The 121.5 / 243 MHz
Phase-out
S A R S A T
Overview
- 121.5/243 MHz Beacon Technology
- Limitations
- International Cospas-Sarsat Council
Decision
- National 121.5/243 MHz Phaseout Plan
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
121.5 MHz Beacon Technology – Brief Background
• First 121.5 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
121.5 MHz technology with an eye towards
developing a digital system.
• Why? - 121.5 was not designed for satellite
processing (no store & forward capability)
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 250-400 “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.
Limitations of 121.5 / 243 MHz Beacons…
Limitations with satellites
• ‘Bent-Pipe’ mode on =
no global coverage
• No store & forward
capability
Limitations (con’t): No Global Coverage
406 MHz is a Store & Forward System
406 MHz has Global Coverage and Instantaneous Detection!
GEO
Footprint
LEO
Footprint
Limitations of 121.5 / 243 MHz Beacons…
…Poorer Accuracy 406 MHz with GPS
406 MHz
121.5 MHz
Search Time = Minimal
Search Time = 2 - 3 hours
Search Time = 12+ hours
243 MHz Beacons
• Similar to 121.5 MHz beacons
• Primarily used by the military
• Many existing 121.5 MHz also transmit on 243 MHz
• Will Not Be Detected by Satellites After February 1, 2009!
*** 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 121.5 & 243 MHz for satellite alerting will occur on…
February 1, 2009
This decision leads to the development of a
National 121.5/243 MHz Phase Out Plan
Goal: To efficiently transition all users away from 121.5 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
…and
• WHERE
• WHEN
• WHY
HOW ?
WHY Develop a National Plan???
• To organize transition at all levels
• To coordinate transition among involved parties
• To minimize impact of terminating 121.5 MHz alerting
• To prepare for increased 406 MHz usage and response
WHERE To Implement the Plan?
• The plan should be implemented at all levels:
– Local
– National
– Regional
– Global
WHEN…..Development & Implementation
• Plan Development has already begun
• Plan Implementation:
– Initial efforts have already commenced
– National 121.5 MHz Phase-Out Working
Group (POWG)
• Created by NSARC
• POWG Terms of Reference…
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
121.5/243 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 121.5/243 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.
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 121.5 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…
WHAT are the key issues?
• How de we get the word out???
• Cost
– Current comparable cost
– Anticipated future cost reductions
– Low Cost Beacons?!?!
WHO is Leading the Transition?
• NSARC - National Search and Rescue Committee
DOC DOI
SAR Lead/Facilities
Research and Development
(USAF & DPMO)
NASA
DOD
FCC DOT DHS
WHO is Coordinating the Transition
• United States Cospas-Sarsat Program
Satellite Space
Integration / Hardware
Post Launch Ground
Testing Segment
Inland Maritime Research & System
SAR SAR Development Operation
Lead Agency to the
Cospas-Sarsat Program
WHO is Impacted?
• Everyone!
• Primary Impact
– Beacon Users
– SAR Response Agencies
WHO Needs to be Involved in The Transition?
• Government • Industry - Aviation / Maritime
– Federal / State Regulators – Aircraft Manufacturers
– Federal / State SAR Responder – Charter Vessel Companies
• Public – Commercial Fishing Industry
– Recreational Vessels • Special Interest Groups
– General Aviation – Maritime (e.g., BoatUS)
• Beacon Manufacturers – Aviation (e.g., AOPA, EAA)
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
HOW Do We Accomplish The Transition?
• PROMOTE - Public Events, Online, Public Service Announcements, Retail Outlets,
Word-of-Mouth…etc, etc.
– Phase-out of 121.5 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 121.5 MHz beacon use (EPIRBs & ELTs)
– Use of 406 MHz beacons (EPIRBs, ELTs & PLBs)
HOW To Regulate?
•121.5 MHz BEACON USAGE
– International Termination of 121.5 MHz Satellite Alerting =
01 February 2009!
– U.S. Termination of 121.5 MHz EPIRBs = 3 Phases
• Certification of new 121.5 EPIRBs ceased
• Sales and manufacture of 121.5 MHz EPIRBs ceased on
01 February, 2003
• Operation/Use of 121.5 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!
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 121.5 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
HOW To Regulate?
MODIFICATION OF TECHNICAL STANDARDS
RTCM Recommended Standards for 406 MHz Satellite Personal Locator Beacons
RTCM Recommended Standards for 406 MHz Satellite Emergency Position-Indicating Radio
Beacons
RTCA/DO-204, Minimum Operational Performance Standards for 406 MHz ELT
RTCA/DO-183, Minimum Operational Performance ELTs - Automatic Fixed - ELT (AF), Automatic
Portable - ELT (AP), Automatic Deployable - ELT (AD), Survival - ELT (S) Operating on 121.5 and
243.0 Megahertz
Modifications are limited to removing all reference to 121.5/243.0 MHz ELTs working with the
Cospas-Sarsat system. One example of text requiring modification :
1.2 System Overview
A 406 MHz ELT designed and manufactured to the standards contained in this diocument is
intended to be used as an optional adjunct to 121.5/243.0 MHz ELT in domestic and international
avaiation service. Both types of ELT operate with the COSPAS-SARSAT system developed and
implemented by the COSPAS-SARSAT partners (Canada, France, the USSR and the United States).
Any Questions???
FOR MORE INFO…
NOAA/SARSAT 1-301-457-5678 x114
E/SP3, Room 3320, FB4 Or 1-888-212-7283 x114
5200 Auth Road
Suitland, MD 20746 Fax: 1-301-457-5620
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