EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Statutory Rule 1989 No.71
Issued by the Authority of the Minister for Transport and Communications
Subject: Radiocommunications Act 1983
Ministerial Standard 309:-
406 MHz Satellite Distress Beacons
Subsection 9(1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1983 (the Act) provides that the Minister may by instrument in writing make standards for specified devices or devices included in a specified class of device.
Subsection 9(2) of the Act provides that before making a standard the Minister shall publish the standard that he proposes to make and invite interested persons to make representations in connection with the proposed standard.
Subsection 9(5) of the Act provides that standards relating to radiocommunications transmitters may consist only of such requirements as to -
(a) the performance, design, finish and construction of radiocommunications transmitters; and
(b) markings, warnings, instructions or other statements to be impressed on, worked into, or annexed or affixed to, or accompany, radiocommunications transmitters,
as are necessary for or in relation to -
(c) the operation of those radiocommunications transmitters;
(d) the prevention of prescribed interference, or risk of prescribed interference, to any other uses or functions of those radiocommunications transmitters; and
(e) the prevention or reduction of interference, or risk of interference, to radiocommunications.
The Minister for Transport and Communications published a notice in the Gazette on 19 April 1989 setting out the proposed standard and inviting interested persons to comment on it by 21 May 1989. The proposed standard was also circulated for comment to importers and suppliers of equipment which would be covered by the standard. The standard was signed by the Minister for Transport and Communications on 21 Dec 1989.
The type of device to be covered by the standard is a satellite distress beacon which comprises a transmitter operating on a frequency of 406.025MHz.
The standard incorporates one made by an organisation called COSPAS-SARSAT for satellite distress beacons participating in its satellite search and rescue system. COSPAS-SARSAT is the acronym for an organisation established to provide a search and rescue system for distressed vessels and aircraft involving satellites. The organisation was set up in 1977 following agreement between Canada, France, USA and the USSR.
The Department of Transport and Communications proposes to participate progressively in the COSPAS-SARSAT system from 1 July 1989 and the present standard is designed to ensure compatibility between beacons used in Australia and the system itself. While the system is designed to cater for beacons on air, land and sea, its initial primary use for Australia will be for sea safety.
The COSPAS-SARSAT system involves a beacon emitting a digitally coded signal which identifies the beacon and indicates its location; this signal is received by a series of satellites around the earth, decoded, and relayed to a land user terminal for dissemination to rescue services. For marine rescue purposes the beacon also includes a transmitter operating on a frequency of 121.5 MHz. The 121.5 MHz signal is used by a rescuer to determine the precise location of the beacon, information from the 406.025 MHz signal having saved much time and narrowed the search area considerably.
NOTES ON CLAUSES
PART 1 - PRELIMINARY
Clause 1 - Citation
Provides that the standard may be cited as Ministerial Standard 309.
Clause 2 - Interpretation
Provides definitions of terms used in the standard. In particular, the term “Specification” means the document known as “Specification for COSPAS-SARSAT 406 MHz Distress Beacons C/S T.001 Issue 2 - Revision 0” dated November 1988.
Clause 3 - Devices to which this standard applies
Sets out the class of devices covered by the standard. The standard applies to satellite distress beacons designed or intended for use on the carrier frequency 406.025 MHz, other than those designed for use in the aeronautical mobile satellite service.
PART 2 - GENERAL
Clause 4 - Equipment markings
Provides that where a certificate has been issued to the effect that a device complies with the standard, a compliance statement in the form set out in Schedule 1 is to be permanently attached to the outside of the device.
Clause 5 - Adjustment mechanisms
Provides that access shall not be readily possible to any adjustment mechanisms on a device if adjustment of such mechanisms could cause the device to operate in a way not permitted by the standard.
PART 3 - TRANSMITTER OPERATION ON 406.025 MHZ
Clause 6 - Adoption of matter contained in the Specification
Provides for the adoption of the matter contained in the Specification so far as it relates to satellite personal locater beacons and satellite emergency position indicating radio beacons. The Specification is set out in full as Schedule 2 to the standard.
Clause 7 - Application and Amendments
Provides for certain modifications of the requirements of the Specification so far only as they relate to satellite emergency position indicating radio beacons.
PART 4 - HOMING TRANSMITTER
Clause 8 - Interpretation
Defines the term “homing transmitter” for the purposes of this Part of the standard to mean an auxiliary homing transmitter included in a device which is a satellite emergency position indicating radio beacon.
Clause 9 - Conditions of Operation
Provides that a homing transmitter must meet the requirements of this Part for a minimum continuous period of 48 hours operating in an ambient temperature between -20 C and 55 C.
Clause 10 - Nominal carrier frequency
Provides that the nominal carrier frequency of a homing transmitter is to be 121.5 MHz.
Clause 11 - Frequency error
Provides that the frequency error of a homing transmitter is not to exceed ± 3 kHz.
Clause 12 - Radiated signal field strength
Provides for a lower limit on the radiated field strength from a homing transmitter, and for the conditions under which the field strength is to be measured.
Clause 13 - Type of emission
Provides for the type of signal to be emitted by a homing transmitter.
Clause 14 - Modulation characteristic
Provides for the modulation to be imposed on the carrier radiated by a homing transmitter.
Clause 15 - Emission spectrum
Provides for the relative power of the various components in the signal transmitted by a homing transmitter.
Clause 16 - Transmitter duty cycle
Provides that a homing transmitter may operate either continuously or intermittently, and if the latter, provides for the manner of the signal’s variation during the cycle.
Clause 17 - Spurious radiation
Provides a limit on the level of any unintended emissions from a homing transmitter.
Clause 18 - Antenna characteristics
Provides for the polarisation of the signal transmitted by a homing transmitter.
SCHEDULES
Schedule 1 prescribes the form of the compliance statement required by clause 4 of the standard.
Schedule 2 is the text of the Specification: that is, the COSPAS-SARSAT specification which the standard incorporates as part of it.