121.5 EPIRBs do raise the alarm and give a position, still!

[Anonymous]

My radio was monitoring ch 67 (the local comms channel) the other day in Almerimar when the DSC took me to ch 16 for a Mayday Relay. Cabo de Gata Radio (the local MRCC) announced that a 121.5 EPIRB had triggered in a position which they gave in lat and long.

Shame that they didn't also give the approximate position as range and bearing from Cabo de Gata as I doubt that many yachtsmen or fishermen would be bothered to plot the lat and long even if they had been able to hear it clearly (they don't speak clearly, often, either in Spanish or English).

Don't throw that 121.5 away unless you have a 406 dual band to replace it. If you cannot afford a 406, consider buying a low cost second hand 121.5 - it is still FAR better than nothing.

 

[lw395]

In the future 121.5 will still be useful for a lifeboat etc to home in on after a DSC distress call. OK, a new epirb will do the whole job in mid ocean via satellite.
On the point of giving positions in lat long only, why do they do that? Without even a vague indication of 'south of Iow' or 'off Bournemouth' which would quickly tell people whether its relevant. Even if you do write thew numbers down, its a good reality check.

 

[fishermantwo]

For survey purposes I have to replace my Epirb to the new 406 in February next year. I am amazed at the lack of knowledge by various rescue associations and the maritime surveyor to the correct workings of these machines. The new ones still operate on 121.5 as well which will remain as an international distress frequency. The 406 operates using satellites which is handy but only if satellites are present, usually only about 3 overhead locally. 121.5 however is carried by all millitary and commercial aircraft, airfields and military installations are more plentiful than satellites.

Someone activates an Epirb and the signal overrides the aircraft's radio with a very irritating noise, something you can not ignore. Only a bearing line but easy to gain a fix from other A/C.