These sound like a jolly good idea. Where can one get them

**The Pastor** · 16th January 2008, 09:09

thats a really cool idea, how big and fragile are they?

**Crisis management** · 16th January 2008, 09:16

EPIRB: electronic position indicating radio beacon.
The 406 khz is the new frequency which will give an accurate position, and details of person / vessel the Epirb is registered to. There are still old 290? Khz beacons for sale but they are being phased out over the next couple of years, don't buy them!!
Marine units are usually around $700 and about the size of a large coffee mug, personal Epirbs are available and are presumably somewhat smaller.
They require triggering to set off and definately aren't automatic, there are enough false alarms as it is....once triggered they transmit to a satelite and from there the signal (in NZ) goes to the Rescue Co-ordination centre in wellington, usually within 30 minutes of triggering. The location (reasonably accurate) and details are sent to the relevant search & rescue organisation, probably police if it's land based and a response is provided.
It's the only reliable way to get assistance quickly in NZ and worth considering if your going to stuff yourself up big time.
The only problems that can occur are false triggering & poor signal: the recomended response for false triggering is to contact RCCC and tell them you stuffed up and then turn it off...you can't just turn it off cos they know who you are!
Poor signal can occur if your in a steep valley and the signal can not find enough satelites to provide a good fix, you need to be able to see 3 satelites. This is a problem, and you may have to move yourself to achieve a good fix, unfortunately the Epirb won't tell you it can't provide a good location, it is only a dumb transmitter.

Right, all rush out and buy them then.....

**skelstar** · 16th January 2008, 09:17

Originally Posted by slopster

The eprb is the marine one.

When I was doing alpine and rock climbing stuff we referred to the beacon as an EPRB.

In fact there were two climbers who got stranded in Arthurs Pass a couple of years ago that set theirs off and got rescued as a result. Temple Basin ski field.

**ghost** · 16th January 2008, 09:33

Garmin Product, MT410/MT410G PLB , the 410 G has built in GPS so it will transpond a 5 meter fix as apposed to the standard unit that the satilites will triangulate to about 1.5 Ks. Not so bad on the water but 1.5 radius in the bush is a large area to search. the gps unit is about $750 the standard is about $550.

**Hitcher** · 16th January 2008, 09:41

I work on the assumption that if I lie dead by the side of the road long enough, people will notice the smell.

**skelstar** · 16th January 2008, 09:43

Originally Posted by Hitcher

I work on the assumption that if I lie dead by the side of the road long enough, people will notice the smell.

...thats assuming you smell different when you're dead

**Finn** · 16th January 2008, 09:55

Originally Posted by Southern man

The EPIRB is the older ones that were used but the frequency has been changed and these will go out of service in 2009 I think.

Bugger. My christmas present to myself this year was a Breitling Emergency watch. It has a emergency beacon built in and I had to sign my life away to buy it. It's frequency is 121.5 Mhz which is mainly used for aircraft but I figure it will still work if I'm pissed and get lost walking home.

**Big Dave** · 16th January 2008, 10:04

Originally Posted by Finn

Bugger. My christmas present to myself this year was a Breitling Emergency watch. It has a emergency beacon built in and I had to sign my life away to buy it. It's frequency is 121.5 Mhz which is mainly used for aircraft but I figure it will still work if I'm pissed and get lost walking home.

You just want someone to say 'that's a big knob' you've got.

where are you?

**Finn** · 16th January 2008, 10:15

Originally Posted by Big Dave

You just want someone to say 'that's a big knob' you've got.

where are you?

And girls can polish it for free.

I'm back in NZ. A week and a half early cause I miss the place so much.

**Crisis management** · 16th January 2008, 10:27

Originally Posted by Finn

Bugger. My christmas present to myself this year was a Breitling Emergency watch. It has a emergency beacon built in and I had to sign my life away to buy it. It's frequency is 121.5 Mhz which is mainly used for aircraft but I figure it will still work if I'm pissed and get lost walking home.

Unfortunately Finn, all it tells the aircraft is that your lost, not where your lost......mind you, with radio direction finding gear and a helicopter you may be able to be found!

Welcome back to paradise!