affordable EPIRB/PLB

T

Terry Jones

Joined
Jul 24, 2001
Messages
4
Anybody think one of these is a good idea
for a long-term backpacking trip?

I've considered a PRC-90 but batteries/
etc. are tough to come by.

Advice?
 
EPIRBS/PLBs are electronic "come and get me, for I am in deep caca" devices normally found in aircraft and on boats/ liferafts for same.
They send a signal up on SAR freqs and indicate location.

The PRC-90 is the current USGI survival radio. It transmits a beacon(I think) and has a voice function. Most surplus ones are kinda
rough looking, missing parts, and batteries are hard to come by.

any help?
 
I really don't know anything about these but it sounds like a good thing to have with you on the trail. The only problem is that it would need a substantial power supply and that could get heavy. What size are the battereis? How about a cell phone instead?
 
I've been carrying one for about a decade. The company that made it was something like ACR, but I'll have to look that up. I got it from West Marine and they currently run around $250. They weigh about a pound and the lithium batteries are good for 10 yrs (the Coast Guard requires replacement at 5 yrs, as I recall). They are also waterproof. Mine is a Class B EPIRB, meaning that the signal does not specifically identify you.

In the late 80's or early 90's a hunter in the Brooks Range was seriously injured a day after being dropped off. His partner activated an EPIRB, which was picked up by a Russian aircraft over Siberia. They notified US authorities, who extracted the guy within 48 hrs. Not immediate, but pretty good for inside the Arctic Circle.
 
ELTs (emergency locator transmittors) have been developed as a means of locating downed aircraft. These electronic, battery operated transmitters emit a distinctive downward swept audio tone on 121.5 mHz and 243.0 mHz.

In the marine environment these are also known as EPIRBs, or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons and have been known to be your lifeline in a life boat scenario. There are also 406 frequency satalite EPIRBS which emit a uniquely identifiabe signal that is pre-registered with information such as your name, the vessels name and description and such. When that sucker goes off, they know who you are (or who registered it) and the Lat/Lon of where the signal is coming from.

Breitling "Emergency" wrist watches have a version of the EPIRB inside the wattch, thoug I question the signal strength given the small battery and transmitter capabilties.

There have even been versions of the above that have been swollowed by operators while in hostile territory. These small transmittors have the ability to be, ah, recycled in the event the operator was captured.
 
Try a search for Sea Marshall. This is one of the smallest ELT's on the market. Price is around $100.00. It transmites on 121. only.
You should know that this type of ELT is being phased out for marine use. The Coast Guard is switching to the 406,Sat. units soon.
What might be a better choice is a small Handie Talkie covering the Aircraft Freq's. This will give you many more options. The weight will be alittle more though. the Batt's for both are common sizes and you will only use it in a emergency anyway. Take a look at Equipped To Survive web site for more up to date ELT info.WWW.EQUIPPED.ORG (?)
 
I can tell you with mucho first hand, that you do not under any circumstances want a PRC. aka. POS. I've been out on patrols where the only functioning radio that could make a com shot was a Motorola Talkabout 250. Everything else failed. Just because Uncle Sam buys it doesn't mean that it is worth a damn.
:barf:
 
Brothers & Sisters of Limited Communication Skills,

ELT's and commercial radios can cost anywhere from under a hundred to the unit recommended by Mr. Doug Ritter at www.equipped.com which comes in JUST under $3k.
As a suggestion, and quite viable alternative, investigate amateur radio.
(www.arrl.org) In an introductory page of the "How to..." handbook a short wave radio has been built in a tuna can. Battery, solar or crank power with any kind of antenna can give you hundreds of miles of range. You can build a radio for well under a hundred dollars, get licensed and be found on the most remote part of the earth.

Perhaps you'd prefer a satellite phone. (No. This is not any ordinary cell version with a "limited calling area', either!) The same satellites providing GPS coverage are used to "bounce" or relay a vox (voice) signal to a receiving station. Here' too, cost is high. But after all, if you just HAVE to be "in-touch", this may be your rosebud.

Regards,
Lance Gothic
Shibumi
 
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