MT603FG EPIRB FLOAT FREE & WATER ACTIVATION CLASS 2 406 MHZ EPIRB WITH GPS INSTRUCTION MANUAL MT603FG INSTRUCTION MANUAL 1
MANUAL EPIRB ACTIVIATION MANUAL EPIRB ACTIVATION 2 INSTRUCTION MANUAL MT603FG
CO N T EN T S Owner Details .................................................................................... 4 FEATURES ................................................................................................. 4 MT603FG ADDITIONAL FEATURES .......................................................... 4 GENERAL DESCRIPTION .......................................................................... 5 REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP ..................................
OWNER DETAILS Name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................................................................ Phone: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GENERAL DESCRIPTION The Accusat™ MT603FG Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is designed to be used when the safety of your craft and crew is endangered and you have no other means of communication. The EPIRB can save your life and the lives of others on board by leading an air/sea rescue to your precise location. In the past, extensive and lengthy searches have been carried out for missing craft, sometimes to no avail.
REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP EPIRB PURCHASE OR TRANSFER ADVICE Registration of 406 MHz satellite EPIRBs with the EPIRB registration section of the national authority is mandatory because of the global alerting nature of the COSPAS-SARSAT system. The information provided for registration is used only for search and rescue purposes.
PREVENTING ACCIDENTAL ACTIVATION The signal from an EPIRB is regarded by authorities as an indication of distress and is given an appropriate response. It is the responsibility of every owner of an EPIRB to ensure that it is not activated unintentionally or in situations that do not justify its use. Most cases of accidental transmission are the result of poor or inappropriate storage or failure to totally disable an old model EPIRB before disposal.
• The specifications section contains the ’Compass Safe Distance’ for your particular model EPIRB. This is the minimum distance that must be maintained between an inactive stowed beacon and any magnetic navigational device. • Confirm the selected location allows sufficient clearance to remove the beacon from the housing when required.
IN AN EMERGENCY The EPIRB should only be used where grave and imminent danger threatens your craft and assistance is required. If an emergency occurs, you should first try to use your radio to summon assistance. If contact is made, it may not be necessary to use the beacon. Notify the ‘Emergency Facility’ that you have a beacon and that you will turn it on upon their instructions.
Deployment on water Deployment on raft MANUAL DEPLOYMENT Unwind the cord and secure the EPIRB to prevent loss. When activated, the MT603FG will transmit the strongest signal to the satellites when: • It is floating in water. • It is well clear of surrounding and overhanging objects. • The antenna is vertical. In extreme sea conditions, you should not float the EPIRB free of the vessel or the life raft if there is the possibility of loss or damage to the EPIRB.
NOTE: Once battery capacity is depleted, normal 406 MHz transmissions will cease along with the strobe and audible beeps. However, special circuitry within the EPIRB will direct any remaining battery capacity towards extended operation of the 121.5 MHz homing transmitter and the green LED will flash every 10 seconds. If after a long period of deployment your beacon appears to cease functioning – leave the beacon switched on – as it is likely that the homing signal is still being transmitted.
BATTERIES AND MAINTENANCE The MT603FG is fitted with the very latest in high capacity lithium battery technology. These batteries are able to operate within a temperature range of -20°C to +55°C. The full operational capability of your beacon may not be available if the batteries fitted have exceeded their replacement date, as shown on the body of the unit. Prior to reaching this date, make arrangements to have your EPIRB returned for service.
SAFETY SEAL The safety seal which covers the tab behind the ‘ON’ slider is designed to tear if the unit is switched on. A safety seal that is not broken, serves to indicate that the beacon has never been manually activated. NEVER remove or break the seal unless deploying the EPIRB in an emergency. If the beacon has been activated for any length of time, the batteries can no longer be guaranteed to have the capacity to operate for the minimum 48 hour period and therefore must be replaced.
GENERAL SELF TEST You may test the EPIRB using the following procedure 1. Ensuring the unit is dry, remove the EPIRB from the housing. (Refer to page 8). 2. Keep the antenna well clear of metallic objects during testing. 3. Lift the yellow cover marked ‘LIFT’. 4. Hold the EPIRB in position so the two test indicator LEDs are clearly visible. 5. Briefly press and release the yellow TEST button (do not hold the test button longer than 2 seconds).
7. As the four step test progresses, each test result will be indicated by either a GREEN or RED flash accompanied by a high or low audio beep. GREEN + High beep, indicating a successful test RED + Low beep, indicating a failed test NOTE : If the second LED flash is green, this is an indication that a 121MHz carrier has been emitted and successfully detected by the test routine.
The time taken to acquire a position will vary depending on the number and location of satellites present in your location. Under normal conditions, acquisition should take around 30 to 40 seconds, however it is possible for it to take several minutes. Note that distress signals are not radiated as part of this test. a. If a GPS position is successfully acquired, the beacon will emit a 3 tone musical ‘chime’ and the green LED will flash 8 times.
7. Once GPS testing is completed, close the switch cover and press firmly into place until it clicks. 8. Return the beacon to its housing. IMPORTANT: DO NOT over-test. GPS testing consumes additional battery power. To conserve the battery the EPIRB will only allow a total of 12 GPS tests during its lifetime. • If the available GPS test count is approaching the limit, both red and green LEDs will give a double flash accompanied by a double beep during the GPS acquisition period.
DISPOSAL Special precautions must be taken when finally disposing of your beacon at the end of its useful life. Legislation may determine the specific requirements which apply to you. In the first instance contact your National Authority for advice. See page 21. The following information may also be helpful: • To permanently disable the beacon, remove the 4 screws retaining the cover, open unit, unplug battery lead, then reseal.
S PEC IFI C AT I O N S* MODES OF OPERATION Activated: UHF (406) and VHF (homer) complete with high intensity strobe and audible activation alert. General Self Test: Comprehensive internal diagnostics with visual and audible operator feedback. UHF test message (inverted synchronisation compatible with portable beacon testers). GPS Self Test: GPS acquisition test with visual and audible operator feedback UHF test message containing GPS co-ordinates.
S PEC IFI C AT I O N S* PHYSICAL Operating Temperature: Storage Temperature: Weight: Compass Safe Distance: Dimensions: Materials: Performance: -20°C to +55°C -30°C to +70°C 1650 g (plus 98 g for bracket) 0.8 m from magnetic navigational device 390 mm (H) x 155 mm (W) x 110 mm (D) max (including float-free housing) UV stabilized plastic chassis AS/NZ 4280.1 OTHER FEATURES GPS: Internal 66 channel high performance receiver with quadrifilar helix antenna.
NAT I O NAL AU T H O RI T Y REG I S T R AT I O N D E TA IL S AUSTRALIA 24 hour emergency contact Within Australia: 000 International: +61 2 6230 6811 Registration Beacon Registration Section, Australian Maritime Safety Authority GPO Box 2181, Canberra ACT 2601. Freecall 1 800 406 406 local only. +61 2 6279 5766 business hours only. Fax: 1800 406 329 local only. Email: ausbeacon@amsa.gov.au Online registration: www.amsa.gov.au/beacons Local or international calls from a mobile attract connection charges.
S TA N DA RD CO M MUNI C AT I O N S CO N T R AC T WA RR A N T Y AG A I N S T D EFEC T S This warranty against defects is given by Standard Communications Pty Ltd ACN 000 346 814 (We, us, our or GME). Our contact details are set out in clause 2.7. This warranty statement only applies to products purchased in Australia. Please contact your local GME distributor for products sold outside of Australia. Local distributor details at www.gme.net.au/export. 1. Consumer guarantees 1.
(at our option) any materials or workmanship which we are satisfied are defective. 2.5 We warrant that we will perform services with reasonable care and skill and agree to investigate any complaint regarding our services made in good faith. If we are satisfied that the complaint is justified, and as our sole liability to you under this warranty (to the extent permitted at law), we agree to supply those services again at no extra charge to you. 2.
gme.net.au Standard Communications Pty Ltd trading as GME 17 Gibbon Road, Winston Hills, NSW 2153, Australia.
