Advantages of a 406 MHZ EPIRB over the older analogue EPIRBs include, world wide coverage, position location accuracy to within 5 kms and a more stable transmitted signal resulting in faster response time. Most importantly, the addition of a unique digitally coded message provides Search and Rescue authorities with vital information including the country of beacon registration and identification of the vessel in distress, thus greatly reducing the incidence of false alerts and unneccesary deployment of valuable rescue resources. An auxiliary homing transmitter is included in the MT400 to enable suitably equipped Search and Rescue vessels to home in on the distress beacon.
IMPORTANT:
This 406MHz beacon is can be coded for different countries upon request.
If you are not an Australian citizen or company with an Australian address and contact details then you must not buy an Australian coded beacon because (as a foreign citizen) you will not be able to register it in Australia. You need to purchase a beacon that has been coded with your country nationality.
More information on this topic can be found at the Australian Maritime Safety Authority website http://beacons.amsa.gov.au