ACR Electronics ACR-RLB30 Hand Held Radio User Manual Product Manual

ACR Electronics, Inc. Hand Held Radio Product Manual

Product Manual

WaterproofON-OFF SwitchHanked LanyardWrist LanyardTransmittingIndicator Light (LED)Flexible Antenna(Factory Replaceable)Figure 1: ACR MINI B300™ EPIRB- 1 -SECTION 1 — INTRODUCTION1.1 GeneralThis manual provides installation, operation and maintenanceinstructions for the ACR/MINI B300TM Emergency Position IndicatingRadio Beacon (EPIRB), hereinafter referred to as the Beacon. Thissection describes the characteristics and details of the Beacon (SeeFigure 1). A Cognizant Authority Station License may be required tocarry this unit. The Beacon comes with a user replaceable6 volt Lithium, Duracell DL223A, (or equivalent) battery. Seeinstallation instructions page 5.1.2 PurposeThe Beacon is an item of survival equipment and is designed to becarried on a person or aboard vessels at sea and in port, so as to bereadily available in any emergency. It may be used on the deck ofvessels, on survival craft, or may be attached to the latter with theprovided lanyard, as well as attached to survival suits, etc. When turned“ON”, it transmits tone modulated signals (VHF) so that rescue aircraftor vessels equipped with suitable direction finding receiving equipmentcan “home” to the transmitting unit. This Beacon meets FCC Rules forimproved satellite detection.1.3 Satellite DetectionEPIRB use is directly affected by the COSPAS-SARSAT System.SARSAT is an acronym for Search and Rescue Satellite-AidedTracking. This international system has proven that satellites can beused to detect distress alerts and to determine position from 121.5 MHzand 406 MHz EPIRBs.COSPAS-SARSAT frequently plays a key role in many operationalSearch and Rescue decisions. Since the first recorded rescue in 1982,over 3,000 persons have been rescued as a direct result of SARSAT.These successes have brought more public awareness and an expandinggrowth in the use of EPIRBs.- 2 -
Figure 2: Satellite Detection1.4 AuthorizationsThe ACR/MINI B300TM Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beaconmeets the requirements of the European Telecommunications StandardsInstitute, ETS 300 152, for Marine use.1.5 CharacteristicsThe ACR/MINI B300TM Beacon is an o-ring sealed battery operatedunit. The Beacon case, with its external antenna is waterproof. Thesemiconductor circuits are mounted within the case assembly, whichalso contains the battery power supply. An “ON-OFF” switch isinstalled on top of the Beacon, along with a light emitting diode (LED)operation indicator. The Beacon may be carried on a person, stowed inany convenient place, mounted in a special bracket aboard a vessel, ortied with its lanyard inside survival craft. The unit floats and iscompletely waterproof.- 3 -1.6 Technical DataPertinent technical data is listed below:ITEM CHARACTERISTICSFrequency 121.5 MHzPower Output Minimum 75 mW during 24 hoursoperationOperating Life 24 hours minimum at -10°C, (-14°F)longer in temperate climatesBattery Lithium, 6 volt Duracell DL223A,(or equivalent). Sold with Beacon.Rated replacement life: 10 years.Emission Type A3XModulation Downward sweeping tone between1600 and 300 Hz at 2 to 4 sweeps persecondFrequency ± 3.5 kHz (Crystal controlled) StabilityOperating -20°C to +55°C (-14°F to +131°F) TemperaturesActivation Manual “ON-OFF” switchSize 127mm x 66mm x 41mm (5.0"H x2.6"W x 1.6"D) excluding antennaWeight 215 g (7.6 ounces)Attachments Lanyards, Hanked and Wrist- 4 -
SECTION 2 — INSTALLATION2.1 GeneralThe ACR/MINI B300M Beacon has been designed for multi-purposeinstallation for survival use, personnel, rafts, floats and survival craft. Itshould be carried with you or stowed where it will be readily availablein an emergency.2.2 Battery Installation1. Remove four (4) screws holding the top cap of the Beacon to thecase. Use a no. 2 Phillips screwdriver. Remove top cap and PCboard from bottom case being careful not to disturb any electroniccomponents on the PC board.2. Remove old battery and place new battery in battery clip withgroove side of battery down and flat side of battery up. Caution:Make sure flat side of battery is up. Otherwise, the polarity of thebattery would be reversed and damage to the battery will occur.The battery also poses a possible fire, explosion, or burn hazardwhen placed in the battery clip upside down. A semiconductordiode protects the electronics from damage due to battery reversal.3. Put the battery expiration date on the flat side of the battery and onthe EPIRB case with ACR part no. A1-20-0857 or equivalentpermanent shield label.4. Grease the top cap o-ring with Dow Corning number 4 SiliconeGrease, ACR Part no. A2-09-0069.5. Replace the four (4) screws holding the top cap to the bottom caseof the Beacon. Make sure screws are tight but do not use excessivetorque which could strip the threads in the top cap.2.3 Battery Date CodeA typical Duracell DL223A battery has a date code of 6J1313. The firstalphanumeric character of the code is always a number representing thelast digit of the year of manufacture. The second alphanumericcharacter of the code is always a letter, the position of which in thealphabet represents the number of the month of manufacture. That is: Arepresents January, B represents February, C represents March, etc.- 5 -The next two alphanumeric characters of the code represent the day ofthe month of manufacture. Therefore, the date of manufacture for thedate code 6J1313 is October 13, 1996.2.4 Battery Expiry DateThe battery Expiry Date is obtained by adding the batterymanufacturers rated replacement life of 10 years to the date ofmanufacture. For example, a date code of 6J1313 would have a BatteryExpiry Date of October 13, 2006.SECTION 3 — OPERATION3.1 GeneralThe EPIRB is designed to operate best when placed on a flat non-conductive surface or while over water at sea. It should be operated inan area free of obstructions which could absorb RF energy and limitradiation patterns.Position the antenna straight up (perpendicular to ground) and notpointing toward the receiving station. Note that the radiation field nulloccurs directly off the end of the antenna.Maintain a visual path where possible between the Beacon and thereceiver, since beacons characteristically transmit “line of sight”.The Beacon transmits on 121.5 MHz.3.2 Manual DeploymentRemove the Beacon from its storage position and ensure that theantenna telescoping section is fully extended and that the antenna is inan upright position. Break and remove the flip switch seal. Flip theswitch to the “ON” position. Red LED indicator will illuminate. TheLED indicator will remain on for 5 seconds indicating that the batteriesare functional. After 5 seconds, the LED indicator will begin flashing,indicating that the transmitter is functioning properly. If operated fromthe deck of the vessel, choose the most advantageous position free ofsurrounding obstacles. If deployed in water, make sure that the antennais positioned vertically and the antenna itself is out of the water. It ispreferable to hold the unit above the water, as immersion reduceseffectiveness.- 6 -
SECTION 4 — MAINTENANCE4.1 GeneralThe Beacon has been designed for use with a minimum of maintenancerequired. A check list is given in this section, and when accomplishedperiodically, should help to assure emergency operation and extendedlife use.4.2 Battery Check1. The battery expiry date should always be placed on the battery andthe outside of the Beacon case. See 2.2 Battery Installation.Replace the battery immediately after extended use or emergencyand always on or before the battery expiry date. Use only a 6 voltLithium Duracell DL223A (or equivalent) battery.2. Safety Precautions:Warning: To avoid possible fire, explosion, leakage or burnhazard, do not open, recharge, disassemble, heat above 71°C(160°F) or incinerate.4.3 Inspection CheckThe following checks should be made during the periodic servicing:1. Check the antenna tip and telescoping sections for any signs ofdamage or corrosion.2. Check the plastic covered portion of the antenna for any signs ofchafing, wear, cracks, or other damage, and signs of resultantcorrosion beneath the covering.3. Check the antenna socket at the cap surface for any sign oflooseness or corrosion.4. Check the Beacon housing for signs of damage or mishandling.Dents, or damage to the top end could result in an operationalmalfunction during an emergency.5. Check the lanyards for chafing, fraying or any damage. Check thelanyard anchor points for chafing. Resecure the lanyards and checkthe knots for tightness.6. Rinse the outside of the unit with fresh water frequently to removeany salt build-up on case or exposed parts.- 7-TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTION 1 — INTRODUCTION 2-41.1 General............................................................................................21.2 Purpose ...........................................................................................21.3 Satellite Detection...........................................................................2-41.4 Authorizations.................................................................................31.5 Characteristics.................................................................................31.6 Technical Data................................................................................4SECTION 2 — INSTALLATION 52.1 General............................................................................................52.2 Battery Installation..........................................................................52.3 Battery Date Code...........................................................................52.4 Battery Expiry Date ........................................................................6SECTION 3 — OPERATION 63.1 General............................................................................................63.2 Manual Deployment........................................................................6SECTION 4 — MAINTENANCE 74.1 General............................................................................................74.2 Battery Check .................................................................................74.3 Inspection Check.............................................................................7- i -Foreword:
Congratulations and thank you! You have just purchased thefinest personal locator EPIRB available on the market. Otherbrands merely attempt to meet the requirements established bygovernment regulatory agencies. ACR designed its Mini B300 towork in real life situations and to save lives. It, therefore, exceedsmany of the requirements established by authorities. Bypurchasing this EPIRB you have distinguished yourself as one ofthe safest persons in boating. To be a responsible EPIRB owner:• Read this manual.• Activate your EPIRB ONLY in an emergency.• Mount your EPIRB in an easily accessible spot or store it inyour ditch/emergency kit.• Prepare an emergency evacuation plan and rehearse it.• In a grave and imminent situation, where you have exhaustedall other means of rescue, activate your EPIRB and leave it“On” until Search And Rescue forces arrive. Do not turn it offand on in the misguided belief that you are saving batterypower.• NEVER set off a false alarm.Search And Rescue forces will respond to all known emergencies.This EPIRB will alert the authorities to an emergency if activatedin most coastal waters, (excluding parts of Africa and Antarctica).SAR reports indicate that 99% of all class A & B EPIRBactivations are false. The high number of false activation eventsplaces an unnecessary burden on the search and rescue system.Don’t be guilty of causing a false or accidental activation. Helpeducate others that irresponsible handling of EPIRBs risks lives byslowing the response to real emergencies and wastes tax payerdollars. Please call or write for answers to questions or forinformation on other safety products manufactured by ACRElectronics, Inc.Use this page for recording personal notes and comments:

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