Which type of emergency locating beacon is being phased out by the COSPAS-SARSAT system?

Which type of emergency locating beacon is being phased out by the COSPAS-SARSAT system?

• A. 121.5 Emergency Locating Beacon
• B. 406 MHz EPIRB
• C. PLB 121.5
• D. SART Transponder

Answer: (A)

The system is moving away from detecting 121.5 MHz beacons via satellites and toward 406 MHz beacons that broadcast a digital ID (and GPS data when available). This shift lets rescuers quickly identify who or what is distress, where they are, and reduce false alerts, because the 406 MHz signals carry specific, queryable information. Because of that, 121.5 MHz emergency locating beacons are being phased out from the satellite monitoring network. They still exist as a homing aid for responders once a beacon is on scene, but they no longer trigger satellite alerts or provide reliable, unique identification. The remaining beacon type to rely on for satellite-based distress signaling is the 406 MHz EPIRB, which is the modern standard. The SART transponder isn’t part of this satellite-based distress network; it serves a different radar-based maritime purpose.

The system is moving away from detecting 121.5 MHz beacons via satellites and toward 406 MHz beacons that broadcast a digital ID (and GPS data when available). This shift lets rescuers quickly identify who or what is distress, where they are, and reduce false alerts, because the 406 MHz signals carry specific, queryable information. Because of that, 121.5 MHz emergency locating beacons are being phased out from the satellite monitoring network. They still exist as a homing aid for responders once a beacon is on scene, but they no longer trigger satellite alerts or provide reliable, unique identification. The remaining beacon type to rely on for satellite-based distress signaling is the 406 MHz EPIRB, which is the modern standard. The SART transponder isn’t part of this satellite-based distress network; it serves a different radar-based maritime purpose.