ARTEX ME406 Instruction Manual

Page 1 of 72
Mar 19/2015
570-1600 Rev. V
Initial Issue JUN 30/2005
ARTEX PRODUCTS / ACR ELECTRONICS, INC.
5757 Ravenswood Rd, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312
Cage Code: 18560
25-62-30
ME406 Series
Emergency Locator Transmitter
Description, Operation, Installation and Maintenance Manual
This manual includes data for the equipment that follows:
Component Part No. Model No.
Emergency Locator Transmitter 453-6603 ME406
Emergency Locator Transmitter 453-6604 ME406HM

ARTEX PRODUCTS / ACR ELECTRONICS, INC
DESCRIPTION, OPERATION, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
ME406 (453-6603), ME406HM (453-6604)
Page 2 of 72
Mar 19/15
25-62-30
PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
This document contains proprietary information and such information may not be disclosed to others for any
purpose, nor used for manufacturing purposes without written permission from ACR Electronics.
Information in this manual is subject to change without notice. ACR Electronics makes no warranty, expressed
or implied, with regard to this manual, including but not limited to any implied warranties of merchantability,
fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. In addition, ACR Electronics makes no warranty with
regard to the documentation or data contained herein. ACR Electronics is not liable in the event of incidentals,
special, consequential, or any other damages in connection with or arising from furnishing, performance, or use
of this manual.
Reproduction of this publication or any portion thereof by any means is prohibited. For further information
contact Sales, ACR Electronics, 5757 Ravenswood Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312. Telephone [phone].
AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS
The Airworthiness limitations section is FAA approved and specifies inspections and other maintenance required
under 14 CFR§ 43.16 and 91.403, unless an alternative program has been approved.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
ACR Electronics will be responsible for full distribution and revisions of ICA’s (Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness). For inquiries regarding the content and currency of this manual, contact ACR Electronics, 5757
Ravenswood Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312. Telephone [phone].

ARTEX PRODUCTS / ACR ELECTRONICS, INC
DESCRIPTION, OPERATION, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
ME406 (453-6603), ME406HM (453-6604)
Page 3 of 72
Mar 19/15
25-62-30
RECORD OF REVISIONS
REVISION
CHANGE
DATE
REVISION
CHANGE
DATE
- RELEASE Jun 30/2005
A
DCN 2670
Nov 17/2005
B DCN 2777 May 01/2006
C DCN 2847 Aug 21/2006
D DCN 3007 May 21/2007
E DCN 3076 Sep 27/2007
F
DCN 3182
Mar 03/2008
G DCN 3227 May 19/2008
G DCN 3413 Mar 30/2009
H DCN 3571 Jan 12/2010
J DCA W9414 Apr 06/2010
K
ECO 14756
Jul 26/2011
L ECO 14850 Mar 09/2012
M ECO 15380 May 3/2013
N ECO 15420 Jun 25/2013
P ECO 15452 Aug 20/2013
R
ECO 15493
Oct 03/2013
U ECO 15830 Dec 01/2014
V ECO 15931 Mar 19/2015

ARTEX PRODUCTS / ACR ELECTRONICS, INC
DESCRIPTION, OPERATION, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
ME406 (453-6603), ME406HM (453-6604)
Page 4 of 72
Mar 19/15
25-62-30
SERVICE BULLETIN LIST
SERVICE
BULLETIN NO
ISSUE
DATE
SUBJECT
MANUAL
REV NO
MANUAL
REV DATE

ARTEX PRODUCTS / ACR ELECTRONICS, INC
DESCRIPTION, OPERATION, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
ME406 (453-6603), ME406HM (453-6604)
Page 5 of 72
Mar 19/15
25-62-30
LIST OF EFFECTIVE PAGES
SUBJECT
PAGE
DATE
SUBJECT
PAGE
DATE
Title Page
1
Aug 20/13
Test and Fault Isolation (cont.)
38
Oct 03/13
Notices 2 Aug 20/13 39 Oct 03/13
Record of Revisions 3 Aug 20/13 Removal 40 Oct 03/13
Service Bulletin List 4 Aug 20/13 41 Oct 03/13
List of Effective Pages 5 Mar 19/15 Installation 42 Mar 19/15
Table of Contents 6 Aug 20/13 43 Mar 19/15
7
Dec 01/14
44
Oct 03/13
8
Dec 01/14
45 Oct 03/13
List of Figures 9 Aug 20/13 46 Oct 03/13
Introduction 10 Aug 20/13 47 Oct 03/13
11 Aug 20/13 48 Oct 03/13
12 Aug 20/13 49 Oct 03/13
13 Aug 20/13 50 Oct 03/13
14
Aug 20/13
51
Oct 03/13
15 Aug 20/13 52 Oct 03/13
16 Aug 20/13 53 Oct 03/13
17 Aug 20/13 54 Oct 03/13
Description and Operation 18 Aug 20/13 55 Oct 03/13
19 Aug 20/13 56 Oct 03/13
20
Aug 20/13
57
Oct 03/13
21
Aug 20/13
58
Oct 03/13
22 Aug 20/13 59 Mar 19/15
23 Aug 20/13 60 Oct 03/13
24 Aug 20/13 61 Oct 03/13
25 Aug 20/13 62 Oct 03/13
Test and Fault Isolation 26 Aug 20/13 63 Oct 03/13
27
Aug 20/13
64
Oct 03/13
28 Oct 03/13 65 Oct 03/13
29 Oct 03/13 Appendix A 66 Oct 03/13
30 Oct 03/13 67 Oct 03/13
31 Oct 03/13 Illustrated Parts List 68 Oct 03/13
32 Oct 03/13 69 Oct 03/13
33 Oct 03/13 70 Oct 03/13
34
Oct 03/13
71
Oct 03/13
35 Oct 03/13 72 Oct 03/13
36 Oct 03/13 73 Oct 03/13
37 Oct 03/13

ARTEX PRODUCTS / ACR ELECTRONICS, INC
DESCRIPTION, OPERATION, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
ME406 (453-6603), ME406HM (453-6604)
Page 6 of 72
Mar 19/15
25-62-30
TABLE OF CONTENTS
RECORD OF REVISIONS ............................................................................................................................3
SERVICE BULLETIN LIST ...........................................................................................................................4
LIST OF EFFECTIVE PAGES........................................................................................................................5
TABLE OF CONTENTS ...............................................................................................................................6
LIST OF FIGURES .....................................................................................................................................9
INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................................................10
1. Manual Usage..............................................................................................................................10
A. General ...............................................................................................................................10
B. Application ..........................................................................................................................10
2. Model Descriptions.......................................................................................................................11
A. ME406.................................................................................................................................11
B. ME406HM............................................................................................................................11
3. Approvals ....................................................................................................................................12
A. ME406 and ME406HM ..........................................................................................................12
B. Battery ................................................................................................................................12
C. RTCA DO-160D Compliance ..................................................................................................12
4. Frequency Allocations...................................................................................................................14
A. Application ..........................................................................................................................14
B. Discussion ...........................................................................................................................14
5. List of Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Definitions ............................................................................15
6. References ..................................................................................................................................17
A. Regulatory Documents .........................................................................................................17
B. Other Documents.................................................................................................................17
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION ..............................................................................................................18
1. Description ..................................................................................................................................18
A. Functional Overview.............................................................................................................18
B. Components ........................................................................................................................19
2. Operation ....................................................................................................................................21
A. Operational Overview ...........................................................................................................21
B. Normal Operation ................................................................................................................22
C. Manual Activation.................................................................................................................22
D. ELT Reset............................................................................................................................22
E. Functional Check..................................................................................................................22
3. Specifications...............................................................................................................................23
A. Environmental and Physical ..................................................................................................23
B. Electrical .............................................................................................................................24
C. Antennas .............................................................................................................................25
TEST AND FAULT ISOLATION..................................................................................................................26
1. Inspection and Test Regulatory Requirements ...............................................................................26
A. United States.......................................................................................................................26
B. Canada................................................................................................................................26

ARTEX PRODUCTS / ACR ELECTRONICS, INC
DESCRIPTION, OPERATION, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
ME406 (453-6603), ME406HM (453-6604)
Page 7 of 72
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C. Other Countries ...................................................................................................................26
2. Inspection and Test Procedures ....................................................................................................27
A. Checklist..............................................................................................................................27
B. Preparation..........................................................................................................................27
C. Coax Cable and Wiring Connections Inspection – Item 1 ........................................................28
D. Mounting Tray and Hardware Inspection – Item 2 .................................................................28
E. Battery Pack Inspection – Item 3 ..........................................................................................28
F. G-Switch Functional Check – Item 4......................................................................................29
G. Performance Testing Setup...................................................................................................29
H. 121.5 MHz Frequency Measurement – Item 5a ......................................................................30
I. Audio Modulation Check – Item 5b........................................................................................30
J. 121.5 MHz Power Output Measurement – Item 5c .................................................................30
K. 406 MHz Frequency Measurement – Item 5d .........................................................................31
L. 406 MHz Power Output Measurement – Item 5e ....................................................................31
M. Current Draw Test – Item 5f.................................................................................................31
N. Digital Message Verification – Item 5g...................................................................................33
O. ELT Reset Check – Item 5h ..................................................................................................34
P. Installed Transmitter Test – Item 6.......................................................................................34
Q. Antenna Test – Item 7 .........................................................................................................35
R. Inspection and Test Documentation – Item 8 ........................................................................35
3. Fault Isolation..............................................................................................................................35
A. Self-Test Error Troubleshooting Guidelines ............................................................................35
B. ELT Troubleshooting Guidelines ............................................................................................38
REMOVAL ...............................................................................................................................................39
1. ELT .............................................................................................................................................39
A. ELT Removal .......................................................................................................................39
2. Battery ........................................................................................................................................40
A. Battery Pack Removal ..........................................................................................................40
3. Material or Equipment Return .......................................................................................................41
A. Shipment Information ..........................................................................................................41
B. Return Material Authorization................................................................................................41
INSTALLATION .......................................................................................................................................42
1. Regulatory Requirements and Guidelines.......................................................................................42
A. For US Registered aircraft: ...................................................................................................42
B. TSO C126, Paragraph D .......................................................................................................42
C. FAA.....................................................................................................................................42
D. Canada................................................................................................................................43
E. Other Countries ...................................................................................................................43
F. RTCA...................................................................................................................................43
2. Mounting Tray .............................................................................................................................44
A. Location ..............................................................................................................................44
B. Installation ..........................................................................................................................47
3. Antenna ......................................................................................................................................48
A. Selection .............................................................................................................................48
B. Location ..............................................................................................................................48
C. Installation ..........................................................................................................................48
4. Remote Switch.............................................................................................................................50
A. Location ..............................................................................................................................50
B. Installation ..........................................................................................................................50

ARTEX PRODUCTS / ACR ELECTRONICS, INC
DESCRIPTION, OPERATION, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
ME406 (453-6603), ME406HM (453-6604)
Page 8 of 72
Mar 19/15
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5. Buzzer.........................................................................................................................................51
A. Location ..............................................................................................................................51
B. Installation ..........................................................................................................................51
6. Wiring .........................................................................................................................................52
A. General Considerations and Recommendations ......................................................................52
B. Remote Switch Harness Fabrication.......................................................................................55
C. ELT D-Sub Plug Installation ..................................................................................................56
D. Cockpit Remote Switch 9-Pin Plug Installation........................................................................57
E. Wiring Installation................................................................................................................58
F. Antenna Connection .............................................................................................................58
G. Cockpit Remote Switch Power Connection .............................................................................58
H. Remote Switch Alternate Power Source .................................................................................58
I. Airframe Ground Connections ...............................................................................................58
J. Buzzer Connections ..............................................................................................................59
K. Remote Switch Final Installation ...........................................................................................59
7. ELT Installation............................................................................................................................59
A. Installation and Test ............................................................................................................59
B. Harness ELT D-Sub Plug Sealing ...........................................................................................61
C. Installation Documentation ...................................................................................................61
8. Battery Pack Installation...............................................................................................................61
A. Battery Reinstallation ...........................................................................................................61
B. New Battery Installation .......................................................................................................63
9. Helicopter Installations - Special Considerations.............................................................................63
A. Background .........................................................................................................................63
B. Recommendations................................................................................................................63
C. Orientation ..........................................................................................................................64
APPENDIX A – ELT REGISTRATION..........................................................................................................65
1. Background Information ...............................................................................................................65
A. Hex ID Code ........................................................................................................................65
B. Reason for Registration ........................................................................................................65
C. Registration Information Resources.......................................................................................65
2. Registration .................................................................................................................................65
A. Responsibility.......................................................................................................................65
B. Required Information ...........................................................................................................65
C. Where to Register ................................................................................................................66
ILLUSTRATED PARTS LIST ......................................................................................................................67
1. Introduction.................................................................................................................................67
A. Purpose...............................................................................................................................67
B. IPL Usage Guide ..................................................................................................................67
2. Manufacturer Name and Address ..................................................................................................67
A. Ordering Information ...........................................................................................................67
3. Explanation of Detailed Parts List Entries .......................................................................................68
A. Fig # & Item Column ...........................................................................................................68
B. Part # Column .....................................................................................................................68
C. Nomenclature Column ..........................................................................................................68
D. UPA (Units Per Assembly) Column.........................................................................................69
4. Detailed Parts List ........................................................................................................................70

ARTEX PRODUCTS / ACR ELECTRONICS, INC
DESCRIPTION, OPERATION, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
ME406 (453-6603), ME406HM (453-6604)
Page 9 of 72
Mar 19/15
25-62-30
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 ELT Orthogonal Axes...........................................................................................................11
Figure 2 ME406 Series ELT and Mounting Tray Assembly....................................................................19
Figure 3 Remote Switch Front View...................................................................................................19
Figure 4 Buzzer................................................................................................................................20
Figure 5 Battery Pack Assembly ........................................................................................................20
Figure 6 Antennas............................................................................................................................20
Figure 7 ELT Operational Flow Diagram.............................................................................................21
Figure 8 Performance Testing Equipment Setup.................................................................................30
Figure 9 Current Draw Test Setup .....................................................................................................32
Figure 10 406 MHz Message Example................................................................................................33
Figure 11 ELT Removal Sequence .....................................................................................................39
Figure 12 Battery Pack Removal........................................................................................................40
Figure 13 ME406 Series ELT Outline and Dimensions .........................................................................45
Figure 14 ME406 Metal Strap Minimum Clearance Dimensions ............................................................46
Figure 15 Typical Mounting Tray Installation......................................................................................47
Figure 16 Rod Antenna 110-338 and Whip Antenna 110-773 Outlines and Dimensions.........................49
Figure 17 Remote Switch Outline and Dimensions..............................................................................50
Figure 18 Buzzer Outline and Dimensions ..........................................................................................51
Figure 19 Metal Airframe Wiring Diagrams.........................................................................................53
Figure 20 Composite Airframe Wiring Diagrams .................................................................................54
Figure 21 Remote Switch Harness Arrangement.................................................................................55
Figure 22 D-Sub Plug Assembly ........................................................................................................57
Figure 23 ELT Installation Sequence..................................................................................................59
Figure 24 Velcro Strap Installation & Inspection .................................................................................60
Figure 25 Battery Pack Installation ....................................................................................................62
Figure 26 ELT Orthogonal Axes .........................................................................................................64
Figure 27 ME406 Series ELT Main Assembly and Installation...............................................................70
Figure 28 Electrical Components .......................................................................................................71
Figure 29 Antennas ..........................................................................................................................72

ARTEX PRODUCTS / ACR ELECTRONICS, INC
DESCRIPTION, OPERATION, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
ME406 (453-6603), ME406HM (453-6604)
Page 10 of 72
Mar 19/15
25-62-30
INTRODUCTION
TASK 25-62-30-990-801
1. Manual Usage
SUBTASK 25-62-30-990-001
A. General
1) This manual describes the operation, installation, and maintenance of the Model ME406 Series
emergency locator transmitter (ELT). This information is provided to ensure initial and continued
airworthiness. Information presented in this manual is accurate at time of printing, but is subject to
change. Refer to the Artex products web site at www.acrartex.com for the latest information and any
updates to this manual.
2) Information on COSPAS-SARSAT emergency locator beacon registration requirements and procedures is
provided in Appendix A – ELT Registration on page 65.
3) Web links provided in this manual were accurate at time of printing, but may be subject to change.
4) ACR Electronics reserves the right to add approved components to the ELT system; including, but not
limited to antennas, remote switches, and coaxial cables.
5) Regulatory references contained herein are generally confined to United States and Canadian
requirements and, in any case, should not be considered all encompassing. Consult your national
aviation authority for applicable requirements.
SUBTASK 25-62-30-990-002
B. Application
1) This manual constitutes supporting data/documentation for the ME406 Series ELT, including:
a) Description and Operation
b) Test and Fault Isolation (includes inspection criteria)
c) Removal
d) Installation
e) Registration
f) Illustrated Parts List
2) In the United States, the ME406 Series ELT must be installed and maintained in accordance with the
requirements herein and 14 CFR, FAR Parts 43, and 91; and other airworthiness requirements, as
applicable.
3) In Canada, the ME406 Series ELT must be installed and maintained in accordance with the requirements
herein and Canadian Aviation Regulations (CAR), Part V, Paragraph 551.104 and other CAR
airworthiness requirements, as applicable.
4) ME406 Series ELT installation and maintenance in all other countries must comply with the requirements
herein and applicable national airworthiness requirements.
5) The accessories (i.e., remote switch and antennas) addressed in this manual are the accessories most
commonly associated with the ME406 Series ELT. Other options, such as a different remote switch
configuration or a navigation interface, should be installed and maintained in accordance with the
written instructions specific to the accessory.
NOTE: Contact ACR Electronics, Inc., for optional accessories approved for use with a ME406
Series ELT.
6) To ensure proper operation, only parts listed in the Illustrated Parts List of this manual or those
recommended by ACR Electronics, Inc., may be used as replacement parts for the ME406 Series ELT.