Ocean Signal PLB1 User manual

PLB1
PLB1PLB1
PLB1

© 2012 Ocean Signal Ltd
The technical data, information and illustrations contained in this manual were believed to
be correct at the time of rint. Ocean Signal Ltd reserve the right to change s ecifications
and other information contained in this manual as art of our continual im rovement
rocess.
No art of this manual may be re roduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in
any form, electronic or otherwise, without the rior ermission of Ocean Signal Ltd.
No liability can be acce ted for any inaccuracies or omissions in this manual.
Ocean Signal® and RescueME® are registered trademarks of Ocean Signal Ltd.

rescueME PLB1 USER MANUAL
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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
IN CASE OF EMERGENCYIN CASE OF EMERGENCY
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
USE ONLY IN CASE OF GRAVE OR IMMINENT DANGER
•PULL THE ANTENNA OUT FROM THE
BODY TO ITS FULL EXTENT USING THE
BLACK TAB.
•LIFT THE FLAP UP
•PRESS THE ON KEY FOR ONE SECOND
TO ACTIVATE THE BEACON.
•THE GREEN LED WILL FLASH TO
INDICATE ACTIVATION
•RELEASE THE ON KEY.
•ENSURE THE ANTENNA IS HELD
VERTICALLY WHILE OPERATING THE
PLB
•THE STROBE LIGHT WILL START
FLASHING TO INDICATE IT IS
ACTIVATED
Hold for 1sec
Hold for 1secHold for 1sec
Hold for 1sec

rescueME PLB1 USER MANUAL
4 Part No 912S-01260
Contents
1. GENERAL ................................................................................................................................... 5
1.1 Ex osure to RF Electromagnetic Energy .................................................................. 5
1.2 Warnings..................................................................................................................... 5
1.3 Model designators...................................................................................................... 5
1.4 Registration ................................................................................................................ 5
2. PLB1 OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................ 6
3. False Alerts................................................................................................................................ 6
4. O eration.................................................................................................................................... 7
4.1 Activation .................................................................................................................... 7
4.2 Deactivation ................................................................................................................ 7
5. Maintenance and Troubleshooting............................................................................................ 8
5.1 Testing ........................................................................................................................ 8
5.1.1 Beacon test ....................................................................................................... 8
5.1.2 GPS test ............................................................................................................ 9
6. Batteries..................................................................................................................................... 9
6.1 Dis osal ...................................................................................................................... 9
7. A endix....................................................................................................................................10
7.1 System Overview....................................................................................................... 10
7.1.1 COSPAS/SARSAT System............................................................................... 10
7.1.2 GPS System..................................................................................................... 10
7.2 Accessories............................................................................................................... 10
7.3 S ecifications............................................................................................................ 11
7.4 A rovals .................................................................................................................. 12
7.4.1 Euro ean Declaration of Conformity............................................................. 12
7.4.2 Country of Intended Use (EU requirement)................................................... 13
7.4.3 Industry Canada A roval.............................................................................. 13
7.5 Limited Warranty...................................................................................................... 14

rescueME PLB1 USER MANUAL
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1.
1.1.
1. GENERAL
GENERALGENERAL
GENERAL
1.1
1.11.1
1.1 Ex osure to RF Electromagnetic Energy
Ex osure to RF Electromagnetic EnergyEx osure to RF Electromagnetic Energy
Ex osure to RF Electromagnetic Energy
This roduct also com lies with EN62479 (EU) and RSS-102 (Canada).
1.2
1.21.2
1.2 Warnings
WarningsWarnings
Warnings
It is a legal requirement to register your PLB with your National Authority.
Only use your PLB in a situation of grave and imminent danger. Deliberately
misusing your PLB or setting it off accidentally may result in rosecution and a
fine.
Your PLB contains small lithium batteries. Please see section 6 for information
on safe trans ortation.
The battery in your PLB should be re laced immediately if it has been activated,
or if the test indicator shows the battery as ‘used’, or if the ex iry date marked on
the unit has been exceeded.
THIS PLB WILL NOT FLOAT, unless fitted with a flotation lanyard. The lanyard
will ensure your PLB will not sink and can be retrieved from the water.
The PLB1 is not designed and intended for o eration while floating in water. In
the case of exce tional circumstances during o eration the beacon shall always
be ke t above the water.
Please read these instructions carefully. Failure to follow the guidance in this
manual may result in loss of warranty.
1.3
1.31.3
1.3 Model designators
Model designatorsModel designators
Model designators
The Ocean Signal PLB is available in two variants. The rescueME PLB1 has a GPS receiver
built in for maximum osition accuracy. The rescueME PLB2 is a version without the GPS
receiver. This manual covers both variants, but section 5.1.2 and 7.1.2 and other
references to the GPS do not a ly to the PLB2.
1.4
1.41.4
1.4 Registration
RegistrationRegistration
Registration
To register your beacon, contact you national registration authority via ost, email or
online. Provide your 15 digit HEX ID (UIN), 5 digit checksum if required, your contact
details and emergency contact information. Some countries also require additional
information such as boat ty e and identification or alternative emergency contacts.
For USA the registration is at www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov/

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2.
2.2.
2. PLB1
PLB1PLB1
PLB1 OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
1) Antenna rewind knob
2) Antenna ull gri
3) Strobe light
4) Indicator LED
5) ON
ONON
ON Key (Under Fla )
6) Lift u fla
7) T
TT
TEST
ESTEST
EST Key(Under Fla )
8) Lanyard fixing (on rear of case)
3.
3.3.
3. FALSE ALERTS
FALSE ALERTSFALSE ALERTS
FALSE ALERTS
False alerts cause the rescue authorities unnecessary time and ex ense. To avoid false
alerts make sure your PLB is safely stowed with the rotective cover closed and the
antenna fully wound in. Make sure that there is no excessive ressure a lied to the
rotective cover. Ensure that anybody carrying the PLB is fully aware that this device is for
emergencies and should only be used in situations of grave and imminent danger.
If you accidentally activate your beacon or otherwise set it off when a rescue is not
required, contact your local emergency services as soon as ossible and advise them of
your beacon’s 15 digit HEX code (UIN), your current location and the time the beacon was
first activated.
For USA hone: 1-800-851-3051 (USAF Rescue Coordination Center)
For UK hone: [phone]. (UKCG)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

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4.
4.4.
4. OPERATION
OPERATIONOPERATION
OPERATION
Ensure that your PLB1 is always fitted with an unused battery that is within the marked
ex iry date. Failure to do so may result in reduced o erating time is used in a real
emergency. Please observe the recommendations on testing in section 5.
4.1
4.14.1
4.1 Activation
ActivationActivation
Activation
Only activate your PLB1 in situations requiring emergency
assistance from the rescue authorities. Deliberate misuse of
your PLB may result in a fine.
• To activate your PLB in an emergency, ull the black antenna
tab out com letely.
• Lift the rotective fla and ress the ON
ONON
ON key for one second
until the green starts LED flashing and then release the key.
Do not force the fla through more than 180°, otherwise
the hinge may break.
• During o eration the green LED will flash once every five
seconds while the GPS is turned on and obtaining a fix. Once
a fix is obtained, the green LED will flash quickly three times.
• Each time a 406MHz transmission is made the LED will flash
quickly five times; green for transmission with a GPS osition
and red for a transmission without a osition.
• The Red LED will flash every 2.5 seconds while the 121.5MHz
homing beacon is active.
• When o erating the PLB over water, tether the beacon to
your body or the liferaft and kee the PLB clear of water.
• Hold your beacon laying flat with the antenna standing
vertically. Kee the area marked ‘GPS Antenna’ free from
obstruction, which would interfere with the GPS rece tion.
The PLB does not transmit an alert until a roximately 50seconds has ela sed.
This allows time to deactivate the unit if accidentally turned on. The homing beacon
is not activated until after the first alert is sent.
4.2
4.24.2
4.2 Deactivation
DeactivationDeactivation
Deactivation
To deactivate your PLB after use or if it is accidentally activated, ress the ON
ONON
ON key for one
second until the indicator LED flashes red twice, then release. Rewind the antenna using
the knob on the to of the PLB. Do not ush the antenna back into the PLB as this may
cause it to be damaged.
Hold for 1sec
Hold for 1secHold for 1sec
Hold for 1sec

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5.
5.5.
5. MAINTENANCE AND TROU
MAINTENANCE AND TROUMAINTENANCE AND TROU
MAINTENANCE AND TROUBLESHOOTING
BLESHOOTINGBLESHOOTING
BLESHOOTING
Your PLB will require little maintenance exce t eriodic cleaning, if required. Always use
a dam cloth to clean the case and dry thoroughly. Do not use solvents or other cleaning
fluids as this may cause the lastics to deteriorate. Ensure the antenna is free to unwind.
5.1
5.15.1
5.1 Testing
TestingTesting
Testing
Routine testing of your PLB is recommended to ensure it is in good working order if
needed, but lease follow the guidance notes below on the frequency that tests should be
carried out. Please remember that each test will reduce the battery ca acity slightly and
reduce the o eration time of your PLB during an emergency.
5.2
5.25.2
5.2 Beacon test
Beacon testBeacon test
Beacon test
To test your PLB1 is functioning correctly, ress and hold the TEST
TESTTEST
TEST key for one second.
The red LED will come on to indicate the switch is de ressed, followed by the red LED
flashing ra idly. The switch may now be released. The strobe light will flash once and the
indicator LED will flash one or more times in two grou s to indicate the ass and fail
status. The number of green/amber flashes indicates the battery status as shown in the
table below.
PASS: ---
USED: ---
FAIL: ---
Green / Amber
Green / Amber Green / Amber
Green / Amber
Indicator
IndicatorIndicator
Indicator.
..
.
Chages to
Chages to Chages to
Chages to A
AA
Amber
mber mber
mber
after 1 hour of use
after 1 hour of useafter 1 hour of use
after 1 hour of use
Red
Red Red
Red
indicator
indicatorindicator
indicator
No of
No of No of
No of
Flashes
FlashesFlashes
Flashes
No
NoNo
No of
of of
of
Hours Use
Hours UseHours Use
Hours Use
Ty e of
Ty e of Ty e of
Ty e of
Failure
FailureFailure
Failure
1 Flash 0 to 1hr
59min
121.5MHz
homer
2
Flashes
2hrs to 3hrs
59min
406MHz
generation
3
Flashes
4hrs to 5hrs
59min
406MHz
ower am
4
Flashes
6hrs to 7hrs
59min
Re lace
battery
5
Flashes
8hrs to 9hrs
59min
Other failure
6
Flashes
10hrs +
Pull antenna out fully before commencing the
test. Retract the antenna after the test.
Because the test transmits a short burst on the
aircraft distress frequency of 121.5MHz, lease
only carry out this test in the first five minutes of
each hour.
It is recommended to test your PLB once a
month.
The amber test result is an electronic witness
that indicates the battery has been used for over
one hour or the allowed number of tests has been
exceeded. The PLB will still o erate normally in
distress, but the battery should be re laced to
ensure the full o erating life when your PLB is
needed.

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5.2.1
5.2.15.2.1
5.2.1 GPS test
GPS testGPS test
GPS test
To test the GPS function of your PLB ress and hold the TEST
TESTTEST
TEST key for ten seconds. Initially
the red LED will illuminate while the button is held and then start flashing. After ten
seconds the LED will change to a long red flash and a short green flash until either a fix is
obtained or the GPS test fails. A successful test will be indicated by the strobe flashing and
the green LED flashing. The number of green flashes indicates one more than the number
of GPS tests remaining. A failure is indicated by the red LED flashing. The test can be
ended by holding the TEST
TESTTEST
TEST key down for five seconds.
Ensure that the PLB has a clear view of the sky when erforming the GPS test.
Make sure the area marked ‘GPS antenna’ is not obstructed.
Do not test the GPS o eration more than once a year as this will reduce the
o erating time during an emergency. (The maximum number of GPS allowed is
limited to ten over the life of the battery. After ten tests the GPS test will fail to
activate)
6.
6.6.
6. BATTERIES
BATTERIESBATTERIES
BATTERIES
The PLB1 contains Lithium batteries for long o erating life. Your battery must be re laced
either after the ex iry date or after the PLB has been activated, even if only for a short
eriod of time. Battery re lacement must be done at an Ocean Signal authorised battery
re lacement centre.
When shi ing your PLB the following guidance and regulations should be followed, but
you are advised to contact your nearest battery re lacement centre or Ocean Signal rior
to shi ing as regulations may have changed. The PLB1 battery contains <2g of lithium.
• Always ack your PLB securely in a stout cardboard carton. Ocean Signal advises that
you kee the original ackaging in case of return for service.
• For surface trans ort the PLB may be shi ed ‘exce ted’ under s ecial rovision 188.
• For air trans ort the PLB should be shi ed as category UN3091 and acked under
IATA acking instruction 970 section II. If you are hand carrying your PLB on an aircraft
lease contact you airline for advice.
6.1
6.16.1
6.1 Dis osal
Dis osalDis osal
Dis osal
Care should be taken when dis osing of your PLB when it is no longer required. It is
recommended to remove the battery from the PLB by removing the case lid. The case
screws are covered by the to label. Dis ose of the battery in accordance with local waste
regulations. Please note that the PLB1 is not user serviceable and removing the lid will
invalidate the warranty.

rescueME PLB1 USER MANUAL
10 Part No 912S-01260
7.
7.7.
7. APPENDIX
APPENDIX APPENDIX
APPENDIX
7.1
7.17.1
7.1 System Overview
System OverviewSystem Overview
System Overview
7.1.1
7.1.17.1.1
7.1.1 COSPAS/SARSAT System
COSPAS/SARSAT SystemCOSPAS/SARSAT System
COSPAS/SARSAT System
The COSPAS/SARSAT system utilises two
satellite arrays to rovide distress alert
and location data to search and rescue
authorities. The GEOSAR system can
rovide near immediate alerting within
the coverage of the receiving satellite.
The LEOSAR system rovides coverage of
the olar region beyond the range of the
GEOSAR system. It can calculate the
location of distress events using Do ler rocessing techniques and is less susce tible to
obstructions which could block a signal in a given direction. The system is com rised of
instruments on board the satellites which detect the signals from the distress beacons.
Ground receiving stations, referred to as Local Users Terminals (LUTs) receive and
rocess the satellite downlink signal to generate the distress alerts. The distress alerts,
generated by the LUTs, are then received by Mission Control Centres (MCCs) which then
forward the alert to Rescue Co-ordination Centres (RCCs), Search and Rescue Points of
Contacts (SPOCs) and other MCCs.
7.1.2
7.1.27.1.2
7.1.2 GPS System
GPS SystemGPS System
GPS System
The GPS system is a satellite array that enables a GPS receiver to determine its osition
around the globe. There are a minimum of 24 satellites orbiting the Earth roviding
accurate osition, velocity and time information. The PLB1 PLB has a built in 66 channel
GPS receiver and antenna allowing rece tion of this ositional data. The received osition
is then coded into the PLB emergency transmission thus enabling search and rescue
teams to narrow the search area and increase the effectiveness of the rescue o eration.
7.2
7.27.2
7.2 Accessories
AccessoriesAccessories
Accessories
To be com leted

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7.3
7.37.3
7.3 S ecifications
S ecificationsS ecifications
S ecifications
406MH
406MH406MH
406MHz Transmitter
z Transmitterz Transmitter
z Transmitter
Frequency ..........................................................................................................406.040 MHz ±1KHz
Out ut Power ....................................................................................................................5W Ty ical
Modulation ....................................................................................................Phase ±1.1 Radians Pk
...........................................................................................................................................(16K0G1D)
Encoding .............................................................................................................................Bi hase L
Rate........................................................................................................................................ 400 b s
121.5MHz Transmitter
121.5MHz Transmitter121.5MHz Transmitter
121.5MHz Transmitter
Frequency ......................................................................................................................... 121.5 MHz
Out ut Power ............................................................................................................25-100mW PEP
Modulation .............................................................................................. Swe t Tone AM (3K20A3X)
Modulation De th ..................................................................................................................... ~97%
Frequency Stability ...............................................................................................................±50 m
Duty Cycle ................................................................................................................................. ~35%
Low Duty Cycle Strobe
Low Duty Cycle StrobeLow Duty Cycle Strobe
Low Duty Cycle Strobe
Light Ty e .............................................................................................................High Intensity LED
Light Colour / Intensity ...................................................................................White / 1candela (ty )
Flash Rate ..............................................................................................................20-30 er minute
Battery
BatteryBattery
Battery
Ty e........................................................................................................Lithium Manganese Dioxide
............................................................................................................................................. (LiMnO2)
O erating ............................................................................................................. >24Hours @ -20°C
Re lacement Interval ............................................................................................................ 7 years
GPS Rec
GPS RecGPS Rec
GPS Receiver
eivereiver
eiver
Satellites Tracked ............................................................................................................66 Channel
Sensitivity ............................................................................................................................-148dBm
Cold Start Re-acquisition ...................................................................................................-163dBm
GPS Antenna ...........................................................................................................Microstri Patch
General
GeneralGeneral
General
Height of Body ..........................................................................................................................76mm
Width of Body ...........................................................................................................................52mm
De th of Body............................................................................................................................32mm
Weight.................................................................................................................................115grams
Environmental
EnvironmentalEnvironmental
Environmental
IEC60945 Category ...............................................................................................................Portable
O erating Tem erature ................................................................................... Class 2 -20C to +55C
Storage Tem erature ...................................................................................... Class 2 -30C to +70C
Water roof ........................................................................................................................15m de th

rescueME PLB1 USER MANUAL
12 Part No 912S-01260
7.4
7.47.4
7.4 A rovals
A rovalsA rovals
A rovals
7.4.1
7.4.17.4.1
7.4.1 Euro ean Declaration of Conformity
Euro ean Declaration of ConformityEuro ean Declaration of Conformity
Euro ean Declaration of Conformity
English
English English
English Hereby, Ocean Signal Ltd declares that this PLB is in com liance with the
essential requirements and other relevant rovisions of Directive 1999/5/EC
Finnish
FinnishFinnish
Finnish Ocean Signal Ltd vakuuttaa täten että PLB tyy inen laite on direktiivin
1999/5/EY oleellisten vaatimusten ja sitä koskevien direktiivin muiden
ehtojen mukainen
Dutch
Dutch Dutch
Dutch Hierbij verklaart Ocean Signal Ltd dat het toestel [ty e van toestel] in
overeenstemming is met de essentiële eisen en de andere relevante
be alingen van richtlijn 1999/5/EG
French
FrenchFrench
French Par la résente Ocean Signal Ltd déclare que l'a areil PLB est conforme
aux exigences essentielles et aux autres dis ositions ertinentes de la
directive 1999/5/CE
Swedish
SwedishSwedish
Swedish Härmed intygar Ocean Signal Ltd att denna PLB står I överensstämmelse
med de väsentliga egenska skrav och övriga relevanta bestämmelser som
framgår av direktiv 1999/5/EG
Danish
DanishDanish
Danish Undertegnede Ocean Signal Ltd erklærer herved, at følgende udstyr PLB
overholder de væsentlige krav og øvrige relevante krav i direktiv 1999/5/EF
German
GermanGerman
German Hiermit erklärt Ocean Signal Ltd, dass sich dieser/diese/dieses PLB in
Übereinstimmung mit den grundlegenden Anforderungen und den anderen
relevanten Vorschriften der Richtlinie 1999/5/EG befindet".
Greek
GreekGreek
Greek ΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΠΑΡΟΥΣΑ Ocean Signal Ltd ∆ΗΛΩΝΕΙ ΟΤΙ PLB ΣΥΜΜΟΡΦΩΝΕΤΑΙ
ΠΡΟΣ ΤΙΣ ΟΥΣΙΩ∆ΕΙΣ ΑΠΑΙΤΗΣΕΙΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΙΣ ΛΟΙΠΕΣ ΣΧΕΤΙΚΕΣ ∆ΙΑΤΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΗΣ
Ο∆ΗΓΙΑΣ 1999/5/ΕΚ
Italian
ItalianItalian
Italian Con la resente Ocean Signal Ltd dichiara che questo PLB è conforme ai
requisiti essenziali ed alle altre dis osizioni ertinenti stabilite dalla direttiva
1999/5/CE
S anish
S anishS anish
S anish Por medio de la resente Ocean Signal Ltd declara que el PLB cum le con
los requisitos esenciales y cualesquiera otras dis osiciones a licables o
exigibles de la Directiva 1999/5/CE
Portuguese
PortuguesePortuguese
Portuguese Ocean Signal Ltd declara que este PLB está conforme com os requisitos
essenciais e outras dis osições da Directiva 1999/5/CE
0168

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7.4.2
7.4.27.4.2
7.4.2 Country of Intended Use (EU requirement)
Country of Intended Use (EU requirement)Country of Intended Use (EU requirement)
Country of Intended Use (EU requirement)
Austria 

 Germany 

 Netherlands 


Belgium 

 Greece 

 Poland 


Bulgaria 

 Hungary 

 Portugal 


Cy rus 

 Ireland 

 Romania 


Czech Re ublic 

 Italy 

 Slovakia 


Denmark 

 Latvia 

 Slovenia 


Estonia 

 Lithuania 

 S ain 


Finland 

 Luxembourg 

 Sweden 


France 

 Malta 

 United Kingdom 


7.4.3
7.4.37.4.3
7.4.3 In
InIn
Industry Canada A roval
dustry Canada A rovaldustry Canada A roval
dustry Canada A roval
This device com lies with Industry Canada licence-exem t RSS standard(s). O eration is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2)
this device must acce t any interference, including interference that may cause undesired
o eration of the device.

rescueME PLB1 USER MANUAL
14 Part No 912S-01260
7.5
7.57.5
7.5 Limited Warranty
Limited WarrantyLimited Warranty
Limited Warranty
Your Ocean Signal rescueME PLB1 is warranted against manufacturing defects in
materials and workmanshi for a eriod of 7 years from the date of urchase and in
accordance with the following conditions.
Ocean Signal will at its discretion, re air or re lace faulty roduct free of charge including
return carriage to the owner. Proof of urchase shall be required in order for a warranty
claim to be valid from the original urchaser. All claims shall be made in writing to Ocean
Signal or an a roved service dealer.
Ocean Signal shall not be liable to the buyer under the above warranty:
• for any re airs or modifications carried out on the PLB using arts that are not su lied
or a roved by the manufacture Ocean Signal including batteries and for work carried
out other than by Ocean Signal or a roved service dealers,
• for any art, material or accessory that is not manufactured by Ocean Signal the
consumer will be covered by the guarantee / warranty offered to Ocean Signal by the
manufacturer or su lier,
• for roduct which has not been fully aid for,
• for any roduct su lied by Ocean Signal to a customer under an alternative warranty
agreement.
•for the Medium Term Frequency Stability of the TCXO(oscillator) which is only
warranted for a eriod of five years from date of manufacture.
The Battery is only warranted until the date of ex iry and rovided the unit is tested in
accordance with the information in the user manual. This warranty does not a ly to a
used battery as indicated by the electronic witness (see age 8).
The following s ecific items are excluded from this warranty:
• lift u fla and associated mechanism,
• retractable antenna.
This warranty does not affect your statutory rights. This warranty is to be inter reted
under English law.
For further assistance lease contact our Technical Service De artment.
Email: [email protected]

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