UPGRADED: McMurdo FastFind 220 Personal Locator Beacon

UPGRADED: McMurdo FastFind 220 Personal Locator Beacon

The McMurdo FastFind 220 Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) has been upgraded this year. Now the McMurdo PLB includes GPS & Galileo GNSS receivers! The McMurdo 220 is ideal for marine enthusiast and adventures. It is the buoyancy and SOS features of the PLB that makes this device essential on land or at sea.

McMcmurdo FastFind 220 Key Features:

GPS & Galileo GNSS Receivers

The McMurdo FastFind 220 is the world's first Galileo Personal Locator Beacon. This PLB's electronics have been upgraded to offer accelerated location detection with duel GNSS capabilities - GPS & Galileo receivers.

Buoyancy

The buoyancy pouch, provided with the FastFind 220, enables the PLB to float. We recommend that you keep the PLB in the pouch at all times to ensure that the PLB remains buoyant when you are at sea.

Activation

To activate the McMurdo 220, you must manually deploy the antenna, by pulling the anti-tamper seal and pressing the ON button, in an emergency situation. Once activated the McMurdo PLB transmits two signals simultaneously via the 406MHz professional global emergency service and the 121.5MHz homing signal to speed up local recovery. The PLB typically begins transmitting on the 406MHz frequency within 5 minutes, but can be up to 45 minutes depending on satellite coverage. The start of the 121.5 MHz secondary homing transmitter signal means that Search and Rescue teams have been deployed. This signal enables teams to hone in on your exact location.

Strobe Light

The unit features a high-brightness LED signal light and Morse code SOS flashing light. Both of these features are effective for attracting attention.

Battery Life

The McMurdo FastFind 220 PLB's lithium power cell offers a minimum 24hr continuous operation and a 6-year battery storage life. Performing a full functional self-test of the PLB's internal circuitry, battery voltage & power and 406 MHz transmission. Therefore, this gives you the peace of mind knowing your PLB will work the moment you need it the most.

Subscription-Free

Unlike most satellite enabled notification devices, the McMurdo FastFind 220 PLB requires no monthly or annual subscription, as it does not rely on commercial call centres. Therefore, your request for help is received directly by Search and Rescue authorities. When triggered, the MuMurdo FastFind broadcasts a unique registered distress signal. This signal not only tells rescuers where you are, but who you are. Therefore, this is one of the most cost effective GPS enabled emergency beacons available for long term use.

McMurdo FastFind 220 Specifications
Dimensions	3.4 x 4.7 x 10.6 cm
Weight	152g
Operating Temperature	-20°C to +55°C (-4°F to 131°F)
Storage Temperature	-30°C to +70°C (-22°F to 158°F)
Altitude	12,192m (40,000ft)
Sealing Depth	Immersion to 10m (30ft) for 5 minutes
Buoyancy	Category 2, will not float (keep in buouancy pouch)
Battery Type	Lithium Manganese
Operating Battery Life	Up to 24 hours at -20°C
Storage Battery Life	6 Years
Frequency	406.031MHz (alert) / 121.5MHz (homing)
Power	5W (alert) / 50MW (homing) nominal
GNSS Receiver	GPS (L1) + GALILEO (E1), 71 channel, ceramic patch antenna
Warranty	1 Year (+4 Years with online registration)

Registration

Registering your Personal Locator Beacon is required by law in most countries. Search and Rescue Teams use your registration information to know who you are. Also, the contacts provided may be able to supply information about your specific travel plans. In the absence of this information, it may take longer for a search-and-rescue operation to begin. All Personal Locator Beacons sold by GTC are pre-programmed with the UK country code. They will function anywhere around the world, however the initial point of contact during an emergency situation would be the UK Search & Rescue authorities with whom the PLB would be registered. Please contact us if you wish to have your McMurdo FastFind 220 PLB shipped with configuration for use in a country other than UK.

Rental options

In addition to be available to purchase from only £224*, the older version of the McMurdo FastFind 220 is available on our rental service. You can rent the McMurdo FastFind 220 PLB for short-term rentals from only £4* a day!

Contact Us

If you would like more information or wish to have your McMurdo PLB configured for a country outside the UK, please contact us. *Prices correct as of 16th April 2019.