OWNERS MANUAL
1 1 2 2 VRV 5 3 4
1 2 Warnings................................................................................................................ 2 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 3 2.1 2.2 3 4 Purpose.................................................................................................................. 5 Description ............................................................................................................
1 WARNINGS • This EPIRB is an emergency device for use only in grave and imminent danger. • False alarms cost lives and money. Help to prevent them; understand how to activate and disable your equipment. • Read the complete manual before installing, testing or using the EPIRB. • Ensure the EPIRB is registered with your local authorities (Flag State nation). • The EPIRB contains no user servicable parts. Return to your dealer for battery replacement or other service. Do not open.
2 INTRODUCTION 2.1 COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system The COSPAS-SARSAT system provides distress alert and location information to search and rescue authorities anywhere in the world for maritime, aviation and terrestrial users in distress. There are two satellite arrays carrying the COSPAS-SARSAT system. The principal array is LEOSAR (Low Earth Orbit Search and Rescue) which has seven satellites in polar and near-polar orbits.
2.2 Global Positioning System (GPS) The GPS system is a satellite array which enables a receiver located anywhere on Earth to determine its exact position, usually to within 100m. The array uses 24 satellites (plus spares) orbiting the Earth in six orbital planes, four satellites per plane, as shown below. These are arranged so that at least five satellites are within range of any receiver (which can be anywhere) at all times.
3 PURPOSE An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is used to alert search and rescue services in the event of an emergency. It does this by transmitting a coded message on the 406MHz distress frequency. This message is relayed via satellite and earth station to the nearest rescue co-ordination centre. The satellite system is run by COSPAS-SARSAT, and has already been described.
4 DESCRIPTION The Precision 406 is a powerful self-contained distress transmitter. It is powered by a light weight Lithium battery that has a replacement interval of 5 years. An EPIRB is intended to be a one-shot device; once activated it can operate for at least 48 hours. It operates best while floating in water, but it can also be operated while on board or in a liferaft. Refering to the previous figure, the key components of your Precision 406 are as follows: Antenna This is a flexible whip.
4.2 Float-free enclosure If you purchased the automatically activated version (406a), also known as the “floatfree” version, then your Precision 406 is supplied in a plastic enclosure (see section 9). This is much more than just a protective housing, it contains a sprung loaded lever which automatically pushes the enclosure lid off and releases the Precision 406 if your vessel sinks. This automatic ejection is controlled by a device called a Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU).
4.3 Manual Precision 406 in enclosure Customers who need to mount their Precision 406 in an exposed position can select the protective enclosure without an HRU fitted (406c). This means that the Precision 406 EPIRB will not float free if your vessel sinks. This is known as a category 2 EPIRB.
5 CONTROLS 5.1 ON button This is hidden behind a sliding door, which protects it from accidental activation. The sliding door has a tamper seal to show if the Precision 406 has been activated. The Precision 406 can be activated manually by sliding the door to the left (breaking the seal) and then momentarily pressing the ON button. When activated the Precision 406 will start to flash immediately. It will not make any distress transmissions for 3 minutes.
5.4 5.4.1 Lamps Strobe The strobe is the visual means of locating the EPIRB. When activated, the strobe flashes 23 times per minute, with a pause during the time when the EPIRB is transmitting. The strobe is also used to indicate the result of a self test (see section 11.1). 5.4.2 Red lamp The red lamp is used to indicate transmissions by the EPIRB. When activated, it flashes alternately with the strobe to indicate a good transmission on 121.5MHz.
6 OPERATING PROCEDURE An EPIRB is a piece of life saving equipment. Its sole purpose is to call for help. It must only be used in situations of grave and imminent danger. Misuse can involve a severe penalty. 6.1 Sinking If you have a category 1 “float-free” enclosure (see marking on enclosure label), then if your vessel sinks, the Precision 406 will automatically release itself from its enclosure before it reaches a depth of 4 metres.
6.4 Releasing Precision 406 from an enclosure If your Precision 406 is fitted inside a full enclosure then follow the instructions below to release it manually from its enclosure: 2 1 Pull cover off Pull R-clip from pin 3 Pull EPIRB towards you Do not let EPIRB fall out 6.5 Manual activation If the vessel is not sinking, but there is imminent danger, then remove the Precision 406 from its bracket and activate it manually as shown below.
6.6 Deactivation If the Precision 406 was activated by mistake or if the emergency ends then the Precision 406 can be reset back to its “ready” state as follows: • Remove EPIRB from any water and dry its sea switch contacts. 1 Slide cover to right Wait 8 seconds for sea switch to turn off. If EPIRB is still flashing then it must have been turned on manually: • Slide the switch cover fully to the right. • Press and release READY button.
6.8.2 Re-fitting into enclosure • Offer Precision 406 into backplate with switches facing outwards. • Engage base of Precision 406 into D shaped metal prongs. • Antenna rests either to left or right of release pin. • Check Precision 406 is fully engaged in metal prongs and resting on foam pad. • Refit cover by first locating release pin through hole in cover. • Locate cover onto backplate, then snap down over locating lug. • Refit R-clip through hole in end of release pin.
7 FALSE ALARMS False alarms are a serious problem for the rescue services. About 90% of EPIRB initiated distress alerts turn out to be false alarms. If your EPIRB should cause a false alarm, follow the instructions below. 7.1 Stand down rescue services It is most important that you contact the nearest search and rescue authorities and tell them it was a false alarm, so that they can stand down any rescue services. Use any means at your disposal to make contact.
7.3 Dealing with a transmitting Precision 406 In the unlikely event that your Precision 406 develops a fault and will not turn off, then prevent its radio signal from reaching the satellite using one of the following methods: • Remove the antenna. Wrap the Precision 406 in metal foil and take it below decks. or • Remove the antenna and place the Precision 406 in a metal container or locker. Leave it in this condition for 3 days until its battery is dead. See section 11.
8 WALL BRACKET INSTALLATION 8.1 Siting The wall bracket should ideally be sited in plain view near an emergency exit. When choosing a suitable mounting position you should also consider: 8.2 • Ease of access in an emergency. • Mount at least 1 metre (3’) from any compass equipment. • Allow at least 25mm (1”) above the bracket for it to spring open. • Allow 18cm (7”) for the antenna. Heavy bending of the antenna is bad.
8.3 Mounting instruction plate The Precision 406 is supplied with an instruction plate. This is a rigid plate with basic visual instructions for how to operate the Precision 406 in an emergency. The plate varies slightly depending on whether you have a wall bracket or a full enclosure. The wall bracket version is illustrated below. 58.4mm (2.3") 1 Mount plate next to EPIRB VRV 2 3 130mm (5.1") 116.3mm (4.58") 4 5 70mm (2.
9 ENCLOSURE INSTALLATION 9.1 Siting The enclosure should be mounted upright against a vertical bulkhead. Alternately, it may be mounted horizontally on a flat surface, such as a cabin roof. No other orientations are recommended If you have a float-free Precision 406 it is critical that you choose a position where the released EPIRB will not get trapped by overhangs, rigging, antennas etc, should the vessel ever sink. An expanse of flat surface is required to allow the enclosure lid to eject.
a 4mm Allen key to tighten the bolts. If the rear of the mounting surface is inaccessible, use the self-tapping screws supplied. Always fit washers under heads of the screws to avoid damaging the plastic. OBSTRUCTION FREE AREA 0.8m x 0.5m (32" x 20") 44mm (1.73") 150mm (5.9") 440mm (17.3") 84mm (3.3") 104mm (4.1") 150mm (5.9") 9.3 140mm (5.5") Mounting instruction plate The Precision 406 is supplied with a rigid plate giving visual instructions on how to operate the Precision 406 in an emergency.
9.5 Marking vessel name In most countries it is usual to have your EPIRB programmed by your supplier with the vessel’s existing “callsign” (see registration section below). Your supplier will then mark all the EPIRB labels accordingly. However, if your EPIRB was purchased in the USA, Canada or UK then your EPIRB will have all the necessary markings except for vessel name. In these countries it is left to the customer to mark the vessel name during installation.
10 REGISTRATION 10.1 Overview Every EPIRB is pre-programmed with a unique identity before it reaches the customer. This is done by the manufacturer or in some cases the distributer. The identity includes a 3 digit country code. This is the country that takes responsibility for storing that particular EPIRB’s registration details. In most cases this is the country to which the vessel is flagged. The country programmed into your Precision 406 can be found from its rear identity label.
10.4 Radio licence An EPIRB is a radio transmitter and must therefore be added to your radio licence. If you have been allocated a radio callsign, then you already have a radio licence for your VHF or MF radio set. You should update your licence to include your EPIRB. For further details see your licence or use these contact numbers… USA FCC Tel : 888 225 5322 Website : www.fcc.gov\Forms\Form506\506.pdf UK Wray Castle, PO Box 5, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0BF. Tel : 01539 434662 10.
11 MAINTENANCE 11.1 Monthly self-test & inspection As an important item of safety equipment, your Precision 406 should be checked regularly. It has a built-in test capability that can be used as a confidence check. This self-test confirms that the battery is healthy, that the GPS receiver and both of the distress transmitters are functional and that the strobe light is operational. The self-test should be performed monthly.
11.2 HRU replacement If you have an Precision 406 in an enclosure marked Category 1 then it contains a Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU). This has a 2 year replacement interval. The expiry date, which is marked on the HRU and on the enclosure side label should be checked regularly. When the HRU expires you can obtain a replacement at a local chandler, or direct from McMurdo at the address shown on the warranty page. McMurdo will supply an HRU kit (Part No.
11.3 Battery replacement The Precision 406 uses a 9V Lithium battery pack, McMurdo type 82-570. Typically this will have to be replaced every 5 years. The exact battery expiry date is marked on the rear of the Precision 406 lens dome and if you have a full enclosure it is also marked on the outside of the enclosure. The battery expiry date should be checked regularly.
12 FULLY DISABLING A PRECISION 406 In the unlikely event that your Precision 406 refuses to turn off then it may have a fault. Procedures for dealing with a faulty Precision 406 are covered in section 7 on false alarms; in simple terms you should do the following: • De-activate the EPIRB as described in section 7.2 • Suppress its signal by removing the antenna and wrapping the Precision 406 in metal foil, as described in section 7.3 • Leave for 3 days until the battery is used up.
13 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION 406MHz Transmitter 121.5MHz Homer GPS Receiver Strobe light Battery Environment Physical Approvals Operating frequency 406.028 MHz + 1kHz Power output 5W typical Modulation Phase (16K0GID) Operating frequency 121.5 MHz +/- 3.5kHz Power output 50mW radiated typical Modulation Swept tone AM (3K20A3X) Centre frequency 1.57542GHz Sensitivity -175dBW minimum Satellites tracked 12 max Type Xenon discharge tube Light output 0.
McMurdo Limited Product Warranty Subject to the provisions set out below McMurdo Limited warrants that this product will be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 12 months from the date of purchase.
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