PLBs and EPIRBs

[RPZ]

Epirbs and Plbs; do these devices transmit on international /global frequencies or do you need to have them programmed or buy them for specific ocean regions when going offshore, making passages?

[cal40john]

It transmits to orbiting satellites. You register its id number with your personal/boat information with your country's appropriate agency, and that information is put into an international database.

How EPIRBs Work: BoatUS Foundation

[RPZ]

That was my impression, just wanted to make sure. Thanks for the clarification.

[leftbrainstuff]

You have 3 gps options now. US, Soviet and Europe soon. They are not programmable. You register an epirb to a vessel and a plb to a person.

The next generation will transmit on AIS freq. The older style transmit on 406 MHz to satellites and 120MHz for short range SART.

Looking forward to the AIS enabled Epirbs.