jotron Tron 40AIS User manual

Tron 40AIS
Float-free EPIRB
User manual

1Manual operation and activation
Use only in emergency!
It is not recommended to operate the EPIRB inside a life raft, or under a
cover or canopy. Do NOT tie the lanyard to the ship in distress, as this will
prevent the unit from functioning if the ship sinks.
1. Remove the locking pin from the front cover.
2. Remove the front cover.
3. Take the EPIRB out of the bracket.
4. Pull the red tab.
5. Push the switch to activate the EPIRB.
6. Unclip and release the lanyard.
7. Tie the lanyard to yourself or to the life raft.
The strobe light will start flashing indicating that the EPIRB is operating.
If possible, keep the EPIRB in an open area, away from any metal objects
(ship construction etc.) that may limit the satellite coverage. Transmissions
can be stopped by taking the EPIRB out of water and turning the switch to
mid position.

jotron.com Page 3 of 52
Table of Contents
1Manual operation and activation .............................................. 2
2General .................................................................................... 5
3Product description .................................................................. 6
3.1 Tron 40AIS EPIRB............................................................... 7
3.2 FB-42 or FBH-42 Bracket ................................................. 13
3.3 RLS capability .................................................................. 14
4Registration, Installation and mounting .................................. 15
4.1 Registration of the beacon.............................................. 15
4.2Change of ownership ...................................................... 17
4.3 Installation....................................................................... 17
4.4 Bracket installation and mounting .................................. 18
4.5 Mounting the EPIRB in the bracket................................. 19
4.6 Fitting the front cover ..................................................... 21
5Operating instructions ............................................................ 23
5.1 Manual activation ........................................................... 23
5.2 Indicator descriptions...................................................... 24
5.3 Automatic activation ....................................................... 26
5.4 Operating scenarios ........................................................ 26
5.5 Self-test ........................................................................... 29
5.6 Deactivation of the EPIRB................................................ 34
5.7 EPIRB control functions................................................... 35
5.8 False alerts ...................................................................... 35
6Testing and maintenance........................................................ 36
6.1 Every month.................................................................... 36
6.2 Every 3 months ............................................................... 37
6.3 Every 12 months ............................................................. 37
6.4 Every 2nd year.................................................................. 37
6.5 Every 4 or 5 years............................................................ 38
6.6 Every 10 years ................................................................. 38
6.7 Hydrostatic release unit replacement............................. 38
6.8 Shore based maintenance (SBM).................................... 39
7Technical information............................................................. 40

jotron.com Page 4 of 52
7.1 General............................................................................ 40
7.2 Cospas-Sarsat transmitter............................................... 41
7.3 GNSS receiver.................................................................. 41
7.4 Homing transmitter......................................................... 41
7.5 AIS transmitter ................................................................ 42
7.6 Brackets........................................................................... 42
7.7 Battery information......................................................... 43
7.8 Cospas-Sarsat system...................................................... 45
7.9 AIS system ....................................................................... 46
7.10 121.5 MHz homing signal................................................ 46
7.11 GNSS................................................................................ 47
7.12 RLS system....................................................................... 47
8Spare parts, warranty and disposal ......................................... 48
8.1 Accessories and spare parts............................................ 48
8.2Counterfeit spare parts ................................................... 48
8.3 Warranty and service ...................................................... 48
8.4 Disposal ........................................................................... 50
9Abbrevations and definitions .................................................. 50
10 Ammendment records............................................................ 51

jotron.com Page 5 of 52
2General
Jotron manufactures safety products designed for search and rescue of
human lives and property. For this product to be effective according to the
design parameters, it is imperative that it is handled, maintained, serviced
and stowed in accordance with this manual.
All information contained within this manual has been verified and is to
Jotron’s knowledge correct. Jotron reserves the right to make changes to
any product(s) or module(s) described herein to improve design, function
or reliability without further notice.
Jotron is not liable and cannot be held responsible for
any injury or damages caused directly or indirectly by an
error or omission of information, incorrect or misuse,
breach of procedures or failure of any specific
component or part of this product.
Jotron documentation can be downloaded from jotron.com.

jotron.com Page 6 of 52
3Product description
The Tron 40AIS is a Cospas-Sarsat and MED approved EPIRB It has been
developed to meet the regulations and rules for use on vessels and life
rafts in the maritime service.
See the Declaration of Conformity-document at jotron.com for information
on applicable standards.
The main purpose of the EPIRB is to alarm the search and rescue
authorities in a distress situation. When activated the EPIRB will transmit a
signal, which includes the ID of the ship in distress and the position of the
EPIRB. The top flash will start flashing in both visible and infra-red light.
The main parts of the Tron 40AIS are:
•Tron 40AIS EPIRB
•FB-42 or FBH-42 Float-free bracket
The EPIRB is buoyant and is equipped with a system that will activate the
distress transmissions if it is deployed into water. The EPIRB will not be
activated if it is exposed to sea spray or rain when mounted in its bracket.

jotron.com Page 7 of 52
3.1 Tron 40AIS EPIRB

jotron.com Page 8 of 52
3.1.1 Switch
The switch has 3 positions. “ON” position to the left. “Auto / Ready”
position in the middle, and “self-test” position to the right. The “ON”
position is secured with a pull tab to prevent inadvertent activation.
The switch is spring loaded and will move to “ON” position when pushed if
the pull tab is removed.
Switch position icons
Icons
Description
ON
Normal and GNSS self-test
3.1.2 Pull tab
A pull tab is located above the switch and must be removed in order to
move the switch to “ON” position. The pull tab does not prevent the switch
to move to “self-test” position and must not be removed when performing
normal and GNSS self-tests.
The pull tab can be removed by pulling firmly upwards.

jotron.com Page 9 of 52
3.1.3 Indicator panel
The indicator panel consist of 3 LED indicator lights with associated icons.
See the tables below for descriptions and possible statuses
Indicator panel icons
Icons
Description
GNSS (green light)
RLS (blue light)
Test (white light)
The blue RLS indicator will only be active if the EPIRB has
enabled the RLS protocol.

jotron.com Page 10 of 52
Indicator light descriptions
Off
The LED is off
On
The LED is on
Triple blink
The LED blinks fast in
sequences of 3 fast blinks
Steady
blinks
The LED blinks periodically
with a long blink
Multiple
dark
periods
The LED is turned off for short
periods, creating a blink
effect. (Negative blink,
occulting blink)
Blinks
The LED blinks multiple times
3.1.4 Lanyard
A lanyard is located on the right side of the EPIRB, clipped onto the equator
belt.

jotron.com Page 11 of 52
The purpose of the lanyard is to secure the EPIRB to yourself or the life raft.
For optimal performance in an emergency situation, the EPIRB should be
floating in the water.
The end of the lanyard is secured to the EPIRB. To use the lanyard, unclip
the lanyard coil from the equator belt and uncoil the line.
Do not secure the lanyard to the ship, as this will cause the EPIRB to follow
the ship down if it is sinking.
3.1.5 Wrist strap
The provided wrist strap can be used to carry the EPIRB in situations where
it is necessary to have both arms free, e.g. when climbing a ladder. The
wrist strap can be pulled out of its pocket, and your arm can be placed
through it. Note that it is not possible to put the wrist strap back into its
pocket after usage.

jotron.com Page 12 of 52
3.1.6 EPIRB ID information
A table with all the ID information is located on the neck of the EPIRB, just
below the top flash. From the factory this table contains information about
the date of manufacture (DOM), EPIRB serial number and AIS User ID.
The section showing the TAC number and RLS information is filled out by
the dealer or supplier depending on the chosen protocol. The TAC number
will have the prefix 1 if the EPIRB is programmed with an RLS protocol.
The dealer or supplier shall use the orange rectangular label included in the
box to cover the information that is not applicable.
If the EPIRB has the
RLS protocol
enabled the label
will appear as
shown in this figure.

jotron.com Page 13 of 52
If the EPIRB do not
have the RLS
protocol enabled
the label will appear
as shown in this
figure.
The remaining fields showing the ownership of the EPIRB shall be filled in
and covered by the blank protection label included in the box.

jotron.com Page 14 of 52
3.2 FB-42 or FBH-42 Bracket
The float-free bracket (FB-42 or FBH-42) is a covered bracket with a
hydrostatic release unit (HRU) which will release the EPIRB if the bracket is
submerged to a water depth of above 2-4 meters.
3.3 RLS capability
This Beacon has the capability to use the RLS (Return Link Service) delivered
on the Galileo navigation satellite system. To have RLS activated the Beacon
also needs to be configured with a Cospas-Sarsat RLS protocol. You can
check your 15 HEX code on this webpage http://www.cospas-
sarsat.int/en/pro and look for the link “Beacon Message Decode Program”
to check if you have an RLS protocol programed in your Beacon.
RLS is a service delivered, free of charge from the Galileo satellite system,
to inform the people in distress that the signal is picked up by the ground
station and forwarded into the SAR system.

jotron.com Page 15 of 52
To achieve this, the Beacon sends RLS status together with the distress
signal on 406 MHz to the Cospas-Sarsat system. When this message is
received by the ground station, an acknowledge is returned to the Beacon
through the Galileo position system. The Beacon reads back this
acknowledge thorough the GNSS module.
4Registration, Installation and mounting
4.1 Registration of the beacon
Normally the MCC will contact the vessel or the contact person registered
in a shipping register and/or an EPIRB register (Ships owner, family member
etc.) before alerting the RCC. This is to determine if the alarm from the
EPIRB for some reason is a false alarm, and an expensive rescue operation
can be avoided. Because of this it is important that the ships data is correct
in the shipping register or in the EPIRB database.
4.1.1 Registration in USA
For registration of the beacon in USA, use this link:
http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov
Follow instructions you see on your screen.

jotron.com Page 16 of 52
Other registrations methods are mail or fax. Forms are ready with correct
information and it may be downloaded from the above web site.
The Emergency Contact information has to be accurate, especially
regarding the telephone number, as this will be used to validate an alert.
Only if the beacon registration and approximate location details can be
confirmed will USCG (United States Coast Guard) launch an immediate
rescue, otherwise there will be a delay whilst further alerts from the same
source are received and verified.
Registration address:
SARSAT BEACON REGISTRATION
NOAA
NSOF, E/SPO53
1315 East West Hwy
Silver Spring, MD 20910 – 3282

jotron.com Page 17 of 52
4.1.2 Registration in the UK
For registration of the beacon in United Kingdom, use this link:
http://www.gov.uk/406beacon
4.1.3 Registration in other countries
You should register your beacon with the national authority associated with
the country code in the hexadecimal identification (15 Hex ID) of your
beacon. You can register your beacon online with the Cospas-Sarsat IBRD if
your country does not provide a registration facility and your country has
allowed direct registration in the IBRD: www.406registration.com
If your country operates a national beacon registry, consult the document
C/S S.007 ”Cospas-Sarsat Handbook of Beacon Regulations” available at
www.cospas-sarsat.org to obtain the point of contact.
4.2 Change of ownership
If the ownership of the EPIRB is transferred or a change of vessel occurs,
the EPIRB must be recoded and re-registered on the new owner in
accordance with local rules.
4.3 Installation
The EPIRB should be installed in a location that meets the following
requirements:
•The EPIRB should, with greatest possible probability, float-free
and avoid being caught in railings, superstructure, etc., if the
ship sinks.
•Do not install the bracket near strong magnetic fields that
could activate the EPIRB.
•The EPIRB should be located so that it may be easily released
manually and brought to the survival craft by one person. It
should therefore not be located in a radar mast or any other
places which can only be reached by a vertical ladder.
•The bracket should, if possible, be installed in a position that
will provide as clear a view of the sky as is practical, orientated
to facilitate satellite reception.

jotron.com Page 18 of 52
•Do not install or operate the EPIRB in a location subject to high
intensity RF fields. (e.g Radar or communications antennas).
•Be especially aware of interference from shipboard L band
transceiver sources such as Inmarsat Fleet Broadband. The
emitted signals from such sources are very strong and may
influence the GNSS position reception.
The location should be well protected from environmental conditions such
as direct sea-spray, chemicals, oil, exhaust and vibrations. - see more
detailed information in COMSAR/Circ.32” regarding ”Harmonization of
GMDSS requirements for radio installations onboard SOLAS ships”.
4.4 Bracket installation and mounting
The mounting footprint is the same for the brackets for Tron 40AIS (FB-42
and FBH-42). Dimensions are shown in the figure below.
4.4.1 Installation screws
The bracket shall be installed on a flat metal surface with 6 pcs M6 screws
with socket head with material quality of A4 (AISI 316). There shall not be
used any washer under the screw heads. A washer can block the catapult
from releasing. For the pre-mounted vibration dampers to work properly it

jotron.com Page 19 of 52
is important that they are not misshaped by the tightening of the screws. If
they are misshaped, the dampers will not work as designed.
4.5 Mounting the EPIRB in the bracket
4.5.1 Tron 40AIS
1
2
3
1. Make sure the bracket is not damaged.
2. Grab the EPIRB and match the bottom of the battery housing
correct on the bracket base and gently press the EPIRB
into the stability clip.
3. Place the cover by fitting it from the bottom first. Mount the
locking pin to securely hold the cover in place. See chapter 4.6 for
details.
If the bracket is mounted correctly, on a flat surface, the EPIRB shall fit in
the bracket without any gap in the stability clip.

jotron.com Page 20 of 52