As many of you are aware today is National 406 MHz Beacon Awareness Day. For those of you who don’t know what that is today serves as a reminder to beacon owners to test their beacon, check the batteries expiration date, and update registration with NOAA.

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon or Epirb for short is a device used to alert search and rescue in the event of an emergency. Your beacon will transmit a coded message via satallite to Cospas-Sarsat and alert the nearest rescue coordination center of your location.

It is important to update your registration information if not this may slow down time for search and rescue. Most radios require you to send it back to the supplier or manufacturer for battery replacement, but there are some with friendly replaceable batteries. Normal battery life differs depending on the unit but typically last about 5 years if not used.

Epirbs can be set to activate manually or automatic. Brackets are kept over water sensors to keep them from responding unintentionally. Epirbs range in price depending on the model but charge nothing for the subscription to the tracking system.

If you would like to know more or are interested in where to purchase your own we would be happy to help. Give us a call today at 920-743-6526.