1. The / 243 MHz
Phase-out
S A R S A T

2. Overview 121.5/243 MHz Beacon Technology Limitations
International Cospas-Sarsat Council Decision
National 121.5/243 MHz Phaseout Plan

4. Emergency Beacons
Two types: 121.5/243 MHz and 406 MHz
Three applications:
Emergency Position Indication Radio Beacons (EPIRB) for Maritime Uses
Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT) for Aviation Uses
- Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) for Remote Recreational Uses

5. 121.5 MHz Beacon Technology – Brief Background
First MHz beacons were ELTs designed for military aircraft in the 1950’s.
Congress mandated ELTs on all U.S. aircraft after Boggs-Begich tragedy in SE Alaska in 1970’s.
Cospas-Sarsat was designed to use the existing MHz technology with an eye towards developing a digital system.
Why? was not designed for satellite processing (no store & forward capability)

6. Limitations of 121.5 / 243 MHz Beacons…
Analog signal only = no digital identification code to let SARSAT system know signal is from a beacon
Low power output…hard for satellites to detect
Less rigid standards
USMCC handles “hits” per day:
- Only 1 in 8 alerts come from beacons. The rest are interference sources like ATM machines, pizza ovens, and even stadium scoreboards!
High false alert rate makes first-alert launch unfeasible…delays SAR response to possible victims.

7. Limitations of 121.5 / 243 MHz Beacons…
Limitations with satellites
‘Bent-Pipe’ mode on = no global coverage
No store & forward capability

8. Limitations (con’t): No Global Coverage

9. 406 MHz is a Store & Forward System

10. 406 MHz has Global Coverage and Instantaneous Detection!
GEO Footprint
LEO Footprint

11. Limitations of 121.5 / 243 MHz Beacons… …Poorer Accuracy
406 MHz with GPS
406 MHz
121.5 MHz
Search Time = Minimal
Search Time = hours
Search Time = 12+ hours

12. 243 MHz Beacons
Similar to MHz beacons
Primarily used by the military
Many existing MHz also transmit on 243 MHz
Will Not Be Detected by Satellites After February 1, 2009!

13. International Cospas-Sarsat Council (in conjuction with IMO& ICAO)
*** 121.5/243 MHz PHASE-OUT DECISION ***
International Cospas-Sarsat Council (in conjuction with IMO& ICAO)
announces at its 25th General Session (October 2000) that the termination of & 243 MHz for satellite alerting will occur on…
February 1, 2009

14. ? This decision leads to the development of a
National 121.5/243 MHz Phase Out Plan
Goal: To efficiently transition all users away from MHz satellite alerting and associated distress beacon usage to the exclusive use of 406 MHz alerting and corresponding 406 MHz distress beacons…. …and to do so in advance of February 01, 2009!
IMPLEMENTATION: The Five “W”s…and the one “H”!
WHO
WHAT
WHERE
WHEN
WHY
…and HOW ?

15. WHY Develop a National Plan???
To organize transition at all levels
To coordinate transition among involved parties
To minimize impact of terminating MHz alerting
To prepare for increased 406 MHz usage and response

16. WHERE To Implement the Plan?
The plan should be implemented at all levels:
Local
National
Regional
Global

17. WHEN…..Development & Implementation
Plan Development has already begun
Plan Implementation:
Initial efforts have already commenced
National MHz Phase-Out Working Group (POWG)
Created by NSARC
POWG Terms of Reference…

18. Terms of Reference for a National 121
Terms of Reference for a National 121.5/243 MHz Satellite Alerting Phase-Out Working Group
 The National Search and Rescue Committee (NSARC),
 Recognizing the impending Cospas-Sarsat termination date for 121.5/243 MHz satellite distress alerting on 01 February 2009;
Considering the importance of the need to develop a national coordinated plan to address all pertinent phase-out issues associated with 121.5/243 MHz termination;
 Addressing the recommendations from the Cospas-Sarsat Council to develop a national plan for the transition from 121.5/243 MHz to 406 MHz beacons; establishes the National 121.5/243 MHz Satellite Alerting Phase-Out Working Group.
The Working Group is tasked to:
1.        develop a comprehensive national strategy, including a working plan and schedule, for implementing the phase-out of /243 MHz satellite alerting by 01 February, 2009;
2.        address and prioritize the technical aspects and impacts associated with phase-out, including beacon issues, satellite issues, and ground segment issues;
3.        address and prioritize the regulatory aspects and impacts associated with phase-out, including what legislative options are available for eliminating /243 MHz beacons and mandating the use of 406 MHz beacons;
4.        address and prioritize the educational aspects and impacts associated with phase-out, including the use of appropriate media to publicize this effort, and;
 5.       develop guidelines on the proper disposal of old beacons to prevent an unwanted increase in false alerts.
The Phase-Out Working Group (POWG) shall be comprised of member agencies of the U.S. National Search and Rescue Committee and relevant organizations and equipment manufacturers who can fruitfully contribute to achieving the tasks hereto assigned and shall meet in a timely manner for their proper implementation.

19. WHAT are the key issues?
Cospas-Sarsat system transition within the U.S.
Includes ground and space segments
Impact on U.S. SAR system
Elimination of MHz false alerts
121.5 MHz alerting system reversion to 1970s “high flyer” alerting
Increase in 406 beacon population / activations / false alerts
Benefit of transition for U.S. public, SAR responders & others
406 MHz Beacon registration - SAR response & false alert mitigation
Proper & Easy To Follow 406 MHz EPIRB/ELT/PLB Testing Programs
Regulations/Legislation Changes
ELTs / EPIRBs / PLBs
MORE…

20. WHAT are the key issues? How de we get the word out??? Cost
Current comparable cost
Anticipated future cost reductions
Low Cost Beacons?!?!

21. WHO is Leading the Transition?
NSARC - National Search and Rescue Committee
SARSAT Lead, Satellite Services
(NOAA)
DOC
SAR Services
(Nat’l Park Service)
DOI
SAR Lead/Facilities
(USAF & DPMO)
Research and Development
NASA
DOD
Regs
SAR Lead/Regs
USCG
FAA
Regulations for Radio Facilities & Frequency Issues
FCC
DOT
DHS

22. WHO is Coordinating the Transition
United States Cospas-Sarsat Program
Space Hardware
Ground Segment
System Operation
Satellite Integration / Post Launch Testing
Research & Development
Inland SAR
Maritime SAR
Lead Agency to the Cospas-Sarsat Program

23. WHO Needs to be Involved in The Transition?
WHO is Impacted?
Everyone!
Primary Impact
Beacon Users
SAR Response Agencies
WHO Needs to be Involved in The Transition?
Government
Federal / State Regulators
Federal / State SAR Responder
Public
Recreational Vessels
General Aviation
Beacon Manufacturers
Industry - Aviation / Maritime
Aircraft Manufacturers
Charter Vessel Companies
Commercial Fishing Industry
Special Interest Groups
Maritime (e.g., BoatUS)
Aviation (e.g., AOPA, EAA)

24. WHO Needs to be Kept Informed?
International Maritime Organization
International Civil Aviation Organization
International Telecommunication Union
Cospas-Sarsat Participants
Other Nations Within / Bordering U.S. SAR Region

25. HOW Do We Accomplish The Transition?
PROMOTE - Public Events, Online, Public Service Announcements, Retail Outlets, Word-of-Mouth…etc, etc.
Phase-out of MHz Satellite Alerting
Benefits of transitioning to 406 MHz Beacons
EDUCATE - As Above, Public Safety Courses, Agency Training
Beacon owners - need to transition to 406 MHz beacons
- proper use of 406 MHz beacons
SAR Responders - Effectiveness of the 406 MHz system
- Capabilities of 406 MHz beacons
REGULATE ( LEGISLATE)
Stoppage of MHz beacon use (EPIRBs & ELTs)
Use of 406 MHz beacons (EPIRBs, ELTs & PLBs)

26. HOW To Regulate? 121.5 MHz BEACON USAGE
International Termination of MHz Satellite Alerting =
01 February 2009!
U.S. Termination of MHz EPIRBs = 3 Phases
Certification of new EPIRBs ceased
Sales and manufacture of MHz EPIRBs ceased on
01 February, 2003
Operation/Use of MHz EPIRBs becomes illegal on
01 January, 2007
121.5 MHz ELTs will still be in use and required on general aviation aircraft…must get pilots to transition ASAP!

27. HOW To Regulate? 406 MHz BEACON USAGE (EPIRBs, ELTs & PLBs)
406 MHz EPIRBs required by law on certain U.S. vessels
Commercial fishing vessels
SOLAS-class vessels
Large passenger carrying vessels
406 MHz ELTs
Cited & recommended as option to required MHz ELTs
Required on new commercial passenger aircraft on int’l flights as of 2002
Required on all commercial passenger aircraft on international flights as of 2005
406 MHz PLBs
Allowed for sale and use in the U.S. as of 01 July 2003
121.5 homer limited to a maximum 25mw output
Morse Code “P” embedded in beacon transmission

28. HOW To Regulate?

29. Any Questions??? Visit Our Website! www.sarsat.noaa.gov FOR MORE INFO…
NOAA/SARSAT
E/SP3, Room 3320, FB4
5200 Auth Road
Suitland, MD
x114
Or x114
Fax:
Visit Our Website!