§ 95.1402   Special requirements for 406 MHz PLBs.

   (a) All 406 MHz PLBs must meet all the technical and performance
   standards contained in the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime
   (RTCM) Service document "RTCM Recommended Standards for 406 MHz
   Satellite Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs)," Version 1.1, RTCM Paper
   76-2002/SC110-STD, dated June 19, 2002. This RTCM document is
   incorporated by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a), and 1 CFR
   part 51. Copies of the document are available and may be obtained from
   the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services, 1800 Diagonal
   Road, Suite 600, Alexandria, Virginia 22314-2840. The document is
   available for inspection at Commission headquarters at 445 12th Street
   SW., Washington, DC 20554. Copies may also be inspected at the National
   Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the
   availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to:
   http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ib
   r_locations.html.

   (b) The 406 MHz PLB must contain, as an integral part, a homing beacon
   operating only on 121.500 MHz and meeting all requirements described in
   the RTCM Recommended Standards document described in paragraph (a) of
   this section. The 121.500 MHz homing beacon must have a continuous duty
   cycle that can be interrupted only during the transmission of the 406
   MHz signal. The 406 MHz PLB shall transmit a unique identifier (Morse
   code "P") on the 121.500 MHz signals.

   (c) Before a 406 MHz PLB certification application is submitted to the
   Commission, the applicant must have obtained certification from a test
   facility, recognized by one of the COSPAS/SARSAT Partners that the PLB
   satisfies the standards contained in the COSPAS/SARSAT document
   COSPAS/SARSAT 406 MHz Distress Beacon Type Approval Standard (C/S
   T.007). Additionally, an independent test facility must certify that
   the PLB complies with the electrical and environmental standards
   associated with the RTCM Recommended Standards.

   (d) The procedures of Notification by the equipment manufacturer and
   Certification from either the Commission or designated
   Telecommunications Certification Body are contained in subpart J of
   part 2 of this chapter.

   (e) An identification code, issued by the National Oceanic and
   Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the United States Program Manager
   for the 406 MHz COSPAS/SARSAT satellite system, must be programmed in
   each PLB unit to establish a unique identification for each PLB
   station. With each marketable PLB unit, the manufacturer or grantee
   must include a postage pre-paid registration card printed with the PLB
   identification code addressed to: SARSAT Beacon Registration, NOAA,
   NESDIS, E/SP3, Room 3320, FB-4, 5200 Auth Road, Suitland, Maryland
   20746-4303. The registration card must request the owner's name,
   address, telephone number, alternate emergency contact and include the
   following statement: "WARNING" failure to register this PLB with NOAA
   could result in a monetary forfeiture order being issued to the owner."

   (f) To enhance protection of life and property, it is mandatory that
   each 406 MHz PLB be registered with NOAA and that information be kept
   up-to-date. In addition to the identification plate or label
   requirements contained in § § 2.925 and 2.926 of this chapter, each 406
   MHz PLB must be provided on the outside with a clearly discernable
   permanent plate or label containing the following statement: "The owner
   of this 406 MHz PLB must register the NOAA identification code
   contained on this label with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
   Administration (NOAA) whose address is: SARSAT Beacon Registration,
   NOAA, NESDIS, E/SP3, Room 3320, FB-4, 5200 Auth Road, Suitland,
   Maryland 20746-4303." Owners shall advise NOAA in writing upon change
   of PLB ownership, or any other change in registration information. NOAA
   will provide registrants with proof of registration and change of
   registration postcards.

   (g) For 406 MHz PLBs with identification codes that can be changed
   after manufacture, the identification code shown on the plate or label
   must be easily replaceable using commonly available tools.

   return arrow Back to Top

Subpart L--Dedicated Short-Range Communications Service On-Board Units
(DSRCS-OBUs)

   Source:  69 FR 46446 , Aug. 3, 2004, unless otherwise noted.

   return arrow Back to Top