Stuart + others Well it is a pity we have such a law as CAR 252A (without reading it) as I would consider all aviators should be encouraged not discouraged (high Aussie price and a requirement to register in AUS) to carry a beacon no matter where it is registered. If just one beacon saves an expensive search paid for by the AUS government and that would save tens of thousands of dollars. The only difference I can see between the USA McMurdo Fastfind and that sold in Australia is the waterproof pouch and I do not consider that a high priority for gliding and RAAus aircraft..
I can always remember the night Ian Jacobs went missing north of Narromine 20+ years ago. A Twin from Hazelton searched for many hours that night. If an extra $2.20 had been spent at time of radio installation to give a press button to light up the display of his radio so he could see the frequencies $10K would have been saved Ever since that every radio harness I have ever made (100 to 200 I guess) includes a DSE japan made press switch .which lights up radio display (pin 8 in Microair and Xcom via button to +ve). I urge all that have Xcom, Microair, Becker and Dittel next winter power up their back light for such an emergency if they do not have it now . I can say NOAA post you a sticker and nice letter AND it is received within 5 days of registering beacon on line.All contact numbers are recorded as Australian numbers and can be updated on thenet at any time. Also I can say McMurdo fastfind is a very suitable unit for glider use and this day and age of a world market (ebay etc) I do think people should do not be discouraged to get one based on price. I do know many yacht friends are buying same while they are in USA and bringing them back here to register with NOAA!!. I would say to all buy one in Australia but if not buying because of price get one in USA for almost 1/2 the price (about$350) and if a sailor buy the waterproof pouch. Ian McPhee PS Well he informs me he had to give up his USA citizenship when he became in "the government of a foreign power" and this fact causes him heaps of grief at the USA border as it is not the done thing to refuse a US passport if you are born there. 2009/11/12 Stuart & Kerri Ferguson <s...@bigpond.net.au> > Ian > If your friend is who I think he is, he also holds dual USA/Aust > citizenship. > > I am not going to dig down into the politics; there are many people out > there carrying Distress Beacons who do not have to by law; bush walkers, 4WD > etc, many govt and private sector employers provide them as PPE for field > workers. > > Then there are the activities that you are required to carry one by law, > and for example in aviation CAR 252A requires an Australian compliant > beacon that is registered with AMSA. > With the development of new equipment such as GPS trackers these types of > requiments may change in time, that will be a political argument > > Stuart Ferguson > > Sent from iPhone > 0419 797508 > > On 11/11/2009, at 23:16, Ian Mc Phee <mrsoar...@gmail.com> wrote: > > A friend of mine ex USA got a McMurdo Fastfind with GPS when in USA and > registered it in USA with his local address. When he was in USA again he > got another and at the then exchange rate. cost $A363 posted to hotel in > USA. You can register same on the USA web site and you get back an email > with "We realize you live outside United States...........but we accept your > registration....." within 24 hours > > Sticker comes in post 2 weeks later and remember USA have yachts in the for > corners of the world and a few Aussies means nothing to them. I gather in 22 > months they send email/SMS/letter asking you to re register. So US taxpayer > is covering costs for aussies probably,$2 for posting a letter. > > Ian M > >
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