[MilCom] SARSAT Satellite Monitoring 121.5/243.0 mhz Ends Today!

[Ken]

Well today (2/1/2009) the SARSAT (satellite) that monitors the 121.5/243.0
mhz emergency beacon signals is shut off. (See:
http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2009/db0114/DA-09-33A1.pdf)
General Aviation (private small aircraft) have been encouraged (it is not 
mandatory) to buy the new ELT beacons that operate on a 406.0 mhz with an 
instant data burst to the SARSAT (satellite) (BUT homing beacon remaining 
on121.5/243.0 mhz), however, due to cost most private small aircraft remain 
with the older 121.5 ELT beacons only.

Generally Satellite monitoring/alerts could get a Civil Air Patrol ground or 
air Direction Finding team within approximately a 150 square mile area and 
than additional DF equipment aboard the aircraft & subsequent  air/ground 
team response (working together) would further define the signals actually
location within 2-3 hours after the first satellite alert (as most of you 
know CAP is generally
designated as the agency to respond to ELT beacons).  Without satellite 
support, response teams will now have to depend upon aircraft reports 
received by the FAA Air Traffic Control Radio systems (e.g.  Air Route 
Traffic Control Centers, Various major airports Approach/Departure Control, 
Control Towers, & Flight Service Stations).  This will result in a longer 
time period until initial response, as well as a potential considerable time 
delay in finding the ELT beacon IF weather conditions prevent ELT search 
aircraft launch.

CAP's "Volunteer" magazine Nov/Dec 2008 edition (page 8) discusses CAP 
potential increased workload/mission tempo see: 
http://members.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/nov_dec_mag_proof_lo_69C5A66941D23.pdf

IF a private aircraft were to crash and did not have a flight plan and or 
VFR (radar) flight following established, it is very possible that the 
response would not even start for 8+ hours even IF the ELT beacon was 
working after the crash, because it is possible NO one would hear it!  (So 
at the very least encourage your private pilot friends to file a flight plan 
or request flight following OR for that matter IF you are a passenger in a 
private plane, perhaps ask the pilot).

How can we as aviation monitoring hobbyists assist?

Well basically it's a matter randomly (or purposefully IF you hear an 
aircraft on one of the ATC frequencies in your monitoring area reporting an 
ELT signal) monitoring (unsquelched) 121.5 mhz (AM mode) and reporting to 
the nearest FAA Air Traffic Control facility or Flight Service Station or 
possibly the Local Airport Manager IF you monitor an ELT homing beacon. This 
is especially important IF you live close to or travel by any of the 
uncontrolled smaller airports in your geographic area.  Also if you live in 
a rural area & are at a higher elevation it would be helpful to listen on a 
daily basis as often as you can.  (It's doubtful that you will be able to 
pick up an ELT signal with your scanner in the scanning mode/squelched).

What an ELT alert signal sounds like can be found at:
http://www.ipg-protect.com/sar/doc083.htm
More information & history about the beacon can be found at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_Position-Indicating_Radio_Beacon

Please consider posting your ELT monitoring "finds" to the list, and what 
subsequently happend when you reported it to officials.

Ken