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Distess Beacon being picked up by Speedbird 265 (1615 GMT)

  • 08-12-2011 4:18pm
    #1
    radar0976
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 433 ✭✭


    Just heard on Shanwick Radio Speedbird 265 (BA265) reporting that it had picked up a strong ELT signal (Ref : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distress_radiobeacon) in its vicinity. It was passing over the Northen Mayo coast. Hope it is nothing serious.


Comments

  • #2
    radar0976
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 433 ✭✭radar0976


    Same ELT just reported by "Speedbird 95" approaching the same area on the same track (1705GMT)


  • #3
    Zyox
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 939 ✭✭✭Zyox


    This happens a lot.


  • #4
    280special
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 386 ✭✭280special


    Any more info on this ? Did it turn out to be a technical problem/false alarm?


  • #5
    Bigcheeze
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,858 ✭✭✭Bigcheeze


    Zyox wrote: »
    This happens a lot.

    You didn't feel the need to expand on that post ? :D


  • #6
    David086
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 623 ✭✭✭David086


    Probably Santa, happens a lot this time of year :D


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  • #7
    Zyox
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 939 ✭✭✭Zyox


    Bigcheeze wrote: »
    You didn't feel the need to expand on that post ? :D

    Hah sorry. Think that response got posted mid-earlies.

    ELTs go off alllll the time. Some legitimate, some by accident, and some briefly by the owners/mechanics to test them. I'd say not a week goes by without personally hearing one on 121.5. Most people I've encountered do report them to who ATC are very thankful in case it's anything serious, but in most instances I think it's usually accidental and a case of "thank you we're aware of it".


  • #8
    radar0976
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 433 ✭✭radar0976


    Zyox wrote: »
    Hah sorry. Think that response got posted mid-earlies.

    ELTs go off alllll the time. Some legitimate, some by accident, and some briefly by the owners/mechanics to test them. I'd say not a week goes by without personally hearing one on 121.5. Most people I've encountered do report them to who ATC are very thankful in case it's anything serious, but in most instances I think it's usually accidental and a case of "thank you we're aware of it".

    Ah right. Thanks for the info. Yes I've heard it quite a few times. The controller didn't seem overly bothered so presumably they were aware of whatever it was.


  • #9
    Delancey
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,451 ✭✭✭Delancey


    Zyox wrote: »
    Hah sorry. Think that response got posted mid-earlies.

    ELTs go off alllll the time. Some legitimate, some by accident, and some briefly by the owners/mechanics to test them. I'd say not a week goes by without personally hearing one on 121.5. Most people I've encountered do report them to who ATC are very thankful in case it's anything serious, but in most instances I think it's usually accidental and a case of "thank you we're aware of it".

    When I did my Marine Radio course we were told to never , ever ' test ' them :rolleyes:


  • #10
    Zyox
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 939 ✭✭✭Zyox


    Delancey wrote: »
    When I did my Marine Radio course we were told to never , ever ' test ' them :rolleyes:

    Yeah I think there's something like you're allowed test them for the first 5 seconds of the hour on the hour. Or maybe it's a certain hour. Or maybe that's not even in this country. Or maybe it's so as to not annoy pilots :p


  • #11
    Tabnabs
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 15,822 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tabnabs


    Zyox wrote: »
    Hah sorry. Think that response got posted mid-earlies.

    ELTs go off alllll the time. Some legitimate, some by accident, and some briefly by the owners/mechanics to test them. I'd say not a week goes by without personally hearing one on 121.5. Most people I've encountered do report them to who ATC are very thankful in case it's anything serious, but in most instances I think it's usually accidental and a case of "thank you we're aware of it".

    The 121.5 Mhz EPIRB service was shut down internationally on 1 February 2009. Who is still using this frequency and why is it being monitored by aircraft?


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  • #12
    Tabnabs
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 15,822 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tabnabs


    Delancey wrote: »
    When I did my Marine Radio course we were told to never , ever ' test ' them :rolleyes:

    When operating a 406 MHz EPIRB self-test, the EPIRB is allowed to radiate a single burst which is specially coded so that it is ignored by the
    COSPAS-SARSAT system. The EPIRB must never be tested by actual operation. If it is accidentally activated in the transmit mode, then
    it should be turned off at once and the false alert cancelled by calling the nearest Rescue Coordination Center.


  • #13
    phonypony
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,327 ✭✭✭phonypony


    Zyox wrote: »
    Yeah I think there's something like you're allowed test them for the first 5 seconds of the hour on the hour. Or maybe it's a certain hour. Or maybe that's not even in this country. Or maybe it's so as to not annoy pilots :p

    Yep, its the first 5 minutes of each hour
    Tabnabs wrote: »
    The 121.5 Mhz EPIRB service was shut down internationally on 1 February 2009. Who is still using this frequency and why is it being monitored by aircraft?

    121.5 remains the international aviation distress frequency for voice comms and some still use a 121.5 beacon, they just aren't monitored by satellite anymore.


  • #14
    Fuseman
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 158 ✭✭Fuseman


    Hey Folks.

    What equipment are you using to hear this stuff? I love plane spotting and would love to get into hear the stuff realtime?

    Thanks in Advance...

    FM


  • #15
    xflyer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,787 ✭✭✭xflyer


    Tabnabs wrote: »
    The 121.5 Mhz EPIRB service was shut down internationally on 1 February 2009. Who is still using this frequency and why is it being monitored by aircraft?
    Most airliners monitor 121.5 or 'Guard' to use the military term. More recent aircraft model ELTs broadcast on 121.5, 243mhz and 406. Older ELTs are still around without the capability to broadcast on 406. It's relatively common for ELTs to be activated accidentally as opposed to activating in an accident. In past I've heard of ELT signals being traced to a warehouse or a truck carrying a dismantled aircraft.


  • #16
    A320
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 708 ✭✭✭A320


    Ya generally when we test them we give ATC a ring to let them know out of courtesy,i think the 5 mins after each hour thing is being phased out,they prefer to know especially a 406.025MHz system,that also requires a handheld test set to bring the code up

    Iv often dealt with Airport police come an ask have we set an ELT off!! Just say No!!!!!!


  • #17
    Delancey
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,451 ✭✭✭Delancey


    Tabnabs wrote: »
    When operating a 406 MHz EPIRB self-test, the EPIRB is allowed to radiate a single burst which is specially coded so that it is ignored by the
    COSPAS-SARSAT system. The EPIRB must never be tested by actual operation. If it is accidentally activated in the transmit mode, then
    it should be turned off at once and the false alert cancelled by calling the nearest Rescue Coordination Center.

    Yeah I should have made clear it was never to be tested by actual operation , was not aware the 121.5 EPIRB service had terminated - guess I'll have to re-do my Marine Radio course :rolleyes:


  • #18
    pclancy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,941 ✭✭✭pclancy


    I've heard stories at the aeroclub of them being set off and the offenders fined. Its part of the startup checklist to make sure its armed but off and again off at the end of the flight, just in case you knocked it on with a particulary crap student landing.


  • #19
    drBill
    Closed Accounts Posts: 329 ✭✭drBill


    Tabnabs wrote: »
    When operating a 406 MHz EPIRB self-test, the EPIRB is allowed to radiate a single burst which is specially coded so that it is ignored by the
    COSPAS-SARSAT system. The EPIRB must never be tested by actual operation. If it is accidentally activated in the transmit mode, then
    it should be turned off at once and the false alert cancelled by calling the nearest Rescue Coordination Center.

    Strange, when I did my marine vhf course we were told to leave it on in the event of an accidental activation, notify the coast guard, and await instructions to turn it off.


  • #20
    reno911
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21 ✭reno911


    drBill wrote: »
    Strange, when I did my marine vhf course we were told to leave it on in the event of an accidental activation, notify the coast guard, and await instructions to turn it off.


    Same here,
    we were told to leave it on too and call a PANPAN to the nearest CRS/MRCC and they will advise to knock it off.


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