STEP ONE - REGISTERING YOUR BEACON

1.Why is registration important?

As the owner of this 406 MHz beacon, it is mandatory that you register it with the EPIRB national authority of your country: It is the law. Please

note that all 406 MHz beacons are required to have their registration updated every two years by the owner.

HOW REGISTRATION WORKS:

All 406 MHz beacons transmit a Unique Identifier Number (UIN) when activated. This UIN is programmed into the beacon based on the country in which the beacon is registered, thus authorities are able to determine which country???s database will have your registration information. SAR forces will have information as to who you are as the owner of the beacon, the name and type of vessel that you have, your homeport, and who to contact that might know of your current situation - but only if your beacon has been properly registered. Valuable search and rescue resources are wasted every year responding to false alarms, and registering your beacon helps to resolve false alarms quickly.

2.How do I register?

Registration in Australia

The national authority that accepts registrations in Australia is the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

Here are two ways to register:

1.The fastest and easiest way to register is online at www.beacons.amsa.gov.au/beacons.

2.Fill out the enclosed registration form and post, fax or email your form to:

Australian Coded Beacons

Beacon Registration Section

Australian Maritime Safety Authority

GPO Box 2181 Canberra City ACT 2601

Australia

Phone: 1 800 406 406 or +61 2 6279 5766

Fax: 1 800 406 329 or +61 2 9332 6323

Email: ausbeacon@amsa.gov.au

NOTE: Do not confuse the registration form with the ACR Electronics warranty card.

All registration forms will be entered in the 406 MHz beacon registration database within 48 hours of receipt. The information you provide on the registration form is used for rescue purposes only.

A confirmation letter, a copy of the actual registration and a proof-of- registration decal will be mailed to you within two weeks. When you receive these documents, please check the information carefully, and then affix the decal to your beacon in the area marked ???BEACON DECAL HERE.??? If you do not receive confirmation back in the expected timeframe, call for assistance.

Registration in New Zealand

The national authority that accepts registrations in New Zealand is the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ).

Here are two ways to register:

1.The fastest and easiest way to register is online at www.beacons.org.nz/406-registration.aspx

2.Fill out the enclosed registration form and post, fax or email your form

to:

STEP TWO - HOW THE BEACON WORKS

1.How your beacon brings help

406 MHz beacons are a type of portable emergency equipment that transmits a distress signal to search and rescue (SAR) organizations. The purpose of these beacons is to aid SAR teams in tracking and locating ships or individuals in jeopardy as rapidly as possible.

The 406 MHz frequency is a worldwide dedicated emergency frequency that is detected by a special system of satellites called the Cospas-Sarsat system. This satellite system was established by, and continues to be supported by, its primary benefactors - the USA, Russia, Canada and France. The Cospas- Sarsat system has saved over 24,500 lives - and counting - since its inception. See Appendix G or the Cospas-Sarsat website for more information about the system at www.cospas-sarsat.org.

When a 406 MHz beacon is activated, the digital distress message is sent to Cospas-Sarsat satellites and, in turn, the distress message is relayed to SAR. The distress message contains important information about the beacon and its owner. Additional information about the beacon is accessed by SAR from the beacon registration database. At the same time the 406 MHz signal is activated, a 121.5 MHz signal is turned on. The 121.5 MHz signal is used by SAR to home in on the beacon as they approach it.

The 406 MHz signal is detected by multiple satellites and from that information the location of the beacon can be calculated. This data alone is sufficient for SAR to find persons or ships in distress in a reasonable timeframe.

2.Anatomy of your beacon

NOTE: When unpacking your beacon, it is recommended that you save the original packaging for re-use when shipping the beacon for battery replacement in the future.

antenna

battery housing

// Activation switch with Witness Tab

The activation switch embodies a special, patented method of activating a beacon. Refer to a subsequent section of this manual for how to activate the beacon.

TIPS FOR OPTIMUM DEPLOYMENT OF AN ACTIVATED BEACON:

When activating and deploying your beacon in an emergency, DO NOT:

//Activate the beacon if you have any other means of self rescue.

//Hold or clutch the beacon or antenna.

//Operate the beacon while hand held, if at all possible.

//Turn the beacon off for any reason, including to save power.

//Operate the beacon inside a life raft or under any other canopy or cover.

When activating and deploying your beacon in an emergency, DO:

//Follow the steps to activate the beacon as described on the beacon or in this manual.

//Manually activate the beacon.

//Give clear view to the sky.

//Take the EPIRB with you if abandoning ship, provided there is time to get it.

//Tether beacon, using the lanyard, to the life raft and let the beacon float (if in a life raft).

//Keep EPIRB upright for best signal transmission, either by floating it, resting it or holding it in this position.

4.Turning off the beacon

If your beacon was manually activated and you wish to deactivate, return the thumb switch to the ???OFF??? position.

If deactivation should fail, remove the four screws holding the unit together and unplug the battery to disable the unit. Return the beacon to ACR Electronics for service.

5.False alarms

To prevent false alarms, it is important to be aware of how your beacon can be activated. A ResQMate??? 406MHz Class 3 EPIRB can be activated by:

//When the switch is moved to the ???ON??? position, in or out of the bracket, the unit will start transmitting

Reporting

Should there be, for any reason, an inadvertent activation or false alarm, it must be reported to the nearest search and rescue authorities. The information that should be reported includes:

//The EPIRB 15-digit Unique Identifier Number (UIN)

//Time and date

//Duration and cause of activation

//Location of beacon at the time of activation

To report false alarms, contact any of the following:

STEP THREE - INSTALLING THE BEACON

1.Mounting location

The selection of a mounting location will vary from vessel to vessel. Beacons should be protected from outside influences while being readily accessible at all times in the event of an emergency.

The location selected must be sufficiently rigid to support the weight of the total installation.

Hazards to avoid when selecting a mounting location:

//Vibration

//Exposure to the elements

//Possibility of impact from hatches, gear, or personnel

//Harmful vapors

//Exhaust

//Harsh chemicals

//Locations that can be obscured by foreign articles on a temporary or permanent basis.

CAUTION: Manual release brackets must be mounted in a protected location that is easily accessible should it be necessary to abandon ship. The bracket can be mounted on a vertical surface with the beacon antenna pointing skyward or a horizontal surface with the beacon face up. Avoid mounting locations that subject the bracket to breaking waves. Avoid mounting locations that do not provide protection from harmful UV rays of the sun. The bracket must be mounted facing inboard to avoid being lost overboard due to impacts of breaking waves, personnel or loose gear.

Visually inspect the area surrounding the mounting bracket installation site for hidden hazards or obstacles that may have been overlooked during the location selection. If there is any doubt as to the ready accessibility to the beacon at all times or if any condition may appear to be questionable, conduct a complete and thorough investigation before final approval of the installation.

NOTE: When selecting the beacon bracket location, be sure to consider the requirement for four screw holes to secure the bracket.

CAUTION: Keep this beacon a safe distance away from all magnetic

sources. Magnet safe distance is 4.6 ft or 1.4 m, including the distance from stereo speakers

2.Manual release bracket

Manual release brackets are designed to hold the beacon securely in place. The beacon must be manually deployed. The bracket can be mounted on a vertical flat surface with beacon antenna up or on a horizontal flat surface facing skyward. This location must be easily accessible in order to manually deploy the beacon or to perform the required maintenance and functionality tests. Typical locations include near the helm station or just inside the companionway door.

The manual release bracket has four pre-drilled screw holes to use for securing the bracket to a flat surface. Remove the beacon from the bracket. To do this while holding the assembly, lift the latch to release bracket pressure from the beacon. The beacon will slide up and out of the bracket. On either side of the bracket are release tabs. Simultaneously depress each tab to separate the bracket from the mounting block. The mounting block can be held in place to mark the placement of the screw holes or you can use the mounting template provided. The use of #8 pan head stainless steel fasteners and washers (not included) is recommended. Be sure to confirm that fasteners will not contact any wires or plumbing before drilling pilot holes.

Mounted to wall

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STEP FOUR - MAINTAINING THE BEACON

1.Safety DOs and DON???Ts

On a routine basis aboard ship, DO NOT:

//Hold or carry the beacon by its antenna

//Mount the beacon in its bracket close to large structures or magnetic areas

//Tie the lanyard to the EPIRB bracket or any other structure

//Obscure the beacon by placing objects in front of it

On a routine basis aboard ship, DO:

//Mount the beacon in its bracket in an obvious location, so that all can see it

//Mount the beacon in its bracket with the rolled lanyard facing inward (facing the bracket)

//Follow the recommended maintenance schedule

//Perform a beacon Self-Test monthly

//Follow up with beacon service if Self-Test fails

2.Routine beacon maintenance

At least every ninety days, the manual release bracket and beacon should be inspected for deterioration and/or residue buildup that may affect the function of the beacon. Part of the visual check includes checking the antenna for tightness. Clean the beacon and the mounting bracket to remove any residue buildups. It is recommended that the beacon and mounting bracket be wiped with a damp cloth.

Carefully inspect the beacon case for any visible cracks. Cracks may admit moisture, which could falsely activate the beacon or otherwise cause a malfunction. Any cracks observed should immediately be referred to ACR Service for evaluation. Call ACR Electronics Technical Service +1 (954) 981- 3333.

3.Battery replacement

Battery replacement is due 5 years from date after the beacon placed into service, or by expiry date on the beacon whichever is first. During each inspection, check the time remaining until battery replacement is required. The battery must also be replaced if the beacon has been activated for any use other than the Self-Test.

that your EPIRB gets back to you. If someone attempts to register an EPIRB reported as stolen, your national authority will notify the appropriate police department. Visit www.cospas-sarsat.org for more detailed information.

6.Servicing the manual release bracket

To remove a beacon from the bracket, lift the latch and release the pressure from the beacon. The beacon will now be able to slide upwards out of the bracket.

It is not anticipated that the bracket will require servicing other than periodic cleaning.

Brackets are a key part of the overall beacon system. They hold a beacon ready for deployment while preventing false alarms.

NOTE: Whenever a beacon is returned for service, it must be accompanied by the bracket.

7.Self-testing the beacon

The RLB-40 beacon may be self-tested up to a maximum of sixty times in the five-year life of the battery, or once per month for the life of the battery. Self- tests can be performed randomly, however, ACR recommends that you perform the Self-test on a once per month schedule. Do not exceed the limit in order to conserve the battery for emergency use.

The functional Self-test is initiated by momentarily lifting the Activation Switch to a vertical position and holding it in this position for at least one second and at most four seconds. A beep indicates the initiation of the Self-test sequence. Self-test will check battery capacity and perform five functional tests, which include the battery life, beacon memory, board circuit, 406 RF and strobe test.

The last green LED flash and a long beep indicate a successful test. If any of the individual tests fail during Self-test, there will be two beeps and a red LED flash. Self-test will discontinue at that point.

NOTE: The ???beeps??? are a very high-pitched tone that some people may not be able to hear. When performing the Self-test, you may count the green LED flashes.

APPENDIX A - THE COSPAS-SARSAT SYSTEM

EPIRBs transmit to the satellite portion of the Cospas-Sarsat system. Cospas-Sarast satellites are an international system that utilizes Russian

Federation and United States??? low altitude, near-polar orbiting satellites (LEOSAR). These satellites assist in detecting and locating activated 406 MHz satellite beacons.

Cospas-Sarsat satellites receive distress signals from EPIRBs transmitting on the frequency of 406 MHz. The Cospas- Sarsat 406 MHz beacon signal consists of a transmission of non-modulated carriers followed by a digital message format that provides identification data. The 406 MHz system uses satellite-borne equipment to measure and store the Doppler-shifted frequency along with the beacon???s digital data message and time of measurement.

This information is transmitted in real time to an earth station called the Local User Terminal (LUT), which may be within the view of the satellite, as well as being stored for later transmission to other LUTs.

The LUT processes the Doppler-shifted signal from the LEOSAR and determines the location of the beacon, then the LUT relays the position of the distress to a Mission Control Center (MCC) where the distress alert and location information is immediately forwarded to an appropriate Rescue Coordination Center (RCC). The RCC dispatches Search and Rescue (SAR) forces.

The addition of the GEOSAR satellite system greatly improves the reaction time for a SAR event. This satellite system has no Doppler capabilities at 406 MHz, but will relay the distress alert to any of the LUT stations. When there is GPS data included in the distress message, SAR authorities instantly know your location to within 110 yards (100 m). This speeds up the reaction time by not having to wait for one of the LEOSAR satellite to pass overhead. Because most of the search and rescue forces presently are not equipped to home in on the 406 MHz Satellite beacons signal, homing must be accomplished at 121.5 MHz.

Once the 406 MHz signal is relayed through the LEOSAR and/or GEOSAR network, SAR forces determine who is closest, and then proceed to the beacon using the 121.5 MHz homing frequency.

APPENDIX B - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

NOTE: For complete information regarding beacon type approvals, please visit ACR???s website at www.acrelectronics.com