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    Comparison of EPIRBs and ELTs

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    Fazrul
    This document compares different types of emergency beacons, including EPIRBs, ELTs, and SARTs. It discusses their key features, such as transmission frequencies, range of coverage, position indication capabilities, and whether they are received by satellite systems or radio stations. Cheaper 121.5 MHz ELTs provide limited coverage and do not transmit position, while more expensive 406 MHz EPIRBs work globally and can transmit coded positions via satellites to search and rescue forces for faster response times. The document aims to help users understand the differences between emergency beacon options.

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    Comparison of EPIRBs and ELTs

    Uploaded by

    Fazrul
    71 views3 pages
    This document compares different types of emergency beacons, including EPIRBs, ELTs, and SARTs. It discusses their key features, such as transmission frequencies, range of coverage, position indication capabilities, and whether they are received by satellite systems or radio stations. Cheaper 121.5 MHz ELTs provide limited coverage and do not transmit position, while more expensive 406 MHz EPIRBs work globally and can transmit coded positions via satellites to search and rescue forces for faster response times. The document aims to help users understand the differences between emergency beacon options.

    Original Description:

    EPIRB and ELT Technical Comparison

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    This document compares different types of emergency beacons, including EPIRBs, ELTs, and SARTs. It discusses their key features, such as transmission frequencies, range of coverage, position indication capabilities, and whether they are received by satellite systems or radio stations. Cheaper 121.5 MHz ELTs provide limited coverage and do not transmit position, while more expensive 406 MHz EPIRBs work globally and can transmit coded positions via satellites to search and rescue forces for faster response times. The document aims to help users understand the differences between emergency beacon options.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    71 views3 pages

    Comparison of EPIRBs and ELTs

    Uploaded by

    Fazrul
    This document compares different types of emergency beacons, including EPIRBs, ELTs, and SARTs. It discusses their key features, such as transmission frequencies, range of coverage, position indication capabilities, and whether they are received by satellite systems or radio stations. Cheaper 121.5 MHz ELTs provide limited coverage and do not transmit position, while more expensive 406 MHz EPIRBs work globally and can transmit coded positions via satellites to search and rescue forces for faster response times. The document aims to help users understand the differences between emergency beacon options.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 3

    8/9/2019 Comparison of EPIRBs and ELTs

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    Comparison of different types of EPIRB's:


    .
    EPIRB is an unprotected abbreviation. The abbreviation EPIRB stands for Emergency Position
    Indicating Radio Beacon. Therefore the incorporation of a position finding device (GPS) is
    mandatory. The 406-MHz-, the 1,6-GHz- and the DSC-type system definitions allow for position
    coding within the transmitted message. Unfortunately, most 406-MHz-beacons lack this feature.
    The following tables compare features and technical data of different beacons.
    .
    In recent time discount suppliers are misusing the term EPIRB to sell simple 121,5-MHz-beacons
    (PLT/ELT). The customer should be aware of cheap offers which never provide for a beacon
    capable of transmitting its identification and coded position. Cheap beacons (PLT/ELT) or 406-MHz
    beacons not incorporating GPS receivers sold as "EPIRBs" never incorporate position finding
    devices, either.The tradeoff of the financial benefit will be a quite long period in cold water

    Comparison of EPIRBs by their features :


    (Click here for technical data or get an explanation of the abbreviations)
    EPIRB
    (1.6 GHz, Inmarsat-
    ELT / PLT EPIRB E)
    Feature (121.5 MHz) (406 MHz)
    SYSTEM DSC-EPIRB*** SART
    SYSTEM
    DISCONTINUED, for
    reference only
    permitted,
    Strobe-Light, ELT, Strobe-Light, ELT, Strobe-
    recommended or none Strobe-Light, SART
    SART**** SART Light
    optional features
    Vehicle / User-
    no yes yes yes no
    Identifikation
    COSPAS / SARSAT Inmarsat vessels
    is received and planes and
    (LEOSAR & GEOSAR (geostationary costal radio stations within
    processed by .. SAR-forces
    satellites) satellites) visibility
    possible, but w/o possible with RCU,
    transmission of the
    no position indication, not strongly possible no
    nature of distress
    used by now recommended
    97% of the earth,
    in the vicinity of sea-area A1, only in
    coverage SAR while the whole world up to ± 80° lattitude the vincinity of the -
    searching (excluding polar coast
    caps)
    period until valid immediately,
    up to four hours up to four hours within 3-10 min ** -
    reception no delay
    minimal mandatory 96 h stby
    - 24 h 75 min TX within 48 h 48 h
    time of operation 8 h TX
    nmarsat SDM 2.0,
    IEC, IMO C-S T.001, IMO-GMDSS-
    specifications to IMO GMDSS- GMDSS-
    GMDSS- IEC 61097-2, Handbook
    apply Handbook Handbook
    Handbook IMO GMDSS-Handbook IEC 61097-5
    ETSI 300 372

    ** = Inmarsat calls for a delay of 2-8 minutes after activation. Processing the signals within the LES takes about less than
    a minute.
    *** = For the time being, there are no DSC-EPIRBs available on the word market.
    **** = For the time being, there are no C-S EPIRBs with built-in SART available on the word market

    Technical data of different EPIRBs :


    https://www.epirb.de/english/elts.htm 1/3
    8/9/2019 Comparison of EPIRBs and ELTs

    EPIRB
    (1.6 GHz or L-band,
    Feature ELT / PLT EPIRB INMARSAT-E) DSC-EPIRB SART
    (121.5 MHz) (406 MHz) SYSTEM
    DISCONTINUED,
    for reference only.
    position- possible, none ! Position
    yes, own position
    transmission, none via SAT own position determination by
    determination
    measurement determination receiving vessel
    Doppler-shift navigation
    Type of position- VHF-direction GPS or navigation
    because of SAT- system of the none
    processing finder only system of the vessel
    movement vessel or GPS
    121,5 MHz 406.025 MHz 667 channels
    VHF CH 70
    frequencies (sometimes 243 406,028 MHz (300 Hz spacing) at 9.2 - 9.5 GHz
    (>2002) (156.525 MHz)
    MHz) 1,645 GHz
    PSK, NRZ FSK, carrier keying
    Type of Carrier keying FSK ± 120 Hz,
    ± 1.1 rad 300 / 2100 Hz, 100 ms
    modulation (A1 / A1A) NRZ (G2B)
    (G1B) h=2 (G2B) (A0 / A1)
    Datarate (Baud) - 400 32 1200 -
    Bit per
    1 135 160 variable -
    transmission
    Polarisation vertical RHCP RHCP vertical horizontal
    transmission no
    5W 1W 100 mW 400 mW
    power recommendations
    temperature
    - -20 ° to 55 ° -20 ° bis 55 ° -20 ° to 55 ° -20 ° to 55 °
    range

    Abbreviations :
    Cosmicheskaya Sistyema Poiska Ava riynich Sudov
    COSPAS
    (= Space System for the Search of Vessels in Distress)
    DSC Digital Selective Calling
    ELT Emergency Locator Transmitter (121,5 MHz Baken-Sender)
    EPIRB Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (406 MHz oder 1,6 GHz Notsender)
    GMDSS Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
    LES Land Earth Station, Receiving Satation for Satellite-Signals (picture)
    LEO Low Earth Orbit
    Maritime Mobile Service Identity,
    MMSI
    like a ships telephone number in the maritime radio, (VHF, SW und MW)
    PLB Personal Locator Beacon (121,5 MHz Baken-Sender, am Körper zu tragen)
    SAR Search and Rescue (Rettungsdienst)
    SARSAT Search and Rescue Satellite
    SART Search and Rescue Radar Transponder
    SOLAS Safety of Life at Sea, Rules for the Equipment of ships > 300 grt
    Remote Control Unit, enter nature of distress and remote activate the EPIRB from the
    RCU
    ships bridge. For a picture click here.
    RHCP Right Hand Circular Polarisation
    SAT Satellit
    IMO International Maritime Organisation
    GPS Global Positioning System (Satellitennavigationssystem)

    https://www.epirb.de/english/elts.htm 2/3
    8/9/2019 Comparison of EPIRBs and ELTs

    VHF Very High Frequency

    https://www.epirb.de/english/elts.htm 3/3

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