PRODUCT SUPPORT MANUAL PLB350 series GPS Personal Locator Beacons Model No.: PLB-350A, PLB-350B Product Variants: PLB-350A Float, PLB-350A Slim, PLB-350B Float, PLB-350B Slim Y1-03-0241 Rev.
Table of Contents SECTION 1 – REGISTRATION OF 406 MHZ BEACONS ___________________________________ 3 SECTION 2 – RESPONSIBLE USE______________________________________________________ 5 SECTION 3 – OPERATION _____________________________________________________________ 6 SECTION 4 – ACCESSORIES __________________________________________________________ 8 SECTION 5 – CARE AND MAINTENANCE _______________________________________________ 9 SECTION 6 – THE SEARCH AND RESCUE SYSTEM ________________________________
SECTION 1 – REGISTRATION OF 406 MHZ BEACONS 1.1 Registration Importance (Registration is FREE and can be updated as many times as you want) It is mandatory that the owner of this 406 MHz beacon registers it with the national authority*. All 406 MHz beacons transmit a Unique Identifier Number (UIN) when activated. This UIN is programmed in the PLB based on the country in which the beacon was purchased.
A confirmation letter, a copy of the actual registration and a proof-of-registration decal will be mailed to you within two weeks. When you receive these documents, please check the information carefully, then affix the decal to your beacon in the area marked “BEACON DECAL HERE.” If you do not receive confirmation back from NOAA in the expected timeframe, call toll free +1 (888)-212-7283 for assistance. 1.
SECTION 2 – RESPONSIBLE USE A Personal Locator Beacon is a distress signaling device of last resort, for use when all other means of selfrescue have been exhausted; where the situation is grave and imminent, and the loss of life, limb, eyesight or valuable property will occur without assistance. Deliberate misuse may incur a severe penalty. 2.
SECTION 3 – OPERATION The PLB350 beacon models are designed to be manually deployed and activated. They are only to be activated when all other means of self-rescue have been exhausted. When properly registered as required, the activation of the beacon tells Search and Rescue who you are, where you are, and that you are facing a life threatening situation. Note that the keypad functions for all PLB350 models are the same and in the same location. See Figure 2.
3.2 406/121.5 Antenna Position For maximum performance you must deploy the beacon antenna into the proper position (see Figure 3). If at all possible, be sure the antenna is positioned facing the sky and avoid submerging in water. This device is intended to operate on or above the ground only: It is not intended to operate while floating in water. 3.3 Activation with GPS (PLB-350B only) Your beacon is equipped with an internal GPS receiver if you purchased the PLB-350B model.
3.7 Battery Witness Seal Life If your beacon flashes an initial red LED at the beginning of the Self- test, this indicates that your electronic witness has been broken and you have used more than 1 hour of battery life for the PLB-350A models and more than 1 hour 20 minutes for the PLB-350B models.
SECTION 5 – CARE AND MAINTENANCE 5.1 Routine Maintenance Carefully inspect the beacon case for any visible cracks. Cracks may admit moisture, which could falsely activate the beacon or otherwise cause a malfunction. Any cracking observed should be immediately referred to ACR for evaluation by calling 1-800-432-0227 in the US, or +1-954-981-3333 elsewhere. ACR technical support can also be reached by sending an email to service@acrelectronics.com.
and time of measurement. This information is transmitted in real time to an earth station called the Local User Terminal (LUT), which may be within the view of the satellite, as well as being stored for later transmission to other LUTs.
SECTION 7 – TECHNICAL INFORMATION 7.1 Characteristics The PLB350 series are battery operated Personal Locator Beacons. The beacon case, with its antenna, is waterproof, while semiconductor circuits are mounted within the case assembly which also contains the battery power supply. Keypads with “self test” and “ON” buttons are installed on the case, along with an internal beeper and three LEDs. The beacon contains a GPS receiver that will acquire your LAT/LON located under the bottom of the front case.
Antenna Frequency 406 & 121.500 MHz Polarization Vertical VSWR Less than 1.5:1 General/Environmental Minimum Battery Operating Life +24 hours minimum @ -20°C to +55°C (-4°F to +131°F) Battery Replacement Interval 5 years, after use in an emergency, or expired battery witness seal *Batteries meet the UN Classification for Non-dangerous goods Size of beacon less Antenna 1.25 x 5.81 x 2.31 in (3.71 x 14.75 x 5.
APPENDIX Photo of Beacon in the ON-GROUND Operating Configuration: Y1-03-0241, rev.
Photo of Beacon in the Above GROUND Operating Configuration: Y1-03-0241, rev.
