Yachts/Marine - Just as on land is transitioning to Digital TV, Distress Alert Epirb’s also Change to Digital and a New Frequency

Yachts/Marine - Just as on land is transitioning to Digital TV, Distress Alert Epirb’s also Change to Digital and a New Frequency

There’s a transition going (supposedly in February 2009, but reportedly delayed by the US Government) in Broadcasting of the old Analog Television - that will be used to recover many of the frequencies used by the old analog system for use by other Radio Services and perhaps Internet Access Providers via Wireless. The reason that a lot of frequency spectrum can be recovered is that the Digital Transmissions are more efficient in frequency usage - they can put a lot more signal and thus channels in a much smaller frequency space.

The Coast Guard wants to remind mariners that there is also a digital and frequency shift change on February 1st for Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons. If you are on a yacht, chances are you already know what these are and how important they can be and what regulations there are that require you to have them. So now on with the news…

News Release
Date: January 29, 2009

Contact: Lt. Cmdr. Eric King
(843) 724-7630

Coast Guard reminds mariners of upcoming EPIRB frequency shift

CHARLESTON, S.C., - Similar to the broadcasting world, which is transitioning from analog to digital frequencies, beginning Feb. 1, the Coast Guard will only receive distress alert broadcasts from digital 406-MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons.

The Coast Guard will no longer process analog signals transmitting on 121.5 or 243 MHz.

The Coast Guard urges mariners and aviators to upgrade their onboard analog equipment to include a digital 406-MHz EPIRB.

Advantages of the 406 EPIRB signal include:

* Worldwide coverage

* More reliable position information to withineight square nauticalmiles on non GPS-enabled units and 300 feet on GPS-enabled models

* More stable and sustained signal resulting in faster response

* Digitally encoded data, including latitude and longitude, helps tocurb false alerts,speeds up response timesand conserves tax dollars

* A signal 50 times more powerful, allowing for more accurate search areas and quick resolution of unintentionally activated EPIRBs

GPS-enabled features and water-immersion activation devices in select models further improve chances of a safe, swift rescue. Some have more ecologically compatible batteries as well.

EPIRB owners are required to register their beacons with the 406 MHz Beacon Registration Database online at http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov, or by calling 1-888-212-SAVE. Federal law also requires EPIRB owners to update pertinent contact and vessel identification information every two years or when the information changes through the 406 MHz Beacon Registration Database online at http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov.

The information provided helps to take the search out of search and rescue by allowing rescuers to quickly gather vital information about missing boaters, their vessel and their location, which results in faster rescues and increased chances of survival in distress situations.

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Alan Spicer Telecom / Alan Spicer Marine Telecom
http://www.marinetelecom.net
http://www.alanspicermarinetelecom.com
communications (at) marinetelecom.net
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a_spicer (at) bellsouth.net
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