406MHz SARSAT BEACON TESTER (EPIRB Tester) enables professional checking of all types of maritime emergency radio beacons that operate in COSPAS-SARSAT system, such as Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRBs).

The 406MHz BEACON TESTER is specified service equipment and reliable test solution for ship surveyors, beacon suppliers, classification societies and administrative authorities. It assures operation checking of all types of distress beacons (EPIRB, PLB) of any manufacturer, and any other device (SSAS, SVDR, VDR) operating within COSPAS-SARSAT system.

The EPIRB Tester intended to determine that EPIRB is operational as defined in appropriate performance standards - the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Performance Standard (A.810) and IEC standard, IEC 61097-2: COSPAS-SARSAT EPIRB – Satellite emergency position indicating radio beacon operating on 406 MHz – Operational and performance requirements, methods of testing and required test results, and RTCM 11000.3 - Standard for 406 MHz Satellite Emergency Position-Indicating Radiobeacons (EPIRBs), required by U.S. Federal Communications Commission and defines performance requirements for EPIRBs used on U.S.-registered vessels.

Use 406MHz SARSAT BEACON TESTER to arrange accurate, independent measurements of the operation of COSPAS-SARSAT distress beacons in a volume of:

• required annual testing under IMO Circ.1040;
• shore-based maintenance under IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1039;
• fast check after beacon’s encoding or installation.

406MHz BEACON TESTER can receive the transmission from any 406MHz COSPAS-SARSAT beacon transmitting either in test mode or in real alert emergency mode. Also the tester provides the reception and check of 121.5MHz home transmitter signal. If the TEST MODE is used the tests can be performed in any room. Radiated tests in real alert emergency mode should be carried out in screened room (or enclosure) only.

The signal can be received through the broadcast by means of antenna or the tester can be connected directly by means of cable through a suitable attenuator (option).

The 406MHz BEACON Tester (EPIRB Tester) can be also described as:

1.      SARSAT Tester – as it is intended to check the COSPAS-SARSAT beacons;
2.      COSPAS-SARSAT or COSPAS Tester due to the same reason as it can check all types of C/S beacons;
3.      EPIRB Tester – as the tester is intended to check all types of maritime EPIRBs;
4.      PLB Tester - as the tester is capable to check any C/S PLB;
5.      406MHz Tester – as the tester can measure the signals in this channel;
6.      SVDR Tester – as it can test S-VDR capsules;
7.      SSAS Tester – as the tester provides the possibility to check the Ship Security Alert Systems.

All these facilities are represented as single product - 406MHz BEACON Tester (EPIRB Tester).