Approved beacon models

The following lists the approved EPIRBs and PLBs, both 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz, that are commonly found in Australia. To find out more information about a particular beacon, please visit the manufacturer/distributors websites by clicking on the links provided below

For information regarding the differences between 406 MHz (Digital) and 121.5 MHz (Analogue) distress beacons, click here.

406 MHz EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons)

BRAND	MODELS
	RLB27 Satellite 406 RLB32 Satellite 2 406 RLB33 Rapidfix 406 RLB35 Globalfix 406
	MT400 MT401 MT403G
	TRON 30S TRON 40S and GPS TRON 45SX
	406 WH, S, WS & FH 406 PRO Series 406 M 406 Manual/Auto
	RB6
	E3 SOS RESCUE G4 SOS PRECISION E5 SMARTFIND G5 FASTFIND PLUS
	EP50/EG50 (GPS)

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406 MHz PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons)

BRAND	MODELS
	PLB 100 GyPSI 406 (GPS) PLB 200/ PLB 201 Aquafix/ Terrafix/Aerofix (GPS Capable) PLB 300 Res-Q-Fix
	MT410/MT410G
	406 XS, XS2 & XS-2 GPS XS-3
	FASTFIND/ FASTFIND PLUS FASTFIND MAX

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121.5 MHz EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons)

Not detected from 01 Feb 2009

BRAND	MODELS
	MT250 MT300
	RB1 RB2 SAT
	EP50/EG50 (GPS) Beeper

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121.5 MHz PLB (Personal Locator Beacons)

Not detected from 01 Feb 2009

BRAND	MODELS
	MT310
	RB3
	EP50/EG50 (GPS) Beeper

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Buyers beware!

If purchasing distress beacons overseas for use in Australia make sure that they will meet Australian Standards and Class Licence requirements. Information on the Class Licence that authorises the use of distress beacons can be accessed from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

Canadian Class 2 PLBs

Canada has now amended their Standards to allow a Class 2 PLB that is not required to float. This beacon does not meet the Australian Standard and will not be registered in Australia.

United States Coded PLBs

We are aware that the United States requires all PLBs for use in the US to transmit the letter "P" in Morse over the homing frequency of 121.5 MHz. This is not permitted under Australian Standards nor by the ACMA's miscellaneous Devices Class Licence that references these Standards and therefore these distress beacons should not be used in Australia. Any 406 MHz beacon registered with AMSA is required to be coded with an Australian country code. You may have difficulty recoding a 406 MHz beacon produced for the US market. There may be beacons manufactured to other national standards that are not compatible with Australian standards. You should make sure that any beacon you purchase will comply with the Australian requirements.

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An important message for beacon retailers

If you are selling a 406 MHz distress beacon in Australia AND if your customer is not an Australian resident or company with an Australian address and contact details then they should be advised that they cannot register it in Australia. You must offer to supply a beacon with coding that is appropriate for registration overseas. For more information on registering a distress beacon in Australia click here.

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An important message for buyers

If you are buying a 406 MHz Distress Beacon in Australia AND if you are not an Australian citizen or company with an Australian address and contact details then you must not buy an Australian coded beacon because (as a foreign citizen) you will not be able to register it in Australia. You should seek advice from your supplier about coding a beacon for registration overseas.

Further information can be obtained by:

• viewing the registration information on this site;
  
• contacting the Australian Maritime Safety Authority by calling:

  1800 406 406 (business hours) or
  +61 (0)2 6279 5766 (International callers)

• emailing ausbeacon@amsa.gov.au; or
• writing to
  Australian 406 MHz Beacon Register
  Australian Maritime Safety Authority
  GPO Box 2181
  Canberra ACT 2601

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