Battery life up to 6 years. Expires March 2031.

The McMurdo FastFind 220 PLB is a durable, handheld, and waterproof (non-buoyant) rescue device enabled with GPS and Galileo, compact enough to fit in a backpack or pocket. When activated in an emergency, its built-in GPS and Galileo receivers pinpoint your location to within a few meters, transmitting a 406 MHz distress signal to satellites.

Proven to function in the world's most extreme and remote conditions, the FastFind 220 is easily activated by deploying the antenna, breaking the anti-tamper seal, and pressing the ON button.

Features

GPS & Galileo GNSS Receivers
The McMurdo FastFind 220 is the first Galileo-enabled Personal Locator Beacon, featuring dual GNSS capabilities for faster and more precise location detection via GPS and Galileo.

Buoyancy
The included buoyancy pouch ensures the PLB floats. It is recommended to keep the device in the pouch when at sea to maintain buoyancy.

Activation
To activate, deploy the antenna, pull the anti-tamper seal, and press the ON button. Once activated, the device transmits signals via the 406 MHz global emergency service and a 121.5 MHz homing signal to aid local recovery. Transmission on the 406 MHz frequency begins within 5 minutes but may take up to 45 minutes depending on satellite coverage. The 121.5 MHz homing signal helps search and rescue teams home in on your location.

Strobe Light
A high-brightness LED and Morse code SOS strobe light are included to draw attention in low-visibility conditions.

Battery Life
Equipped with a lithium power cell, the PLB offers a minimum of 24 hours of continuous operation and has up to 6-year battery storage life. A self-test feature ensures the device is ready when needed, checking its circuitry, battery, and 406 MHz transmission.

Subscription-Free
Unlike most satellite communication devices, the McMurdo FastFind 220 PLB does not require monthly or annual subscriptions. It sends distress signals directly to Search and Rescue authorities without the need for commercial call centers, making it one of the most cost-effective GPS-enabled emergency beacons available.

Important Notes
This PLB should only be used in life-threatening emergencies. Misuse may result in penalties, and false alerts can disrupt search-and-rescue operations. It is important to note that PLBs are not functional underwater and should be stored in a canister if used at depths beyond the device’s technical specifications.

Registration
Registering your McMurdo FastFind 220 PLB is legally required in most countries. This ensures that if the beacon is activated, search-and-rescue teams can identify and locate you quickly. Registration is done through the International Beacon Registration Database (IBRD) on the Cospas-Sarsat website. You’ll need your beacon’s HEX ID number found on the device and packaging.

Register your PLB: https://406registration.com/

Specification

Dimensions	3.4 x 4.7 x 10.6 cm
Weight	5.3oz (152g)
Operating Temperature	-4°F to 131°F (-20°C to +55°C)
Storage Temperature	-22°F to 158°F (-30°C to +70°C)
Altitude	40,000ft (12,192m)
Sealing Depth	Immersion to 3ftm (10m) for 5 minutes
Buoyancy	Category 2, will not float (keep in buoyancy pouch)
Battery Type	Lithium Manganese
Operating Battery Life	Up to 24 hours at -4F°
Storage Battery Life	6 Years
Frequency	406.031MHz (alert) / 121.5MHz (homing)
Power	5W (alert) / 50MW (homing) nominal
GNSS Receiver	GPS (L1) + GALILEO (E1), 71 channel, ceramic patch antenna
Indicator Light	High-brightness LED signal light
SOS flash-light	Morse code SOS flash pattern, 30 operations
Activation	Manual, three stages
Warranty	1 Year (+4 Years with online registration)

Downloads

Download McMurdo FastFind 220 User Manual