ACR Electronics MINI B2 CLASS B PERSONAL EPIRB Specifications download pdf (Page 8)

Y1-03-0235-1B 8

NOTE: The left-hand front antenna element of the Vecta™

is the

electrically active element and the body’s effect on the front to back ratio

of the antenna is minimized when in this position. The unit will work in

either hand but, if no signal is heard when searching, you may want to

try different polarization positions.

Using headphones

Headphones can assist in the early stage of a search when the signal is

very weak, i.e., when just entering the range of a transmitter. The

Vecta™

does not have a squelch function to utilize the maximum

receiver sensitivity, thus there is always ambient electromagnetic

interference (EMI) or static noise heard on the speaker and

headphones. The EMI can overpower the signal of a distant transmitter.

At times the sweeping audio tone (whoop, whoop, whoop…) of a

beacon can be heard faintly amidst the static by listening with the

headphones. When this occurs the beacon is located in the general

direction that the Vecta™

is pointed. Move in that direction.

Searching for a beacon

Slowly rotate 360°, taking about 2 minutes, listening for a 121.5 MHz (or

training frequency) beacon audio tone. The NUMBERS screen will

display fluctuations in readings, increasing and decreasing, as you

rotate nearer and farther away from the beacon’s signal. There are two

indication modes for deciding the direction of the beacon: You must take

your time when rotating and keep the Vecta™

in the same position

relative to your body, as you turn to minimize the effects of your body on

your power readings.

Sweeping audio tone mode: When just coming into range of the

beacon (weak signal) an audio sweeping tone will be your guide for

direction. A louder tone will be received from the beacon direction. If no

tone is heard, rotate the unit in your hand 90° and scan the horizon all

around (360°) listening for a tone. See below for an explanation of

polarization. If a tone is heard, the beacon is in range.

Numeral indicator mode: When the audio tone has stabilized, as

signal strength increases and the receiver locks on the signal, the

NUMBERS screen will increase the data (number), indicating an

increase in beacon signal strength, as you approach the beacon. Signal

strength can be observed in two different modes: NUMBERS and

BARS. See next section and Appendix for an explanation of NUMBERS

and BARS modes.

PLB signal emissions: In addition to the 121.5MHz warble sound

(wee-ooo, wee-ooo) emitted by beacons, PLBs in particular also send a

Morse Code P sound (de-beep-beep-beep-de) approximately every 50

seconds (in the United States). Both can be heard using the Vecta™

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ACR Electronics MINI B2 CLASS B PERSONAL EPIRB Specifications Page 8

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