Just copied this from the latest LNM as a reminder.
121.5/243 MHZ EMERGENCY POSITION INDICATING RADIO BEACON (EPIRB) USE PROHIBITED
Mariners are advised that as of January 1, 2007 the operation of Class A, B, and S EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) is
PROHIBITED. Refer to 47 CFR Parts 80.1051 through 80.1059. These FCC regulations apply to EPIRBs that transmit a distress signal to
satellites on the 121.5 / 243 MHz frequencies. EPIRB owners must check the class or type of their beacons carefully, since both the illegal 121.5
MHz EPIRBs and the authorized 406 MHz EPIRBs contain a 121.5 MHz homing signal which is used for direction finding purposes. Also, 121.5
MHz Man Overboard Devices are not affected by these FCC regulations and are still legal for use.
Owners of Class A, B, or S 121.5 / 243 MHz EPIRBS are encouraged to replace these beacons with Category I or Category II 406 MHz beacons
as soon as possible. When taking obsolete beacons out of service, owners must remove and properly dispose of batteries to prevent future
false alerts from occurring.
Beacon owners in the U.S. are required by law to register their 406 MHz beacons with NOAA at: www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov or by calling
1-888-212-SAVE. This registration information must be verified every two years and updated whenever changes are made. All beacon owners
are reminded to carefully follow their specific beacon manufacturer-s instructions when conducting tests of beacons to prevent unnecessary
false alerts.
121.5/243 MHZ EMERGENCY POSITION INDICATING RADIO BEACON (EPIRB) USE PROHIBITED
Mariners are advised that as of January 1, 2007 the operation of Class A, B, and S EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) is
PROHIBITED. Refer to 47 CFR Parts 80.1051 through 80.1059. These FCC regulations apply to EPIRBs that transmit a distress signal to
satellites on the 121.5 / 243 MHz frequencies. EPIRB owners must check the class or type of their beacons carefully, since both the illegal 121.5
MHz EPIRBs and the authorized 406 MHz EPIRBs contain a 121.5 MHz homing signal which is used for direction finding purposes. Also, 121.5
MHz Man Overboard Devices are not affected by these FCC regulations and are still legal for use.
Owners of Class A, B, or S 121.5 / 243 MHz EPIRBS are encouraged to replace these beacons with Category I or Category II 406 MHz beacons
as soon as possible. When taking obsolete beacons out of service, owners must remove and properly dispose of batteries to prevent future
false alerts from occurring.
Beacon owners in the U.S. are required by law to register their 406 MHz beacons with NOAA at: www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov or by calling
1-888-212-SAVE. This registration information must be verified every two years and updated whenever changes are made. All beacon owners
are reminded to carefully follow their specific beacon manufacturer-s instructions when conducting tests of beacons to prevent unnecessary
false alerts.