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  • 2 Post By Pengy
  • 1 Post By Twoshotkill

Thread: A bit about PLBs

  1. #1
    Member Pengy's Avatar
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    A bit about PLBs

    Just thought this was worth sharing

    In the event of a beacon being activated a 406MHz distress signal is
    relayed almost immediately to the Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCC)
    in Wellington, via a high orbit geostationary SAR satellite. In the following
    period of time (the length of which depends on where satellites are in the
    sky at the time) low orbit satellites then indicate which part of the globe
    the signal has come from. For those users who spent the extra money to
    buy a GPS enabled PLB, their location will be narrowed even further by
    the transmission of their co-ordinates with the distress signal. Standard
    procedure at this point is for the RCC to deploy a helicopter that can get
    to the vicinity of the distress signal quickly and then zero in on its exact
    location, using on board equipment that can home on the local 121.5MHz
    signal that PLBs also transmit.
    But what happens if the helicopter can’t get there? Flying in the New
    Zealand mountains is governed by VFR (Visual Flight Rules) which
    basically say that pilots must be able to see the ground, any obstructions
    and other aircraft when flying. Helicopters are not permitted to fly into
    clouds—particularly when in proximity to the ground. With our mountain
    weather being what it is, we have had, and can expect to continue to
    have, instances where helicopters cannot get close to an activated PLB
    (or ELT—the aviation equivalent).
    For a non-GPS enabled PLB, satellites will only be able to indicate
    a location with a 5 kilometre degree of accuracy—in a large tract of
    backcountry this may only limit the possible location to an area of
    approximately 8,000 hectares! Even for GPS encoded signals, normal
    120 metre accuracy will leave a search area of up to 5 hectares (or more if
    steep terrain or other obstructions reduce the quality of the GPS fix).
    veitnamcam and Gibo like this.
    Forgotmaboltagain+1

  2. #2
    P38
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    Thanks for that Pengy.

    I'm hoping Santa has got me one cloud or no cloud it's better than nothing.

    Cheers
    Pete

  3. #3
    Member Pengy's Avatar
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    Sorry, I thought I had copied the whole article but seems not.
    Anyway...in the event that a chopper cannot get in close enough, steps are being taken to make sure that local SAR groups have the equipment in place to track the signal from the ground. Obviously this means a longer wait for the lost or injured party, but still a whole lot better than no help at all.
    Forgotmaboltagain+1

  4. #4
    Member Twoshotkill's Avatar
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    Yip I have one on my wish list but I think I have been a bit naughty this year and Santa is going to punish me for it!!
    Oh will Maybe my Birthday??

  5. #5
    OPCz Rushy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Twoshotkill View Post
    Santa is going to punish me
    You say that as if you are going to enjoy the punishment 2SK.
    It takes 43 muscle's to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger pull.
    What more do we need? If we are above ground and breathing the rest is up to us!
    Rule 1: Treat every firearm as loaded
    Rule 2: Always point firearms in a safe direction
    Rule 3: Load a firearm only when ready to fire
    Rule 4: Identify your target beyond all doubt
    Rule 5: Check your firing zone
    Rule 6: Store firearms and ammunition safely
    Rule 7: Avoid alcohol and drugs when handling firearms

  6. #6
    Member Pengy's Avatar
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    Sounds like Mrs TSK has a kinky Santa outfit on the way
    Forgotmaboltagain+1

  7. #7
    Member Twoshotkill's Avatar
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    Im Blushing now!!!!
    Pengy likes this.

 

 

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