The U.S. Coast Guard is reminding commercial and recreational boaters that, starting Feb. 1, search and rescue organizations will only receive distress alert signals from digital 406-MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons.
Because satellites will no longer process analog signals transmitting on 121.5 or 243.0 MHz, the Coast Guard urges mariners and aviators to upgrade their onboard analog equipment to digital.
Digital beacons will provide more accurate information to rescuers and cause fewer false alarms. The change does not affect traditional marine radio broadcast.
For more information go to http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/ or call the Coast Guard at (906) 635-3277.
