

The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) compliant MT401FF is a "state of the art" satellite distress beacon designed to operate in conjunction with the COSPAS-SARSAT International Satellite Search and Rescue System.
Designed to meet the most demanding regulatory approvals the GME MT401FF is a Class 2, Category 1 EPIRB in a fully enclosed float free housing with a Hammar HRU that will release and activate the beacon automatically on immersion in water.
Using the same innovative technology that produced the MT400 and revolutionised the EPIRB world, the MT401FF now offers commercial vessel operators the same GME performance and value enjoyed by recreational boaters
The cost of 406 MHz beacon ownership has been dramatically lowered by the introduction of the MT401FF. GME's unique energy conserving microprocessor technology enables the battery replacement period to be extended to 6 years. This technology has significantly reduced both the size and accordingly the replacement price. The MT401FF is factory programmed with a unique serial number which should be registered with the appropriate national Search and Rescue Authority. In many countries, authorities permit the EPIRB to be coded with the vessel's Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number or Radio Call Sign. This reprogramming is undertaken in the country by GME's authorised Dealer
Advantages of a 406 MHZ EPIRB over the older analogue EPIRBs include world wide coverage, position location accuracy to within 5 kms and a more stable transmitted signal resulting in faster response time. Most importantly, the addition of a unique digitally coded message provides Search and Rescue authorities with vital information including the country of beacon registration and identification of the vessel in distress thus greatly reducing the incidence of false alerts and unneccesary deployment of valuable rescue resources.
An auxiliary homing transmitter is included in the MT401FF to enable suitably equipped Search and Rescue forces to home on the distress beacon.
GME has been designing and manufacturing EPIRB's for over 30 years, in that time literally hundreds of lives have been saved in Australia around the world.
Features
- Unrivaled in Technology, Performance and Price.
- Ground breaking Patent Pending microprocessor based design delivers unparalleled performance and value.
- Zero warm-up Digital Technology, many other beacons can take up to 15 minutes to reach optimum operating temperature.
- High reliability solid state strobe replacing old fashioned xenon tubes.
- Rugged lightweight easy-to-mount compact design.
- Easy, in-built self-test facility with audible alert confirms correct operation.
- COSPAS-SARSAT, C/S T.001 and AS/NZS 4280 approved.
- Antenna deploys automatically when the unit is removed from the quick-release mounting bracket.
- Automatically activates on immersion in water (when removed from the bracket) or can be activated manually if desired.
- 6 Year battery replacement period.
- Extended 6 Year GME Warranty
Activated |
UHF (406) and VHF (homer) complete with high intensity strobe and audible alert. |
Self Test |
Comprehensive internal diagnostics with visual and audible operator feedback. UHF test message (inverted synchronisation compatible with portable beacon testers). |
Compliance |
GMDSS Compatible and meets the latest IMO A810-19 requirements |
Activation |
- Automatically on immersion in water
- Manually by operator |
Duration |
48 hours minimum |
Transmission |
121.5 and 406 MHz |
Delay |
Signals commence ~60 seconds after activation |
Warm-Up |
None required (due to digital signal frequency generation) |
VHF |
121.5 MHz, 50 mW ±3 dB, swept tone AM |
UHF |
406.028 MHz*, 5 W ± 2 dB, PSK (digital) |
Strobe |
20 flashes/minute at greater than 0.75 cd effective intensity |
UHF Protocol/Data |
Radio Call Sign, Serial Number and MMSI |
Repetition Period |
50 s mean digitally generated randomization |
VHF |
Satellite compatible phase coherent |
Replacement Period |
Prior to replacement date marked on case (6 years) |
Replacement Method |
Authorised service centre or factory only (non user replaceable) |
Chemistry |
LiS02 (2.4 g Lithium per cell) |
No./Size |
2 x 'D' sized cells |
Operating |
-20°C to +55 °C |
Storage |
-30°C to +70°C |
Weight |
555 g (nominal) |
Compass Safe Distance |
0.7 meter minimum from magnetic navigational device |
Dimensions |
260 mm (H) x 102 mm (W) x 83 mm (D) max. when stowed in bracket |
Materials |
UV stabilized plastic chassis |
Performance |
IEC 61097; IEC 60945; AS/NZS 4280.1; ETSI EN 300 066 |
Release |
- Automatically before reaching 4 meters depth, or
- Manually by Operator |
Protection |
Impact resistant housing fully encloses EPIRB for environmental protection. |
Mounting |
At four (4) points to vessel |
Housing Weight |
1.1 kg (nominal) |
Housing Dimensions |
385.5 mm (h) x 157.5 mm (w) x 102.5 mm (d) |
Materials |
Marine grade stainless steel and long life UV Polypropylene stabilised enclosure |
Service |
Fully user replaceable HRU at 2 year intervals as per applicable authority requirements |
Retention Lanyard |
Buoyant type approximately 5.5 metres long |
Reflector |
SOLAS retro-reflective tape encircling unit above waterline |
Solid-state Strobe |
High reliability solid state 3 emitter design exceeds IMO requirements |
Antenna |
Flexible self straightening stainless steel design |
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