USCG AIRSTA MIAMI EPIRB’s How They Work & DF-430 MH-65C & D, MH60T, HU25, C-130J, HC144
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Transcript of USCG AIRSTA MIAMI EPIRB’s How They Work & DF-430 MH-65C & D, MH60T, HU25, C-130J, HC144
USCG AIRSTA MIAMI
EPIRB’sHow They Work
&DF-430
MH-65C & D, MH60T, HU25, C-130J, HC144
January 2010
How the System Works
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
LEOSAR & GEOSAR Satellites
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
Types of Beacons
• EPIRBs
406 MHz (w/ 121.5 homer)
Automatic activation when out of bracket and wet.
Floats upright to transmit
Strobe light
Min 48 hour transmit
Some GPS enabled
Maritime Distress Beacon
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
Types of Beacons
• PLBs406 MHz (w/ 121.5 homer)Manual activationCarried on persons May or may not floatHeld out of water to transmitNO Strobe light requiredMin 24 hour transmit Some GPS Enabled
Distress Beacon for Personal Use (Land Rescue)
L Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
Types of Beacons
• ELTs
Transmit on 121.5 (most) or 406 MHz
Integrated 121.5 MHz homerCrash activation
Floats upright to transmit
No Strobe light
Min 48 hour transmit
Aviation Distress Beacon
L Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
EPIRB
• Maritime Satellite
• Emergency
• Position-Indicating
• RadioBeacon
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
EPIRB Operational Requirements• EPIRB 406 MHz Signal - 5 Watts• Short bursts at approximately 50 second
intervals (varies between 47.5 and 52.5 s), with a transmission time of 440 ms or 520 ms.
• Transmits in the 406.0 to 406.1 MHz band.• Transmission consists:
– unmodulated carrier, for 160 ms,– short synchronization signal, signal inverted for test,– Digital message that provides stored information
(identification, nationality, type of user),– Optionally, current information like, type of emergency
and estimated location.
Designed to prevent inadvertent activation
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
Hex ID• EPIRB’s identification, when decoded into
its 15 character hexadecimal representation, which is the EPIRB’s unique identifier number.
• http://www.cospas-sarsat.org/Beacons/decode.htm
• Normally readout in 3 groups of 5 characters. Example: ABCDE 12345 ABCDE
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
Battery Replacement• Required at Expiration date or if EPIRB
activated for any reason besides test.
• Useful Life = power for all required testing + 48 hrs operation.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
EPIRB Operational Requirements
• Positive visual and/or audible indication that EPIRB is activated (strobe light flashing).
• Easily manually deployed, activate, and deactivated, and transferred to survival craft.
• Not be activated or deactivated by conditions encountered in maritime environment.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
EPIRB Control
• Ready – EPIRB should be ON in the water unless in its bracket. Sometimes labeled “OFF”.
• ON – EPIRB operates regardless of location or orientation. Unconditional “ON” position. (Requires two physical actions)
• Test – Self-test Function.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
Prevention of Inadvertent Activation
• Must be fitted with means to prevent inadvertent activation and deactivation.
• Not automatically activate when water washes over while in bracket.
• Most EPIRBs use bracket with magnet to disable activation circuit.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
EPIRB Deactivation
• Remove beacon from water and dry off or replace in bracket
• Move switch to OFF or Ready position
• If the above failed then: – Remove cover and disconnect battery
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
EPIRB Activation
• How– By definition it transmits:
• out of bracket and wet,
• by manual switch, in or out of bracket,
Or– Self test
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
EPIRB Activation
• What Happens;– Beacon starts transmitting its Unique
Hex ID in a 406 MHz digital message,
– 121.5 MHz homer with an audible warble,
– Strobe Light starts flashing.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
Rockwell Collins DF-430
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
NAV Page
• LS3 access the DF Control Page.
• Accesses the NAV Page.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
DF Control Page
• Access to BCN, TAC, and SAR pages.
• Display page for LAT/Long if received.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
PRESETS Df ctrl
MODE: ON BCN
TAC SAR
C/S ------------------------------------
↕[ ]
DF-430 Utilization by USCG Aircraft
• DF-430 Modes: Despite aircraft unique installations, all interfaces provide 3 basic modes of operations:– TAC SCAN - Tactical Scan– SAR SCAN - SAR– BCN - Beacon
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
TAC Scan
• TAC Scan - will scan: 121.5 MHz, 243.0 MHz, 406 (.025 / .028 / .037) MHz, + Manually entered frequency.– Signal detection on operator selected tac freq,
will result in TAC DET annunciation + bearing pointer.
– 406, 121, or 243 detection will get DET annunciation, No bearing pointer.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
SAR Scan
• SAR Scan - will scan: 121.5 MHz, 243.0 MHz, and 406 (.025 / .028 / .037) MHz, with priority to 406 MHz.– Signal detection 406, will result in DET
annunciation + bearing pointer.– 121, or 243 detection will get DET
annunciation, No bearing pointer.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
BCN
• Beacon provides single-channel access to one of six signals: 121.5, 243.0, 406 MHz, CH=16 (156.800MHz), CH-70 (156.525 MHz), or ARGOS (401.650 MHz).
• ARGOS (401.650) is the frequency for your SLDMB.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
Embedded GPS Data
• Only some Beacons have GPS
• Data only viewable if the aircraft DF-430 on the DF Control Page.
• GPS data should be considered confirming source.
• Fly the Needle on your DF bearing pointer.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
DF Control Page
• C/S Will display LAT/LONG when position transmitting capable 406 is detected. LS4s will then copy position into scratchpad.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
PRESETS Df ctrl
MODE: ON BCN
TAC SAR
C/S ------------------------------------
↕[ ]
“fly-to-waypoint”.
• From the DF Control Page, the aircrew will be able to capture GPS data into their scratchpad and create a “fly-to-waypoint”.
• This can assist:– if the EPIRB signal is lost, or– at EPRIB passage as the FMS needle may
swing before the DF needle due to ~50 sec transmit cycle of beacon.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
DF Bearing Pointer
• DF pointer is relative (not stablilized)
• DF pointer only updates on receipt of next 406 MHz EPIRB burst transmission.
– Will seem jerky.
• EPIRB transmission only every ~50 sec.
• Burst transmission only half sec duration.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
Figure-of-Merit (FOM) Values
• DF-430 will display a FOM value in range of 0-255. Only displays on TAC, SAR, or BCN Scan Page.
• Practical application is as a secondary level of confidence the aircraft is tracking towards target.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
406 MHz Detection Range
Altitude (ft)Detection
Range (nm)
25,000 133
22,500 129
20,000 124
17,500 119
15,000 113
12,500 106
10,000 99
7,500 88
5,000 76
2,500 57
1,500 23
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
Operational Considerations
• Transit in SAR Scan, unless tasking indicates a need to monitor a tactical freq.
• Greatest range/ earliest detection opportunity at higher altitudes.
• If a 406 signal is detected, DF needle will point and the GPS position displayed when received.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
406 Beacon Tests
• Every 406 MHz Beacon is supposed to be tested (using the self-test function) once every month.
• Each test transmits one live 406 burst.
• Wait at least two bursts before you react to a 406 Det.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
Operational Considerations
• GPS positions from EPIRBs have been inaccurate. If the FMS and DF needles split, wait for next 406 burst and then Follow the DF Needle.
• As a second confirming indication, watch for increasing FOM.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
EPIRB Prosecution
What Does the CC/RCC
do with a 406 Alert?
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
Registered/Unlocated 406MHZ EPIRB
• 1. RCC or RSC on receipt of unlocated registered 406 EPIRB:– a. Place case in the DISTRESS phase.– b. Assume SMC.– c. Determine status of vessel from contact
number listed, available databases, etc.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
Registered/Unlocated 406MHZ EPIRB (cont)
• 2. If vessel is determined to be safe underway or in port:– a. Close case. A case will be claimed for all
406 alerts prosecuted
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
Registered/Unlocated 406MHZ EPIRB (cont)
• 3. If vessel is underway and cannot be contacted:– a. Issue UMIB for Home Port and general
area in which vessel is believed to be operating.
– b. Contact AMVER Ships and request callouts for the vessel.
– c. Contact USMCC and request satellite forecast for the geographic area.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
Registered/Unlocated 406MHZ EPIRB (cont)
• 3. If vessel is underway and cannot be contacted:– d. If the next forecast satellite pass does not
locate the beacon consider sending an SRU to the area to attempt to hail the vessel or DF on 406/121.5MHZ homing signal. Continue investigating to try to determine last known position/probable track of vessel for additional searches.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
Registered/Unlocated 406MHZ EPIRB (cont)
• 3. If vessel is underway and cannot be contacted:– e. If vessel cannot be located after reasonable
search is conducted, search will be suspended.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
Registered/Unlocated 406MHZ EPIRB (cont)
• 4. If SRU is tasked to search for vessel:– a. Proceed top LKP/tasked search area.
Make callouts for vessel and attempt to DF homing beacon on 406/121.5MHZ.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
Registered/Unlocated 406MHZ EPIRB (cont)
• 4. If SRU is tasked to search for vessel:– b. If signal cannot be DF’d once on scene and
unless otherwise tasked, aircraft shall complete a VS search at radius of 12NM. Vessels shall complete the same search at 3NM.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
“A” solution located 406MHZ EPIRB
• 1. RCC or RSC on receipt “A” solution located 406MHZ EPIRB:– a. Place case in the DISTRESS phase.– b. Assumed SMC. – c. Determine status of vessel from contact
number listed (if registered), available databases, etc.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
“A” solution located 406MHZ EPIRB (cont)
• 2. RCC or RSC if vessel is determined to be safe/underway or in port:– a. Close case.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
“A” solution located 406MHZ EPIRB (cont)
• 3. RCC or RSC if vessel is underway and cannot be contacted:– a. Issue UMIB for general area in which
vessel is believed to be operating.– b. Contact AMVER ships in vicinity and
request callouts for vessel.– c. Dispatch SRU to located vessel and
determine status. SRU’s should be tasked to DF on the signal.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
“A” solution located 406MHZ EPIRB (cont)
• 3. RCC or RSC if vessel is underway and cannot be contacted:– d. If vessel cannot be located after reasonable
search is conducted, search will be suspended.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
“A” solution located 406MHZ EPIRB (cont)
• 4. SRU if tasked to search for vessel:– a. Proceed to position/tasked search area.
Make callouts for vessel and attempt to DF homing beacon on 406/121.5MHZ.
– b. If a signal cannot be DF’d once on scene and unless otherwise tasked, aircraft shall complete a VS search at radius of 12NM. Vessels shall complete the same search at 3NM.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
1. RCC or RSC on receipt “B” solution with probability less than or equal to 20%:
a. Place case in the UNCERTAINTY phase.
b. Assume SMC.
c. Coordinate investigation with RCC responsible for “A” solution. If investigation determines “B” solution is the likely position, respond in same manner as an “A” solution.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
“B” solution with alert probability less than or equal to 20%
“B” solution with alert probability greater than 20%
• 1. RCC or RSC on receipt “B” solution with probability greater than 20%:– a. Place case in the ALERT phase.– b. Assumed SMC.– c. Coordinate investigation with RCC
responsible for “A” solution. If investigation determines “B” solution is the likely position, respond in same manner as an “A” solution.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
Unregistered/Unlocated EPIRB alerts:
• 1. RCC or RSC investigate identity of vessel through vessel data bases.
• 2. RCC or RSC contact RCC country of vessel registered and attempt to determine vessel’s status.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
False Alerts
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
False Alerts
• If a false alert is determined upon arrival on-scene complete the following actions:– Have vessel de-activate the beacon.– Have vessel provide the beacon “HexID”– Have vessel provide the reason beacon
alerted and include in MISLE Reporting.– Advise vessel that EPIRB and bracket require
servicing and battery replacement.– Relay to tasking authority as required.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
Operator Induced False Alerts
• 10% were Testing without following manufactures instructions, or other deliberate non-emergency activations
• 6% were EPIRBs deliberately taken out of bracket and naked of any control of the wet sensor.
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
EPIRB False Alerts
69% Caused by Failure of “The bracket decoupling function” to control the EPIRB–Observed with Category I and II–Manufactures, makes and models
in the US registration data base were proportionally represented by False Alerts
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS
Why didn’t I get a 406 Det or
How Long do False Alerts Last?
105 36 20 12 9 2 48
45.3%
60.8%69.4% 74.6% 78.4% 79.3%
100.0%
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
10 20 30 40 50 60 More
Alert Duration (in minutes)
Nu
mb
er
of
Ale
rts
Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS