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Becker Avionics receives certification for locator beacon

Feb. 17, 2010, Baden-Baden, GER - Becker Avionics has received the COSPAS-SARSAT certification of its new next generation personal locator beacon (PLB) MR510.


February 17, 2010  By Carey Fredericks

The MR510 is designed for airborne, land and marine applications and features an integrated, extractable 3 band VHF/UHF antenna and an integrated GPS antenna.

Transmissions from the MR510 are omnidirectional and continue for at least 24 hours at temperature extremes down to -20°C (Class 2) to help facilitate detection by satellite, aircraft or vessels, or by any other land, sea or airborne installations monitoring these frequencies. Class 1 performance (24 hours at -40°C) is available on request.

When activated, the device transmits sweep tone radio distress signals on the international VHF/UHF emergency frequencies, simultaneously sending messages on the COSPAS-SARSAT (CIS) satellite frequency, providing detection and accurate positioning anywhere in the world.

Two way voice communications with SAR crews is utilized through VHF or UHF aviation and marine emergency frequencies mode that also aids in locating the user. This feature can be manually or remotely activated when the unit is operating in beacon mode. A simple built in test (BIT) function ensures quick and easy operational readiness of the unit and is self contained with a waterproof to a depth of 10 meters and battery shelf life of over five years.

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The MR510 PLB is designed to be used as a personal hand-carried emergency locator device. When used aboard an aircraft, vessel or vehicle, no installation provisions like mounting brackets or electrical interfacing is required.

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