Mcmurdo Fastfind Return Link PLB with Galileo-GPS GNSS and RLS User Manual

: June 13, 2024
: FastFind

Table of Contents

Mcmurdo Fastfind Return Link PLB with Galileo-GPS GNSS and RLS
Product Information
Product Usage Instructions
INTRODUCTION
SAFETY NOTICES
INDICATOR LIGHT
SELF TEST
GNSS SIGNAL ACQUISITION TEST
SPECIFICATION
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
ACCESSORIES
TRANSPORTATION
EU/UK DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
END OF LIFE STATEMENT
RLS IMPORTANT INFORMATION
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

Mcmurdo Fastfind Return Link PLB with Galileo-GPS GNSS and RLS

Product Information

The FastFind Return Link is a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) that provides a last resort safeguard against life-threatening incidents anywhere in the world. It can be used in remote areas without any other form of emergency communication on land or at sea. When triggered, the Fast Find Return Link transmits a unique ID to the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system, which can pinpoint your location on the earth’s surface. It features an inbuilt GPS and GALILEO receiver for accurate positioning and can decode Return Link Messages (RLMs). The unit is waterproof and fully submersible up to 10 meters. It has a flashing SOS light for attracting attention and a lithium power cell that offers a minimum of 24 hours continuous operation with a 5-year battery replacement period.

Product Usage Instructions

Read the user manual fully before using the Fast Find Return Link for important information on proper use and maintenance.
Perform the Self Test once a month, limited to 10 tests per year, to ensure proper functionality. Unnecessary testing can reduce battery life in case of an emergency.
If the battery level is low (indicated by a single flash in Self Test mode), return the unit to a service center for battery replacement.
Check the battery expiry date to ensure it is valid for the intended duration of use.
When activating the unit, be aware that the first emergency alert message will be transmitted 50 seconds after activation. This allows time to switch off the unit if accidentally activated before alerting rescue services.
Always hold the unit vertically upwards and fasten it securely to your clothing.
In water, the unit should not be used in a submerged position or transmit distress alerts. Once activated, it must be kept above water as direct contact with the sea will reduce the transmission range.
Ensure that the unit’s antenna is not obstructed or covered in any way and always has a clear view of the sky for optimal satellite communication.

This manual is applicable to the FastFind Return Link.
ONLY IN EMERGENCY FALSE ALERTS ENDANGER LIVES

ONLY PULL IN AN EMERGENCY
Pulling breaks the plastic anti-tamper seal that cannot be reset by the user.

HOLD

ORDER NEW CAP

INTRODUCTION

The FastFind Return Link is a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) that receives a Return Link Message (RLM) to give you the reassurance of a last resort safeguard against any life threatening incidents that may occur anywhere in the world. If you find yourself in a remote area without any other form of emergency communication, on land or at sea, your FastFind Return Link can call for help and let you know that you have been detected and located. When triggered, the FastFind Return Link transmits a unique serialized ID to the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system which can pinpoint your location anywhere on the earth’s surface. This is typically within minutes, but can be longer depending on satellite coverage. The Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) then forwards the details of the emergency to the appropriate local Search And Rescue (SAR) services. Waterproof and fully submersible to 10 meters, the FastFind Return Link features an inbuilt GPS and GALILEO receiver that can pinpoint your location within a few meters and decode RLMs (see page 41).
Dense tree cover or a steep-sided canyon can sometimes make it difficult for the GPS-GALILEO to obtain a position fix and the RLM. If this is the case, the satellites will still be able to pinpoint your approximate location and the unit’s secondary homing transmitter enables SAR teams to home in on your exact location once they are in the vicinity. The unit also features a flashing SOS light which can be used to attract attention.

$Mcmurdo-Fastfind-Return-Link-PLB-with-Galileo-GPS-GNSS-and-RLS- $4$$

The lithium power cell offers a minimum 24 hours continuous operation and a 5-year battery replacement period.
Please take time to read this manual fully before using the FastFind Return Link as it contains important information regarding the correct use and maintenance of the product.

SAFETY NOTICES

It is recommended that the Self Test is performed once a month in the limit of 10 tests per year – unnecessary testing reduces battery life in the event of an emergency. Return the unit to a service center for battery replacement if battery level is low (single flash in Self Test mode).
Confirm that the battery expiry date shown is in date for the duration of intended use.
Transmission of the first emergency alert message occurs 50 seconds after the unit is activated. This allows time for the unit to be switched off before the rescue services are alerted if accidentally activated.

For optimum transmission, the antenna must be pointing vertically upwards at all times.
Do not hold the antenna.
Fit the lanyard through the eye hole in the base of the unit and fasten securely to your clothing.
The unit will not float without the buoyancy pouch.
The unit is not designed to float in an upright position or transmit a distress alert when floating in water. Once activated it must always be kept above water, as direct contact with the sea will severely reduce the transmission range.
Ensure that the area marked “GNSS Zone” is not obstructed or covered in any way and always has a clear view of the sky.
RLM reception depends on user position, change position in case of non RLM reception.
In strong winds, turn the unit so the indicator light faces into the wind.

INDICATOR LIGHT

As soon as the PLB is activated, the indicator light will start to flash:

White LED:

One flash every ½ second indicates the unit is activated and attempts to acquire or refresh a GNSS position fix.
One flash every 2 seconds indicates that a GNSS position fix has been acquired.
A long flash then three rapid flashes every 50 seconds, indicates that the PLB has transmitted a distress signal along with the current GNSS position.

Blue LED:

When RLM is requested, the blue LED flashes every 50 seconds (very short flash).
Once RLM is received, the blue LED flashes constantly (blue flashes are intertwined with the white flashes).

While the PLB is active, pressing the ON button again will cause the indicator light to flash a Morse code SOS pattern. This can be used to attract attention in low light conditions. The SOS pattern is repeated four times each time ON is pressed.

NOTE: To conserve battery life a maximum of 30 presses allowed, after which this feature is disabled.

CAUTIONS
ACTIVATE ONLY IN AN EMERGENCY

This PLB should only be used in situations of grave and imminent danger to life.
False alerts endanger lives and cause expensive disruption to Search & Rescue services. Deliberate misuse of the device could result in a penalty.
Spring action antenna. Mount and deploy in such a way as to avoid eye injury.
Product and battery pack contain no user-serviceable parts. Do not dismantle.
Contains lithium batteries. Do not incinerate, puncture, deform, short-circuit or recharge.
Avoid cleaning the unit with chemical solvents as this may damage the case material.
Radio Licensing. This product is a radio transmitter. Although US and UK owners are not required to hold a radio license to operate a PLB on land, some administrations may require that the user holds a valid radio license to cover its ownership and use.
This product emits low levels of radio frequency energy during operation. Avoid handling the antenna once activated.
The unit will not float if removed from the buoyancy pouch, fit a lanyard restraint when near water to avoid loss.
The top cap is fitted with an anti-tamper seal which is broken on activation of the unit and must then be replaced. A new cap should then be fitted and the battery has to be replaced following any operation other than a Self-test or a GNSS Test.
For future servicing by a service center, keep the original packaging for transportation.
False alarm: If the unit has been accidentally activated or you are no longer in danger prior to the arrival of the rescue services, switch off the unit and contact the relevant rescue services as soon as possible.

SELF TEST

The Self Test verifies all key functions of the PLB including the remaining battery life and transmitter operation.

WARNING: ONLY SELF TEST IN THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES OF THE HOUR.
NOTE: The TEST button must be pressed hard to activate – if necessary, use a blunt object such as a pencil.

Press the TEST button for 3 seconds and release it. The indicator light flashes once after release.
After a few seconds, there will be one short flash for 121.5 MHz homing signal transmission and one long flash for 406 MHz test signal transmission.
At the end of the test, there will be a sequence of flashes.
The PLB will switch off after the test is completed.

GNSS SIGNAL ACQUISITION TEST

IMPORTANT: To preserve battery life, a maximum of 6 GNSS Tests are permitted during each battery’s 5 year storage life, after which further GNSS Tests are prohibited until the battery is replaced.

Begin this test indoors, out of view of the open sky.
To start the GNSS Signal Acquisition Test, press and hold the TEST button again for 15 seconds until the indicator light will start flashing slowly, indicating that the GNSS is searching for a signal. Then, release the TEST button.
Move outside so that the PLB now has a clear view of the sky.
Ensure “GPS Zone” on unit is not obstructed.
Unit will flash slowly until GNSS fix is acquired. When no GNSS Test remains, the unit will only flash once a single long flash and the PLB will switch off without performing the GNSS Test.
A series of long flashes indicates a successful GNSS fix and the number of GNSS tests remaining.
If no GNSS fix is acquired after 5 minutes, the test will fail and the indicator light will stop flashing.

$Mcmurdo-Fastfind-Return-Link-PLB-with-Galileo-GPS-GNSS-and-RLS- $10$$

SPECIFICATION

Standards ………………………………………………….. COSPAS-SARSAT T.001/T.007 class2, RTCM 11010.3
………………………………………………………………………… ETSI EN 302152-1, AS/NZS 4280.2, NSS-PLB11
Sealing depth ……………………………………………………………… Immersion to 10 m (30 ft) for 5 minutes
Operating temperature ……………………………………………………………….. -20 to +55 °C (-4 to + 131 °F)
Storage temperature ………………………………………………………………….. -30 to +70 °C (-22 to +158 °F)
Altitude ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12,192 m (40,000 ft)
Buoyancy …………………………………… Category 2, will not float (optional buoyancy pouch available)
Battery type …………………………………………………………………………………………… Lithium Manganese
Transmit duration …………………………………………………………………………. > 24 hours @ -20 °C (-4 °F)
Battery life (storage) ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5 years
Battery replacement ………………………………………………………………………………………. Service center
Battery Use …………………………………………………………………………………… Logged by microprocessor
Transmitter Frequency ……………………………………………. 406.031 MHz (alert) / 121.5 MHz (homer)
Transmitter Power …………………………………………………………. 5 W (alert) / 50 mW (homer) nominal
Unique ID Number ………………………………………………………………….. .Factory or dealer programmed
GNSS Receiver ……………………………………GPS(L1)+GALILEO(E1), 72 channel, ceramic patch antenna
Size (D x W x L) ……………………………………………………………. 36 x 50 x 112 mm (1.42 x 1.97 x 4.41 in)
Weight …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 164 g (5.8 oz)
Indicator Light ……………………………….. High brightness LED signal light+ Blue LED for RLS indications
SOS flash light ……………………………………………………… Morse code SOS flash pattern, 30 operations
Activation ……………………………………………………………………………………………… Manual, three stage
Self-test ………………………………………………………………………….. Tests transmitters, battery and light
Standard Compass Safe Distance ……………………………………………………………………………… 1 m (3 ft)
Warranty …………………………………………………………………. 1 year (+ 4 years with online registration)

This PLB will not float unless held in the optional buoyancy pouch. A PLB is not an ELT or an EPIRB and does not meet the regulatory requirements for an ELT or an EPIRB.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Registration of the PLB with the relevant national authority is mandatory. For further information applicable to your region refer to the information on the registration form provided and the annex at the end of this manual.
Some national authorities provide the registered user with a label which must be fitted to the rear of the PLB as proof of registration.
Please refer to the Cospas-Sarsat webpage Where to Register My Beacon listing the country with RLS protocols allowed at: https://www.406registration.com/countriessupported.aspx
Failure to register the PLB is illegal and could delay a Search & Rescue response.
Some national authorities require a completed registration application form to be submitted by letter or fax, others offer an online registration. For more information, visit the emergency beacon registration database IBRD at www.406registration.com and also www.cospas- sarsat.org. The addresses of the national authorities are listed in the annex at the end of this manual.

Sale or transfer: The new owner must file a new user registration. Should the country hosting the user registration also change then the PLB will need to be re-programmed by a service agent.

ACCESSORIES

Included with your FastFind Return Link are:

A neck lanyard (not to scale)
A universal pouch

TRANSPORTATION

The product contains a lithium metal battery with a lithium content exceeding 2 g and a total net quantity of 0.068 kg. It is classified as dangerous goods for transportation purposes: Class 9, UN3091, Lithium metal Batteries Contained in Equipment.
Transport by air: the product cannot be carried on a passenger aircraft either as carry-on or checked in baggage. For transport by air, the product must be packaged and shipped as cargo via a qualified dangerous goods shipper. Packing instruction P970 Section 1 applies.
Transport by sea: It may be possible to carry the product in a private vehicle or as carry-on baggage – this must be checked with the ferry company/shipping line prior to travel. If this is not allowed, the product must be packaged and shipped as cargo via a qualified dangerous goods shipper. Packing instruction P903 applies.
Transport by road: The transport of dangerous goods regulations do not apply to items carried in a private vehicle for personal use. Product being transported by courier/road haulier must be packaged and shipped as cargo via a qualified dangerous goods shipper. Packing instruction P903 applies.

EU/UK DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

Hereby McMurdo Ltd declares that the Type Z450 is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of the:
EU Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU.
The UK Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 (SI 2017/1206).
UK Interface Requirement 2084, Cospas-Sarsat locator beacons for use on land.
UK Interface Requirement 2042, Maritime Personal Locator Beacons.
The Declaration of Conformity in full can be obtained online from: https://www.seasofsolutions.com/support/mcmurdo/marine-products/
Use of this equipment is subject to restrictions of use and / or licensing in the following European countries:

END OF LIFE STATEMENT

At the end of its life, the product must be disposed of according to local laws and regulations and it must be disposed of separately from household waste.
The battery should also be removed to prevent false alerts.
Do not incinerate, but take it to a recycling facility.

McMurdo Ltd hereby declares that all materials, components and products supplied are in full compliance with RoHS & Weee Directives

RLS IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This beacon has the Return Link Service (RLS) feature. The RLS feature is an indication on the beacon (see page 3) that confirms to the beacon user that the distress signal from an activated beacon has been localised by the Cospas- Sarsat system and is being sent to the responsible search-and-rescue (SAR) authorities. It does NOT mean that a search and rescue has yet been organized/launched, only the fact that the distress alert has been received and is being routed to the appropriate SAR agencies.
The RLS is designed to send an acknowledgment to the beacon user in less than 30 minutes from beacon activation. Because this RLS performance still is under development, prior to around 2021 the acknowledgment to the beacon user may take somewhat longer than 30 minutes in certain parts of the world. Alerting of the distress to SAR authorities is independent of (and likely will occur before) the RLS acknowledgment indication on the beacon. This specification is described in the Galileo SAR Service Definition Document
(https://www.gsc-europa.eu/sites/default/files/sites/all/files/Galileo-SAR- SDD.pdf).
You may visit the web page Countries Allowing RLS Beacons (https://cospas- sarsat.int/en/beacon-ownership/rls-enabled-beacon-purchase) to learn the most recent information about regional/global support for RLS.
Cospas-Sarsat strongly recommends that you register your beacon. It only is possible to register a beacon in the registry operated by the country matching the “country code” (generally matching the country of point of sale) electronically programmed into the beacon (or the International Beacon Registration Database (IBRD) (https://www.406registration.com/) if the country uses it for their registrations). For example, it only is possible to register a beacon with a French country code in France’s national registry. However, owners of Belgian-coded beacons must register in the IBRD. The country code is encoded in the beacon’s unique identification number (UIN, also called Hex ID), which is used to register the beacon. Visit Where to Register My Beacon (https://www.406registration.com/countriessupported.aspx) to see where you can register your beacon.

McMurdo Ltd
Holbrook Court
E1 Cumberland Business Centre Northumberland Road
Southsea PO5 1DS
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0)23 9262 3900
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.seasofsolutions.com
DOC19028 Revision B00