EPIRB battery replacement

[Stumble]

I am with you John. It isn't like they preassure test the housings to make sure they are still waterproof. Or replace all the seals, or test all the constants to ensure functionality. And they certainly don't use check all the antennas to make sure they are in good condition and getting a good signal.

No doubt about it paying an expert to confirm the functionality of life saving gear is just rediculious. This is also why if I ever go sky diving I am just going to pack my parachute myself. No reason to pay someone to or me. After all how hard is it to stuff some fabric in a bag.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by Stumble

I am with you John. It isn't like they preassure test the housings to make sure they are still waterproof. Or replace all the seals, or test all the constants to ensure functionality. And they certainly don't use check all the antennas to make sure they are in good condition and getting a good signal.

No doubt about it paying an expert to confirm the functionality of life saving gear is just rediculious. This is also why if I ever go sky diving I am just going to pack my parachute myself. No reason to pay someone to or me. After all how hard is it to stuff some fabric in a bag.

OK I'm …
Is this really all tongue in cheek or…

There is such a mix of fact and fiction I'm not sure…

Greg, you are usually very factual and straight to the point but this time - maybe; maybe not.

And the sky diving reference, presumably many have their pack done by others yet many also insist of doing the packing themselves. At least that is how it is among the few sky diving people I associate with.

[sanibel sailor]

Originally Posted by Stumble

I am with you John. It isn't like they preassure test the housings to make sure they are still waterproof. Or replace all the seals, or test all the constants to ensure functionality. And they certainly don't use check all the antennas to make sure they are in good condition and getting a good signal.

No doubt about it paying an expert to confirm the functionality of life saving gear is just rediculious. This is also why if I ever go sky diving I am just going to pack my parachute myself. No reason to pay someone to or me. After all how hard is it to stuff some fabric in a bag.

Of course, I think you are the only one I've seen who posts a non-nautical profession as part of their signature.

[model 10]

Originally Posted by sanibel sailor

That sounded a bit positive... ?
OK, I'm ready for the next round of personal attacks and negativity...

If this were an aviation device or a certified life raft beacon that would be one thing. If you want to solder in a new batt go for it. I don't get the complaints, you turn it on and it puts out a signal. It might help somebody find you..

[CHM]

No. I am not one of the people causing a false alarm and who the hell are you to judge me? It was dead. Battery and all. I now have a current 406 beacon which is properly registered as well as all the FCC paperwork required in the US. Those old beacons are worthless if they are not acted upon if one is in trouble.


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[CHM]

Sarsat.noaa.gov is the link for reference.


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[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by Guy

If this were an aviation device or a certified life raft beacon that would be one thing. If you want to solder in a new batt go for it. I don't get the complaints, you turn it on and it puts out a signal. It might help somebody find you..

NOAA - Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking - Beacon Battery Warning

This link explains why you shouldn't do it. As I said in my OP, your life or that of your crew is not worth the $100 of savings.. simple as that.

[Hoosiersailor]

I would change my own battery in a EPIRB. But I am also the person that changes his own brakes on the car and does his own engine work and splices the anchor rode to anchor chain (all of which could be considered safety equipment and if not done properly could be risking life). In fact, I actually feel more comfortable doing it myself knowing that it was absolutely done properly.

But that's me and as someone stated earlier, some people really shouldn't go there...

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by CHM

No. I am not one of the people causing a false alarm and who the hell are you to judge me? It was dead. Battery and all. I now have a current 406 beacon which is properly registered as well as all the FCC paperwork required in the US. Those old beacons are worthless if they are not acted upon if one is in trouble.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

Your actions ARE! YES! It is people like you causing false alarms. YES.

I'm not judging you, I'm just judging your actions as irresponsible and to prove my point your maintaining you have done nothing wrong. YES, if a signal from a 121 is received by a plane flying over, then they are acted on and because of how inaccurate they are numerous resources could be wasted trying to locate it. The following link is one that happened just last month.

Active emergency beacon dumped at Tasmanian tip sparks rescue search - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

There are numerous advertising campaigns warning people not to do what you did..

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by Hoosiersailor

I would change my own battery in a EPIRB. But I am also the person that changes his own brakes on the car and does his own engine work and splices the anchor rode to anchor chain (all of which could be considered safety equipment and if not done properly could be risking life). In fact, I actually feel more comfortable doing it myself knowing that it was absolutely done properly.

But that's me and as someone stated earlier, some people really shouldn't go there...

There's always someone who will post nonsense. None of that is similar to changing epirb batteries.

Hell, I change my own stirrups on my horse and done incorrectly, could be risking life.

[Viking Sailor]

Originally Posted by Rustic Charm

There's always someone who will post nonsense. ....

It takes one to know one!

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by Viking Sailor

It takes one to know one!

oh, that's so funny, you just crack me up.

Seriously

[model 10]

Originally Posted by Rustic Charm

NOAA - Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking - Beacon Battery Warning

This link explains why you shouldn't do it. As I said in my OP, your life or that of your crew is not worth the $100 of savings.. simple as that.

Using an old 121.5 beacon has nothing to do with any, long distance search and rescue. It's for the plane flying through the **** or a boat looking for somebody in the water. It's for up close stuff. It's in the mountains that 121.5 sucks. It reflects and bounces around a lot. In open water it's not that difficult to 0 in.

[Hoosiersailor]

Originally Posted by Rustic Charm

There's always someone who will post nonsense. None of that is similar to changing epirb batteries.

Hell, I change my own stirrups on my horse and done incorrectly, could be risking life.

Nonsense? You really should read some of your own posts...

Its a battery in a device that can be owner tested. You install the battery and test it and then hope you never need it. Unlike the other things I mentioned which you will use every day.


And BTW, nonsense is thinking that stirrups might in someway be risky. Anyone that can really ride a horse can ride without stirrups.

To each their own.

[cabo_sailor]

Hello folks,

The discussion seems to be getting off topic a bit. I would like to remind you all of the be nice guideline. There is some valuable and interesting information in this thread. There are also some strongly held opinions, which is fine so long as it doesn't get carried away.

I look forward to finding out if a consensus is reached.

Regards,
Rich