Cheap ELT for new plane Ok, or need $$$ ???

[rogerh12]

Howdy all;
I need to get a ELT from my model -4, which will be flown light sport. You can still get the AMERI-KING AK-450 ELTs, complete for less than $200 at spruce, but it uses the older 121 mhz frequency band.

If I buy this one, will I just have to upgrade to the high dollar 406 mhz to get it registered, or in a few years anyway?

Let me know, thanks
Roger

[Esser]

I have heard rumblings that the 406mhz ELT is going to have another replacement in Canada soon...

[Danzer1]

There are several considerations here:

1. The oldest 121.5 ELT's (gen 1) are not digital and had/have an activation rate in only 25% of crashes. Hence the change to a the newer (still non-digital) 121.5's (gen 2) and that went up to 73%

2. The newest 406 ELT's (gen 3) are all digital and the activation rate is now over 80%. The 406's are the only ones satellite, ground and rescue aircraft monitored.

3. The 121.5's have not been satellite monitored since 2009, so your only hope of rescue would be from a close enough ground based receiver such as at an airport that has a receiver, ATC or a close enough flyover from a rescue aircraft that has one. I do not know what the transmitter range is on these.

4. The FCC has proposed banning the 121.5's but that has not been ruled on yet. Could be done next year - it has been drafted. The big question with that is - will the 121.5's be grandfathered in on existing installs? No clear clues on their opinion on that part.

I know what my choice would be.

Greg

[Dave S]

Roger,

I wrestled with this decision when our plane was certified in 2008.......The conclusion I came to was based on the same thought as Greg's....I want it to do something worthwhile if needed...also.....for what it is worth....about 15 hours of fuel for the kitfox pays for the difference in price of the 409 compared to the fuel hungry avgas burner I used to fly

The 121.5's are legal; but, aren't worth much more than that......some are ok with that....

In addition to what has already been said, the 406 nails down the position with considerably more accuracy than the 121.5's.....when you register the 406 you have several choices as to who you want contacted and their contact information.

Another point worth considering......installation. 1) There have been cases of the 406 not being secured properly and busting off the antenna cable......the 406's tend to have a bit more mass and need to be mounted so they don't come loose. 2) There is some logic to considering how the antenna will be mounted.....I had a couple discussions with DARs and EAA Tech Counselors..... those parties said with a tube an fabric aircraft - consider mounting the antenna inside the fuselage........if you really do need it...you will either be on your back in the swamp or on your bottom.......if the antenna is on the outside (top or bottom) there is about half a chance the antenna will get busted off or buried in the mud and be essentially worthless no matter how well the transmitter works


Sincerely,

Dave S

[rogerh12]

Well this is good input, but the old 121 mhz frequency band units can be had for less than $200 new, and complete, on the web. Anyone know of what the cheapest 406 Mhz units can be had for, complete with antenna, and hopefully with user replaceable batteries like my old unit?
Roger

[SkyPirate]

If Canada is going to replace/ upgrade from the 406 to ? I am going to research the dates and if its before the US goes to 406,... I'd get the 121.5 for now and wait on a deal

Just a thought

[Dorsal]

Dave, I thought 121.5 was still legal in Canada? is this a recent change?

From the interwebs dated 2012
"It continues to be legal to fly private aircraft in Canada with a 121.5 ELT. And a recent edition of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association newsletter reports that changes to the rules aren't likely in the near future."

I know that for me if I were flying over any type of wilderness I would not use 121.5, as it is I don't but will still change over one of these days.

[Esser]

If Canada is going to replace/ upgrade from the 406

I'm not sure what they will change to. The regional COPA direct told me there are rumblings for change to something new again in the upcoming years. I have no idea why or what, just what I heard.

[HighWing]

I went through this during my recent completion and got help from an unexpected source. A friend heavily into motorcycles and off road ATV riding was here one day. I posed the question to him. His answer - relating to helmet requirements also required by law, but a good metaphor. "You don't want to be in the ambulance on the way to the hospital wishing you had bought the more expensive helmet". I bit the bullet and bought the 406.

Essentially you are either motivated by simply complying with a law, or Making an investment in significantly more protection.

[Danzer1]

I don't think there will be a change anywhere, anytime soon from the 406 frequency. 406 is the international standard - all of the COSPAS-SARSAT satellites are equipped for 406.

Maybe there's confusion with the known change to MEOSAR (medium earth orbiting satellites) still are/will be at 406 though. Those satellites will make the beacon recognition almost instantaneous.

As an aside, the marine versions (EPIRB's) were phased out of 121.5 starting in 2003 and banned in 2007 (in the US of A). All the marine users had to switch over then (when 406's cost upwards of $1500 each). We can thank the AOPA for lobbying to keep the 121.5 ELT's up until now. But the forced change, phase out will be coming our way!

Greg