EPIRB information
I was on a training course this week and learnt more about the operation system of the 406 MZ Epirbs and found out that there are two models of the standard EPIRBs currently available , one unit non GPS chip which sends out the signal and may take several hours for the sattelites to pin point the distress signal location, and is only accurate to 5 sq KMs , The second unit which is only approx another $ 100 has a built in mini GPS and sends the exact cordinates of the distres location and would take only several minutes to assess your distress position and is accurate to about 125 sq MTS
I think if my rig was in trouble after dark in rough conditions i would want the rescue guys to be looking in 125 mt grid pattern rather than 5 sq KMs . for those who dont know might be worth checking your EPIRB which should be labelled which model it is
speedgull
Posts: 32
Date Joined: 27/06/11
5Km.Sq vs 100m.sq
Yes you are correct.
To put that in perspective it is the difference between searching for some one lost in Sydney Harbour vs some one lost on Sydney Harbour Bridge.
hlokk
Posts: 4293
Date Joined: 04/04/08
The first signal might place
The first signal might place you in that 5km sq, but it does put out an analog signal for finding you once they get close using conventional triangulation methods. Difference would be that with the GPS, they would know exactly where you are so a boat could go straight there, while without the GPS, they'd get within a km or two say, then have to start hunting around with radio strength techniques (but they're not covering the whole area blind). In rough seas, the difference would be more pronounced though.
For an $100, its good insurance! They'll probably still find you with a standard one, but they'll find you quicker with GPS, and you dont know whether you'll be in a situation where those extra minutes might make all the difference.