🔍 Key Concepts

• EPIRB frequency bands used for modern satellite distress alerting • Differences between COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system alerts and older homing-only beacons • How 121.5/243 MHz is used today (primary alert vs. homing)

💭 Think About

• Which frequency band is officially recognized for primary satellite distress alerting in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)? • Are S-band or X-band more commonly associated with radar than with EPIRB distress alert transmissions? • What is the current main purpose of 121.5/243 MHz signals in relation to search and rescue operations?

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify which EPIRB type is described in your study material as the standard COSPAS-SARSAT distress alert beacon • Confirm which bands (S-band or X-band) are typically associated with marine radar, not EPIRB distress alerts • Check whether 121.5/243 MHz is identified primarily as a homing frequency rather than the main distress alerting frequency