Check your EPIRB

Satellite frequencies change early next year

The RYA are advising EPIRB owners to check their unit is up to date, as satellite processing channels are changed.

From 1 February 2009, the 121.5/243 MHz satellite processing service will be terminated.

From that date, all EPIRBs and PLBs that transmit on 121.5/243 MHz will cease to be monitored and for the most part will become redundant.

RYA Cruising Manager Stuart Carruthers explains: “All modern beacons transmitting on 406 MHz, will not be affected by the change.

“However some of the older ones transmit on 121.5/243 MHz and following a number of issues and the negative impact caused by large numbers of false alerts on SAR Services, the decision was taken to discontinue monitoring this frequency.

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“The important thing is that people check their beacons and make sure that they are not redundant. From a safety point of view, this is paramount.”

However, 121.5/243 will continue to provide a short range homing signal once an initial call for assistance has been made.

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