Standard Operating Procedure Updated: Apr 27, 2017 DOCUMENT NUMBER: SOP204 TITLE: PLB and Marine Radio Provisioning PURPOSE: This document describes the required components and procedures for testing PLB and marine radios. This document is intended for use by all field personnel at all Greenland and Alaska sites. If unit fails any part of the test then return unit to IT&C staff. BACKGROUND: Definitions PLB: Personal Locator Beacon Marine VHF Radio: Refers to the radio frequency range between 156.0 and 162.025 MHz, inclusive. In the official language of the International Telecommunication Union the band is called the VHF maritime mobile band Channel: A given frequency setting that is standardized for specific purposes. Radios will typically have a set of preset, fixed channels (i.e., frequencies) as well as allow configurable channels. Frequency Modulation: The modulation of a radio wave by variation of its frequency as a means to encode content (e.g., audio). SARSAT: Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking LEO: Low Earth Orbit Satellites GOES: Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites Marine VHF Description Marine radio equipment is installed on all large ships and most seagoing small craft and is available as portable handheld units. It is used for a wide variety of purposes, including summoning rescue services and communicating with harbors, locks, bridges, and marinas, and operates in the very high frequency (VHF) range, between 156 and 162.025 MHz. Although it is widely used for collision avoidance, its use for that purpose is contentious and is strongly discouraged by some countries, including the UK. Page 1 of 4 Standard Operating Procedure Updated: Apr 27, 2017 A marine VHF set is a combined transmitter and receiver and only operates on standard, international frequencies known as channels. Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) is the international calling and distress channel. Transmission power ranges between 1 and 25 watts, giving a maximum range of up to about 60 nautical miles (111 km) between aerials mounted on tall ships and hills, and 5 nautical miles (9 km; 6 mi) between aerials mounted on small boats at sea level. Frequency modulation (FM) is used, with vertical polarization, meaning that antennas have to be vertical in order to have good reception. Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) Description A PLB is a portable transmitter that sends out a personalized emergency distress signal to your nearest rescue services. If you are a hiker, camper, backpacker, kayaker, etc. and are simply out of cell phone range, a PLB is a highly effective and internationally recognized way to summon help. PLBs are emergency life saving devices to be used when all else fails! They should be used only if there is grave and imminent danger or a life-threatening situation. PLBs transmit signals on internationally recognized distress frequencies through a global satellite tracking system. The 406MHz signal is monitored by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and the AFRCC ( Air Force Rescue Coordination Center) in the United States. The Global satellite tracking system is a collection of Russian, Canadian, American, and French satellites known as COSPAS-SARSAT. The network is made up of 4 polar orbiting LEO satellites and 3 satellites. Once a signal is received, these satellites can “fix” on the signal using a Doppler Shift location method (by "triangulation", which can take hours and can be accurate only to a half mile), or, when a PLB is hooked up to a GPS, the lat-lon coordinates can be Instantly transmitted without waiting (for the Doppler Shift triangulation from a second orbiting satellite). The signal is then relayed to a LUT (Local User Terminal). This signal is then passed on to the Air Force to begin the Search and Rescue procedures. DETAILS: Components Required for Testing • Personal Locator Beacon • Marine Radio o 1 Conditioned and charged Marine Radio battery o 1 Marine Radio Antenna Page 2 of 4 Standard Operating Procedure Updated: Apr 27, 2017 PLB Testing Procedures • Verify the battery expiration date. If the battery is to expire within the next year, send it to IT&C staff for replacement • Verify the NOAA registration sticker. Affix updated registration sticker. • Locate the “Self TEST” button on the PLB. • NOTE: Make sure the button says “Self TEST” and is not the RED button underneath the antenna. • Press and hold the “Self TEST” button for 2 seconds then release. This will put the PLB into test mode which will test the following o GPS o 406Mhz radio o 121.5Mhz radio o IR beacon o Flash beacon NOTE: You do not need to turn on the unit. It’s passive and only active when in emergency situation. Marine Radio Testing Procedures • Connect the antenna to the radio • Insert a battery into the radio • Turn on the radio • Change to Channel 9 • Make sure mode is set to international (INT) for Greenland and (USA) for Alaska • Using the radio being tested and another marine radio also on Ch16 and , press the PTT (Push to Talk) on the radio being tested and say “This is a radio test on Ch9 123 321 Radio Test Complete” Make sure the audio was clear on the other radio • Using the second radio on Ch9, press the PTT (Push to Talk) on the second radio and say “This is a radio test on Ch9 123 321 Radio Test Complete” Make sure the audio was clear on the radio being tested. • Set and leave the radio on Ch16 Items included in PLB and Marine Radio Kit • 1 Hard Case • 1 PLB with belt clip or neoprene cover • 1 Marine Radio Page 3 of 4 Standard Operating Procedure Updated: Apr 27, 2017 • 1 antenna • 2 batteries • 1 wall charger Instructions • Affix a tag through the case lock loops and write the Personal Locator Beacon ID number onto the tag. • If assigning to a group, write the group name on the tag. • NOTE: Kit MUST be issued to groups as kitted with all accessories listed above. No Exceptions Optional Items • 1 Charging Base Page 4 of 4 .