MicroFix Frequently Asked Questions:
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Why does my PLB say give clear view to sky, will it work inside my house or car if need be?
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Is it okay if I lend my PLB to a friend who is going on a trip?
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Can I use my PLB outside of the country I have registered it with?
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If I move to another country, do I need to have my PLB reprogrammed?
Why do I have to register my beacon?
ANSWER:
Registering your PLB is mandatory. Registration is FREE and should be continually maintained. When you register your beacon you are providing potential search and rescue personnel with valuable information that will expedite a rescue. If you should be in an emergency and activate your PLB, the MCC will pull up your registration information based on the satellite signal received from your beacon. With this information in hand, they will now know who the beacon belongs to, what type of trip you may be on, an who to contact to verify that this is an emergency. You can also add other valuable information to your registration like any medical conditions that you or someone accompanying you may have. In an emergency, every piece of information helps. Take the time and properly register this beacon.
Is their a monthly fee for this service?
ANSWER:
No, Its FREE.
Why does my PLB say give clear view to sky, will it work inside my house or car if need be?
ANSWER:
Your PLB can work indoors or in a car, but due to the shielding effect on the distress signal your location may be skewed and take SAR personnel longer to identify your location. To maximize the PLBs potential, it is best to activate it in an open clearing, with a clear view of the sky. In order for the GPS receiver to work, it needs to have a clear view of the sky so that your beacon can acquire GPS data and transmit this information to search and rescue personnel. This will decrease the time it takes for SAR forces to know exactly where you are.
Will my PLB work if I cannot download any GPS data?
ANSWER:
YES, the GPS receiver is an added bonus that may shorten response time. If for some reason you are unable to download GPS data, rest assured that the LEOSAR satellites will pinpoint your location using Doppler Shift. With each pass of a satellite, your position is recalculated and the search area is narrowed down. SAR forces will then home in on your location using the 121.5 MHz homing frequency.
How long does the PLB hold GPS data in memory?
ANSWER:
Four hours. If new GPS data has not been downloaded, the MicrOFix™ will return to default mode and utilize the LEOSAR satellites to obtain your position using Doppler shift. PLB does not retain GPS data from self test.
Why can I only test my GPS once per battery life?
ANSWER:
All ACR beacons that have internal GPS receivers are extensively tested before they leave the factory, to assure that your GPS receiver is working properly. If you do feel the need to test your GPS receiver, you are consuming some of the PLB’s battery power. ACR recommends a one time test per battery life cycle because we want to make sure that in an emergency you have as much battery life as possible in case you are stranded in a remote location that takes search and rescue forces longer to get to.
Is it okay if I lend my PLB to a friend who is going on a trip?
ANSWER:
YES, give a copy of this product support manual so your friend will properly know how to use this beacon in an emergency, along with the responsibilities that come along with owning one. Then you must register the beacon again with your friend’s information in case an emergency should arise. Once the PLB is returned to you, update your registration. Remember, registering your beacon is free, so update your registration as often as you want.
What should I do with my PLB when I am not using it?
ANSWER:
Stow it away in a safe location to prevent it from an inadvertent activation.
What is the IR LED on my keypad for?
ANSWER:
The IR LED is for programming the country code into your PLB, and resetting the battery witness seal. Both activities can only be done by an authorized ACR certified service center.
Can I use my PLB outside of the country I have registered it with?
ANSWER:
Yes, they work as part of a global system. Be sure to update your registration file with your travel itinerary so that the country your beacon is registered with knows your trip plan so that any useful information can be passed on to the SAR authorities governing the country you are visiting if an emergency should occur.
If I move to another country, do I need to have my PLB reprogrammed?
ANSWER:
If you should move to a new country you should bring your PLB to an authorized ACR service center to be reprogrammed with that countries national code. Next it is very important to update your registration files. Register your beacon with your new country so that they have your latest information and contact information in case of an emergency. Also, notify the country you previously had your PLB registered with that you have moved and that your registration has been updated with your new countries 406 registration database.
Can I take my PLB on an airplane?
ANSWER:
With regards to general aviation, Yes, the PLB can be very useful if your plane should happen to crash. A 406 MHz PLB is more likely to summons help faster then a 121.5 MHz ELT. The higher altitudes while flying will not cause your PLB to activate.
With regards to commercial traveling, it is a personal preference if you want to store your PLB in your carry on bag or your checked baggage. If you choose to carry your PLB in your carry on baggage, you may wish to check with the airline about any restrictions or proper documentation that you may need to carry with your PLB. The higher altitudes while flying will not cause your PLB to activate.