**DA 09-33**

**Released: January 14, 2009**

**WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU REMINDS AVIATORS AND MARINERS THAT
SATELLITE MONITORING OF 121.5 MHz ALERTS WILL END FEBRUARY 1, 2009**

The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau reminds users of emergency
locator transmitters used on aircraft (ELTs), and emergency
position-indicating radio beacons used on ships (EPIRBs), that such
beacons operating on frequency 121.5 MHz will no longer be "heard" by
search and rescue satellites as of February 1, 2009. This change results
from decision by the international organization overseeing the
satellite-based search and rescue system - COSPAS/SARSAT[^1] - that it
will terminate satellite processing of distress signals from 121.5 MHz
ELTs and EPIRBs as of that date. Consequently, users of ELTs and EPIRBs
that send distress alerts on 121.5 MHz therefore must switch to beacons
that operate at 406.0-406.1 MHz (406 MHz) if the alerts are to be
detected and relayed via satellite.

COSPAS**-**SARSAT is an international program established by Canada,
France, Russia, and the United States to operate a satellite-based
search and rescue system. The COSPAS**-**SARSAT satellite system uses
satellites in low-earth and geostationary orbits to detect and locate
aviators, mariners, and land-based users in distress by tracking
distress alerts on 121.5 MHz and 406 MHz. In 2000, COSPAS**/**SARSAT
announced plans to terminate satellite processing of distress signals
from 121.5 MHz emergency beacons on February 1, 2009, and urged users to
switch to 406 MHz beacons. The Commission has prohibited the use of
121.5 MHz EPIRBs on U.S.-registered vessels,[^2] and is considering a
proposal[^3] to prohibit the use of 121.5 MHz ELTs on U.S.-registered
aircraft.[^4] In addition, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (www.sarsat.noaa.gov), the U.S. Coast Guard
(http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg534/), the U.S. Air Force
(http://www.1af.acc.af.mil/units/afrcc/), and the National Aeronautical
and Space Administration (http://searchandrescue.gsfc.nasa.gov/), which
administer the COSPAS**/**SARSAT system in the United States, advise
users of 121.5 MHz emergency beacons to switch to 406 MHz beacons.

When disposing of an obsolete 121.5 MHz beacon, users must disable the
beacon to prevent false alerts by removing the batteries, which should
be recycled or disposed of pursuant to local regulations.

The termination of satellite processing of 121.5 MHz signals does not
mean the end of the use of the frequency. Devices other than ELTs and
EPIRBs (such as man-overboard systems and homing transmitters) that
operate on 121.5 MHz and do not rely on satellite detection will not be
affected by the phase-out. Nor will personal locator beacons (PLBs),
which operate only on 406 MHz.

For further information, consult the websites noted above or contact Mr.
Jim Shaffer, Mobility Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, at (202)
418-0687, TTY (202) 414-1255, email James.Shaffer@fcc.gov.

-FCC-

[^1]: *See* www.cospas-sarsat.org.

[^2]: *See* Amendment of Parts 13 and 80 of the Commission's Rules
    Concerning Maritime Communications, *Report and Order and Further
    Notice of Proposed Rule Making*, WT Docket No. 00-48, 17 FCC Rcd
    6741, 6761-62 ¶ 47 (2002).

[^3]: *See* Review of Part 87 of the Commission's Rules Concerning the
    Aviation Radio Service, *Second Report and Order and Second Further
    Notice of Proposed Rule Making*, WT Docket No. 01-289, 21 FCC Rcd
    11582, 11608-09 ¶ 43 (2006).

[^4]: Aircraft that travel to Canada or Mexico must also be aware of
    those countries' requirements. Canada has proposed to require any
    aircraft entering its airspace after February 1, 2009 to have a 406
    MHz ELT installed on board. As of July 1, 2008 all aircraft flying
    to Mexico must have a 406 MHz ELT although Mexico has agreed to
    allow U.S.-registered aircraft to continue using existing 121.5 ELTs
    until July 1, 2009 or when the battery on the existing 121.5 ELT is
    due to be replaced, which ever occurs first.