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RX · Listen📶 406 MHz
EPIRB / 406 Beacon RX
Monitor emergency beacons
#receive#safety#epirb#406#beacon
What it does
SimpleWhen a ship sinks, a plane crashes, or a hiker is in serious trouble, they can set off a special beacon at 406 MHz that satellites hear and send rescuers. This app can receive those beacons and read their ID — a fascinating look at the technology that saves lives (you only ever listen, never send).
How it works
SimpleThe beacon sends a short coded message with its ID (and sometimes its GPS spot). Satellites relay it to rescue centres. The app can read that message out of the air.
How to use it, step by step
Simple- Open 'EPIRB RX'.
- Tune to 406 MHz.
- If a beacon fires (rare), read its ID — never transmit one.
Examples
Beacon self-test
Decode a beacon's self-test burst to see the ID format safely.
SAR tech lesson
Learn how 406 beacons + satellites coordinate a real rescue.
Tips & things to try
- Only receive — transmitting a 406 beacon triggers real search-and-rescue and is a serious crime.
- Genuine activations are rare; test/self-test bursts are the usual thing you'll catch.