ACR&Artex SLB406 ELT - Manual (Page 28)

ARTEX PRODUCTS / ACR ELECTRONICS, INC
DESCRIPTION, OPERATION, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
SLB 406 ELT
Page 28 of 43
MAR 27/11
570-6700 Rev. B
Initial Issue DEC 19/2006
Verification of Digital Message
NOTE: This test is not mandatory per FAR 91.207(d) however Artex strongly
recommends that it be performed as part of annual maintenance.
Verify the 406 MHz digital message using a test set capable of receiving and decoding
the message. Artex suggests the ELT Test Set (ETS) P/N 453-1000. Contact your local
Artex dealer for availability of the ETS or call Artex direct at 1-800-432-0227. Other
beacon testers can be used for the digital message verification. Follow instructions
provided with the test set.
Realize that the ARTEX 406 MHz ELT transmits a 406 MHz message upon reset, which is
encoded such that it will be ignored by the SAR satellite system. This 15-digit number is
used to register the ELT with the appropriate 406 MHz ELT registration authority. In the
US, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) maintains the
database of registered ELT’s.
To verify the digital message, perform the following steps:
1. Perform all necessary steps to prepare Test Set to receive 406 MHz signal including
(but not limited to) turning on power, activating program or any other steps required for
the particular Test Set being used.
2. Perform the Installed Transmitter Test “self test” as described on page 29.
3. Watch the screen on the Test Set to ensure that a message has been received.
Repeat “self test” if necessary.
4. View message, ensure that all applicable information is correct (country code, aircraft
ID, etc.).
5. The 15 digit ID hex ID (for example “ADC6492640D3411F”) should match what is
shown on the ELT product label. This is the 15 digit hex ID (Unique Identification
Number or “UIN”) that is used to register the ELT.
The test message contains all the information contained in the actual distress
message except position data and there is a special digital test prefix that
tells the COSPAS/SARSAT satellites to ignore the message.