1. Personal Locator Beacons
(PLBs)
S A R S A T

2. In short, Cospas-Sarsat takes the “search” out of Search & Rescue
What is Cospas-Sarsat???
COSPAS = Cosmicheskaya Systyema Poiska Aariynyich Sudov
Which loosely translates into: “The Space System for the Search of Vessels in Distress”
SARSAT = Search And Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking
In short, Cospas-Sarsat takes the “search” out of Search & Rescue

4. Emergency Beacons
Two types: 406 MHz /243 MHz (121.5 MHz EPIRBs are prohibited as of 01Jan07)
Three applications:
- Emergency Position Indication Radio Beacons (EPIRB)
- Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT)
- Personal Locator Beacons (PLB)

5. Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) General Characteristics
Small and lightweight
Manually activated
Watertight
Contains transmitter, antenna, and battery.
- GPS receiver (optional)
Tested at international and national levels

6. Personal Locator Beacons (PLB)
International (Cospas-Sarsat) Specifications
Transmit at MHz
5 W output
Temperature range
Storage: - 67F to + 158F (Class 1) Operating: - 40F to + 131F (Class 1) Storage: - 22F to + 158F (Class 2) Operating: - 4F to + 131F (Class 2)
24 hours duration

7. Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) National (RTCM) Specifications
Floatation
- Category 1: Must float in water
- Category 2: Not required to float
121.5 MHz homing with Morse-code “P” identifier
Self-test function

8. Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) Identification Information
Encoded into beacon:
- Manufacturer, model, serial number
- Category
- GPS position (optional)
Registration database:
- Owner, address, telephone
- Application (e.g., hiking, canoeing)
- Emergency points of contact
- Additional information

9. Personal Locator Beacons (PLB)
Performance As Demonstrated in Alaska ( )
Cause of Activation
Number
Percent
Distress Activation
154 85
Non-Distress Activation 14 8
Undetermined 12 7
Total Activation
180
100
Total Rescues: 226

10. Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) Alert Data Distribution
Air Force RCC
U.S. Mission Control Center
Local User Terminal
Frame Relay
PLB Processor
Virtual Private Network
State SAR Authority PLB System
Voice

11. Any Questions??? Visit NOAA’s Website! www.sarsat.noaa.gov
FOR MORE INFO…
NOAA/SARSAT
4231 Suitland Road
Suitland, MD
Or SAVE (7283)
Fax:
Visit NOAA’s Website!
Any Questions???