ACK elt problem.

[Elmer]

I found out today at the airport that my ACK was on and caused a problem. The big airlines heard it, and the Airforce picked it up. After I got the Airworthiness Certificate from my DAR I placed the elt in armed. I figured it would only give out a signal if I crashed. They came out to the Airport, cut my lock and shut off my elt. I see now there is a shut off on the elt by pushing the test reset button on the cockpit remote. Now when I get ready to fly I'm to hit the on buttom on the cockpit remote. At that time this beep will be sent out just like the one they didn't like, on 121.5.
What can I do to have the elt on but not be sending out that signal? I looks like the elt is on when I turn on the Armed button. The cockpit remote should only be on to test or when I'm about to go down.
Any help will be appreciated.

 

[mmarien]

The ARMED position is the correct position.

I used the wrong cable between the audio alert and the remote control and set mine off trying to trouble shoot. In Canada I registered my 406 equipment with the Canadian Beacon Registry. I just received a call from the control center that monitors the 406 frequency when it went off. They were happy they didn't have to send out the search and rescue.

So before you arm it again I would register the device. It's a 406 right? They will know who to call before they have to break in again. If it goes off when you arm it (monitor 121.5) you can just call them or ATC.

So do your have the correct cable? Is the Audio Alert connected correctly? and has a battery? The Audio Alert will indicate that the ELT is activated (ON) by a series of beeps. The light on the remote should also be ON if it's activated. If it's in the ARMED position and either of those indicate that it's ON, I would have a shop test it.

 

[Elmer]

Thanks Murray, After they came into my hangar and shut it off, I came in and pushed the on button. It started blinking and making a sound as it blinked. I then pushed the reset test button untill it stopped blinking. I waited a few minutes to make sure it didn't blink and closed up the hangar.
Now, when I take the plane out to fly do I do anything with the ELT? I don't want the thing to start blinking unless I crash. I have it in the armed position now. I will register the ELT today.

 

[mmarien]

Once the ELT is ARMED it's always ARMED until you turn it off or the batteries go dead. The rubber plug for the switch locks the switch in the ARMED position. So there is nothing you have to do when you go flying. You need to do an annual maintenance as per the manual.
The good thing is that they knew exactly where your airplane was when the ELT went off. 

 

[TRCsmith]

Elmer. who cut off your lock?? As a CAP member we don't have the authority to do that. Now if it was the airport personal or sheriff that's another story.

 

[Elmer]

The airport manager was with them so I figured the airport manager cut the lock.