1ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Electronic Direction Finding Developed as part of the National Emergency Services Curriculum Project

2ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities How the Mission Starts ELT set off by plane crashing, or EPIRB goes off when ship sinks or when either is accidentally set off –97 to 99 percent of all ELT missions are false alarms SARSAT or COSPAS receives the signal The satellite transmits the mirror locations of the target to a Local User Terminal (LUT)

3ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities

4ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities How the Mission Starts Continued The LUT forwards the information to the Mission Control Center so that the appropriate Rescue Coordination Center can be notified AFRCC, at Langley AFB, calls the mission coordinator or designee who proceeds with the callout

5ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities

6ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities - Receive SARSAT Distress Alerts from the USMCC - Coordinate the Rescue Response U.S. Coast Guard * Responsible for all Maritime Alerts * U.S. Air Force * Responsible for all Inland Alerts *

7ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities United States Cospas-Sarsat Program Administration Inland SAR Maritime SAR Research & Development System Operation

8ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Distress Beacon Frequencies Primary: –121.5 MHz, and its harmonics (243 MHz) –243 MHz, military frequency –406 MHz, next generation distress beacons transmitting location, tail number or boat identification, etc. Training: – MHz Required by FAA as of 31 January MHz is no longer authorized for training

9ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Frequency Change SATELLITE PROCESSING OF 121.5/243 MHz EMERGENCY BEACONS TO BE TERMINATED ON FEB. 1, 2009 Mariners, aviators, and individuals using emergency beacons will need to switch to those operating at 406 MHz if they want to be detected by satellites.

10ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities …it becomes “illegal for use” on Jan 1 st, 2007!!! This is a new regulation under the recently issued FCC Title 47, Part 80 rules (August, 2003) Can no longer purchase a MHz EPIRB as of Feb 1 st, 2003 Frequency Change Cont.

11ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities The Distress Alerting Satellite System The Future of Cospas-Sarsat… 406 MHz “bent-pipe” repeaters on future GPS satellites Full compatibility with existing + future 406 MHz beacons Continued global detection and location: – Greater than current Cospas-Sarsat accuracy Alert data downlink will continue to be freely available internationally Possible two-way return link GPS Satellite

12ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities 2002 COSPAS-SARSAT Rescues 1,545 persons rescued in 365 SAR events worldwide maritime rescues in 239 SAR events - 83 aviation rescues in 47 SAR events land rescues in 79 SAR events 2002 U.S. SARSAT Rescues 171 persons rescued in 69 SAR events nationwide maritime rescues in 64 SAR events - 11 aviation rescues in 5 SAR events - 27 land rescues in 18 SAR events Since 1982 over 15,000 lives rescued via Cospas-Sarsat! Nearly 5,000 in U.S. AOR’s alone! The Bottom Line…

13ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Distress Beacons There are three types of beacons used to transmit distress signals: EPIRBs (for maritime use) ELTs (for aviation use) PLBs (used for land-based applications)

14ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities

15ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities

16ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities

17ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities

18ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities What are you looking for?

19ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Personal Locater Beacons In the United States, PLBs are now authorized for nationwide use. This authorization was granted by the FCC beginning July 1 st, 2003.

20ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities L-Per Components Receiver: the actual metal box, has 7 features: –Dial: indicates signal strength or direction depending on whether in REC or DF mode –Mode switch: sets into DF, REC or OFF positions –Frequency selector: allows the selection of the frequencies possible depending on what is installed and the model

21ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities L-Per Components Continued –Sensitivity switch: a variable switch that adjusts the receiver's sensitivity. The closer to the target the less sensitivity is required –Volume control: adjusts the audible signal –Speaker: emits the audible signal –Dial light switch: turns the dial light on for use in low light conditions

22ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities L-Per Receiver

23ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Mast –The two piece wooden vertical mast is joined in the middle by a bolt and wing nut, allowing the mast to be folded for storage or while the unit is carried through the woods. Make sure to hold the mast on both levels because the L-Per tends to be a knuckle-buster. L-Per Components Continued –The coaxial cable for connecting the radio to the antenna, and mounting screws for attaching the receiver to the mast are mounted to the mast.

24ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities L-Per Components Continued Antenna crossbar –Antenna elements are attached to the crossbar, varying in size according to the frequency that you are searching on –Wire leads connect the antenna elements together at the switchbox located in the middle of the crossbar. –The antenna elements fold down parallel to the crossbar for storage or carrying through the wilderness.

25ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Using the L-Per

26ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities L-Per in DF Mode DF mode measures equal strengths of signal –Not completely accurate, but good enough! –When needle is centered, ELT could be either direction –Needle always POINTS to the ELT (DF=Follow the needle) –Use a TURN to TELL if the ELT is in front or behind you

27ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities DF = Follow the Needle

28ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities L-Per in REC Mode Receive Mode Measures Signal Strength only –Signal comes from the direction of the arrows on the antenna (to your left)

29ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities L-Per in REC Mode Continued Use it with multiple centers (more than 2) to verify strongest path –Duel Reflections –That’s most likely the true direction to the ELT

30ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Using the Tracker DF Unit

31ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Tracker Operating Instructions Unfold antennae of the receiver unit, front antennae first then rear antennae Start the receiver by pressing ON-button. –When turning on the receiver, it will automatically select the international distress frequency (121.5 MHz), channel 1, and the green lights start blinking on the LED display –Use the CH button switch between the distress and practice frequency

32ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Tracker Operating Instructions Continued By Pressing the MAN button you can choose manual operation instead of automatic. –The MAN light will be lit when this mode has been selected –Receiver sensitivity can be adjusted in the manual mode In manual or automatic mode, the LED display reflects signal strength in the direction of the signal beacon

33ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Sensitivity control when in manual mode accomplished by rotating wheel Signal strength indictor Channel indicator lights Manual mode indicator light and low battery indicator light CH changes from channel 1 or 2  MAN switch alternates between automatic and manual sensitivity

34ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Other Units There are other companies that produce electronic direction finding units.

35ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Body Shielding A method of beating reflections at close range Can use L-Per Radio Shack JETSTREAM radio is better and CHEAP! Body blocks out the signal –Called a NULL –Null should be at your BACK

36ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Body Shielding Continued At extremely close range, a 2m VHF radio un-squelched may work –This works ok when trying to figure out a particular aircraft on a flight line, it will probably not identify a particular hangar

37ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Line of Sight Transmission –ELTs are limited to Line of Sight propagation and reflections –You don’t always need to hear the ELT Carrier wave may be broadcasting with no audible sweep

38ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities What Else Can Affect An ELT Signal? Power lines Fence Line (signal can follow) Reflections off of obstacles Hangars Moving Target Not using the Equipment Properly - See Picture at Right What’s wrong with this?

39ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Set Up the Equipment Completely Open the Antennae Fully for use in the field

40ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Reflections To beat reflections –Check sensitivity often –Use REC mode Usually strongest signal is not a reflection –Use the rubber ducky antenna when sensitivity is low –Re-trace your steps if necessary, going back to locations of strong signal strength

41ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Triangulation Documenting team movements is logical, and can allow the team to locate the distress beacon sooner

42ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Triangulation Continued You must be able to receive the signal –Center up DF unit on the signal –Take the magnetic bearing (shoot an azimuth) –Correct for magnetic variation East is least, West is best –Plot your bearings (draw a line) on map –The ELT should be where the lines cross!

43ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Plot your Bearings

44ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities What information is needed for the IC? Make Model and Model # Manufacturer Location Description Approximate location (Latitude & Longitude) Owner Tail Number or Boat Name and Number Time Found and Time Shut-off

45ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities What information is needed for the IC? Continued Switch Position on ELT or EPIRB: ON, OFF, or ARM Manufacture Date Battery Expiration Date Information which could indicate reason for accidental or justified activation of ELT or EPIRB NOTE: If you can’t get certain information, don’t worry, the AFRCC understands

46ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Electronic Direction Finding Tasks Ground Team Members –O-0301: Determine Distress Beacon Bearing –O-0302: Locate a Distress Beacon Ground Team Leaders –O-0303: Deactivate a Distress Beacon –O-0304: Triangulate on a Distress Beacon

47ELTDF..PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities QUESTIONS? THINK SAFETY!