mcmurdo Fastfind & Fastfind PLus Personal Location Beacon User manual
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Notices to Purchasers Personal Location Beacons (PLB) must be registered with the appropriate National Authority. Failure to register your PLB could delay a Search and Rescue (SAR) response and maybe un lawful. Your PLBs unique identification information Stick copy Programming label here WARNING A PLB should only be activated in situations of grave and imminent danger to life.
Contents Safety notices ....................................................................................... 1 Quick start checklist .............................................................................. 2 Emergency operation ............................................................................................ 2 Introduction .......................................................................................... 3 Preparing the PLB for use................................................
Safety notices Please take time to read this manual fully as it contains important information regarding the correct use and maintenance of your PLB. Important The PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) is an emergency radio beacon; only ever operate it in situations of grave and imminent danger to life. CAUTION: False alerts endanger lives and cause expensive disruption to Search and Rescue services, deliberate misuse of the PLB could result in penalty.
Quick start checklist Emergency operation 1. Open the flip cover 2. Tear off the red plastic tab 3.
Introduction Thank you for purchasing your McMurdo Fastfind or Fastfind Plus Personal Location Beacon (PLB). The Fastfind range are the very latest state of the art McMurdo PLBs manufactured by Signature Industries Limited . When carrying a Fastfind, you will enjoy the reassurance of having a PLB as a last resort safeguard against any life threatening incidents that may occur anywhere in the world.
Handling false alerts If the PLB has been accidentally activated, or if rescue has been effected before arrival of the rescue services: • Only switch off the PLB when instructed to do so by the rescue services or authorities. • Attempt to contact the rescue services, coastguard, or police by radio or telephone to advise them of the false alert.
Emergency Operation Anti-tamper cover seal Flip-top lid GPS ZONE do not cover (Fastfind Plus) Activation button Green light Red light Self-test/OFF button PLB controls (Fastfind) 5
Emergency Operation Important: ONLY pull the red anti-tamper seal in an emergency. 1. Raise the flip-up lid to expose the red anti-tamper cover. Once opened, the flip-up lid can be pulled off the PLB and discarded if necessary. 2. Grasp the handle part of the red anti-tamper cover, and pull sharply away from the PLB body. This uncovers the START/ON button. The antenna will spring into an upright position as soon as the anti-tamper cover is removed.
Emergency Operation with GPS (Fastfind Plus) When the PLB is first activated the inbuilt GPS receiver will attempt to acquire a valid geographical position fix. Once a GPS position fix is acquired the GREEN indicator light will start to flash once every 3.5 seconds in sequence with the red indicator light. - 3.5 seconds - 3.5 seconds GPS position acquired GREEN and RED indicator lights ‘long flash’ in sequence once every 50 seconds to indicate each 406 MHz transmission containing a valid GPS position.
Self-test International regulations require that Self-testing of the PLB should only be carried out in the first five minutes of any hour. Self-test verifies operation of the PLB by checking key features including battery voltage and 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz alert transmitters. Important Each self-test draws small amounts of energy from the battery pack. Unnecessary testing of the PLB may subsequently reduce the run time of the PLB in an emergency.
Important: While self-testing keep your fingers away from the top of the PLB as the close proximity of any objects can affect the results of the self-test. If the self-test still fails, repeat it and if the problem persists remove the PLB from use and contact your service dealer for advice. Getting the best from the PLB General use Once activated, position the PLB so that the antenna is pointing straight up towards the sky so that it has the best all-around view of the sky.
Even if the GPS PLB initially fails to acquire a valid GPS position, the first alert message will still be transmitted within 2 minutes of activation. The PLBs position will be determined as if it was a standard PLB without GPS. Using the PLB afloat The PLB is totally waterproof but is not designed to operate when floating on the surface of the water. It is buoyant and will not sink if dropped into water, if possible keep it out of the water when in use, place it high up on your PFD, lifejacket.
On the move If on the move, take care to keep the PLB flat with the antenna pointing skyward. Using the PLB on land The PLB should be placed to have the clearest possible view of the sky. Make sure the PLB does not become covered by drifting material (eg snow, sand). Keep it flat with the antenna pointing upwards. Do not stand over the PLB.
It is ESSENTIAL that you register your PLB Registration helps reduce the number of false alarms and hoax calls, and so makes the rescue service more efficient. It is important to update your registration details if your address or 24 hour contact details ever change. On receipt of a PLB alert, the SAR organization will firstly try to check that the registered owner of the PLB has not accidentally activated the beacon.
Satellite Distress Beacons explained Satellite Distress Beacons such as Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) are used to alert search and rescue services in the event of an emergency. They do this by transmitting a coded message on the international 406 MHz distress frequency which is relayed via satellites and earth stations to the nearest rescue co-ordination centre. * System graphics courtesy of COSPAS SARSAT.
20 minutes. The inclusion of GPS based positional information can greatly reduce the time it takes for the SAR authorities to arrive on scene. When speed of response and accuracy of location are important considerations, then GPS PLBs offer the best in performance. The location of a GPS PLB can be determine to a typical positional accuracy of about +/- 62 metres (0.03 miles) within a few minutes of PLB activation and a non-GPS PLB within about +/- 5km (3 miles) and typically within 45 minutes.
completely to get a valid GPS position. If this happens, the GPS PLB “fails safe” and does not transmit an inaccurate position but instead sends information to indicate that no position is available. Location of the PLB without GPS position information is dependent on the orbiting satellite system just like with a non-GPS PLB. PLBs have a secondary 121.5 MHz homing transmitter. This transmits on the 121.5 MHz internationally recognised aviation guard channel.
WARNING: Do not attempt to fit the decal in any other position, as this could interfere with the battery seal or with the operation of the PLB. Radio transmitter Licence requirements The PLB is a radio transmitter, some administration require that the user holds a valid radio licence to cover its ownership and use. Radio Licensing regulations vary from nation to nation.
Service and Maintenance Before use Check the PLB monthly, check the battery expiry date has not expired, run self-test and examine for any signs of damage to the outer case. After use (not activated) Clean the outer case with fresh water, wipe dry and examine for any damage. Store in a cool dry place until next needed, self-test the PLB monthly. CAUTION: Avoid using chemical solvents to clean the PLB as some solvents can damage the case material.
Deactivation The PLB may be completely deactivated by removing the battery pack. Important: When the battery pack is removed the PLB is no longer fully environmentally sealed and should not be subjected to water. Battery Pack The battery pack is easily user replaceable. Once the battery expiry date has been reached it must be replaced. only fit an original McMurdo branded -20 °C Class 2 Battery Pack Part No.
How to assemble your PLB Fitting the battery Take care when fitting the battery. It forms part of the sealing system of the PLB, so it is important to follow the instructions exactly. Each replacement battery pack has new ‘O’ rings which should be replaced when the battery is changed. 1. Fit the two ‘O’ rings to the battery connectors, as shown below. 2. Clip the battery pack into the PLB, then push the battery pack into place. Take care that the ‘O’ rings stay in place.
Technical Specifications Part Number: 85-880-002A Fastfind PLB retail pack Part Number: 85-890-002A Fatfind Plus GPS PLB retail pack 20
Fastfind and Fastfind Plus Specification General Approved to COSPAS-SARSAT T.007 Class 2, TAC-184 Internationally type approved, a list of current type approvals is held in the Fastfind section of the McMurdo web site; www.mcmurdo.co.uk Complies with relevant clauses EN 60945 RTCM 76-2002/SC110-STD V1.
Transmit antenna Type Characteristics Flexible vertical tape monopole Vertically polarised, omni-directional Receive antenna Type Characteristics (Fastfind Plus only) Ceramic dielectric patch RH circular polarised, gain +3 dBi nominal External interfaces Programming interface Manual activation Self test/Manual deactivation Infra-red diode Sealed membrane switch with tamper cover Sealed membrane switch Physical characteristics Category Class Weight Length Width 2, manual activation 2 300 g 146 mm 78 m
Declaration of Conformity 23
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Product Warranty McMurdo is a brand operated by Signature Industries Limited. Subject to the provisions set out below McMurdo warrants that this product will be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 24 months from the date of purchase.
End of Life Statement At the end of the PLBs useful life, it is vital that the battery is removed from the main body of the unit to prevent false alarms. False alarms cause expensive disruption to Search and Rescue services and may endanger lives as a consequence. It is also necessary that the PLB and its battery pack be disposed of in a manner that does not present a threat of environmental damage.
Annex 1. Registration information PLBs must be registered with a relevant national authority. Some administrations allow for on line registration or require a completed registration application form to be submitted by letter or FAX. General information related to PLB registration requirements around the World is published by the Cospas Sarsat organisation. Some administrations now allow direct registration using the Cospas Sarsat website online IBIRD registration database.
Fax: +33 5 61274878 Email: fmcc@cnes.fr Online registration: n/a Greenland (Denmark) Point of contact: Greenland Telecom Administration Tel: +45 35430333 Fax: +45 35431434 Email: n/a Online registration: n/a India Point of contact: INMCC/ISTRAC/ISRO Tel: +91 80 28371857 Fax: +91 80 28371857 Email: inmcc@istrac.org Online registration: n/a Ireland Point of contact: Maritime Radio Affairs Unit Tel: +353 1 6782367 Fax: +353 1 6783109 Email: radiosurveyors@transport.
Fax: +27 21 9383319 Email: mrcc.ct@samsa.org.za Online registration: n/a Sweden Point of contact: MRCC Goteborg Tel: +46 31 699080 Fax: +46 31 648010 Email: n/a Online registration: n/a Switzerland Point of contact: Federal Office of Communications Tel: +41 32 3275511 Fax: +41 32 3275555 Email: n/a Online registration: n/a UK Point of contact: The EPIRB Registry, The Maritime and Coastguard Agency Tel: 01326 211569 Fax: 01326 319264 Email: epirb@mcga.gov.uk Online registration: www.mcga.gov.
Annex 2.
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McMurdo A Division of Signature Industries Ltd Silver Point Airport Service Road Portsmouth PO3 5PB United Kingdom Phone: Fax: Email: Website: +44 (0)23 9262 3900 +44 (0)23 9262 3998 customerservice@mcmurdo.co.uk www.mcmurdo.co.uk 85-902-800 Iss.
