Satellite distress beacons vs GPS Tracking Devices
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World Challenge has successfully used satellite distress beacons for 25 years. During this time, the technology has improved significantly, allowing a greater degree of accuracy and much smaller sized devices. The ‘technical’ name for these devices is Personal Locating Beacons, or PLBs. World Challenge has unrivalled experience of organising complex global Search and Rescue operations using a combination of PLB and satellite phone. |
This experience is unmatched by any other provider of schools expeditions.
A new technology based on GPS tracking is now being developed and World Challenge has been monitoring developments and has trialled a number of different devices. However, at present, we do not rely on this technology as we believe it is sub-standard to the reliable combination of PLB and satellite phone which our teams are equipped with.
Why do World Challenge use PLBs instead of GPS Trackers?
Purpose: The key difference between a beacon and a tracker is that the beacon has to be licensed with a Government agency and is specifically designed for search and rescue by locating the group in an emergency. Tracking devices aim to provide a position of the group continuously and most have a built in ‘SOS’ function.
Power: PLBs emit a signal 12.5 times more powerful than most commercially available GPS trackers.
Frequency: Lower frequencies penetrate buildings, tree cover, cloud and other obstacles better than higher frequencies which are important in search and rescue. PLBs use the dedicated 406 MHz which is much lower than the 1.6 GHz of many trackers. PLBs also concurrently transmit on the international emergency frequency of 121.5 MHz allowing search and rescue equipped helicopters to ‘home in’ on the transmitting beacon. Tracking devices don’t have this additional functionality.
Coverage: PLBs offer full global coverage. Some trackers do not, particularly over parts of the Indian sub-continent and parts of Africa
Monitoring: Most GPS Trackers are monitored by a single outsourced call centre based outside of the UK. PLBs use the international network system monitored by the Governmental agencies and military forces of 43 countries worldwide. For the UK, this is monitored by the UK Mission Control Centre at RAF Kinloss. World Challenge has a unique partnership with RAF Kinloss established for over 20 years where we exchange information on every team overseas.
Search & Rescue: The international beacon network has 30 years experience of monitoring beacons and alerting search and rescue agencies. Many of these agencies will not recognise GPS tracking devices and will not commit recourses without confirmation of a life threatening emergency as they are unlicensed.
Don’t just take our word for it! See the detailed manufacturer information about the PLBs used by World Challenge .
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