406MHz ELTs

[RatherBeFlying]

I picked up a PLB with GPS on eBay for about $400 and got it encoded for Canada for about $120 including shipping -- hint, find a retailer who will encode for Canada, or special order from the manufacturer for you.

Great to have along when climbing, hiking or canoeing -- plus I take it with me when flying.

As long as I can get it out of my pants pocket, SAR will have my GPS position.

PLB alerts are handed over to ground crews as opposed to the Herc SAR will dispatch for an aviation ELT. But if you're in the middle of nowhere, I suspect a Herc will come looking for a PLB.

[small penguin]

Just remember that a 406 PLB is not a legal alternative to a 406 ELT.

[Golden Pilot]

What is the fascination with 50 seconds?

I perused multiple manufacturer websites for 406 ELTs and none of them specifically state that the unit will wait 50 seconds before sending a burst.

From http://www.nss.gc.ca/site/Emergency_Beacons/FAQ_e.asp


Question: Is it true that Cospas-Sarsat requires that 406 MHz emergency beacons do not send a signal in the first 50 seconds following activation, to minimize false alerts?

Answer: Yes. The 50 second delay is there to allow people who have accidentally turned on their emergency beacon the time to turn it off. If this happens, notify the Canadian Mission Control Centre by calling 1-800-211-8107.

[RatherBeFlying]

Just remember that a 406 PLB is not a legal alternative to a 406 ELT.

Quite correct, but it sure is a pain to see how much you are paying for a G-switch that has a problematic record.

Anyway if I have to jump out of a glider, the PLB goes with me

[small penguin]

I hope that glider is on the ground when you jump Either that or you have a good parachute, or slinky

[_dwj_]

An update about this has just been posted on copanational.org, but you need to be a member to read it. But it boils down to this:

- still no further info on what the new regulation will say
- AME can install 406 ELT
- LiSO2 batteries now permitted (but still must be TC approved)
- COPA members get the $49.99/year SPOT tracking service free (but SPOT still isn't a permitted alternative)

[small penguin]

Yea I just read that in COPA flight. Kinda dumb that they make it member's only since the last few articles about the 406 they'd wrote havent given us any new information. You know if they did a review on one of the cheaper models available... or even gave a list of models and their approx costs.. or something useful. That way we wouldnt have to go did through TC jargon website, or make a bunch of calls to avionics shops..

Still, good to know I dont have to go to the international to get my ELT put in. That way I wont get raped with a landing fee and NavCan 10 dollar fee just to get there. Never mind all the other fees. Hell, it'd probably be cheaper to land on the road next to the airport and risk whatever fee is in existence for that lol