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View Full Version : PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) replacement time.


VladTepes
13th March 2020, 03:45 PM
After much research I bought a new PLB - a KTI SA2GN

Made in Australia AND no ongoing subscription fees.

An absolute must have if venturing off the beaten track especially in this country :)

Bushwalking, Hunting, Four Wheel Driving, Motorcycling etc


Bargain at $269.90 (with free postage) especially when you consider the cost of NOT having one if you find yourself in a position to need it.


SAFETY ALERT ✱ SA2GN PLB ✱ DISTRESS RESCUE BEACON 406MHz 10yr Batt KTI FREE | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SAFETY-ALERT-SA2GN-PLB-DISTRESS-RESCUE-BEACON-406MHz-10yr-Batt-KTI-FREE/311386639302?hash=item4880170bc6:g:KqoAAOSwhEtdulP 1&frcectupt=true)

Naturally its available at all sorts of places, I just linked the cheapest online place I could find currently.
p38arover
13th March 2020, 03:47 PM
What was wrong with the old one that you needed to replace it?
VladTepes
16th March 2020, 04:43 PM
It was that old it didn't have the new frequency.
I took a good hard look at myself and decided I couldn't justify not getting one.

If you dvide the purchase price by 10 years (recommended replacement cycle) that's REALLY cheap.
p38arover
16th March 2020, 06:13 PM
Mine is on the very old frequency (121.5MHz?), dunno if it would still work - maybe albeit not as quickly as a modern unit.
Graeme
16th March 2020, 06:42 PM
The old frequency is no longer monitored by satellite.

Beacon types and models - Beacons (https://beacons.amsa.gov.au/about/beacon-types.asp)
Dorian
17th March 2020, 09:12 AM
Mine is on the very old frequency (121.5MHz?), dunno if it would still work - maybe albeit not as quickly as a modern unit.

The old frequency is no longer monitored by satellite - x 2

and aircraft are no longer required to monitor the frequency either, so it may send a signal but no one is listening.

Cheers Glen
PhilipA
17th March 2020, 10:24 AM
My GME runs out of battery next year and I think I will get a KTI as apparently the battery replacement cost is as much as a new one..
Regards PhilipA
p38arover
17th March 2020, 11:44 AM
I replaced the batteries in mine myself. I just bought them off the net and soldered them in - much cheaper than a new EPIRB.

However, I do need to update.