Model : Fast Find™
What is Fast Find?
The Fast Find is a waterproof 406 MHz Personal Location Beacon (PLB) that should be carried by individuals, who are embarking on trips into areas around the world where there is little or no other form of communication or where other forms of communication are unlikely to work. The Fast Find acts as your personal Emergency Location Beacon, it is your last resort communication to the national and international search and rescue bodies and it should not be mis-used. The Fast Find is designed as a direct communication, to the 406 MHz Search and Rescue satellite system, its signal indicates that you are in need of urgent response and assistance.
Its small size belies its rugged construction and powerful output. There is no compromise. Once activated, the distress beacon will send out a signal for help, and continues to transmit for at least 24 hours, at a powerful 5 watt output, ensuring that your call for help gets through whatever the conditions. The pocket sized, waterproof beacon transmits at the press of a button, to alert search and rescue services to your plight.
How does it work?
- Fast Find has two radio transmitters which start transmitting when you activate your beacon. One transmitter operates at 406 MHz which transmits alerts via satellites. The other operates at 121.5 MHz which transmits a signal which can be received by over-flying aircraft and Search and Rescue homing receivers.
- Ground stations track the satellites and process the distress signals to obtain a location of the distress. The processed information is then forwarded to a Mission Control Centre where it is combined with Fast Find registration information and passed to a Rescue Coordination Centre which alerts the appropriate Search and Rescue authorities. Successive satellite passes refine and confirm the original information.
- Fast Find 210 with inbuilt GPS receivers determine their own geographical position and transmit it as part of the distress alert signal.
- Fast Find has a secondary 121.5 MHz homing transmitter. This transmits on the 121.5 MHz internationally recognised aviation guard channel. If an aircraft hears an activated beacon, it will often make a report to the aviation authority which will pass this information to the Rescue Coordination Centre. When the rescue services get close they can "home in" on the 121.5 MHz signal using direction finding techniques.
- If you find yourself facing grave and imminent danger with no other way of getting help, activating the Fast Find is simple. It's as easy as 1 - 2 - 3!
Activating the Fast Find PLB
- 1. Flip up the red pull handle, Pull the antenna cover off. Important: The antenna cover is an antitamper seal, once broken it cannot be refitted.
- 2. Hold the end of the antenna. Unwrap the antenna until it stands vertical. CAUTION; Spring action antenna deployment; tilt the PLB away from your face before deploying the antenna.
- 3. Press the ON button. Transmission of the first emergency alert message takes place 50 seconds after initial activation, in the event of an accidental or false activation this delay allows time for the user to turn off the Fastfind before the first alert is transmitted.
FAST FIND 200, 210 SPECIFICATIONS
STANDARDS APPLIED:
COSPAS-SARSAT
T.001/T.007 class2
RTCM SC110 STD 11010.2
ETSI EN 302-152-1
AS/NZS 4280.2
NSS-PLB06
ENVIRONMENTAL:
Exterior Finish : Highly visible yellow
Sealing : Waterproof to 10m (30ft) (IP 58, IPX8)
Operating temperature : Class 2, -20°C to +55°C (-4°F to +131°F)
Storage Temperature : Class 2, -30°C to +70°C (-22°F to +158°F)
Altitude : 40,000 feet
BATTERY:
Battery Type : 6V Lithium Metal
Battery storage : 5 years
Battery replacement : By service centre
Battery use : LOogged by microcontroller
OPERATION:
Activation : Three stage manual activation
Self test : Tests transmitters, battery and light
SOS flash light : Morse code SOS pattern (30 operations allowed)
TRANSPORTATION:
Air cargo : UN 3091, not restricted, IATA SP 188 - PI 970
ELECTRICAL:
406.037 MHz transmitter : ± 1KHz, 5W ± 2dB
121.5 MHz transmitter : ± 3KHz, 50mW ± 3dB PERP
Homer sweep direction : UP or DOWN
Transmit Antenna : Deployable flexibl vertical blade
Programming interface : Optical Infra-red link
PHYSICAL:
Fast Find 200, 210 : Category 2, will not float
Size (D x W x L) : 34 x 47 x 106 mm (1.34” x 1.85” x 4.17”)
Weight : 150g ( 5.3 oz)
GPS : (Fast Find 210 only )50 channel
Receive Antenna : Ceramic Patch
GPS Self test : Position acquisition test (10 operations allowed)
PART NUMBER:
91-001-200A : Fast Find 200 PLB retail pack
91-001-210A : Fast Find 210 PLB (with GPS) retail pack
FAST FIND 200, 210 models do not float and are not recommended for use on or in water unless provided with an auxiliary flotation device.
A Fast Find PLB is not an ELT or an EPIRB and does not meet the regulatory requirements for an ELT or an EPIRB.
