PW-SPWFFPLUS FASTFIND EPIRBS WITH GPS

The only Personal Location Beacon with built-in GPS in the world!

This is the Cadillac of PLBs because it is the only PLB that contains a built-in GPS. And it is both smaller and lighter than other PLBs that lack a GPS. When activated in an emergency, its 406Mhz alert signal, along with your person identity information and your exact location (within 98 feet), is transmitted to Cospas-Sarsat satellites, and forwarded to a rescue coordination center typically within 3 minutes. At the same time, its local 121.5Mhz homing signal begins broadcasting, allowing rescue personnel to find you fast, without any wasted time or effort. The Fastfind Plus is waterproof, of course: its pressure-resistance allows it to be used even by divers. Has an integral device to fasten to a lifejacket or foul weather gear. Battery is good for 5 years without use, 24 hours constant use, and is user-replaceable. Weighs 11 ounces, measures 3" x 6" x 2.1". FCC Approved July 1, 2003

The Fastfind Plus is a revolutionary hand-held Personal Location Beacon that features a built-in GPS receiver (Global Positioning System) combined with a 406 MHz transmitter and 121.5 MHz homing signal. In the event of an emergency, Pains Wessex Fastfind Plus 406 PLB EPIRB w/ Internal GPS an alert signal is transmitted to Cospas-Sarsat satellites and forwarded to a rescue coordination center within typically 3 minutes. The built-in GPS receiver will provide latitude and longitude coordinates to give a position to within typically 98 feet anywhere in the world.

The Fastfind Plus comes complete with lanyard and designer splashproof carry case to enable users to keep the PLB safely attached at all times.

Pains Wessex Fastfind Plus 406 PLB EPIRB w/ Internal GPS Built-in GPS receiver Weighs just 11 oz. Global alert to Cospas-Sarsat satellites 406MHz transmitter 121.5 MHz homing frequency Alert time within typically 3 minutes Positional accuracy to typically 98 feet Positional updates every 20 minutes Compact and stylish Complete with lanyard and designer carry case Includes battery pack good to +158oF to -20oF (+158oF to -40oF battery pack is available) User replaceable battery packs

Each PLB is programmed with its own 15-character Unique Identification Number (UIN) that uniquely identifies its owner and instantly provides emergency contact information to rescuers. When the PLB is activated, its digital 406 MHz signal is received by a constellation of 10 COSPAS-SARSAT satellites in polar orbits, each of which makes an orbital pass every 90 minutes. Using the Doppler shift technique, the satellites take a precise fix on the origin of the signal.

The distress signal with its UIN and Doppler position (and possibly GPS coordinates if the PLB transmitted them) is stored by the satellite. As soon as the satellite passes over the next available ground monitoring station, or Local User Terminal (LUT), this information is downlinked. The LUT forwards the data to a Mission Control Center where it is verified that the signal is from an actual emergency.

One major advantage of a 406 PLB (compared to the older-technology 121.5/243.0 MHz ELTs) is that it provides unique identification information to rescue forces, so they can call the emergency contact numbers provided by the PLB owner and find out what to expect. Another advantage is that a 406 MHz PLB greatly reduces the time it takes to get to an individual in distress. Because of the satellite's sophisticated tracking capability, a Doppler position accuracy of one-half-mile is possible, narrowing down the search area considerably.

Registering your PLB

When you purchase a 406 MHz PLB, you must fill out a registration form and forward it to the appropriate agency -- in the U.S., it's the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). On the form, you provide the make, model, and 15-character unique identification number (UIN) of your PLB, your name, address, phone number, and primary and alternate 24-hour emergency contact phone numbers.

This information is entered into a database accessible at the Mission Control Center, so that if your PLB is ever activated, your information will immediately pop up on a computer screen at the MCC. Personnel at the MCC will then attempt to contact you and your designated emergency contacts to establish that your distress signal is genuine (and not a false-alarm), and to find out everything they can about your whereabouts and situation. This information will then be passed on to the appropriate local search-and-rescue agency.

Users in the United States may now register their 406 MHz PLB online, and may also access and amend their registration information. The site is http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov/.