1990 No. 70*1* STANDARD UNDER THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1983
*1* Notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 27 February 1990. 1990 No. 70 STANDARD UNDER THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1983 - PART 1
STANDARD FOR EMERGENCY POSITION INDICATING
RADIO BEACONS
PART 1-PRELIMINARY
1990 No. 70 STANDARD UNDER THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1983 - REG 1
Citation
1. This standard may be cited as "Ministerial Standard 241".
1990 No. 70 STANDARD UNDER THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1983 - REG 2
Interpretation
2. In this standard, unless the contrary intention appears-
'dBuV/m' means decibel relative to one microvolt per metre;
'device' means a device to which this standard applies;
'emergency position indicating radio beacon' means a device which
incorporates a radiocommunications transmitter whose emissions enable
detection and position determination via satellite or aircraft and provide
homing information to facilitate search and rescue operations and is designed
or intended for use in the maritime mobile service;
'EPIRB' means an emergency position indicating radio beacon;
'Hz' means hertz;
'kHz' means kilohertz;
'MHz' means megahertz;
'MS' means Ministerial Standard;
'radiation' means the outward flow of energy from any source by means of
radio transmission;
'radiocommunications transmitter' has the same meaning as in section 3 of
the Radiocommunications Act 1983;
'standard device' means a device which complies with this standard;
'transmitter' means a radiocommunications transmitter as defined in the
Radiocommunications Act 1983; and
'C' means degrees Celsius.
1990 No. 70 STANDARD UNDER THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1983 - REG 3
Devices to which this standard applies
3. This standard applies to EPIRBs designed or intended for use on the
carrier frequencies 121.5 MHz and 243.0 MHz only.
1990 No. 70 STANDARD UNDER THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1983 - PART 2
PART 2-GENERAL
1990 No. 70 STANDARD UNDER THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1983 - REG 4
Equipment markings
4.(1) Subject to sub-clause $(3), there shall be displayed on a device-
(a) a compliance statement in the form set out in the schedule-
(i) indicating that the device complies with this standard; and
(ii) citing the type approval number shown on the compliance statement
certificate issued in respect of the device under section 12 of the
Radiocommunications Act 1983;
(b) the name of its manufacturer;
(c) the name of the country of its manufacture;
(d) its type or model designation which shall be distinctively different
from that of imported equipment requiring modification before it complies with
this standard;
(e) its equipment serial number; and
(f) simple operating instructions including the warning: ''Not to be
operated except in an emergency-improper use carries a severe penalty''.
(2) A statement or marking displayed on an EPIRB in accordance with
sub-clause 4 (1), 17 (7) or 19 (3) shall be clearly visible on the exterior
surface of the EPIRB, indelible, durable, tamper proof and affixed in such a
manner as not to be removable except by destruction or defacing.
(3) The requirement of paragraph 4 (1) (a) does not apply to a device unless
the importer, manufacturer or supplier of the device, as the case may be, has
been issued with a compliance statement certificate in respect of the device.
1990 No. 70 STANDARD UNDER THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1983 - REG 5
Adjustment mechanisms
5. (1) For the purpose of this clause an 'adjustment mechanism' is a
mechanism which enables the operation of a standard device to be altered so
that the device no longer complies with this standard.
(2) An adjustment mechanism shall be contained within the housing of a
device and shall be accessible only with the use of tools such as screwdrivers
and spanners.
1990 No. 70 STANDARD UNDER THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1983 - REG 6
Conditions of Operation
6. The requirements of clauses 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 shall be met by
a device when it operates:
(1) at an ambient temperature of between -10 degrees C and 55 degrees C
inclusive; and
(2) continuously for a minimum period of 48 hours.
1990 No. 70 STANDARD UNDER THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1983 - REG 7
Antenna
7. (1) Subject to sub-clause 7 (3), a device shall not incorporate an
antenna other than a monopole antenna of length not exceeding 0.615 metres and
arranged so that, when the device is floating in water, the radiation is:
(a) vertically polarised; and
(b) omnidirectional in the horizontal plane.
(2) Subject to sub-clause 7 (3), a device shall not incorporate, or make
provision for the connection or use of, any antenna other than one which is an
integral and permanent part of that device.
(3) A device may incorporate provision for the connection of an external
antenna or other facility intended solely for measurement purposes provided
that the connection is only accessible with the use of tools such as
screwdrivers and spanners.
1990 No. 70 STANDARD UNDER THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1983 - PART 3
PART 3-TRANSMITTER
1990 No. 70 STANDARD UNDER THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1983 - REG 8
Application
8. In this Part "transmitter" means a radiocommunications transmitter of a
device.
1990 No. 70 STANDARD UNDER THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1983 - REG 9
Nominal carrier frequency
9. Subject to clause 10, a transmitter shall only be capable of operating
simultaneously on the carrier frequencies 121.5 MHz and 243.0 MHz.
1990 No. 70 STANDARD UNDER THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1983 - REG 10
Frequency error
10. The carrier frequency error of a transmitter shall not exceed +-3 kHz at
121.5 MHz or +-6 kHz at 243.0 MHz.
1990 No. 70 STANDARD UNDER THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1983 - REG 11
Radiated signal field strength
11. (1) The peak field strength of the radiated signal, on both operating
carrier frequencies of the transmitter, shall not be less than 105 dBuV/m.
(2) The field strength shall be measured in the vertical plane at a distance
of 10 metres from the antenna at a height of 1.75 metres above the level of
water in which the device is floating.
(3) The bandwidth of the measurement receiver shall be 12 kHz at the -3 dB
points.
1990 No. 70 STANDARD UNDER THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1983 - REG 12
Type of emission
12. The carrier frequency emission from a transmitter shall comprise a
double sideband, full carrier signal, amplitude modulated to a depth of not
less than 85%.
1990 No. 70 STANDARD UNDER THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1983 - REG 13
Modulation characteristic
13. (1) Modulation of a transmitter shall consist of an audio frequency
signal swept downwards through at least 700 Hz within the range 1600 Hz to 300
Hz with a repetition rate of between 2 Hz and 4 Hz.
(2) The delay between consecutive sweeps shall not exceed one-tenth of the
down-sweep time.
1990 No. 70 STANDARD UNDER THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1983 - REG 14
Transmitter duty cycle
14. Following activation a transmitter shall operate continuously (100% duty
cycle).
1990 No. 70 STANDARD UNDER THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1983 - REG 15
Emission spectrum
15. An emission from a transmitter shall include a clearly defined carrier
frequency distinct from the modulation sideband components. At least 30% of
the power emitted shall be contained during any modulation cycle within:
(a) +-30 Hz of the actual carrier frequency when operating on the nominal
carrier frequency of 121.5 MHz; and
(b) +-60 Hz of the actual carrier frequency when operating on the nominal
carrier frequency of 243.0 MHz.
1990 No. 70 STANDARD UNDER THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1983 - REG 16
Spurious radiation
16. (1) The peak field strength of each spurious radiation from a
transmitter shall not exceed 75 dBuV/m when measured at a distance of 10
metres from the antenna at a height of 1.75 metres above the level of water in
which the device is floating.
(2) The bandwidth of the measurement receiver shall be 12 kHz at the -3 dB
points.
1990 No. 70 STANDARD UNDER THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1983 - REG 17
Operation
17. (1) Except for test purposes, a transmitter shall be capable of
activation only by two simple, mechanical actions neither of which on its own
shall activate the transmitter.
(2) Following activation of a transmitter, there shall be a clear residual
indication that activation has taken place, either through the breaking of a
seal, the removal of a non-replaceable cap, or other similar mechanism.
(3) Following activation of a transmitter in accordance with sub-clause 17
(1), a transmitter shall continue to operate automatically.
(4) The mechanical actions referred to in sub-clause 17 (1) shall be such as
to preclude accidental operation of the transmitter.
(5) The operation of the transmitter, whether initiated in accordance with
sub-clause 17 (1) or 19 (5), shall be clearly indicated by a visual warning on
the device.
(6) A transmitter shall incorporate a simple means of terminating the
operation of the transmitter, whose operation thereafter may only be initiated
in accordance with sub-clause 17 (1) or 19 (5).
(7) A device shall be clearly labelled to indicate the actions necesary to
initiate and terminate operation of the transmitter.
1990 No. 70 STANDARD UNDER THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1983 - REG 18
Protective design
18. A transmitter shall be so designed and constructed as to be effectively
protected from damage due to-
(a) short circuit of the antenna when transmitting at maximum power; and
(b) reversal of the power supply voltages.
1990 No. 70 STANDARD UNDER THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1983 - REG 19
Test facility
19. (1) A test facility incorporated in a device shall be capable of
operation only by mechanical actions, switches or connections that are
distinctly separate from those normally required for activation of the
transmitter.
(2) When a test facility incorporated in a device is activated, a visual
warning on the device shall clearly indicate that the transmitter is
operating.
(3) A device incorporating a test facility shall be clearly labelled to
indicate the actions necessary to initiate and terminate operation of the test
facility.
(4) The actions, switches and connections referred to in sub-clause 19 (1)
shall be designed so as to preclude accidental operation of the test facility
and shall be non-locking.
(5) Where the operation of a test facility incorporated in a device also
initiates operation of the transmitter, the device shall not radiate a signal
whose peak field strength exceeds 20 dBuV/m at a distance of 10 metres from
the device.
The bandwidth of the measurement receiver shall be 12 kHz at the -3 dB
points.
(6) When the operation of a test facility incorporated in a device is
terminated, any operation of the transmitter shall also thereupon be
terminated until the operation of the transmitter is initiated in accordance
with sub-clause 17 (1) or 19 (5).
1990 No. 70 STANDARD UNDER THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1983 - SCHEDULE
SCH
SCHEDULE
Clause 4
THE FORM OF A COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
"COMPLIES WITH MS241
TYPE APPROVAL NO. ..."
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