At Farnborough 2004 Fernau Avionics Ltd launched its exciting new product, The Fernau 2100 406-GPS Personal Locator Search and Rescue Beacon.

The Fernau 2100 Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is a multi-function 3 frequency search and rescue beacon operating on Cospas/Sarsat 406MHz alerting frequency with homing transmissions on 121.5MHz and 243MHz. The beacon provides simplex speech communication on 121.5MHz and 243MHz and incorporates embedded GPS. A separate GPS antenna is provided to ensure the GPS fix is obtained as early as possible. Activation is automatic upon ejection, manual or by salt water immersion.

Once activated, the Beacon transmits a 406MHz alerting signal in accordance with Cospas/Sarsat requirements. The Beacon also transmits a homing signal simultaneously on 121.5MHz and 243MHz. This homing signal is fully compliant with the requirements of STANAG 7007.

Whilst the 2100 PLB is designed primarily for the military user it is available for civilian use as well. The construction comprises an aluminium casting with a battery attached to the base. The battery provides a mission duration of 48 hours and has an unused shelf life in temperate conditions of 5 years.

The beacon incorporates an embedded 12 channel GPS receiver which operates when the beacon is activated. The beacon latitude and longitude co-ordinates derived by the GPS receiver are transmitted as part of the 406MHz message, providing the Rescue Co-ordination centre with precise beacon position information. The GPS co-ordinates can also be transmitted on 121.5MHz and 243MHz, enabling a suitably equipped rescue craft to keep accurate track of the beacon's position.

Simplex speech communication between the beacon and rescue craft or another beacon is possible on 121.5MHz and 243MHz. Both the Country Code and Beacon Identity are user programmable through the antenna port. A robust code with error detection is used to ensure the beacon is not falsely programmed.

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