Hi everyone
I recently sent an RFI re EPIRBs. Thanks to Bob Forsyth, Val Ford and Chris
Brandis for responding - the website addresses
provided were very useful.
In summary:
CURRENCY
** the 121.5/243 MHz distress frequency is the "standard" in SE Australia,
through to February 2009.
** then the 406 MHz frequency will be the "standard" for distress beacon
detection.
** Noted that one website states that even though the 121.5/243 becomes
obsolete as the standard for detection from Feb 2009,
this frequency can still be useful in the later stage of searches due to the
signal patterns which are emitted from both the
406 and the 121.5/243 (ie if you still have your 121.5/243 in Feb 09, it may be
worth it to carry both it and a 406 MHz unit
rather than simply throwing out your 121.5/243 thinking it is TOTALLY useless).
COST
** the 121.5/243 MHz appears to be the only one with reasonable weight and
cost for a bushwalker (say up to $320).
** the existing 406 MHz units are not readily available in normal bushwalking
etc. shops, are heavier (up to half a kilo)
and $2500 or more, and are currently mainly used for marine applications
LOCATION ACCURACY
I was disappointed to find that the 121.5/243 MHz units are accurate to about
20 kilometres (yes, kilometres). And like GPS,
their effectiveness is reduced if you're at the bottom of a cliff, in a valley
etc. For whatever reason, I thought they
would be more accurate and send a stronger signal than this. Rather than
depend on the emission of the signal alone for
searchers to pinpoint your location, it looks to be worth it to spend the money
buying a unit that includes a strobe light
and/or mirror.
And of course, take care and hope you never get into a situation where you need
to ever set off the EPIRB in the first place.
Cheers and Happy Times with Nature
Irene Denton
Concord West, 12 km from Sydney city, NSW Australia
S 33°50.278' E 151°05.406'
Newsletter Editor: NSW Bird Atlassers
Preferred email address:
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