PLBs are Emergency Life Saving devices to be used when all else fails. Advances in PLB Technology have made transmission, location and rescue faster than ever before. A PLB is a small transmitter that sends out a personalized emergency distress signal to your nearest rescue services. For pilots, boaters, hikers, campers, etc. a PLB is a highly effective and internationally recognized way to summon help.  A PLB should be used only in situations of Grave and Imminent Danger or "life threatening situations".

The MicroFix 406 features:

• Smallest, lightest, most function-rich PLB alerts Search and Rescue to your precise location in an emergency.
• Transmits on 406 MHz (COSPAS-SARSAT) with your registered, unique, digitally-coded distress signal, and 121.5 MHz (SAR homing frequency).
• Exclusive built-in GPS technology is finely tuned for optimum performance.
• 100 meter position accuracy when GPS coordinates are present.
• Easy to activate by novice user, simply deploy antenna to reveal "ON/OFF" activation button, hold for 1 second.
• PLB has circuitry, battery power/voltage and GPS acquisition test features built in.
• Exceeds required 24 hour operating life at -20°C (-4°F), typical operating life: 40 hours @ -20°C (-4°F), 8 hours @ -40°C (-40°F).
• Attachment clip mounts to back of PLB to easily clip onto backpacks, belt, webbing, etc.
• Bungee lanyard allows for PLB to be easily secured preventing loss, comfortable to wear around neck.
• ACR beacons are used by the U.S. military, U.S. Coast Guard, NATO and Arctic explorers.
• Exceeds RTCM waterproof requirements for Category 2 (non- buoyant) PLBs, tested to 5 meters.
• High impact plastic case designed to withstand exposure to UV rays, oil, sea water and raft packing.
• 5-year limited warranty.
• 5-year replacement life lithium battery.
• Size: 1.25 x 5.81 x 2.31 in (3.71 x 14.75 x 5.8 cm)
• Weight: 10 oz. (285g)

How they work
PLBs transmit signals on internationally recognized distress frequencies. The 406MHz signal is monitored by NOAA ( National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and the AFRCC ( Air Force Rescue Coordination Center) in the United States.

The Global satellite tracking system is a collection of Russian, Canadian , American, and French satellites know as COSPAS-SARSAT , SARSAT being an English acronym for "Search And Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking". The network is made up of 4 polar orbiting LEO (Low Earth Orbit) Satellites and 3 GOES ( Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites).

Once a signal is received, these satellites can "fix" on the signal using a Doppler Shift location method, or, when a PLB is hooked up to a GPS, the GPS coordinates can be Instantly transmitted without waiting for an orbiting satellite. The signal is then relayed to a LUT ( Local User Terminal). These small satellite tracking stations are located all over the world and provide the link between the satellites and the MCC ( Mission Control Center) , which in the USA, is NOAA. This signal is then passed on to the Air Force to begin the Search and Rescue procedures.

More reliable than typical safety devices such as emergency two-way radios, cellular phones, or GPS units, PLBs are manufactured by only a handful of companies meeting stringent FCC requirements. ACR's PLB, for example, is a compact (1.74 x 5.71 x 3.03 inch) and lightweight (12 oz) beacon, sold and used for years in Canada, Latin America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, and now with the U.S. approval, will be available at fine retailers across the country.

Remember, a GPS can tell YOU where you are, but it can't tell anyone else where you are. A GPS is a receiver of data. The PLB is a transmitter of data.

Personalized Signal
Each PLB is equipped with a UIN (Unique Identifying Number) This number is a 15 digit alpha-numeric code. This code is what is transmitted in the electronic burst to the satellites.

The UIN is linked to a computer database. The electronic burst provides Search and Rescue with your location, while the UIN links to the database and provides your name, address, phone number and any pertinent information such as medical problems, of which Search and Rescue should be aware.

When you buy a PLB, it is imperative that you register it with NOAA. In doing so, they will tie all your personal information into the 15 digit UIN. That way, when your PLB is activated any where on the Planet, Search and Rescue will know, who you are, where you are and how to handle any pre-existing medical problems when they reach you.

The PLB can take the "search" out of 'Search and Rescue".

Why Hasn't Anyone Every Heard of this Technology Before??
Well, if you have a marine background and are familiar with EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) then you know exactly what this product is and how it works.

EPIRBs are basically PLBs that are specific for the Marine Environment. They have been in use for over 20 years and have saved over 15,000 lives.However, the EPIRB/PLB technology was not legal for use in land based applications in the United States. The technology is governed by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and was just legalized for terrestrial use by backpackers, campers, hikers, etc. on July 1, 2003.

The reason it was not available is because there was not one unified overseeing body for land based rescues, using one type of Search and rescue software. Each state has different organizations handling different types of rescues and no one agency acted as the point of contact for NOAA. In a marine environment, there is only one rescuing agency, the US Coast Guard. So coordinating rescues and responses has been a relatively easy task.

Now, the FCC, NOAA and the US Air Force have gotten together to make the AFRCC (Air Force Rescue Coordination Center) the point of contact for land based rescues. The AFRCC, in turn has established relationships and points of contact in each state. Each state is upgrading their Search and Rescue software to make it compatible with that of the AFRCC's.

So, whenever a land based PLB is set off, the AFRCC will know exactly who to contact for a rescue response.

Two Types of PLB signals
These two different signals are 406 MHz which, which carries the UIN# and GPS data to the satellites, and 121.5 MHz which is a homing frequency.  If you are using a PLB without a GPS, the 406 MHz signal from the satellite will get rescuers to within a 2 mile radius of you. At the same time SAR will be monitoring with a tracking device to home in on the 121.5 MHz frequency put out by the PLB. The average notification time to Search and Rescue with this type of PLB is 45 minutes in the continental U.S.

If you are using a PLB with a GPS interface, the 406 Mhz signal will guide rescuers to an area less than 100 meters from your position. At the same time SAR will be monitoring with a tracking device to home in on the 121.5 MHz frequency put out by the PLB. The average notification time to Search and Rescue with this type of PLB is 5 minutes!

In either situation, you can be found, and found much quicker than any existing method.

It is always a good idea to have a visual and audible distress signal such as a signal mirror ( daytime) a signal whistle, or a strobe light (nighttime) to make sure that you are seen or heard easily, once Search and Rescue gets close.

How Long Will a PLB Transmit?
A PLB is equipped with a Lithium battery. This battery has an 11 year life span, and lays dormant until you flip the switch to activate the PLB.

By COSPAS-SARSAT regulations:
a Class 1 heavy duty battery must be able to transmit at -40° F (-40° C) for 24 hours
a Class 2 battery must be able to transmit at -20° F (-20° C) for 24 hours

Since the functionality of a battery is negatively affected by cold, this operational tolerance, is a worst case scenario. If the average temperature is 70° F, the battery will be able to operate for approximately twice as long.

It is recommended that your battery be changed every 5 years by an authorized BRC (Battery Replacement Center). The Battery IS NOT able to be changed or replaced by the consumer.

Every time your battery is changed, each PLB gets a complete overhaul of new gaskets, seals and a tolerance check to make sure that it will absolutely function, when you need it!

What Is The Monthly Subscription Fee for this Product?
There is no fee. The satellites are already in orbit, Search and Rescue is already in place.

The efficiency of a Search and Rescue operation is greatly increased when a lost boater or hiker has a PLB.

Instead of needing to organize a massive search party and have helicopters scouring areas, burning fuel, the Search and Rescue Teams know exactly where the lost individual is located, taking the "search" out of Search and Rescue.

How are PLBs Different from ELTs transmitting on 121.5?
ELTs have proven to to be highly prone to false alerts.  Because of the huge number of false alerts transmitted by ELTs on 121.5, SAR organizations must wait for additional alert information before dispatching a search party.   A PLB is much less likely to signal a false alert making rescue crews quicker to respond to an alert - once they have a location detection they will start dispatching a SAR team.    Studies show that less than 2 out of every 1000 ELT alerts are actual alerts.  With a PLB about 1 out of every 12 alerts are for an actual emergency.

A PLB without a GPS will allow authorities to pinpoint your position within a one to three miles .  A PLB with a GPS will show your almost exact position - within 300 feet!  With an ELT, the search party will have up to a 500 square mile area in which they will need to search making it much harder and lengthier for them to locate you.

An ELT does not have the ability to follow-up with authorities after a false alert, whereas the PLB allows you to follow-up if a false alert has been transmitted. 

An ELT is completely anonymous - no contact data is sent.  With a PLB, authorities will immediately know the identity and contact information based on the transmission.

ELTs run on 0.1 Watts of power which make them hard for satellites to detect.  A PLB has a full 5 Watts of power output making it much easier to detect and improves the accuracy.

In Summary
This exciting technology is now available as a global safety net and insurance policy for those involved in any outdoor activity that takes them far away from civilization.

Anything can happen out there, and too many people have been lost injured or even died while waiting to be found or rescued. Timing is the key to being rescued. A PLB can take rescue times from days to minutes.

Specifications:

• Size: 1.25 x 5.81 x 2.31 in (3.71 x 14.75 x 5.8 cm)
• Weight: 10 oz. (285g)
• Material: High impact engineered plastic
• Color: Hi-Viz Yellow
• Operation: Deploy antenna, Press "ON/OFF" button for 1 second
• Waterproof: 33 ft (10 m)
• Certification: COSPAS-SARSAT, FCC
• Limited Warranty: 5 years
• Battery Type: Lithium - 5-year replacement life (NON-HAZMAT)
• Modulation: AM
• Radiated Power: 5 watts +2dB (406 MHz) 50 mW +3dB (121.5)
• Operating Life: +24 hours @ -20°C (-4°F)
• Typical Operating Life: 40 hours @ -20°C (-4°F)
• 8 hours @ -40°C (-40°F)

Our Price:  $549.00

Related Shopping Areas:
GPS >  Personal Locator Beacons (PLB)

More Items Labeled:  PLB

Lowest Price Guaranteed: If you find a better price elsewhere on this product we will match that price and beat it by 10% of the difference. Buy With Confidence!  Purchase today and you can return it in the original condition through Sunday, December 20, 2009!  Our return policy. Have a question about ACR MicroFix 406MHz Personal Locator Beacon?  Ask your question and see previous Q & A about this product.

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Customer Reviews For ACR MicroFix 406MHz Personal Locator Beacon: Write a review

Thursday, October 08, 2009 by William from Melba ID USA  Review: Wish I had bought the model that floats. Friday, October 19, 2007 Quick shipping! by Cram Grebsivlas from San Rafael CA USA  Pros: Looks good - safety first - rugged case - waterproof Cons: Like all of the PLB's, once activated, you have to send it in to refresh for next use. Review: I'll have to reserve my final review for when and if I ever I unfold the antenna and push the "ON" button. If I hear search and rescue helicopters in 45 minutes after I push the button, 5 STARS! Nicely designed packaging, tight case and not too bulky - about the size of my old handheld Magellan GPS - Looks great - I keep it in my "traveling" knapsack - so it's in the car and in the plane. Thanks for the quick shipping -