ACR&Artex GlobalFix 406 GPS Cat II EPIRB - Manual (Page 4)

Y1-03-0157-2 Rev. G 1
SECTION 1 – FOREWORD AND PRODUCT FEATURES
Thank you for purchasing from ACR Electronics, Inc. We design, manufacture and distribute quality products
knowing they are used to save lives. Many of our products are required to be tested and approved by
regulatory bodies worldwide. We believe in going beyond those specifications to insure our products work
when needed in real world conditions. With proper care and maintenance your ACR product will last for years.
It is important that you thoroughly read this product support manual to understand the proper care and use of
your ACR product.
ACR is proud to be certified to ISO 9001: 2000, the International Standard for Quality.
This manual provides installation, operation and maintenance instructions for the GlobalFix™ EPIRB,
hereinafter referred to as the beacon. This manual also describes the characteristics and details of the beacon
system. In the USA, the FCC authorizes the use of 406 MHz Radio beacon by any ship that is also equipped
with a VHF ship station. This will make the 406 MHz radio beacon available for use on most U.S. ships and
boats. Commercial EPIRB carriage requirements are contained in IMO and/or USCG regulations.
Product
Model
Number
Product
Number
Category Class
Hazmat/
Non-Hazmat
GPS Interface
GlobalFix™ RLB-35 2742 1 1 Hazmat Internal
GlobalFix™ RLB-35 2744 2 1 Hazmat Internal
GlobalFix™ RLB-35 2742NH 1 2 Non-Hazmat Internal
GlobalFix™ RLB-35 2744NH 2 2 Non-Hazmat Internal
NOTE: YOUR BEACON MAY NOT HAVE ALL OF THE FEATURES DESCRIBED IN THIS MANUAL.
SECTION 2 – REGISTRATION OF 406 MHz BEACONS
2.1 Registration
Importance
It is mandatory that the owner of this 406 MHz beacon register it with the national authority.* All 406 MHz
beacons transmit a Unique Identifier Number (UIN) when activated. This UIN is programmed in the beacon
based on the country in which the beacon was purchased. Registration provides the Search and Rescue
(SAR) forces with up to date emergency contact information, which will speed up the launch of a rescue
operation. The national authorities use the information to verify if an actual emergency exists. Valuable search
and rescue resources are wasted every year responding to false alarms. SAR forces will know who you are,
what type of vessel you have, your homeport, and who to contact that might know of your current situation
ONLY if your beacon has been properly registered. This will help expedite the launch of a rescue operation. All
406 MHz beacons are required to have their registration updated every two years.
*The national authority is the governmental body responsible for EPIRB registration database administration
for the country for which the EPIRB is programmed.
2.2 Where to Register
The owner of a 406 MHz beacon (EPIRB) should register it with the national authority for which the beacon
was programmed (typically the country where purchased), regardless of where they do their boating. However,
the beacon must be reprogrammed if the boat or its owner moves or sails under a different national authority
than the one for which the beacon was previously programmed. Each beacon is programmed with a Unique
Identification Number (UIN) for the country that the unit is shipped to, and will only be accepted for registration
in that country. To verify the country, for which a beacon is programmed, see the label with the UIN on the side
of the unit. Units that do not have a country specified on the UIN label are programmed for the United States.