Louise Hose
Well Known Member
Full story at: http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20080117_sarsat.html
Highlights:
"Armed with personal locator beacons to send a distress signal, 353 people were rescued in the United States and its surrounding waters in 2007 from potentially life-threatening emergencies. These signals were transmitted to rescue teams via a NOAA environmental satellite more commonly known for providing information to weather forecasters."
And,
"Of the 353 rescues for 2007, 235 people were saved at sea, 30 were rescued from downed aircraft, and 88 were saved with help from their PLBs ? the highest total since PLBs became operational nationwide in 2003. The total rescues in 2007 mark an increase from 272 the previous year."
And,
"He added the number of beacon registrations in 2007 climbed to 29,710 compared with 23,383 in 2006.
Urgency Noted in Changeover to 406 Frequency
Older emergency beacons, which operate on the 121.5 and 243 megahertz frequencies, will be phased out by early 2009, when 406 megahertz beacons will become the new standard. A key advantage of some the 406 megahertz beacons is they use Global Positioning System technology for instant detection, leading to faster rescues.
All of the rescues in 2007 from emergency locator transmitters carried on planes, used the older 121.5 MHz frequency. But beginning February 1, 2009, this 121.5 MHz signal will not be processed. ?It?s critical that everyone gets the message now to make the switch to the 406 MHz beacons,? added O?Conners."
Highlights:
"Armed with personal locator beacons to send a distress signal, 353 people were rescued in the United States and its surrounding waters in 2007 from potentially life-threatening emergencies. These signals were transmitted to rescue teams via a NOAA environmental satellite more commonly known for providing information to weather forecasters."
And,
"Of the 353 rescues for 2007, 235 people were saved at sea, 30 were rescued from downed aircraft, and 88 were saved with help from their PLBs ? the highest total since PLBs became operational nationwide in 2003. The total rescues in 2007 mark an increase from 272 the previous year."
And,
"He added the number of beacon registrations in 2007 climbed to 29,710 compared with 23,383 in 2006.
Urgency Noted in Changeover to 406 Frequency
Older emergency beacons, which operate on the 121.5 and 243 megahertz frequencies, will be phased out by early 2009, when 406 megahertz beacons will become the new standard. A key advantage of some the 406 megahertz beacons is they use Global Positioning System technology for instant detection, leading to faster rescues.
All of the rescues in 2007 from emergency locator transmitters carried on planes, used the older 121.5 MHz frequency. But beginning February 1, 2009, this 121.5 MHz signal will not be processed. ?It?s critical that everyone gets the message now to make the switch to the 406 MHz beacons,? added O?Conners."