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121.5/243 MHz EPIRBs

These are now discontinued and were the most common and least expensive type of EPIRB, designed to be detected by overflying commercial or military aircraft. (You can still find these on ebay and other sale site, so we will maintain this page for the time being.)

Satellites were designed to detect these EPIRBs, but are limited for the following reasons:

  1. Satellite detection range is limited for these EPIRBs (satellites must be within line of sight of both the EPIRB and a ground terminal for detection to occur),
  2. Frequency congestion in the band used by these devices cause a high satellite false alert rate (99.8%); consequently, confirmation is required before search and rescue forces can be deployed,
  3. EPIRBs manufactured before October 1989 may have design or construction problems (e.g. some models will leak and cease operating when immersed in water), or may not be detectable by satellite. Such EPIRBs may no longer be sold,
  4. Because of location ambiguities and frequency congestion in this band, two or more satellite passes are necessary to determine if the signal is from an EPIRB and to determine the location of the EPIRB, delaying rescue by an average of 4 to 6 hours. In some cases, a rescue can be delayed as long as 12 hours.
  5. COSPAS-SARSAT is expected to cease detecting alerts on 121.5 MHz, perhaps by 2008.

November 3, 2000, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that satellite processing 121.5/243 MHz emergency beacons will be terminated on February 1, 2009.  Class A and B EPIRBs must be phased out by that date.  The U.S. Coast Guard no longer recommends these EPIRBs be purchased.


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