Before the #iPhone, I bought a #Breitling watch.

Breitling makes a watch line called the "Emergency", because it includes a 121.5 Mhz #EPIRB beacon.

To deter people from setting off the EPIRB frivolously, the FAA would levy a $100,000 USD fine on anyone who did so.

These #watches were, as you might suspect, not big sellers, but they did save lives.

#Apple now sells consumer devices that have satellite EPIRBs, and shitty software that activates them without cause.

https://coloradosun.com/2025/07/23/colorado-911-call-centers-iphones/

#xkcd : EPIRBs
https://xkcd.com/3169/

#segeln #seefahrt #sailing #epirb #beacon #falsealarm #falscheralarm #notrufboje

@FandaSin obviously, just like any enclosed biosphere, these things don't last forever.

• But given the average lifetime of #LiIon;/ #LiPo / #LiCo - batteries and their degradation, I'd say that such an algae battery (alongside electronics like #capacitors and other means to smoothen out power supply and.buffer for demands) would definitely be an improvement for many use-cases.

• Espechally if we're talking about devices in well-lit areas.

I'd consider it more akin to non-rechargeable longlife batteries for something that needs to run unattended for months if not years.

• But so far this is some interesting research and even if this technology could not improve from the tested lab version, I'd say it's sufficient to power a dive computer if not keep a big capacitor charged for something like an #EPIRB.

Not to mention it may be a potential competitior to #SolarPanels in some cases where an optimal panel installation is impossible.

• I'd not even expect it to be able to charge a smartphone, much less to power a #Pi0W2 even when run underclocked with only a single thread.

EPIRB Cat 1 unboxing for my #sailboat Shazam
I choose the Ocean Signal Sea safe that is good for Mediterranean that self deploys
Also my PLB includes AIS and this simpler model meets the international requirements I could encounter

#ericson36 #boatlife #cruising #boatsafety @liferaftpros #oceansignal #epirb #epirbsaveslives

⚠ #PSA ⚠

#Garmin have made a quiet change to their #InReach satellite communicator / #EPIRB plans. The new plans have several serious disadvantages for users, and are significantly more expensive than the existing ones.

*** DO NOT CHANGE YOUR EXISTING CONTRACT. ***

You can remain on your existing plan, but as soon as you change, you CANNOT swap back.

Note this applies to all InReach accounts worldwide, including in Australia.

Screw you, Garmin.

#GarminInreach

Whats most worrying here is this couple appear to be seasoned and experienced travellers and were well prepared, but appeared unable to have sent out a MAYDAY call when their small boat got into trouble (possible collision with bulk cargo vessel in same channel) and did not have an #EPIRB (they did at least file traffic report with the Coastguard who reported them missing on 2024-07-03)

#Canada #Maritime #sailing

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c84jxgy8nmlo

It refuses to power up when fed with DC.
DO these EPIRB things need a complete battery for test or other use?

Do note, I have removed the high power UHF PA and wired the PA input pin and the antenna port into BNC pigtails, so that emissions on 406MHz 121.500MHz are contained and not radiated.

I want to modify the 406MHz side to the #70cm amateur radio band and the 121.500MHz side to somewhere on 2m.

#2m #VHF #UHF #amateur #radio #EPIRB #junk

#enos is good because it's cheap, doesn't require licensing nor registration and since it's not using emergency radio bands, is not susceptible to costly false alerts...

Personally, I did consider buying my own #ENOS beacon as a #diver since it's cheaper than any other #EPIRB and can be really helpful in areas of strong currents where it's impractical to swim.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ENOS_Rescue-System
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_position-indicating_radiobeacon