OWNER_____________________________ VESSEL_____________________________ RADIO CALL SIGN_____________________ Product Support Manual ThunderBird SSAS Ship Security Alert System Product No. 2800 RLB-33S Y1-03-0180 Rev. D FCC Type Accepted ACR Electronics, Inc. 5757 Ravenswood Road Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 Tel : +1 (954) 981-3333 Fax: +1 (954) 983-5087 www.acrelectronics.com Email: info@acrelectronics.com Y1-03-0180 Rev.
* * * WARNING * * * THIS BEACON IS AUTHORIZED FOR USE ONLY DURING SITUATIONS WHERE THE SECURITY OF YOUR VESSEL IS UNDER THREAT OR HAS BEEN COMPROMISED AND POLICE ACTION IS REQUIRED DELIBERATE MISUSE MAY INCUR A SEVERE PENALTY ***Attention*** This beacon MUST be reprogrammed by an authorized ACR distributor prior to installation and use. Failure to do so will result in incorrect routing of a security alert.
Foreword Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the ACR ThunderBird 406 MHz Ship Security Alert System (SSAS). The combination of superior design, high quality raw materials and quality controlled manufacturing produces a product that will perform for years to come. The test facility at ACR can reproduce some of the harshest environmental conditions known to man. This assures that the products we design and manufacture can stand up to the rigors found in a marine environment.
SECTION 1 - REGISTRATION AND PROGRAMMING YOUR 406 MHZ BEACONS 1.1 Programming This SSAS beacon is programmed with a serialized Unique Identifier Number (UIN). In order for a security alert to be routed properly, this beacon must be reprogrammed by an authorized ACR distributor before installation or use can occur. This beacon must be reprogrammed as follows: With protocol code for SSAS With the country code of the vessel’s flag state With the vessel’s unique MMSI 1.
1.4.1 Commercial vessels in the United States In the United States, commercial vessels that are required to have a radio station license are required to modify that license when an SSAS is added to the vessel. Please update FCC FORM 605 to modify your radio station license. For information on whether you need a radio station license, call toll free 1-888CALLFCC (225-5322) 1.
From Any Location USCG Headquarter Command Center Tel: (800) 323-7233 For Canadian Pacific waters: Canadian Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centre Victoria Tel: (800) 567-5111 For Canadian Atlantic waters: Canadian Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centre Halifax Tel: (800) 565-1582 For other Canadian waters (Great Lakes, Hudson’s Bay, and Arctic) Canadian Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centre Trenton Tel: (800) 267-7270 2.2.2 To report false alarms worldwide contact your national authority.
3.2.2 Mounting location The location selected must be sufficiently rigid to support the weight of the total installation (approx. 2 lbs) and at the same time consider vibration, exposure to surrounding hazards, such as equipment movement, doors openings, personnel traffic, etc. The bracket should only be mounted to a flat surface at least as big as the bracket. Mounting to a rail or post is not recommended.
3.3.1 General information SSAS beacons are required to have at least two remote activation points, one of which is on the navigation bridge. Two switches are supplied with the ThunderBird SSAS. Contact the factory if additional switches are required. The switches are required to be protected from inadvertent activation and activate only with two independent mechanical actions. These requirements are satisfied by the spring-loaded switch guard attached to the switch when shipped.
3.3.4 Switch installation Cut a 0.638” x 0.638” (16.2 mm x 16.2 mm) square hole in the selected panel. The recommended panel thickness is 0.039” to 0.106” (1.0 mm to 3.2 mm). The switch should be pushed back into the hole from the front. It is recommended to make the wire connections before installing the switch into the panel. Connect the wires to the back of the switch; one wire to “COM” terminal and the other to “N.O.” terminal. There should be no connection to the “N.C.” terminal.
3.4.2 Mounting guidelines Minimum height above deck: 10 feet (3 m) Allowable obstructions: Obstructions are allowable only below the antenna. There should be no conductive (metallic) objects in the entire hemisphere above the antenna. Coaxial cable length: Maximum: 100 feet (30.5 m) * Contact the factory if longer runs or different coaxial cable is required. Coaxial cable type: 3.4.3 3.4.3 RG-8/U marine grade Antenna assembly The antenna is shipped with the four elements removed from the housing.
3.4.5 Connection to beacon Attach male TNC connector (supplied) to marine grade RG-8/U coaxial cable (Not provided) as follows: Strip the coax cable per Figure 13. Solder the connector pin to the center conductor. Slide the ferrule over the cable. Ferrule Knurled Adapter end Coaxial Cable SSAS Connector CABLE CONNECTION FIGURE 4 Slide the cable/pin assembly into the connector body.
Connect the male SMA connector on the cable assembly to the mating female SMA connector on the beacon. For additional protection from corrosion, spray exposed metal surfaces of connectors with Boeshield T-9 or equivalent waterproof lubricant (not provided). ANTENNA INSTALLATION FIGURE 6 3.4.
4.2.2 Remote activation switches: These are momentary switches installed on the ship that are used to activate the beacon when the beacon is placed in READY mode. To activate, lift the spring-loaded guard and press the button. Note: Once the beacon has been activated, it must be manually deactivated. 4.3 Indicators 4.3.1 LED’s: There are two LED indicators located on the top right part of the beacon: 1) TEST LED: Green 2) XMIT (transmitting) LED: Red 4.3.
4.6 Deactivation 4.6.1 The ThunderBird SSAS can be deactivated by returning the thumb switch to the “OFF” position. 4.6.2 If the beacon continues to operate after it has been deactivated, remove the four screws holding the top cap to the bottom case assembly and unplug the battery to disable the unit. Return it to a Service Center for repair. Battery connection Plug BATTERY CONNECTION PLUG FIGURE 7 4.7 Full functional self test Please read all instructions before performing any of the tests.
4.8.2 Using the GPS interface: Once a compatible operating GPS receiver is connected to the beacon, the beacon will store GPS data for incorporation into the emergency message, which is transmitted to the satellite. This can provide more accurate positioning data to the national authority and may lead to faster response. Since the last valid GPS position data is always kept in the memory of the beacon, the user should take care to make sure that the GPS position data stored is accurate.
Carefully inspect the antenna for excessive corrosion of metal parts and visible cracks on the plastic housing. These could result in a malfunction of the antenna. Any of the above should be immediately referred to ACR for evaluation. Antenna accessories and rebuild kits are available if the antenna should be damaged. (See page 21 for more details). 5.2 Clean the beacon and the mounting bracket to remove residue buildups. It is recommended that the mounting bracket be wiped with a damp cloth. 5.
carriers followed by a digital message format that provides identification data. The 406 MHz system uses Satellite-borne equipment to measure and store the Doppler-shifted frequency along with the beacons digital data message and time of measurement. This information is transmitted in real time to an earth station called the Local User Terminal (LUT), which may be within the view of the satellite, as well as being stored for later transmission to other LUTs.
SECTION 7- AUTHORIZATIONS 7.1 Type approvals 7.1.1 The ThunderBird SSAS meets the requirements of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Part 80 and GMDSS. FCC ID: B66ACR-RLB-33S 7.1.2 COSPAS-SARSAT Type Approval Certification No.141 7.2 Characteristics 7.2.1 The ThunderBird SSAS is a floatable, battery operated unit. The beacon case, with its external antenna, is waterproof. The semiconductor circuits are mounted within the case assembly that also contains the battery power supply.
7.3.3 Accessories Description Part Number Replacement Cross Dipole Antenna 2810 Cross Dipole Rebuild Kit 2811 Marine Grade RG-8/U Cable 2812.1 (10 m) 2812.2 (20 m) 2812.3 (30 m) Activation Switch Cable 2813.1 (5 meters) 2813.2 (10 meters) Additional Activation Switch 2820 Antenna Mount 2821 Battery Replacement 1096 SMA Connector – RG 8/U male crimp 2814 TNC Connector – RG 8/U male crimp 2633 16 Y1-03-0180 Rev.
ACR THUNDERBIRD FIGURE 11 17 Y1-03-0180 Rev.
ANTENNA INSTALLATIONS FIGURE 12 18 Y1-03-0180 Rev.
INCH (mm) RECOMMENDED CABLE STRIPPING DIMENSIONS FOR TNC CONNECTOR FIGURE 13 INCH (mm) RECOMMENDED CABLE STRIPPING DIMENSIONS FOR SMA CONNECTOR FIGURE 14 19 Y1-03-0180 Rev.
SSAS SYSTEM BLOCK DIAGRAM FIGURE 15 20 Y1-03-0180 Rev.
BRACKET DRAWING FIGURE 16 21 Y1-03-0180 Rev.
BEACON DRAWING FIGURE 17 22 Y1-03-0180 Rev.
SWITCH DRAWING FIGURE 18 23 Y1-03-0180 Rev.
ANTENNA DRAWING FIGURE 19 24 Y1-03-0180 Rev.
ANTENNA MOUNT DRAWING FIGURE 20 25 Y1-03-0180 Rev.
ACR Electronics, Inc. 5757 Ravenswood Road, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312-6645 Tel: +1 (954) 981 3333 Fax: +1 (954) 983-5087 http://www.acrelectronics.com European Office 1 Rose Cottages, Pitmore Lane, Sway, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 6BX UK Tel: +44-1590-682282 Fax: +44-1590-683828 E-mail: acr.europe@dial.pipex.
INSTALLATION CHECK LIST Please Review to ensure you have properly installed this SSAS beacon: Installed the beacon and bracket on a flat vertical surface in a discreet location. (Paragraph 3.2) Installed the activation switches. (Minimum of two.) One must be on the navigation bridge. Switches shall not be labeled. (Paragraph 3.3.4) Connected switch wire to switches and terminal block on the top of the mounting bracket. Route wire appropriately. (Paragraph 3.3.
