121.5 SART - disposal?

[neil1967]

I have acquired a 121.5 SART with my new (old) yacht. I will replace it with an EPIRB or PLB; however, how should I dispose of the old one - just throw it in the bin/recycling? Do I need to inform the MCA - I'm not sure if these sort of beacons were ever registered in the same way that the new ones are?

Thanks

Neil

Edit:sorry, got my terminology wrong, it's an early EPIRB, 121.5 only

 

[whipper_snapper]

They are not registered, they just give a characteristic response when illuminated by radar; no identifier.

Ebay? Boat jumble ?

I would not put it in the skip without first rendering it dysfunctional - ie smashing it with a hammer.

 

[Oldhairy]

Not coded but will cause a problem if accidentally triggered in the dump truck. Or "salvaged" by kids.
Maybe the life boat association can advise.

 

[prv]

See if you can open it up (possibly violently) to get the battery out, then dispose of them separately.

Pete

 

[npf1]

If it really is a SART, why get rid of it. Sart's are still in use today and good safety equipment.

Or is it a 121Mhz epirb?

 

[electrosys]

I would not put it in the skip without first rendering it dysfunctional - ie smashing it with a hammer.

Sacriledge ! Try contacting your local ham radio club - there may well be stuff inside that could be re-cycled, or even the set re-tuned to 144 for fox-hunting purposes.

 

[rob2]

I had to dispose of an old epirb when I bought my boat. Working inside a metal shed, hoping it would form a Farraday cage, I sawed the aerial off then chiselled the case open and cut the battery off. The remains were then taken to the local dump and placed in the WEEE recycling bin.

Rob.

 

[prv]

re-tuned to 144 for fox-hunting purposes.

??

Pete

 

[electrosys]

??

Pete

http://www.arac.org.uk/foxhunts.html
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/april2010/spring_ardf.htm

 

[William_H]

121.5 SAR beacons

It is interesting that people were rescued form the sea just a few weeks back (near Sydney I think) becuase they had and operated an old 121.5 mhz beacon. The signal was fortuitously picked up by a SAR aircraft that was on the ground I think.
The authorities have been reluctant to accept that these old beacons have a use.
As I understand it the 403 mhz EPIRB also transmit on 121.5 for homing purposes.
121.5 is right in the middle of the aircraft VHF AM band and all aircraft can tune it and with a bit of pattern flying can home in on the beacon.
However one of the problems of these unregistred beacons that do not identify themselves is that false alarms were huge in number. Hence authorities want them out of the hands of the public.
The 403 mhz EPIRB system uses satelites to monitor for activation and the satelite can give a pretty good location. Not as good as if the beacon transmits GPS co ordinates of course.
So there is no question you should buy a 403mhz EPIRB and register it properly.The registration will require contact details so that if your beacon is heard the first thing they will do is to try to find out if you are at sea and likely to need help. If in the affirmative they will have a lot of incentive to bring out a full scale search.
So the old beacon is no substitute for the new generation however you may find it worth keeping on the boat to be operated simultaneously with the new EPIRB at least until the battery life is well expired.
However others will say remove the battery and destroy the beacon and they are not wrong.
PS I doubt the hams would want the old beacon for Fox hunting. There are many beacons and limited amount of fox hunting. (Fox hunting being hunt the hidden transmitter exercise by hams)
good luck olewill

 

[Bilgediver]

As I understand it the 403 mhz EPIRB also transmit on 121.5 for homing purposes.
121.5 is right in the middle of the aircraft VHF AM band and all aircraft can tune it and with a bit of pattern flying can home in on the beacon.

Not just slap bang in the middle of the Aeronautical frequency band but it is actually the aeronautical EMERGENCY FREQUENCY so beware of false alerts.

As others have said all EPIRPS as well as sending the message via 406mhz also transmit on 121.5 and flash a strobe light to assist the SAR in homing on the casualty.