April 25, 2009
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Revere Supply Co. has introduced McMurdo’s FastFind Max personal locator beacon. The bright yellow PLB features built-in GPS and a 5-watt 406 MHz emergency transmitter for use in the air, at sea or on land. Monitored by the COSPAT/SARSAT system, a functioning unit will be detected within 10 to 12 minutes after activation, with a lat/long update every 20 minutes, the company says. The FastFind Max will transmit for a minimum of 24 hours after activation.
Although 121.5 MHz is no longer being monitored as an emergency frequency, it is now used as a homing frequency. The FastFind Max also transmits on 121.5 at 1/4 watt. The PLB weighs 5.5 ounces, and is about the size of a cell phone. It features a flashing SOS-pattern LED, and is powered by a five-year replaceable battery. It also has a built-in 50-channel GPS, and there are no subscription fees. It contains no hazardous materials, a real plus if you’d like to ship it, and it operates at temperatures as low as -20° F. The FastFind Max retails for $299 and may be ordered online at Revere Supply.
