Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon

The EPRIB (or "e-piryb") is pretty much an uber-ELT that transmits a radio signal on a frequency somewhere around 406 MHz. This signal contains information regarding the location of the signal (usally a downed aircraft or ship in distress). Satellites (known as SARSAT pick up this radio signal (as well as ELT signals) and relay this information to centers like the AFRCC. Search and Rescue is then dispatched to search and rescue agencies such as The Civil Air Patrol and Coast Guard.
Because the captian of the sinking fishing boat had bought an EPIRB for his boat, the Coast Guard was able to find and rescue him quickly.
by IrishRepublicanArmy January 27, 2004
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