The FastFind 220 is the world’s first Galileo-enabled Personal Location Beacon (PLB), a personal safety device designed to alert search and rescue services and allow them to quickly locate you in the event of an emergency, on land or sea.
McMurdo FastFind 220
Features
- 406/121.5MHz PLB
- Galileo & GPS GNSS receivers
- No subscription fees
- Simple three-stage activation incorporating;
• Safe-stow antenna
• AAD (Accidental Activation Deterrent)
• DADS (Discreet Antenna Deployment System) - 6 year battery storage life*
- Minimum 24hr continuous operation
- Self test facility with battery use indicator
- Floats with buoyancy pouch (included)
- Waterproof to 10m
- SOS Morse code LED flashlight
Discover more in the BROCHURE tab below
| Standards | Cospas-Sarsat T.001/T.007 class2, RTCM 11010.2, ETSI EN 302152-1,, AS/NZS 4280.2, NSS-PLB11 |
| Sealing depth | Immersion to 10m (30ft) for 5 mins |
| Operating temperature |
-20 to +55ºC (-4 to +131ºF) |
| Storage temperature | -30 to +70ºC (-22 to +158ºF) |
| Altitude | 12,192m (40,000ft) |
| Buoyancy | Category 2, will not float (keep in buoyancy pouch provided) |
| Battery type | Lithium Manganese |
| Transmit duration | > 24 hours @ -20ºC (-4ºF) |
| Battery life (storage) | *6 years from date of manufacture |
| Battery replacement | Service centre |
| Battery Use | Logged by microprocessor |
| Frequency | 406.031 MHz (alert) / 121.5 MHz (homer) |
| Power | 5W (alert) / 50mW (homer) nominal |
| Unique ID Number | Factory or dealer programmed |
| GNSS Receiver | GPS(L1)+GALILEO(E1), 72 channel, ceramic patch antenna |
| Size (D x W x L) | 34 x 47 x 106mm (1.34 x 1.85 x 4.17in) |
| Weight | 152g (5.36oz) |
| Indicator Light | High brightness LED signal light |
| SOS flash light | Morse code SOS flash pattern, 30 operations |
| Activation | Manual, three stage |
| Self-test | Tests transmitters, battery and light |
| Warranty | 1 year (+ 4 years with online registration) |
| Part Number | 91-001-220A-C FastFind 220 |
A user’s perspective
How to activate the FastFind 220
Technology Overview
When activated the FastFind 220 transmits a coded message on the 406 MHz distress frequency which is monitored by the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system. The alert is then relayed via an earth station to the nearest Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC). As the satellites are in a polar orbit they offer true global coverage – with a PLB you can summon help wherever you are on the planet, no matter how remote.
The FastFind PLB uses a dual internal GNSS receiver, using both Galileo and GPS, to pinpoint your location to within 62m. Once in the area, rescue services are then able to pinpoint your precise location using the inbuilt 121.5Mhz homing transmitter.
Unlike EPIRBs which are registered to a specific vessel and must be re-registered if moved to a different boat, a PLB is registered to a person and so can be carried with you wherever you are – at sea, hiking, mountaineering or in any remote location or situation where you may require rescue. PLBs are subscription-free devices, so have no cost of ownership after the initial purchase.
The McMurdo FastFind 220 is small and light enough for you to carry on your person at all times. Using advanced technology, the FastFind 220 transmits a unique ID and your current GPS co-ordinates via the Cospas-Sarsat global search and rescue satellite network, alerting the rescue services within minutes. Once within the area, the search and rescue services can quickly home in on your location using the unit’s 121.5Mhz homing beacon and flashing LED SOS light.
The compact McMurdo FastFind 220 is quick and easy to activate, with a safe stow antenna which automatically deploys when the unit is activated. The battery enables it to operate continuously for a minimum of 24 hours. Waterproof to a depth of 10m, the FastFind 220 is also supplied with a flotation pouch, for easy retrieval.
For more information see product datasheet
