ACR Electronics has announced that its next-generation ResQLink™ Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) with Return Link Service (RLS) have received Cospas-Sarsat approval and is now available in Europe.

Offering survivors vital reassurance in a life-threatening emergency, the Galileo Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Return Link alerting technology will be available with the ACR Electronics ResQLink View RLS and the ResQLink 410 RLS.

The groundbreaking ResQLink View RLS is the world’s first PLB with the capability to provide the user with a clear confirmation message via a digital display screen, verifying that the international satellite system Cospas-Sarsat has received their distress message and location. The ResQLink 410 RLS has a confirmation light to indicate that a signal has been received.

The ACR Electronics ResQLink 410 RLS and ResQLink View RLS will be launched in specific countries, pending approval of the use of RLS in each country.

Mikele D’Arcangelo, Vice President of Global Marketing and Product Management for ACR Electronics, said: “ACR Electronics is proud to bring the Return Link Service technology to our customers with the new Cospas-Sarsat approved ResQLink 410 RLS and ResQLink View RLS. Offering two-way confirmation between 406 MHz beacon owners and Search and Rescue for the first time, the new technology can only be included in the latest distress beacons that are able to receive Galileo signals, so we are excited to offer one of the first RLS-equipped PLBs to boaters, hikers, pilots, hunters and all outdoor enthusiasts.

“Our PLBs are renowned for featuring award-winning design and functionality to help save more lives and aid the rescue services in locating and helping casualties. Now we can offer the latest innovation in life saving technology to our beacon owners with a confirmation light, or even via a message on our ResQLink View RLS display screen, as reassurance that help is on the way – a significant boost for morale in a life-threatening emergency.”

The latest advanced ACR ResQLink PLBs were developed by safety and survival specialist ACR to offer more user-friendly features and functionality than any beacon on the market to assist in saving lives across the world. They were specifically designed to offer users the leading personal locator beacon solution for providing the valuable reassurance of Galileo’s unique RLS and introducing two-way confirmation between a 406 MHz distress beacon owner and Search and Rescue authorities.

Incorporating a multi-constellation receiver utilizing both the Galileo GNSS as well as the GPS Satellite network for faster location and improved accuracy, the ACR PLBs operate on the three Cospas-Sarsat satellite systems including the new MEOSAR. This ensures they will offer the near instantaneous signal detection and transmission enabled by the global MEOSAR satellites and upgraded ground-station components. Using the next-gen network, anyone activating a ResQLink PLB can expect their beacon to be located within 100 meters (328 feet), 95% of the time, within 5 minutes of the distress signal.

ACR Electronics’ ResQLink PLBs incorporate multiple industry-first solutions to provide a range of adventurers with a trusted and affordable link to rescue in a life-threatening situation. The ResQLink View with Optical Display Technology adds even more reassurance and peace of mind to outdoor enthusiasts, with the screen displaying all the beacon’s operational activities, including GPS coordinates, operating instructions, usage tips, transmission bursts, as well as battery power.

Compact, lightweight and easy to carry, the new ResQLink beacons feature a protected activation button located away from the test button, multiple wearable mounting options including a belt clip and oral inflation clip for easy access in an emergency, and an easier-to-release antenna enclosure. All the new design changes were suggested by members of the ACR Electronics SurvivorClub free beacon replacement program. The PLBs also include a new infra-red strobe light in addition to the ultra-bright strobe light to assist rescue crews using night vision goggles. ACR’s ResQLink Skins are another customer-led feature for people who want to personalize their PLB. With built-in buoyancy, the ResQLink PLBs feature an operating life that exceeds 24 hours.

The ResQLink series does not require any subscription but are required to be registered with the country’s national authority.  Optional subscriptions for testing are available via ACR’s patented 406Link.com technology.

This product is not available in the USA. ACR Electronics strongly believes that RLS technology is a benefit to the worldwide search and rescue system. ACR encourages your support in facilitating the approval of RLS in the USA by contacting the United States Coast Guard* and NOAA** (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) for the latest information on RLS approval in the country.

The full list of countries that have approved RLS to be sold and used in their territory can be found on this link: https://cospas-sarsat.int/en/beacon-ownership/rls-enabled-beacon-purchase

There may be a delay in countries informing Cospas-Sarsat, so many countries not on the above list may also allow RLS-enabled beacons. Cospas-Sarsat recommends to check directly with the national/territorial authorities for the latest information on what is allowed.

* The USCG can be contacted here https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Response-Policy-CG-5R/Office-of-Incident-Management-Preparedness-CG-5RI/US-Coast-Guard-Office-of-Search-and-Rescue-CG-SAR/NSARC/

** NOAA can be contacted here https://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/

About ACR Electronics, Inc.

As a world leader in safety and survival technologies for over 65 years, ACR Electronics, Inc. designs and manufactures cutting-edge rescue beacons and survival equipment for the marine, outdoor, aviation and military markets. ACR Electronics marine and outdoor products are engineered to work in all conditions when needed the most and include Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), Personal Locator Beacons (PLB), Search and Rescue Transponders (SART), VHF, two-way satellite communication devices, Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), Man Overboard (MOB), emergency lights, search lights, and other associated safety accessories. 

ACR Electronics operates within the ACR Group of companies, which spans a portfolio of brands including Bivy, ARTEX, Ocean Signal, United Moulders Ltd (UML), SKYTRAC Systems, Flight Data Systems, Latitude Technologies, NAL Research, and FreeFlight Systems. ACR Electronics is the foremost development center for emergency beacons that are designed with one purpose: to save lives. For more information go to www.ACRARTEX.com.