In October 2000 the International Cospas-Sarsat Program, announced at its 25th Council Session held in London, UK that it plans to terminate satellite processing of distress signals from 121.5 and 243 MHz emergency beacons on February 1, 2009. All mariners, aviators, and individuals using emergency beacons on those frequencies will need to switch to those operating on the newer, more reliable, digital 406 MHz frequency if they want to be detected by satellites.
Read about it:
http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/phaseout.html
I have no plans to upgrade to the 406 MHz ELT anytime soon. The price will come down but we will all be required to switch when the FAA gets around to requiring it.
Gary A. Sobek
RV-6, N157GS, RV-6, 1,749+ hours flying, SoCAL
Read about it:
http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/phaseout.html
I have no plans to upgrade to the 406 MHz ELT anytime soon. The price will come down but we will all be required to switch when the FAA gets around to requiring it.
Gary A. Sobek
RV-6, N157GS, RV-6, 1,749+ hours flying, SoCAL