FCC, FAA, 121.5

by Ted Norris in General Tech Discussion 13 years ago

I'm a newbie and I will be getting a nav/com radio but in my searching I find that 121.5 could be, might be, possibly be discontinued, is there any positive info one way or the other on this?, articles as recent as June that I've found don't offer any "real" info.

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Re: FCC, FAA, 121.5

by Robert Comperini » 13 years ago

Robert Comperini

0 22 12

121.5 satelite monitoring has indeed been discontinued, however there is no rule saying you can no longer use the 121.5 ELTs to satisfy the ELT requirements.

Yes, the newer 406 ELTs can be used. They do offer better location services, but they are still pretty pricey.

So, bottom line, is that its up to you. You can go the cheap route and get a 121.5 ELT, or you can spend lots more money for a 406 model, if "finding you quicker" is important to you.

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Re: FCC, FAA, 121.5

by Roger Lee » 13 years ago

Roger Lee

125 5.12k 4.53k

Hi Ted,

Bob is right the 121.5 is not monitored like it used to be. Some towers and airliners do monitor this frequency and eventually you would get help, but the new system is better as far as a locator and being monitored. help is quick.
Another way to help yourself is to use a "Spot Tracker". It is a small device that goes anywhere you go. Plane, auto, boat or hiking. It is like a reverse GPS. It lets everyone else know where you are at within 10 minutes of real time and usually within about 6'-10'. You can set it up to allow others to see where you are. You can send messages or push a button to send the world out to you for help. Even if you didn't press the 911 button and had a heart attack and couldn't do anything and went down the Spot would still give your exact location. The issue here is it would take someone to look at the Spot Tracker on line and see why you were overdue or where you were.

I have one and take it every where. many of my flying friends use them. It's a great alternative to more expensive ELB's or ELT's.

Here is a friends link. Take a look. It won't stay up on the page forever just 7-30 days depending on how he has it setup.

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0qvvNclNhjEqYVq4G9piLqngR0uboKroM

Roger Lee
LSRM-A & Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
Tucson, AZ Ryan Airfield (KRYN)
520-349-7056 Cell

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Re: FCC, FAA, 121.5

by Robert Comperini » 13 years ago

Robert Comperini

0 22 12

Hi Ted,
I have one and take it every where. many of my flying friends use them. It's a great alternative to more expensive ELB's or ELT's.

I should add, that if you are "required" to have an ELT in your plane (because its an airplane, with more than one seat), then the SPOT, and other devices like it are not legal alternatives, because 14 CFR 91.207 says you have to have an ELT conforming to TSO C-91a installed.

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Re: FCC, FAA, 121.5

by Ted Norris » 13 years ago

Ted Norris

22 47 0

Thanks Roger for the reply, it's a coincidence that you mentioned the SPOT as a alternative, I was just about ready to ask the forum the very question you answered for me and I'm sure others, i have a number of friends that use them on while riding their motorcycles, their long distance guys, once again, Thanks Roger, I enjoy your posts because there straightforward, factual and concise.

Ted

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Re: FCC, FAA, 121.5

by Roger Lee » 13 years ago

Roger Lee

125 5.12k 4.53k

Hi Bob,

Nice to hear from you again.
He is right. The Spot is in addition to a regular ELT. It is not an FAA approved substitution. Most of the guys I know that have a Spot really like them.

Roger Lee
LSRM-A & Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
Tucson, AZ Ryan Airfield (KRYN)
520-349-7056 Cell

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FCC, FAA, 121.5

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