So what is the best PLB?

[miccheck1516]

Originally Posted by willk

Either you haven't read the quote that I was responding to, or you're unable to recognise the sarcasm therein...

Ah, I think it was your unecesscary use of paragraphs that confused me.

[willk]

Originally Posted by miccheck1516

Ah, I think it was your unecesscary use of paragraphs that confused me.

Hands up who else was confused?

[miccheck1516]

i suppose it is the weekend. meh im away out, with my plb.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by willk

: Hands up who else was confused?

Me! I never know WTF you're on about! :-D

[willk]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Me! I never know WTF you're on about! :-D

lol - probably that PLB pressing on yer brain cell :-P

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by willk

lol - probably that PLB pressing on yer brain cell :-P

It could be the padded cell that's ferked the brain. ;-)

[ShinyShoe]

Originally Posted by Poly

I'm not aware of any of the PLB makers clearly stating a TTFF which suggests to me that its not that impressive, and there is little difference between the cleverness of the software/hardware!

Suggest you take a look at:
http://www.equipped.org/McMurdo%2040...rt%20HiRes.pdf
Now I cant say if the almanac was already in its flash memory.

[ShinyShoe]

Originally Posted by willk

My unit has to be held with the antenna upright, so that's 30 minutes doing that while trying to focus on sea survival as well.

Which is why a rapid fix would help because you only need to hold it upright for the 30minutes because it doesn't have a fix and you are waiting for a fix or you are waiting for a LEOSAT to fly over you and get a fix.

Unless I'm mistaken the McMurdo wants to lie horizontally? With its pop up aerial at 90degrees? So on your lifejacket.

When the PLB is deployed, it transmits a 406MHz squawk immediately which alerts the relevant authorities in your registered country. At this point, they begin to ramp up for a rescue. They will have an area to focus on - probably ten miles square or so.

It does to a GEOSAT but without a location the authorities don't know where you are just that you are in trouble (maybe). So then without a possition they will wait for a LEOSAT to fly over 30-90minutes to get a doplar possition on you. Perhaps if they get a GEOSAT signal without a location and call Mrs Willk on the phone (routine to excldue a false alarm) and she can say - he would be at this location, this is his callsign he'll be listening to CH16 then they have enough to contact you and when you don't reply they would send the troops out on that direction pending a fix from a LEO or a GPS signal in the message...

[willk]

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

Perhaps if they get a GEOSAT signal without a location and call Mrs Willk on the phone (routine to excldue a false alarm)...

There's no "perhaps" about it. An unresolved PLB hit will not result in a delay for 90 minutes. Firstly, the CG will roll for a "likely" - even for a general location (assuming it's reasonably accurate - e.g. "he's in the North Channel". Secondly you'd be very unlucky statistically to have to wait 90 minutes for a Doppler fix.

[PeterM]

Technical stuff aside..the best is the one you never have to use....

I'm off to do a self test and GPS test on my 210 ....if I get it wrong and all hell breaks loose I'll never live it down !

[jambo]

Originally Posted by willk

lol - probably that PLB pressing on yer brain cell :-P

Rofl++++. Probably your best Mr W

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

[Poly]

Originally Posted by willk

There's no "perhaps" about it. An unresolved PLB hit will not result in a delay for 90 minutes. Firstly, the CG will roll for a "likely" - even for a general location (assuming it's reasonably accurate - e.g. "he's in the North Channel". Secondly you'd be very unlucky statistically to have to wait 90 minutes for a Doppler fix.

More likely Mrs Willk says never heard of him whilst jumping with joy.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Poly

More likely Mrs Willk says never heard of him whilst jumping with joy.

Perhaps, but at least Mrs willk allows me to go boating...

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by willk

Perhaps, but at least Mrs willk allows me to go boating...

OOOH! meow!!

Just to stay on topic, I've got a fastfind 210, never had to use it, fingers crossed

[Poly]

Originally Posted by willk

Perhaps, but at least Mrs willk allows me to go boating...

She can't wait to get rid of you! She's either hoping you'll fall over board or she's got better "things" to do when your not home

[MustRib]

the best PLB is the one that you brought with you when you went on the boat and the one that works and that you kept in good order.......surviving is everything.

[4str]

Though not a PLB this may be better in some ways, depending on when/where you are:
Nautilus LifeLine | Nautilus LifeLine Marine Rescue Radio with GPS

You can use it for communication in non emergency situations and it is rechargeable via USB. You are more likely to keep it maintained since it can be useful for normal communications and can be kept in a coat pocket easily. If used in an area where VHF radio use is standard practice there is a likelihood that rescue might be faster since a lot of VHF radios in the area will go into emergency mode when you send a distress signal.

[ShinyShoe]

I like it, Not sure its available in the UK but is in France.

Is dependant on a VHF signal and only expects 6miles voice cover (only 2W transmit).

Much better waterproofing but otherwise I think I'd want a Standard Horizon HH DSC - has more additional functions.

USB charge is nice. Would love to see a meaningful battery use as suspect 24hrs is 24hrs of being on with no transmit?

PLB works satellite so better cover - Even where VHF use is normal (3 Ribs on round ireland lost radio contact for a period presumably as it was blowing a hooley and they were running for their lives but maybe they were also out of reach of a CG mast?)

Using it for other things risks you having already flattened the battery. PLB 5 years maint free...

Only really has 2 channels in practical terms - 16 and another of your choice. Great until you want to call someone on a different working channel

Auto off after 5 mins, so can't be used as a primary radio. So doesn't giove same level of redundancy as a VHF would. But would you carry a fixed VHF, Hand Held and this?

Ability to share Long/Lat on Social Media makes sense - would be good for the RI... but how? No WIFi or 3G - so must download them to PC and upload... so just a gimick

I think if I was a diver this makes sense - my support boat is maybe a mile away when I surface, maybe in poor visibility. As a Rib Crew worrying about going in the drink - I think a PLB may be a better option as soon as the CG have my co-ords from the PLB they can pass them to my boat if there is someone on it who can pick me up...

Ultimate is presumably a PLB with GPS & VHF voice & DSC & AIS, with a rechargable battery plus a reserve 5 year maint free emergency only battery... Oh with 3G, WIFI and sat phone so it can tell my friends on twitter I just hit the red button! Oh and you'll need two incase one gets destroyed on impact !

[SPR]

I resell the nautilus radio in uk - and it's us a primary diver lost radio - not an everyday radio radio.

S.

[ShinyShoe]

You should get yourself listed on their website as a dealer ;-)