost. If you are considering replacing your old ELT with a new 406MHz emergency locator transmitter, look into the Artex ME406.
An ACR personal locator beacon saved the lives of two campers in the Rocky Mountains. Two campers were stranded when a small stream they crossed a day earlier became engorged by heavy rain waters when they were trying to return to base camp. There was no way to return to the ranger station by any other means than crossing the stream. To continue on the other way, was to go deeper into the wilderness and not get closer to civilization. Left with no other means to get help the campers activated the ACR Microfix personal locator beacon they were carrying. Rescue services arrived in a few hours via army helicopter to air lift the stranded campers to safety. Another rescue attributed to the highly effective PLB.
Upgrade to Reliable Locator Technology
As a pilot, you’re probably aware that most U.S. civil aircraft are required to carry emergency beacons. In the past, planes were generally equipped with 121.5 MHz transmitters, but these have largely fallen out of use – and for good reason. In order for another aviator to pick up a distress signal from a plane in range, he would have to be listening to that particular frequency at just the right moment.
These days, satellites associated with Search and Rescue Satellite-aided Tracking are mostly responsible for picking up distress signals. Since these satellites stopped monitoring the 121.5 MHz frequency in February of this year, newer-generation emergency locator transmitters are especially critical. They operate at 406 MHz and can be picked up easily via satellite. When it’s your safety at stake, why trust old technology?
The Federal Aviation Administration has not mandated the use of 406 MHz ELT’s yet but there are vast advantages to using them. The 121.5 ELT signal is no longer monitored by rescue agencies around the world so to be found one must have the 406 MHz beacon. The personal locator beacon has 406 MHZ built into it so it can be used in case of an emergency with an aircraft. Companies such as ACR, and GME make very good PLB’s that are very popular worldwide with pilots.
Artex is the best selling emergency locator transmitters in the world for converting to 406 MHz. The ME406 is the best selling for general aviation because it can reuse the existing wiring to the remote switch so it greatly reduces the installation cost. Business aviation (turboprops and jets) also love the Artex 406 MHz beacons because of the same reason - easy chap installation.