GME MT603GAUS Class 2 EPIRB 406MHz 66-Channel Zero Warm-Up GPS MEOSAR-Ready 48-Hour Operation Australian Made 6-Year Battery and Warranty
The GME MT603GAUS is a Class 2 EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) transmitting on 406MHz with an integrated 66-channel zero warm-up GPS receiver and MEOSAR-ready satellite compatibility. Dual activation covers manual operator activation and automatic water-activation when removed from the mounting bracket. 48-hour minimum operating time, 121.5MHz VHF homing transmitter, high-intensity solid-state strobe, 6-year battery life, and 6-year warranty. Designed, engineered, and manufactured in Australia. AMSA registration is required before use in Australian waters.
Product overview
An EPIRB is a critical life-saving device for vessels operating in Australian and international waters. When activated, the MT603GAUS transmits a 406MHz digital distress signal containing the vessel's GPS coordinates and registration identification to the Cospas-Sarsat satellite network. The satellite system relays the alert to AMSA's Rescue Coordination Centre in Canberra, which verifies the signal and dispatches the appropriate search and rescue response to the transmitted coordinates.
The 66-channel integrated GPS receiver uses zero warm-up digital technology, transmitting accurate position data immediately upon activation without any delay for a GPS position fix. MEOSAR (Medium Earth Orbit Search and Rescue) compatibility ensures the beacon works with the upgraded Cospas-Sarsat satellite constellation, which provides near-instantaneous global detection rather than the up-to-90-minute detection window of older LEO-only systems.
Class 2 designation means the beacon is manually removed from its bracket by the crew before water-activation occurs. It does not float free automatically like a Class 1 EPIRB. Once removed from the bracket and immersed in water, the MT603GAUS activates automatically without requiring the operator to flip a switch. Manual activation is also available at any time. The 121.5MHz homing transmitter allows search and rescue aircraft and vessels to home in to the exact beacon location once in the general area. The solid-state strobe provides a visual location aid.
All 406MHz EPIRBs used in Australian waters must be registered with AMSA before use. Registration links the beacon's unique 406MHz identification code to vessel and owner contact details. An unregistered activation may be treated as a false alert. Register at beacons.amsa.gov.au and update registration if ownership or contact details change.
Features and benefits
406MHz digital EPIRB - internationally recognised distress frequency: Transmits vessel identification and GPS position to the Cospas-Sarsat satellite network, monitored by rescue authorities worldwide.
66-channel integrated GPS with zero warm-up digital technology: Transmits accurate position coordinates immediately upon activation without any GPS warm-up delay.
MEOSAR-ready - faster distress detection: Compatible with the upgraded Medium Earth Orbit Search and Rescue satellite constellation for near-instantaneous global detection.
Cospas-Sarsat certified: Internationally approved for worldwide operation, recognised by rescue authorities globally.
Dual activation - manual and automatic water-activation: Manual activation by the operator at any time, or automatic activation when removed from the bracket and immersed in water.
48-hour minimum operating time: Sustained transmission through an extended rescue operation.
121.5MHz VHF homing transmitter: Allows SAR aircraft and vessels equipped with direction-finding equipment to home in on the beacon's exact location.
High-intensity solid-state strobe: Visual location aid for rescue vessels and aircraft once in the general area.
6-year battery life: Battery replacement interval of 6 years.
6-year warranty: GME manufacturer's warranty.
Australian Made: Designed, engineered, and manufactured in Australia.
AMSA registration required: Must be registered with AMSA at beacons.amsa.gov.au before use in Australian waters.
Technical specs
| Specification |
Detail |
| SKU |
MT603GAUS |
| Brand |
GME |
| Type |
Class 2 EPIRB |
| Primary Frequency |
406MHz digital |
| Homing Frequency |
121.5MHz VHF |
| GPS |
66-channel integrated |
| GPS Technology |
Zero warm-up digital |
| Activation |
Manual; automatic water-activation when removed from bracket |
| Operating Time |
48 hours minimum |
| Strobe |
High-intensity solid-state |
| Certification |
Cospas-Sarsat (worldwide) |
| Satellite System |
MEOSAR-ready |
| Battery Life |
6 years |
| Warranty |
6 years |
| Origin |
Australian Made |
Frequently asked questions
What is an EPIRB and how does it alert rescue authorities? An EPIRB transmits a 406MHz digital signal to the Cospas-Sarsat satellite network when activated. The satellite system decodes the vessel's registration identity and GPS position and relays the alert to AMSA's Rescue Coordination Centre in Canberra. The RCC verifies the alert and dispatches maritime, aerial, or helicopter search and rescue assets to the transmitted coordinates. The MT603GAUS's 66-channel zero warm-up GPS ensures accurate coordinates are transmitted immediately upon activation.
What is MEOSAR and why does it matter? MEOSAR (Medium Earth Orbit Search and Rescue) is the upgraded generation of the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system using satellites in medium Earth orbit rather than older low Earth orbit and geostationary satellites. MEOSAR provides near-instantaneous global coverage, detecting a distress signal within minutes rather than the up-to-90-minute window of older LEO-only systems. The MT603GAUS is fully compatible with this faster, more capable satellite network.
How does the MT603GAUS activate and what does Class 2 mean? The MT603GAUS activates manually by the operator at any time. It also activates automatically when removed from its mounting bracket and immersed in water, without requiring the operator to flip a switch. Class 2 distinguishes this from a Class 1 EPIRB, which floats free from the vessel and activates automatically without any crew action. A Class 2 requires the crew to manually remove it from the bracket before water-activation can occur.
What does the 121.5MHz homing transmitter do? The 121.5MHz signal is a secondary transmission used for final homing by search and rescue aircraft and vessels. Once 406MHz GPS data has brought rescue assets to the general area, the 121.5MHz signal allows direction-finding equipment on SAR aircraft to precisely locate the beacon, including in conditions of poor visibility. The solid-state strobe provides an additional visual location aid at close range.
Do I need to register the MT603GAUS with AMSA? Yes. All 406MHz EPIRBs used in Australian waters must be registered with AMSA before use. Registration links the beacon's unique identification code to vessel and owner contact details, which rescue authorities use to verify alerts and contact next of kin. An unregistered activation may be treated as a false alert. Register at beacons.amsa.gov.au and update registration whenever ownership or contact details change.
