User Manual

Y1-03-0180 Rev. T1
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5.5 The ThunderBird S.S.A.S. contains lithium batteries which meet the requirements of the DOT
Hazardous Materials Regulations. They also meet the United Nations Classification of Lithium
Batteries for Shipment as "Non – Dangerous Goods".
SECTION 6 – THE COSPAS-SARSAT SYSTEM
6.1.1 The ThunderBird S.S.A.S. Beacon provides security alerting via radio transmission on 406 MHz
to satellites of the COSPAS-SARSAT network. The beacon can also transmit a distress alert to
the GEOSAR network that includes GPS latitude and longitude coordinates that are inputted
through an I/R Interface that connects to the data output of a GPS Receiver.
6.1.2 The message transmitted by the ThunderBird S.S.A.S. is unique for each S.S.A.S, which
provides identification of the transmitter through computer access of registration files maintained
by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or other national authority. It is the
user’s responsibility to fill out and mail the enclosed registration form to the appropriate
agency of the country under which the vessel is registered. US flagged vessels send the
enclosed NOAA/NESDIS form to NOAA in the stamped envelope provided. For vessels
registered in other countries, the beacon must be reprogrammed by an ACR authorized
programming facility for the registered country. Remember, if your S.S.A.S is not registered,
security Authorities do not know who you are, what type of vessel, your homeport, or where to
contact anyone who might know anything about your situation.
6.1.3 Once the beacon’s signal (406 MHz) is relayed through the COSPAS-SARSAT and/or GEOSAR
network and security forces are alerted, they can converge on the GPS navigation position or the
position estimated by the satellite. When the GPS interface is used with a properly functioning
GPS system, security authorities can know your precise location immediately and speed up
reaction time.
6.1.4 The ThunderBird S.S.A.S. can be activated by lifting the thumb switch to a vertical position,
sliding it toward the antenna and pushing back down to the opposite side of the S.S.A.S. to place
it in READY mode. Once in READY mode, pressing any one of the remote activation points
activated the beacon.
6.1.5 Self contained long life batteries with a five-year recommended replacement cycle provide power.
See Factory Authorized Service Center for replacement (Section 5 – Care and Maintenance).
6.1.6 Self-test is initiated by momentarily lifting the thumb switch to a vertical position and holding it
in this position for at least one second. The simultaneous lighting of the green and red LED’s
indicate the initiation of the test. The buzzer will beep three times as both the red and green
LED's light simultaneously. The green LED will then light, followed by a flash of the strobe,
indicating a successful test. During self-test, an actual satellite message is transmitted while
certain key performance parameters are measured and recorded. The self-test message is modified
to prevent the satellite from forwarding an alert message during self-test.
6.1.7 Following self test, the ThunderBird S.S.A.S. (if GPS data has been acquired), will beep and
simultaneously light the green and red LED's, to indicate GPS data has been stored in the Beacon.
This GPS data would be included in the transmitted message if the Beacon were to be activated.
(See Section 4.5)