Distress Beacons available for sale in Australia*

*According to AS/NZS 4280.1 and AS/NZS 4280.2

Beacon models
        - 406 MHz EPIRBs
        - 406 MHz PLBs
Buyer beware
        - 121.5 MHz EPIRBs and PLBs
An important message for beacon retailers
An important message for buyers

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Beacon models

The following lists the 406 MHz EPIRBs and PLBs 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 below.

For information regarding the differences between 406 MHz (Digital) and 121.5 MHz (Analogue) distress beacons, click here.
IMPORTANT NOTE: 121.5 MHz distress beacons are no longer detected.

406 MHz EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons)

The below list is subject to change. Please refer to the manufacturers websites for more information.

AMSA does not endorse any particular brand of distress beacon.

 

BRAND	MODELS	DISCONTINUED MODELS
	Globalfix iPRO GPS Globalfix PRO GPS RLB32 Satellite 2 406 ResQMate	RLB35 Globalfix 406 RLB27 Satellite 406 RLB33 Rapidfix 406
	MT406G MT400 MT403 MT403G	MT401
	TRON 40S and GPS	TRON 30S
	Marine Sport SafeLink 406 WH, S, WS & FH 406 PRO Series 406 M 406 Manual/Auto
	SA1 Safety Alert SA1G Safety Alert	Pains Wessex Res-Q-Sat RB6
	E5 SMARTFIND G5 SMARTFIND PLUS A5 SMARTFIND	E3 SOS RESCUE G4 SOS PRECISION
	EP50/EG50 (GPS)
	MRB406

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406 MHz PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons)

BRAND	MODELS	DISCONTINUED MODELS
	Aqualink View GPS PLB Aqualink PLB GPS ACR ResQLink GPS PLB	PLB 200/ PLB 201 Aquafix/ Terrafix/Aerofix (GPS Capable) PLB 300 Res-Q-Fix PLB 100 GyPSI 406 (GPS)
	MT410/MT410G
	SafeLink SOLO XS-4	XS-3 406 XS, XS2 & XS-2 GPS
	FASTFIND MAX FASTFIND 211 GPS	FASTFIND/ FASTFIND PLUS

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Buyers beware!

* IMPORTANT NOTICE *

• From 1 February 2009, analogue 121.5 MHz distress beacons are no longer detected by satellite.
• After 1 Feb 2010, old analogue EPIRBs and PLBs operating on 121.5 MHz are no longer licenced for use.
• You must carry a digital 406 MHz distress beacon.
• If purchasing a distress beacon, DO NOT purchase a 121.5 MHz distress beacon. Models that should be avoided are shown below.

GME MT250	GME MT300	Pains Wessex RB1	Pains Wessex RB2	Salcom EP50 / EG50 (GPS)
Salcom Beeper	GME MT310	Pains Wessex RB3

 

Purchasing overseas

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 resident or company with an Australian address and contact details then you must not buy an Australian coded beacon because (as a foreign resident) 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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