4/1/2003

ACR Introduces a 406 MHz Personal Locator Beacon to U.S. Markets

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - ACR Electronics, Inc., the world leader in safety and survival technologies, introduces the GyPSI' 406 PLB Personal Locator Beacon, ACR's first emergency transmitting beacon designed for snowmobile, bush pilot, and extreme sports enthusiasts in the United States.

The GyPSI', which has been sold and used for years in Canada, Latin America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, will be available for sale in the U.S. as of July 1, 2003 (pending final FCC approvals). It will be the first time that such satellite-detectable emergency beacon technology will be available for land-use in the U.S. (with the exception of Alaska, where PLBs have been permitted).

A necessity for any extreme outdoor sports enthusiast or those operating in remote areas, the GyPSI' saves lives. By interfacing with a GPS, the PLB is even more effective. This interface capability provides Search and Rescue crews with exact latitude and longitude of the activated PLB via the GEOSAR geo-stationary satellites, as well as through the polar orbiting COSPAS-SARSAT satellites on the 406 MHz frequency.

The 406 MHz transmission sends a coded signal that uniquely identifies each beacon, so rescuers accurately know who is in danger and how to best rescue them.

Upon activation, ACR's GyPSI'406 PLB sends a signal to the COSPAS-SARSAT and new GEOSAR satellite systems that encircle the globe. This signal is then relayed to a ground station and routed to the appropriate mission control center, where the unique identification signal is matched to the beacon owner's registered data. The location and data are then forwarded to the closest rescue center, which then launches a rescue. If no GPS data is loaded into the GyPSI', the traditional COSPAS-SARSAT satellites pinpoint the PLB's location to within 1.2 kilometers. If a GPS unit is connected to the PLB, emergency response speed is increased and position accuracy is improved to within 100 meters.

More reliable than typical safety devices such as emergency two-way radios, cellular phones, or GPS units, the ACR GyPSI' 406 PLB works at -40o C, is waterproof and buoyant. Although the GyPSI' 406 PLB may be used only in situations of grave and imminent danger and only as a last resort when all means of self rescue have been exhausted, it is the perfect complement to the outdoorsman's safety pack because it takes the "Search" out of Search and Rescue.

The ACR GyPSI' 406 PLB is compact and lightweight. Weighing just 17.6 oz (450 g) and measuring 1.9 x 6.5 x 3.8 in (5.0 x 16.5 x 9.5 cm), it's easy to pack or carry. The GyPSI' is also powered by a 5-year lithium battery, so it is capable of continual transmission for over 24 hours.

For more information on the PLB technology, please go to www.acrplb.com.

ACR Electronics, Inc., a Chelton Group Company, designs and manufactures a complete line of safety and survival products including EPIRBs, personal utility lights, marker lights, radios, SARTs and safety accessories. The quality systems of this facility have been registered by UL to the ISO 9001 Series Standards. Recognized as the world leader in safety and survival technologies, ACR has provided safety equipment to the aviation and marine industries as well as to the military since 1956.