Archive for the ‘Personal Locator Beacon’ Category
A SARLink personal locator beacon saves the lives of three stranded hikers in the Rocky Mountains during a late spring snow storm. In late may a family of three was hiking high on a ridge in the Rockies for a long day hike that would cover almost 7 miles of mountain during the round trip hike. Although the weather was forecast to be good, a freak snow squall hit the top of the ridgeline where the hikers were. They did not have a trail to get to lower ground due to steeply sloping terrain. Combined with very little protective clothing for the hike and very cold weather, they had no choice but to activate their SARLink personal locator beacon. Within an hour a rescue helicopter from the Air National Guard was available to get them to safety after they hiked a short distance down the mountain.
The GME Accusat personal locator beacon is one of outdoor enthusiasts number one choices for a PLB. Many people all over the world have been rescued and saved by using their GME Accusat PLB to alert rescue services. With GPS built in and a 6 year battery this small unit is a great addition to anyone traveling off the beaten path. Boaters, hunters, hikers, campers, pilots, and anyone that can find themselves in remote areas can benefit from the safety this small PLB provides. A simple one button switch alerts rescue services anywhere on the planet instantly. If you love the outdoors and venture away from civilization in any way, this little device could be what you need for added peace of mind.
ACR SARLink is one of the best selling personal locator beacons of all time. ACR offers two models of the SARLink PLB. Both offer GPS position, 6 year battery, Strobe light, and small light weight design. The SARLink View has the added features of displaying latitude and longitude GPS position as well as aunique feature of allowing a “check -in” feature. The View has an “OK” button that will transmit an OK message to family or friends without setting off the emergency function of the unit. This is a great feature for someone who wants to be able to have all the protection of the emergency function but also be able to check in with an I’m OK message to let people know they are OK while out in the wilderness.
If you are still utilizing a personal locator beacon that was manufactured several years ago, you are definitely overdue to make a switch. In February 2009, the processing of 121.5 MHz transmissions was ceased, making that old PLB even more antiquated. In order to remain safe and ensure rescuers can determine your location, you’ll need a PLB with a 406 MHz frequency, such as the Kannad PLB.
SOme may wonder why the switch was made and what, if any, advantages a higher MHz level has. Essentially, this just speeds up the proliferation of information. Not only do the 406 MHz models send and receive a better signal, but they are also more compact and easier to carry.
Every summer I take my family on a weeklong camping trip to a remote location in the Montana wilderness. During this annual expedition, we rarely see any other human beings, and it gives us an opportunity to bond and appreciate the company of one another. Of course, this isolation does have its drawbacks, and a few blunders could leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere—literally.
After a close call last year—it took us eight hours to locate our camping site—I decided to take some extra precautions before embarking this year. The main addition to our supplies is a new, lightweight SARLink locator. This amazing device utilizes GPS technology to pinpoint our location and can even use a global network to relay our position to rescue crews if need be.
Personal locator beacons used to be a sizable investment, but thanks to recent innovations, the technology is more affordable than ever. Not only has the price of these products plummeted, but the technology has advanced as well and the devices are more compact and convenient than ever. One of the top units on the market today is the Kannad XS-4.
This premium locator transmitter has a built-in GPS, is waterproof and is the same size as a typical cell phone. Whether you are stranded on a deserted island or in the middle of a buzzing metropolis, this device has the capability of pinpointing your location and notifying rescue services of your whereabouts. You may think that this sort of technology carries an exorbitant price tag, but you can find units for less than $300 and don’t require a subscription.
State-of-the-Art Locator Beacon Technology
It is always necessary to anticipate worst-case scenarios and plan accordingly, no matter how troubling or upsetting it may be. When it comes to flying an aircraft, crashing in a remote location is about as bad as it gets. While it may seem like an effort in futility to plan for this circumstance, there are measures that can be taken to make you and your aircraft easier to locate.
A personal locator beacon will send out a signal that alerts rescue crews to your whereabouts, but its features don’t stop there. Premium models, such as the ACR SARLink, not only send a distress signal; they also inform the authorities who you are. In addition, many are outfitted with GPS technology and the ability to send distress messages.
ACR has introduced a new personal locator beacon named the SARLink. This PLB replaces the old Microfix and Aerofox PLBs. It has many enhanced features and costs less than the older models it replaces. The battery now lasts 35 hours instead of 24 and the warranty lasts for 6 years instead of 5 years on the previous models. It also incorporates a new high intesity strobe in the unit to aid in location detection. Thse units are much more capable than the old units at a much cheaper price. If you are looking for a personal locator beacon, the ACR SARLink is one of the best units available.
No matter what craft you are flying or how close your destination, it is always necessary to bring location devices and survival supplies on your excursion. Packing these essentials will not only give you peace of mind knowing that you are properly prepared but will also save your life in the event of an emergency. Making a small investment now can pay huge dividends in the future.
A personal locator beacon will help rescue teams pinpoint your position, and the ACR Aero Fix is one of the best models on the market. It utilizes a 406 MHz transmission to communicate with a satellite system, transmitting your unique register code. The unit is lightweight and will take-up virtually no space in the cockpit.
Over the last few days there has been a concerted effort in Oregon to find a group of three hikers that has gone missing on Mount Hood. The hikers did not have an ACR personal locator beacon or other device to alert rescue teams to their whereabouts. Adverse weather conditions have severely limited the amount of rescue workers and aid that has been accessible to the area, with a whiteout completely eliminating the search efforts on Tuesday.
Searchers found the body of one of the climbers at an elevation of 9,000 feet. The preliminary autopsy showed that he had fallen and incurred minor injuries before hypothermia set in. As the weather worsens and rescue attempts become for restricted, the prospects of findings the two remaining hikers is dwindling.