Beacons

Beacon testing policy

This policy document should not be needed by most beacon users. To test your beacon using the self-test function, follow the instructions from your beacon manual or manufacturer. The following procedures are relevant to those who are interested in testing your beacon more rigorously.

This document is available as a PDF download. Download the beacon testing policy (PDF, 24 KB).

1. Introduction

Cospas-Sarsat 406 MHz distress beacons should only be activated when a ship, aircraft or person is in distress that is in grave and imminent danger and requiring immediate assistance. In between the manufacturers’ recommended maintenance and battery replacement cycles, the beacon can be tested by the owner using the self-test capability to ensure the continued functionality of the beacon.

There is normally no need for the beacon to be tested in an operational mode by a beacon owner.

The information provided in the following sections provides guidance on beacon testing and the procedures required in the unlikely and unusual event that an operational test of a beacon is required. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) does not grant approval for beacon operational tests unless the procedures outlined below have been adhered to.

2. Summary

  • All 406 MHz distress beacons can be tested at any time using the self-test functions without any notification to RCC Australia; and
  • Any test of a 406 MHz distress beacon in the operational mode requires prior approval from RCC Australia
    (Telephone 1800 641 792) and the requirements set out in Sections 5 and 6 below must be satisfied.

3. Beacon self-test

All Cospas-Sarsat type approved 406 MHz beacons include a self-test mode of operation. The content of the self-test message always provides the beacon 15 Hex ID, except for location protocol beacons when they are transmitting a self-test message encoded with a GNSS position. The transmission of a self-test GNSS position is optional.

The complete self-test transmission is limited to one burst and is activated by a separate switch position.

The self-test function performs an internal check and indicates that RF power is being emitted at 406 MHz and at 121.5 MHz, if applicable. The beacon will provide an indication of the success or failure of a GNSS self-test. The self-test mode signal is not processed by the satellite equipment.

The manufacturers’ instructions on the frequency of performing a self-test and transmission of a self-test GNSS position should be adhered to. This will limit the likelihood of inadvertent activation and battery depletion.

The Australian-New Zealand 406 MHz EPIRB and PLB beacon standard requires that the 121.5/243 MHz transmission during the self-test is restricted to just one second.

There is test equipment available that can facilitate the testing of 406 MHz beacons in the self-test mode and provide technical information on the beacon transmission. An example of such equipment can be obtained from:
http://www.sartech.co.uk/products/406testequipmentreceivers/406mhzbeacontesters

This equipment is intended to be used by ship and aircraft inspectors and beacon maintenance personnel.

4. The reasons why operational testing should be avoided

The self-test function should accommodate most beacon testing. However, there are some occasions when operational testing may be required. These occasions should be limited to the absolute minimum as they impact the Cospas-Sarsat system.

Other than performing a 406 MHz beacon self-test for evaluating key beacon performance characteristics to ensure operational functionality, other reasons for activating a beacon include:

  • Prototype beacon testing;
  • New beacon models testing;
  • Search and rescue training exercises; and
  • Cospas-Sarsat ground segment equipment performance.

Beacons activated in the operational or live mode (not using the self-test function) impacts the Cospas-Sarsat space and ground segments and Rescue Coordination Centres (RCCs) worldwide and may inhibit the processing of genuine distress beacon alerts, therefore delaying a response to a distress situation.

Regardless of the beacon’s location or the duration of the activation, a 406 MHz beacon will be detected by at least one Geostationary Local User Terminal (GEOLUT) and it might also be detected by every Low Earth Orbit Local User Terminal (LEOLUT) in the Cospas-Sarsat system.

Furthermore, the 121.5 MHz homing signal transmitted during the 406 MHz beacon activation will be heard by overflying aircraft which may impact genuine distress alerts, RCCs and may impact air traffic services at airports.

Given the reasons above there is a need to ensure that beacon testing is undertaken responsibly. Comprehensive coordination will need to be undertaken to ensure that all Cospas-Sarsat Mission Control Centres (MCCs) around the world are informed of any operational beacon testing as well as the local RCC.

5. Operational testing requirements

All beacon types (ELTs, EPIRBs and PLBs) can be tested at any time using the self-test function without the need to notify RCC Australia.

Operational testing of any beacon type, including ELTs and irrespective of the duration and location is only permitted with prior approval of RCC Australia (Telephone 1800 641 792).

Operational testing can only be permitted under the following circumstances:

  • beacon to be coded with the TEST protocol;
  • 121.5/243 MHz homing signal is disabled;
  • two days notice shall be provided to RCC Australia; and
  • responses are provided to the questions listed in section 7, A to E, including the Cospas-Sarsat type approval certificate number.

A beacon owner wishing to undertake an operational test of his/her 406 MHz beacon, without the modifications stated above, is normally prohibited as the tests are then dependant upon the Cospas-Sarsat space and ground segments to provide the results of the detection.

6. Operational testing by manufacturers and others

Operational testing of 406 MHz beacons can be performed in screened enclosures to eliminate the risk of false alerts and with the use of test equipment the beacons’ performance can be assessed. This type of testing would normally be undertaken by manufacturers, suppliers and other beacon maintenance staff.

There may be occasions when a compelling argument may be put forward by beacon manufacturers, suppliers and the like to allow operational testing of a 406 MHz beacon without a change to the beacon protocol or the disabling of the 121.5/243 MHz homing transmitter. Such exceptional requests will be considered on their merits and the following points should be noted:

  • the test will be limited in duration (not more than 15 minutes);
  • the objective of the test can be met with very limited beacon bursts being detected by the GEO system;
  • RCC Australia has given clearance for the 121.5/243 MHz transmission;
  • the location of the test in latitude and longitude must be provided;
  • the timing will be dependent upon mutual visibility between the beacon, the LEO satellite and LEOLUT;
  • provision of the information in section 7, including the Cospas-Sarsat type approval certificate number;
  • two days notice to be provided and;
  • the test strategy and the feedback (reports, distress alert, raw LUT data, etc) required has been discussed with AMSA’s Cospas-Sarsat Adviser.

6.1 Aircraft cockpit remote activation switches and operational testing by aircraft maintenance facilities

Whilst a functional test of a beacon can be performed via the beacon’s self-test capability the use of the remote aircraft cockpit activation switches results in an operational activation of the ELT. Remote cockpit activations are performed on initial installation and during ongoing maintenance of the ELT.

In order to comply with these ELT maintenance requirements, operational testing of a 406 MHz ELT from the cockpit of an aircraft may be undertaken by maintenance facilities, provided the test duration is no longer than 5 seconds and is undertaken within the first 5 minutes of the hour. RCC Australia (Telephone 1800 641 792) and the Air Traffic Services (ATS) Centre for the location of the test must be advised of this operational test.

The test duration must be restricted to 5 seconds so that there is no potential for an operationally coded 406 MHz digital burst transmitting and thus generating a false alert. The duration of the 121.5/243 MHz homing transmission, which will also be activated as part of this test, must also be restricted so as not to generate false alerts via ATS.

7. Beacon test coordination message

A message notifying of the test is required to be distributed to all MCCs worldwide. The information listed below, A to E, shall be provided by the person requesting an operational test.

  1. TEST OBJECTIVE:
  2. TEST DESCRIPTION:
  3. LOCATION OF TEST:
  4. DATE, TIME AND DURATION OF TEST:
  5. BEACON ID:

8. Reference documents

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has published guidelines on the annual testing and shore-based maintenance for Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs).

These guidelines and other international beacon regulations for EPIRBs and Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) are available in the Cospas-Sarsat C/S S.007, Handbook of Beacon Regulations which is available at:
http://www.cospas-sarsat.org/images/stories/SystemDocs/Current/S7SEP01_2010.pdf

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