Some info on Safety Beacons, also info on disposal or inadvertent activation of old beacons, see;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X8FJmdcmAI 

I recommend everyone should have one. They can be a life saver anywhere, anytime, for boat, light aircraft, motorhome. The older style transmitted, once activated on 121.5 MHZ. All airline aircraft, domestic and international monitored that frequency when operating over Australia. The latest units transmitting on 406 MHZ are monitored by satellite and can pinpoint your position within a meter or two, and search and rescue is immediately initiated. As they say in the American Express advert. "Don't leave home without it"...

Where is the best place to buy these (retail shops) ?

GME is a good brand. I bought mine from a Marine store in Launceston, and they are not the cheapest place to buy anything. I'd suggest a Google search. Can't recall what I paid for mine, around the $400.00 to $500.00 mark. At least a Google search should give you a few sellers (new) and you can compare prices.

As Allen stated, they must be registered.

Thanks Ken, and the reminder on registration.

If you do a search for an Epirb online you can pick them up from about $250 or less upwards.  The models with GPS start about $290 (Just bought a new one for the boat).  It depends whether you wish one with a GPS or not.  Non GPS narrow down to within about 1K, GPS within 50 metres or so depending on how the satellites are programmed.

You register them with AMSA which is the preferred option, although it is not compulsory.

The older style 121.5 MHZ are no longer monitored for at all.

Thanks Delatite, I'll do that

I notice there was a safety recall on a certain make, see;

http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/47880-1_safetyrecall.pdf

This is where to register:

Australian 406 MHz Distress Beacon Register

Emergency Response Division

AUSTRALIAN MARITIME SAFETY AUTHORITY

Level 2, 82 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon ACT 2612

GPO Box 2181, Canberra ACT, 2601

Big Gorilla wrote:

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This is where to register:

Australian 406 MHz Distress Beacon Register

Emergency Response Division

AUSTRALIAN MARITIME SAFETY AUTHORITY

 

Level 2, 82 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon ACT 2612

 

GPO Box 2181, Canberra ACT, 2601

 

p	1800 406 406 or +61 2 6279 5766 (business hours)
f	1800 406 329 or +61 2 9332 6323 (24 hours)
e	ausbeacon@amsa.gov.au
w	www.amsa.gov.au/beacons

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Thanks Ken!  

delatite wrote:

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If you do a search for an Epirb online you can pick them up from about $250 or less upwards.  The models with GPS start about $290 (Just bought a new one for the boat).  It depends whether you wish one with a GPS or not.  Non GPS narrow down to within about 1K, GPS within 50 metres or so depending on how the satellites are programmed.

You register them with AMSA which is the preferred option, although it is not compulsory.

The older style 121.5 MHZ are no longer monitored for at all.

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 Some of the newer ones also have a 121.5Mhz beacon as well. This allows aircraft to home in on you if they are equipped with 121.5Mhz monitoring as well.

GME MT600G