First anniversary of 121.5 MHz satellite switch off

01 February 2010

1 February 2010 was the one year anniversary of the cessation of satellite processing of 121.5 MHz distress beacons. Registration numbers peaked at nearly 10,000 a month in February 2009 and at that time a backlog of thousands of registrations existed. 77,627 beacons have been registered in the last year. In January 2010, 4854 beacons were registered, with about 62% of these being done via the online registration system. Indications from suppliers are that sales are now in decline. AMSA is expected an increase in activity from June 2010, however, when individuals will need to their two year renewal of registrations to receive their proof of registration stickers.

Despite it being one year after the ‘switch to 406’, about 30% of beacon detections are still from the old 121.5 MHz beacons. Inadvertant activations place extra demand on Search and Rescue and take valuable resources away from potential life and death situations. Anyone still holding on to a 121.5 MHz distress beacon is reminded to dispose of it appropriately. This can be done free of charge at any Battery World outlet in Australia.

From today - Monday, 1 February, 2010 - 121.5 MHz distress beacons are no longer licenced for use for any purpose and all 121.5 MHz beacons should be withdrawn from the environment immediately.