Text 6425, 45 rader
Skriven 2007-09-21 01:11:01 av Michiel van der Vlist (2:280/5555)
   Kommentar till text 6420 av David Drummond (3:640/305)
Ärende: EPIRB
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Hello David,

On Friday September 21 2007 08:39, you wrote to me:

 MV>> When you push the red button it sends your (GPS?) position to a
 MV>> satellite and help comes galopping in?

 DD> That's the new generation of unit. Mine is the older sort that
 DD> transmits an emergency signal on certain frequencies. These are picked
 DD> up by commercial aircraft (I think) and others. They triangulate and
 DD> then come to my rescue.

Ah, that must be the type that transmits a beacon signal on the aeronautical
emergency frequency of 121.5 mHz.

 DD> I've never had to us it.

When you are in the outback, the signal will only be picked up if an aircraft
listening on that frequency is within range and above the horizon from where
you are. Small aircraft are not required to listen on that frequency, so indeed
it will most likely be a commercial or military aircraft that picks up your
signal. Just hope that one passes overhead before you bleed to death.

Seems to me that your chances with the new satellite type based units are much
better. The chances of a satellite being overhead are much greater than an
aircraft. In the middle of the outback that is...

 DD> They're phasing it out real soon now for the GPS, digital registered
 DD> to the user type of thing that tells them where I am and they don't
 DD> have to search.

The search is not really the problem. Once your signal is picked up by someone,
all they have to do is send a search aircraft equiped with a direction finder
to the place where there is a signal and then home in on it. If the batteries
do not run out, you will be found in no time. the problem is in getting noticed
in the first place.

The other problem of course is that after a misheap you must still be in good
enough shape to press the button. If you can not press the button...


Cheers, Michiel

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