Becker MR 510
Personal Locator Beacon

Becker Avionics has just announced that their true-and-tested Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) MR 509 will be replaced by the MR 510 in the Fall of 2008.

Both sophisticated and tough, the MR 509 still ranks as one of the most advanced PLBs available today, whether civilian or military. This unit translates into peace of mind - it is a survival radio for aircrew, mariners or personnel engaged in military operations. There are more than 6,500 of these Becker units in service around the world and now the MR 510 adds several major updates.

It transmits an intermittent sweep tone radio distress signal in VHF (121.5 MHz) and UHF (243.0 MHz) SAR frequencies as well as brief message pulses at 50-second intervals in the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite frequency of 406.037 MHz). Operation can be initiated manually or automatically (by lanyard or if immersed in water). The unit also receives GPS signals and transmits the coordinates as part of the COSPAS-SARSAT messages.

The unit provides for 2-way voice communication on VHF and UHF, which can be extremely helpful when the rescue team is getting close. This feature can also be remotely activated when the unit is in beacon mode.

The unit has a built-in flip-up antenna that handles all three
frequencies, but an external antenna can also be connected. The lithium battery, with a shelf life of 5 years, will power the unit for 24 hours at temperatures as low as -40 deg-C (-40 deg-F) and the unit is waterproof to a depth of 10 meters (33 ft). Once the unit has been activated in an emergency situation, it should have the battery replaced (it cannot be recharged) and be recertified, something we're happy to do for you.

The unit can be tested simply and quickly before each mission by activating the BITE. This will produce an audio "GO" or "NO GO" response and turn on a yellow indicator to indicate full functionality and sufficient battery life. That spells peace of mind.

• Becker Avionics Direction Finders
• Becker SAR products overview
• Becker’s Marine SAR products
• Download MR 509 specifications in Adobe .pdf format

If you have any questions about this product, please don't hesitate to call us, send us a message or contact Becker directly at: