TIC SDR-OMNI - Testing ELT Systems

User Manual SDR-OMNI Avionics Test Set
Page 86 6 June 2023 Revision B
NAME
DESCRIPTION
P1 Width, P2 Width
Measured pulse width in microseconds of the P1 and P2
interrogation pulses
Interrogation Rate
Rate of DME UUT interrogations
Channel
Displays DME channel being tested (1-126 X, Y)
SETUP
PARAMETERS
This section contains the below fields.
VOR Freq.
Field to enter VORTAC frequency paired with DME channel to be
tested
TX Power
Enter SDR-OMNI output power (Direct mode: -10 to -90 dBM;
Antenna A mode: -33 to -90 dBm)
Range, Velocity
Range and Velocity can be entered in these fields also (in addition to
the larger boxes at the top of the screen)
To/From
Selects aircraft moving To or From the station
Ident
Turns ON Audio Ident: Enabled = ON; Disabled = OFF
Squitter
Turns ON Squitter: Enabled = ON; Disabled = OFF
Reply %
Sets the percentage of DME UUT interrogations that the SDR-OMNI
will reply to. (Default = 100%)
Motion
Turns ON simulated motion (To or From); Enabled = Motion,
Disabled = Stationary
5.9 TESTING ELT SYSTEMS
Modern 406 MHz ELT radios transmit a digital message burst every 50 seconds. ELT radios may also transmit
audio siren tones on emergency VHF (121.5 MHz) or UHF (243 MHz) frequencies for ground-based triangulation
location.
The SDR-OMNI can test the 406 MHz digital message burst and one of either siren tones using either Direct
Connect or Antenna mode. The SDR-OMNI can also test each frequency individually for fault isolation.
ELT testing must be done during the first 5 minutes after the beginning of the hour. Testing outside of that test
window could result in Search and Rescue activities being initiated. Activating a 406 MHz beacon for reasons
other than to indicate a life-threatening distress situation or without prior authorization from a Cosmicheskaya
Sistyema Poiska Avariynich Sudov (COSPAS, Russian for “Space System for the Search of Vessels in Distress”) -
Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking (SARSAT) Mission Control Center (MCC) is considered an offense
in many countries and could result in prosecution.
5.9.1 406 MHz ELT Data Burst
1. To test a 406 MHz ELT system, from the Home menu, select Communication -> 406 MHz ELT. The ELT
Setup screen (Figure 5-35) will appear.