Air Rescue Radio

[TeRayCodA]

The radios that the downed pilots use for rescue,are they transmitting on 243.000 ? Do they also emit a rescue locator beacon?

-The ones you see in the movies,(Behind Enemy Lines)with the foldable antennas.

 

[AndrewC75]

Civilian aircraft distress: 121.5
Military aircraft distress: 243.0
New universal UHF distress: 406.0

You might hear voice and/or beacons on all three.

 

[Colin9690]

Yes, that new more reliable UHF system is slowly coming into use in newer aircraft. Also, air traffic control uses 121.5 to contact aircraft not in contact with them in an emergency. Most aircraft monitor at least 121.5

 

[FreqMgr]

M282.8 is/was the standard UHF Search and Rescue freq. It and M243 were on PRC-90's (in military survival gear packages) that I know of.

 

[TeRayCodA]

Thanks.Were those freqs also the norm in Vietnam era for the PRC-90 ? And was this a 2 channel radio?

 

[FreqMgr]

Yes, 2-channel. Do believe they were used during 'Nam years, but don't know the specific time frame (when added to the inventory and when replaced or superseded by newer gear.) You might google AN/PRC-90. Probably some sites around the web with info.

 

[DanHenry]

The guys have given you good info on frequencies and the PRC-90. The PRC-90 is still in use but what you'll see now is the AN/PRC-112. This is an incredible radio with 121.5, 243.0, and two software programmable frequencies (A and B on the dial) between 225-400. The newer versions have built-in GPS and a form of text messaging. The latest G version has 406 MHz and other features.

Here's info on the PRC-112. The literature PDF has better photos.
http://www.gdc4s.com/content/detail.cfm?item=42a1a68c-cbd7-4c33-a619-fff941b5159a

-Dan

 

[FlyGuy16352]

If a plane crashes on land, you will probably hear a lot of search and rescue comms on 148.125 and 123.1. And if a local law enforcement or other agency is involved additional ops would be heard on their freqs. New Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT's) trasmit coordinates, tail number, etc. on 406.025 MHz. Most ELT's in use now transmit on 121.5 and sumulcast on 243.0 and vice versa if it is a military aircraft.