S A R S A T

The 121.5 / 243 MHz The 121.5 / 243 MHz

Phase-outPhase-out

- 121.5/243 MHz Beacon Technology

- Limitations

- International Cospas-Sarsat Council Decision

- National 121.5/243 MHz Phaseout Plan

OverviewOverview

Emergency BeaconsEmergency Beacons

• Two types: 121.5/243 MHz and 406 MHz

• Three applications:

- Emergency Position Indication Radio Beacons (EPIRB) for Maritime Uses

- Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT) for Aviation Uses

- Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) for Remote Recreational Uses

121.5 MHz Beacon Technology – Brief Background

• First 121.5 MHz beacons were ELTs designed for military aircraft in the 1950’s.

• Congress mandated ELTs on all U.S. aircraft after Boggs-Begich tragedy in SE Alaska in 1970’s.

• Cospas-Sarsat was designed to use the existing 121.5 MHz technology with an eye towards developing a digital system.

• Why? - 121.5 was not designed for satellite processing (no store & forward capability)

• Analog signal only = no digital identification code to let SARSAT system know signal is from a beacon

• Low power output…hard for satellites to detect

• Less rigid standards

• USMCC handles 250-400 “hits” per day:

- Only 1 in 8 alerts come from beacons. The rest are interference sources like ATM machines, pizza ovens, and even stadium scoreboards!

• High false alert rate makes first-alert launch unfeasible…delays SAR response to possible victims.

Limitations of 121.5 / 243 MHz Beacons…Limitations of 121.5 / 243 MHz Beacons…

Limitations with satellites

• ‘Bent-Pipe’ mode on = no global coverage

• No store & forward capability

Limitations of 121.5 / 243 MHz Beacons…Limitations of 121.5 / 243 MHz Beacons…

Limitations (con’t): No Global Coverage

406 MHz 406 MHz isis a Store & Forward System a Store & Forward System

406 MHz has Global Coverage and Instantaneous Detection!

GEO Footprint

LEO Footprint

121.5 MHz

406 MHz

406 MHz with GPS

Limitations of 121.5 / 243 MHz Beacons…Limitations of 121.5 / 243 MHz Beacons………Poorer AccuracyPoorer Accuracy

Search Time = 12+ hours

Search Time = 2 - 3 hours

Search Time = Minimal

243 MHz Beacons

• Similar to 121.5 MHz beacons

• Primarily used by the military

• Many existing 121.5 MHz also transmit on 243 MHz

• Will Not Be Detected by Satellites After February 1, 2009!Will Not Be Detected by Satellites After February 1, 2009!

*** 121.5/243 MHz PHASE-OUT *** 121.5/243 MHz PHASE-OUT DECISION ***DECISION ***

International Cospas-Sarsat Council (in conjuction with IMO& ICAO)announces at its 25th General Session (October 2000) that the termination

of 121.5 & 243 MHz for satellite alerting will occur on…

February 1, 2009

This decision leads to the development of a This decision leads to the development of a National 121.5/243 MHz Phase Out PlanNational 121.5/243 MHz Phase Out Plan

Goal: To efficiently transition all users away from 121.5 MHz satellite alerting and associated distress beacon usage to the exclusive use of 406

MHz alerting and corresponding 406 MHz distress beacons….

…and to do so in advance of February 01, 2009!

IMPLEMENTATION: The Five “W”s…and the one “H”!

• WHO

• WHAT

• WHERE

• WHEN

• WHY

…and HOW ?

WHYWHY Develop a National Plan??? Develop a National Plan???

• To organize transition at all levels• To coordinate transition among involved parties• To minimize impact of terminating 121.5 MHz alerting• To prepare for increased 406 MHz usage and response

WHEREWHERE To Implement the Plan? To Implement the Plan?

• The plan should be implemented at all levels:

– Local

– National

– Regional

– Global

WHENWHEN…..Development & Implementation…..Development & Implementation

• Plan Development has already begun

• Plan Implementation:

– Initial efforts have already commenced

– National 121.5 MHz Phase-Out Working Group (POWG)

• Created by NSARC• POWG Terms of Reference…

Terms of Reference for a National 121.5/243 MHz Satellite Alerting Phase-Out Working GroupTerms of Reference for a National 121.5/243 MHz Satellite Alerting Phase-Out Working Group

 The National Search and Rescue Committee (NSARC),

• Recognizing the impending Cospas-Sarsat termination date for 121.5/243 MHz satellite distress alerting on 01 February 2009;

• Considering the importance of the need to develop a national coordinated plan to address all pertinent phase-out issues associated with 121.5/243 MHz termination;

• Addressing the recommendations from the Cospas-Sarsat Council to develop a national plan for the transition from 121.5/243 MHz to 406 MHz beacons; establishes the National 121.5/243 MHz Satellite Alerting Phase-Out Working Group.

The Working Group is tasked to:

1.        develop a comprehensive national strategy, including a working plan and schedule, for implementing the phase-out of 121.5/243 MHz satellite alerting by 01 February, 2009;

2.        address and prioritize the technical aspects and impacts associated with phase-out, including beacon issues, satellite issues, and ground segment issues;

3.        address and prioritize the regulatory aspects and impacts associated with phase-out, including what legislative options are available for eliminating 121.5/243 MHz beacons and mandating the use of 406 MHz beacons;

4.        address and prioritize the educational aspects and impacts associated with phase-out, including the use of appropriate media to publicize this effort, and;

 5.       develop guidelines on the proper disposal of old beacons to prevent an unwanted increase in false alerts.

The Phase-Out Working Group (POWG) shall be comprised of member agencies of the U.S. National Search and Rescue Committee and relevant organizations and equipment manufacturers who can fruitfully contribute to achieving the tasks hereto assigned and shall meet in a timely manner for their proper implementation.

WHATWHAT are the key issues? are the key issues?

• Cospas-Sarsat system transition within the U.S.– Includes ground and space segments

• Impact on U.S. SAR system– Elimination of 121.5 MHz false alerts– 121.5 MHz alerting system reversion to 1970s “high flyer” alerting– Increase in 406 beacon population / activations / false alerts

• Benefit of transition for U.S. public, SAR responders & others– 406 MHz Beacon registration - SAR response & false alert mitigation– Proper & Easy To Follow 406 MHz EPIRB/ELT/PLB Testing Programs

• Regulations/Legislation Changes– ELTs / EPIRBs / PLBs

MORE…

• How de we get the word out???

• Cost– Current comparable cost– Anticipated future cost reductions– Low Cost Beacons?!?!

WHATWHAT are the key issues? are the key issues?

• NSARC - National Search and Rescue CommitteeNSARC - National Search and Rescue Committee

DOC

DOD

FCC

DOI

NASA

DOT

SARSAT Lead,

Satellite Services(NOAA)

SAR Lead/Facilities

(USAF & DPMO)

Regulations fo

r Radio

Facilities & Frequency

Issues

SAR Services

(Nat’l Park Service)

Research and Development

SAR Lead/RegsUSCG

WHOWHO is Leading the Transition? is Leading the Transition?

FAA

Regs

DHS

Inland SAR

Maritime SAR

Satellite Integration / Post Launch

Testing

Research & Development

Space Hardware

Ground Segment

System Operation

Lead Agency to the Cospas-Sarsat Program

• United States Cospas-Sarsat Program

WHOWHO is Coordinating the Transition is Coordinating the Transition

WHOWHO is Impacted? is Impacted?• Everyone!

• Primary Impact– Beacon Users

– SAR Response Agencies

WHO Needs to be Involved in The Transition?• Government

– Federal / State Regulators– Federal / State SAR Responder

• Public– Recreational Vessels– General Aviation

• Beacon Manufacturers

• Industry - Aviation / Maritime– Aircraft Manufacturers– Charter Vessel Companies– Commercial Fishing Industry

• Special Interest Groups– Maritime (e.g., BoatUS)– Aviation (e.g., AOPA, EAA)

WHOWHO Needs to be Kept Informed? Needs to be Kept Informed?

International Maritime Organization

International Civil Aviation Organization

International Telecommunication Union

Cospas-Sarsat Participants

Other Nations Within / Bordering U.S. SAR Region

HOWHOW Do We Accomplish The Transition? Do We Accomplish The Transition?

• PROMOTEPROMOTE - Public Events, Online, Public Service Announcements, Retail Outlets, Word-of-Mouth…etc, etc.

– Phase-out of 121.5 MHz Satellite Alerting– Benefits of transitioning to 406 MHz Beacons

• EDUCATEEDUCATE - As Above, Public Safety Courses, Agency Training– Beacon owners - need to transition to 406 MHz beacons

- proper use of 406 MHz beacons– SAR Responders - Effectiveness of the 406 MHz system

- Capabilities of 406 MHz beacons

• REGULATE ( LEGISLATE)REGULATE ( LEGISLATE)– Stoppage of 121.5 MHz beacon use (EPIRBs & ELTs)– Use of 406 MHz beacons (EPIRBs, ELTs & PLBs)

HOWHOW To Regulate? To Regulate? •121.5 MHz BEACON USAGE

– International Termination of 121.5 MHz Satellite Alerting = 01 February 2009!

– U.S. Termination of 121.5 MHz EPIRBs = 3 Phases• Certification of new 121.5 EPIRBs ceased• Sales and manufacture of 121.5 MHz EPIRBs ceased on 01 February, 2003• Operation/Use of 121.5 MHz EPIRBs becomes illegal on 01 January, 2007

– 121.5 MHz ELTs will still be in use and required on general aviation aircraft…must get pilots to transition ASAP!

HOWHOW To Regulate? To Regulate?

• 406 MHz BEACON USAGE (EPIRBs, ELTs & PLBs) – 406 MHz EPIRBs required by law on certain U.S. vessels

• Commercial fishing vessels • SOLAS-class vessels • Large passenger carrying vessels

– 406 MHz ELTs • Cited & recommended as option to required 121.5 MHz ELTs• Required on new commercial passenger aircraft on int’l flights as of 2002• Required on all commercial passenger aircraft on international flights as of 2005

– 406 MHz PLBs• Allowed for sale and use in the U.S. as of 01 July 2003• 121.5 homer limited to a maximum 25mw output• Morse Code “P” embedded in beacon transmission

MODIFICATION OF TECHNICAL STANDARDS

RTCM Recommended Standards for 406 MHz Satellite Personal Locator Beacons

RTCM Recommended Standards for 406 MHz Satellite Emergency Position-Indicating RadioBeacons

RTCA/DO-204, Minimum Operational Performance Standards for 406 MHz ELT

RTCA/DO-183, Minimum Operational Performance ELTs - Automatic Fixed - ELT (AF), AutomaticPortable - ELT (AP), Automatic Deployable - ELT (AD), Survival - ELT (S) Operating on 121.5 and243.0 Megahertz

Modifications are limited to removing all reference to 121.5/243.0 MHz ELTs working with theCospas-Sarsat system. One example of text requiring modification :

1.2 System OverviewA 406 MHz ELT designed and manufactured to the standards contained in this diocument isintended to be used as an optional adjunct to 121.5/243.0 MHz ELT in domestic and internationalavaiation service. Both types of ELT operate with the COSPAS-SARSAT system developed andimplemented by the COSPAS-SARSAT partners (Canada, France, the USSR and the United States).

HOWHOW To Regulate? To Regulate?

FOR MORE INFO…FOR MORE INFO…

NOAA/SARSATNOAA/SARSATE/SP3, Room 3320, FB4E/SP3, Room 3320, FB45200 Auth Road5200 Auth RoadSuitland, MD 20746Suitland, MD 20746

1-301-457-5678 x1141-301-457-5678 x114Or 1-888-212-7283 x114Or 1-888-212-7283 x114

Fax: 1-301-457-5620Fax: 1-301-457-5620

Visit Our Website! www.sarsat.noaa.govVisit Our Website! www.sarsat.noaa.gov

Any Questions???Any Questions???