Old EPIRB's won't be monitored next year.

**Carnivore** · 04-23-2008, 12:09 AM

The US Coast Guard issued a press release

<http://www.uscglosangeles.com/go/doc/830/198867/>

reminding mariners
that older model Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs)
that broadcast on 121.5 MHz or 243 MHz will not be monitored by
satellite as of February 1, 2009. Effective that date, the satellites
will only monitor for radio beacons broadcasting on 406 MHz. Some of
the newer EPIRBs are equipped with embedded GPS, which will
automatically signal the location of the distress. (4/18/08).

Regards,

The USCG Navigation Center Team
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/

If the USCG Navigation Center web site is not working properly, please
be sure to visit our mirror site at: http://www.navcenter.org.

5150dude · 04-23-2008, 06:13 AM

That is good to know as we are in the market for one.
Dave

Exudedude · 04-24-2008, 05:25 PM

Good thing mine burned up with the boat or I'd be pissed.

**Carnivore** · 04-24-2008, 07:56 PM

Well there is a silver lining for ya.

Hot Reels · 04-24-2008, 09:00 PM

WOW, Thanks for the post.
I have been watch a few sites for a used one.
Glad I have not bought one yet.

**Carnivore** · 04-25-2008, 12:44 AM

Ya I am looking for one too when I found this on another site. Right now I think that one that Phishy put up is the cheapest by far.

DEFIANCE · 04-25-2008, 05:44 PM

Guys, the one Phishy asked about is a 121 mhz unit. It is USELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thats the frequency that will not be monitored.......

The only frequency the CG will respond to is 406 mhz. They will use the 121 mhz signal to home in, but a 121 mhz signal alone won't get anybody picked up.

**Carnivore** · 04-25-2008, 09:18 PM

Sorry Chris you are right. I knew that info was on that thread but was thinking it was phishy that put up the 400+ mhz one not you. That one you put up is the best price so far.

ILOVEBEER · 05-01-2008, 12:46 PM

121.50 MHz is also the aviation emergency frequency and will still be monitored. Every ELT in every airliner and commercial aircraft transmits on 121.50 MHz and we all monitor the frequency whenever we are enroute. The coast guard may no longer monitor it but it's safe to say that it will be monitored.

I have also never heard of satelites monitoring this frequency (at least in the aviation world). The FAA/NTSB uses triangulation with ground based and airborne equipment.

Non fishin fool · 05-01-2008, 06:37 PM

U.S. Navy monitors those frequencies continuously also. MAD (Military Air Distress) and IAD (International Air Distress)