New Zealand rescue authorities are concerned there is still a misconception among boat users, aviators and trampers that signals from old beacons could still be picked up after February 1.
"They won't be. And even on the off chance that an airplane flying directly overhead did pick up the signal, we most likely could not rescue you anyway, because we wouldn't be able to locate you," New Zealand Search and Rescue (NZSAR) manager Duncan Ferner said.
From February 1, the satellite system supporting 121.5MHz and 243MHz distress beacons will cease operating when New Zealand's rescue co-ordination centre switches to using the new global satellite system.
The owners of emergency distress beacons such as personal locator beacons (PLBs), used mainly on land, and emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs), used on the water, will need to upgrade their equipment to 406MHz beacons.
If registered with the New Zealand Rescue Co-ordination Centre, the new GPS-enhanced version of the 406MHz beacon could allow the centre to pinpoint the location in seconds, compared with up to three hours using the old beacons.
After February 1, the satellites would have no way of hearing anyone who got into trouble and tried to summon help using a 121.5MHz beacon, nor would the satellites be able to provide rescuers a location.
All emergency beacon users should check what type of beacon they had.
If it was a 121.5, they should dispose of it and get themselves a new 406MHz beacon and register it for free.
"Somewhere on its body it will be marked with an operating frequency. If it doesn't say 406MHz, it will more than likely need to be replaced. If in doubt, take it to a beacon supplier for verification," Mr Ferner said.
Some commercial users are already required to have the new beacons fitted.
NZSAR has also set up a website (www.beacons.org.nz) where people can check what rules apply to them, how and where to get a new beacon and also where they can be hired.
Dunedin marine search and rescue specialists Martin Balch said hiring a beacon was a wise and increasingly popular choice.
Dunedin stores that sold the new beacons said in December that business had been steady for the previous eight months or so and that was expected to continue.
Supplier Navcom Ltd had sold about 60 beacons in the past year to people upgrading their beacons or those buying their first one.
The figure was "significantly more" than sold in earlier periods.
Alan Wilden, of Navcom, said demand was so high that at times it was hard to get a hold of the favoured Australian-made 406MHz beacons, particularly those with GPS installed.
However, the Sydney factory where they were made was working three shifts around the clock to meet the demand from Australia, New Zealand and the United States, he said.
The other Dunedin supplier, Read Marine said it too, was receiving the beacons in dribs and drabs on back order. Sales had also been steady.
At prices ranging from $549 to $1200, the different kinds of beacons were not cheap.
However, "what price do you put on life?", Mr Balch said.
"It's a supply and demand thing and I think the rush on beacons has already happened so I don't think they are going to get any cheaper."
Beacons were not compulsory and should be used in conjunction with other safety communication gear such as maritime radio, which every boat user should have on board, he said.
Cellphones as a communication tool were good, but a distant third.
"The truth of the matter is that even our most experienced skippers, pilots, hunters or trampers do get into trouble and given our sometimes extreme environment, trouble can quickly turn into life-threatening situations."
Having a 406MHz beacon would quickly help rescuers know when someone was in trouble, the person's location and what kind of help might be needed.
"They will save your life, it's as simple as that.
The beacons - The differences
Old 121.5MHz and 243MHz beacons.
Signals detected by orbiting satellites which could take several hours to process a signal and determine its approximate location.
Could provide a search area of around 1000 square kilometres within the New Zealand land mass and up to 1500 km from the coast.
Not picked up by satellite system after February 1.
New 406MHz beacons
Signals received by both non-geosynchronous and geostationary satellites, so picked up within minutes.
Picked up across the entire globe and could narrow the search area to about 20 square kilometres, and even down to a few square metres if the beacon had GPS.
Has a unique identification code as part of its signal.
If registered with Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand (registration is free and can be done online at www.beacons.org.nz) the beacon's code provides vital details to rescuers, including the owner's emergency contact details.
From these, it is possible to find out more about the party in distress and their intentions.
The beacons - the three main types
ELT: Emergency Locator Transmitter.
Designed for the aviation industry, normally has facilities for an external aerial and often activated by impact.
PLB: Personal Locator BeaconDesigned for land operations: tramping, hunting and so on.
Lightweight, with smaller batteries and often lower powered, as you are better able to mount it higher for better radio range.
EPIRB: Emergency Position Indicating Radio BeaconDesigned for marine operation, waterproof, floats right way up, larger batteries for more transmission power, and can be water-activated.
Replace 121.5/243MHz distress beacons with 406MHz beacons
Before February 1, 2009.
It is vital that 406MHz beacons are registered with RCCNZ.
Registration is free.
406MHz beacons with inbuilt GPS are strongly recommended.
In the marine environment EPIRBs are better. Many PLBs do not float.
121.5/243MHz beacons need to be disabled by physically disconnecting the batteries.
They then need to be disposed of responsibly.
Do not purchase a 406MHz beacon from overseas. They will not have the correct New Zealand identification code and your rescue signal will be sent to another country, causing a potentially life-threatening delay.
New Zealand's code is 512. Check for it on beacons when buying.
406MHz beacons can be used worldwide but they must be registered in New Zealand to get a positive response to any activation.
