PLB LOCATOR BEACONS
Shop personal locator beacons and rescue signaling equipment, select battery-replacement service for eligible ACR emergency beacons, or browse professional TechTest beacon-testing equipment.
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Personal Locator Beacons, Beacon Service and Testing Equipment
Aviation Survival offers personal locator beacons and rescue signaling equipment for aviation, marine, offshore and remote-use emergencies, along with battery-replacement services for eligible ACR beacons and professional TechTest beacon-testing equipment.
A personal locator beacon, commonly called a PLB, is a compact emergency beacon carried by an individual. PLBs are commonly selected by pilots, aircrew, boaters, offshore personnel, hikers, hunters, rescue teams and people traveling in areas where cellular or routine radio communication may be unavailable.
This parent category includes three different types of products and services. Use the sections below to shop for a new personal locator beacon, identify battery-replacement service for a supported ACR beacon or review professional testing equipment.
Choose the Correct Beacon Category
ACR & Ocean Signal Personal Locator Beacons
Shop personal locator beacons and related rescue signaling products for aviation, boating, offshore operations and remote travel. Compare the individual listings for positioning technology, flotation, Return Link Service, lights, displays, size and other model-specific features.
ACR Beacon Battery Replacement and Service
Find battery-replacement and service options for eligible ACR personal locator beacons, EPIRBs and other supported emergency beacons. Locate the exact manufacturer and model number on the beacon before selecting a service.
TechTest Beacon-Testing Equipment
Browse specialized beacon-testing equipment for qualified service facilities, fleet operators, technical departments and professional users. TechTest equipment is used to evaluate emergency transmitters and is not a personal emergency beacon carried by an individual.
What Is a Personal Locator Beacon?
A personal locator beacon is portable emergency signaling equipment designed to be manually activated during a serious or life-threatening emergency. A compatible 406 MHz PLB transmits a digitally encoded distress alert through the international Cospas-Sarsat satellite system.
The beacon transmission includes a unique identification code associated with the registered beacon. Depending on the model, the distress message may also contain location information obtained through supported satellite-navigation technology.
Some current PLBs also include a 121.5 MHz homing signal, visible or infrared lights, a digital display, Return Link Service or other signaling and confirmation features. These capabilities vary by model and should be confirmed on the individual product page.
Beacon registration matters: U.S.-coded 406 MHz personal locator beacons must be registered with NOAA. Registration connects the beacon identification number with owner, emergency-contact and usage information that can assist search-and-rescue authorities. Registration details should be kept current after changes in ownership, contact information or expected use.
PLBs for Aviation, Marine and Remote Use
Personal locator beacons are not limited to one operating environment. A suitable PLB may be carried as part of an aviation survival kit, attached to a life vest, stored with marine safety equipment or carried by a person working or traveling in a remote location.
- General aviation and helicopter pilots flying over water, mountains or remote terrain
- Aircrew, public-safety aviation teams and aerial-work operators
- Boaters, sailors, fishermen and offshore personnel
- People traveling to islands, isolated airstrips or sparsely populated areas
- Hikers, hunters, campers and remote-area workers
- Search-and-rescue, emergency-response and disaster-support teams
What to Compare Before Buying a PLB
Personal locator beacons can look similar while having important differences. Before ordering, compare the features that matter for the user, mission and operating environment.
- Country coding: Confirm that the beacon is properly coded for the country where it will be registered.
- Operating environment: Consider whether it will be carried for aviation, marine, offshore or land-based use.
- Flotation: Determine whether the beacon floats independently, floats only with a supplied pouch or does not float.
- Location technology: Review the positioning systems supported by the exact model.
- Return Link Service: Compatible models may provide confirmation that the distress alert has been received by the satellite system.
- Lights and display: Some models include a visible strobe, infrared light, status display or other signaling features.
- Size and attachment: Consider how the beacon will be carried or attached to a life vest, survival vest, belt, raft or equipment pouch.
- Battery expiration: Check the marked expiration date and the manufacturer’s service and replacement requirements.
PLB, EPIRB, ELT or Satellite Messenger?
These devices serve different purposes. They should not be treated as interchangeable only because they may all be associated with emergency communication.
| Equipment | Typical Purpose | Important Difference |
|---|---|---|
| PLB | Portable emergency beacon carried by an individual | Normally manually activated and registered to an individual owner |
| EPIRB | Marine emergency beacon associated with a vessel | Mounting, flotation and activation arrangements vary by EPIRB category and model |
| ELT | Emergency locator transmitter installed in an aircraft | Aircraft installation and regulatory requirements differ from a portable PLB |
| Satellite Messenger | Tracking, messaging and routine satellite communication | May require a commercial subscription and uses a different communication network |
Some pilots, boaters and remote operators carry more than one type of emergency communication device as part of a layered survival plan. The appropriate equipment depends on the aircraft, vessel, user, operating environment and applicable requirements.
Shop Personal Locator Beacons and Rescue Signaling Equipment
Available PLBs and signaling kits may include ACR ResQLink models, Ocean Signal rescueME beacons, Return Link Service models and multi-device rescue kits.
- ACR ResQLink 400 Floating Personal Locator Beacon
- ACR ResQLink View 425 Floating Personal Locator Beacon
- Ocean Signal rescueME PLB1
- ACR ResQLink 410 RLS Personal Locator Beacon
- ACR ResQLink AIS Hybrid Personal Locator Beacon
- Advanced Signaling Kit with ACR Strobe, PLB and AirMarker
Product availability and model configurations may change. Review each product page for current specifications, country coding, included equipment and operating instructions.
Beacon Batteries, Inspection and Service
Check the beacon’s battery-expiration date before carrying it. Battery life, operating duration and replacement procedures vary by manufacturer and model, so one interval should not be applied to every beacon.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for storage, visual inspection and self-testing. Do not activate the beacon as a routine test unless the manufacturer’s instructions specifically direct that procedure.
A beacon may require inspection or authorized service following emergency activation, accidental activation, physical damage or exposure to conditions outside its published limits. Before ordering battery service, verify the complete manufacturer and model number printed on the unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a PLB be used for both aviation and marine emergencies?
Many PLBs can be carried during aviation, boating and remote land activities. Confirm the exact model’s flotation, attachment, registration and operating instructions for the intended environment.
Does every personal locator beacon float?
No. Some models float independently, some float only with a supplied flotation pouch, and others are not designed to float. Check the individual product specifications before ordering.
Does a PLB require a subscription?
Standard emergency beacon operation through the Cospas-Sarsat system does not generally require a commercial messaging subscription. Separate connected services or additional features may have different requirements.
Do I need to register my PLB?
Yes. U.S.-coded 406 MHz PLBs must be registered with NOAA. Registration is free, and the information should be updated after changes in ownership, contact information or expected beacon use.
Is a PLB a replacement for an aircraft ELT?
No. A PLB is portable equipment carried by an individual. An ELT is aircraft equipment with separate installation, activation and regulatory requirements.
Is a PLB the same as an EPIRB?
No. A PLB is generally carried by an individual, while an EPIRB is marine-focused equipment associated with a vessel. Flotation, mounting, activation and registration arrangements may differ.
Can Aviation Survival replace my beacon battery?
Aviation Survival offers battery-replacement services for eligible ACR beacon models. Provide the complete model number so the correct service listing and current service availability can be confirmed.
Can Aviation Survival help me choose a PLB?
Yes. Tell us where the beacon will be used, who will carry it, whether flotation is required, the registration country and which positioning, confirmation or signaling features are important.
Need Help Selecting or Servicing a Locator Beacon?
Aviation Survival can help compare personal locator beacons, rescue signaling equipment and supported ACR battery-replacement services for aviation, marine, offshore and remote applications. Contact Aviation Survival or call 321-821-4724.
