The Ultimate Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) FAQ

The Ultimate
Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)
FAQ

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Personal Locator Beacons are new to most people and it seems they are generating more than their fair share of questions. This FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) was assembled in an effort to try to answer those questions in an authoritative manner. There are well over 150 questions in the FAQ--and growing. You may find the search function useful in locating the answer to a specific question.

If you don't find the answer to your question here, please use the link provided to submit a question and we'll try to answer it. PLEASE NOTE that 95% of the questions submitted have already been answered in the FAQ, so you may want to carefully review the FAQ questions to see if there is an existing question phrased just slightly different, but which is essentially the same as yours.

[Some of the information in this FAQ was compiled from NOAA, NASA, COSPAS-SARSAT and PLB manufacturer sources.]

121.5 MHz Satellite Alerting ENDING in:
Have you gotten your 406 MHz PLB or ELT yet?

The Ultimate Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) FAQ

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Do I need a PLB if I already have a Satellite Phone?

A satellite phone makes a very nice adjutant to a PLB. However, sat phones have coverage limitations, no matter what their maps show, are easily blocked by even a moderate forest canopy or high terrain, are not very abuse resistant and are not waterproof (unless packed inside a waterproof container). All have only rechargeable batteries with very limited life.

With the exception of the regional sat phone provider Thuraya in the Middle East and Asia, you will still need some means to provide accurate location information in order for someone to come rescue you

Only Globalstar currently provides a global 911 service. With other services you should have a phone number for the appropriate authorities that are responsible for wherever you are located, or at least a national authority that can dispatch or arrange for the dispatch of SAR resources.

Date Created: 6/27/2003

Last Updated: 7/19/2003

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The information provided in the Ultimate PLB FAQ does not constitute legal advice. We make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of interpretations of laws or regulations relating to the use or transportation of emergency beacons, survival equipment or use of techniques contained in the Ultimate PLB FAQ. We make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained in the Ultimate PLB FAQ. Please review the full WARNING & DISCLAIMER about information on this site.

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Publisher and Editor: Doug Ritter
Email: Doug Ritter

URL: http://www.equipped.org/plb_faq/
First Published on ETS: June 26, 2003

Email to: info@pulvertech.com