Quick Answer
In the United States, 406 MHz emergency beacons, including Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) and Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs), are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under Part 80 of the FCC rules. These devices must be registered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) before use. Registration can be done online through the NOAA website.
Regulatory Requirements
The FCC requires that all 406 MHz beacons in the United States transmit on the 406.040 MHz frequency and must be certified to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standard for emergency beacons, ITU-R M1730-2. This standard specifies the technical requirements for the beacons, including the transmission power, frequency accuracy, and modulation scheme.
Registration and Testing
To use a 406 MHz beacon in the United States, it must be registered with the NOAA before deployment. Registration can be done online through the NOAA website, and it is recommended to register the beacon as soon as possible after purchase. The NOAA also recommends testing the beacon before deployment to ensure it is functioning properly. This can be done by sending a test message from the beacon to the NOAA’s 406 MHz frequency.
Additional Requirements
In addition to the FCC and NOAA regulations, 406 MHz beacons must also meet the requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for maritime and aviation use, respectively. These organizations have established standards for the use of emergency beacons in these environments, including requirements for testing, registration, and reporting.
Find more answers
Browse the full Q&A library by topic, or jump back to the topic this question belongs to.