# Presentation: 695500

## S    A    R    S    A    T

- <date/time>

**S    A    R    S    A    T**

***The 121.5 / 243 MHz ***
***Phase-out***
** **

## Overview

** ****121.5/243 MHz Beacon Technology**
**Limitations**
**International Cospas-Sarsat Council Decision**
**National 121.5/243 MHz Phaseout Plan**

_**Overview**_

## Slide 3

## Emergency Beacons

_**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

_**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...

**   ****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 of 121.5 / 243 MHz Beacons...

- _Limitations with satellites_
-   ‘Bent-Pipe’ mode on = no global coverage
-   No store & forward capability

**Limitations of 121.5 / 243 MHz Beacons...**

## Limitations (con’t):  No Global Coverage

**Limitations (con’t):  No Global Coverage**

## 406 MHz is a Store & Forward System

**406 MHz **_**is**_** a Store & Forward System**

## 406 MHz has Global Coverage and Instantaneous Detection!

**406 MHz **_**has**_** Global Coverage and Instantaneous Detection!**

**GEO Footprint**

**LEO Footprint**

## Limitations of 121.5 / 243 MHz Beacons...

**121.5 MHz**

**406 MHz**

**406 MHz with GPS**

**Limitations of 121.5 / 243 MHz Beacons...**
**...****Poorer Accuracy**

**Search Time = 12+ hours**

**Search Time = 2 - 3 hours**

**Search Time = Minimal**

## 243 MHz Beacons

_**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 ***

***** 121.5/243 MHz PHASE-OUT DECISION *****

**International Cospas-Sarsat Council (in conjuction with IMO& ICAO)**
**announces at its 25****th**** General Session (October 2000) that the termination of 121.5 & 243 MHz for satellite alerting will occur on... **
**February 1, 2009**

## ?

**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****	****	**
** ****WHERE**
** ****WHEN**
** ****WHY**

**  ...****and**** **_**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**** **

##  The plan should be implemented at all levels:

** ****The plan should be implemented at all levels:**
** ****Local**
** ****National**
** ****Regional**
** ****Global**

##  Plan Development has already begun

** ****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?

** ****Cost**
** ****Current comparable cost**
** ****Anticipated future cost reductions**
** ****Low Cost Beacons?!?!**

_**WHAT**_** are the key issues?**

## WHO is Leading the Transition?

**DOC**

**DOD**

**FCC**

**DOI**

**NASA**

**DOT**

**SARSAT Lead,                 Satellite Services**
**(NOAA)**

**SAR Lead/Facilities**
**(USAF & DPMO)**

**Regulations for Radio Facilities & Frequency Issues**

**SAR Services**
**(****Nat’l Park Service)**

**Research and Development**

**SAR Lead/Regs**
**USCG**

_**WHO**_** is Leading the Transition?**

**FAA**

**Regs**

**DHS**

**                                                          **

**Inland SAR**

**Maritime SAR**

**Satellite Integration / Post Launch Testing**
**Research & Development**

**Space Hardware**
**Ground Segment**
**System Operation**

***Lead Agency to the  Cospas-Sarsat Program***

** ****United States Cospas-Sarsat Program**

_**WHO**_** is Coordinating the Transition**

## WHO is Impacted?

** ****Everyone!**
** ****Primary Impact**
** ****Beacon Users**
** ****SAR Response Agencies**

_**WHO**_** Needs to be Involved in The Transition?**

-  **Government**
-  **Federal / State Regulators**
** ****Federal / State SAR Responder**
-  **Public**
-  **Recreational Vessels**
** ****General Aviation**
-  **Beacon Manufacturers**

-  **Industry - Aviation / Maritime**
** ****Aircraft Manufacturers**
** ****Charter Vessel Companies**
** ****Commercial Fishing Industry**
** ****Special Interest Groups**
-  **Maritime (e.g., BoatUS)**
** ****Aviation (e.g., AOPA, EAA)**

##                      International Civil Aviation Organization

**                            ****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?

_**HOW**_** To Regulate?**

## Any Questions???

_**FOR MORE INFO...**_

**NOAA/SARSAT**
**E/SP3, Room 3320, FB4**
**5200 Auth Road**
**Suitland, MD  20746**

**1-301-457-5678 x114**
**Or 1-888-212-7283 x114**
**Fax:  1-301-457-5620**

**Visit Our Website!  www.sarsat.noaa.gov**

**Any Questions???**