What Is an Emergency Locator Transmitter?
An emergency locator transmitter (ELT) is a critical safety device designed to locate aircraft or ships in distress by emitting radio signals. It’s mandatory equipment on aircraft, as mandated by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
ELTs are engineered to activate automatically in the event of impact or rapid decompression, broadcasting signals on two frequencies: 406MHz for satellite transmission of location data, and 121.5MHz for local search and rescue efforts. This dual-frequency operation ensures prompt and accurate location determination.
Beyond aviation, ELTs find application in mountaineering, equipped with a transmitter, antenna, power source, and sensors for impact and pressure. Their design emphasizes compactness, lightweight, and the ability to automatically signal satellites, making them indispensable for a wide range of emergency location signaling tasks.