Question

To transmit its signal efficiently and maximize battery power, while handling multiple simultaneous beacons, 406 MHz ELTs emits a signal about once every _____-_____ (numeric) seconds.

Answer 1

406 MHz ELTs emit a distress signal once every 50-60 seconds. This allows for efficient battery use and the ability to handle multiple beacons simultaneously in emergency situations.

Step-by-step explanation:

To transmit its signal efficiently and maximize battery power, while handling multiple simultaneous beacons, 406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) emit a signal approximately once every 50-60 seconds. This efficient use of power ensures that the ELTs can operate over extended periods in emergency situations, providing a critical lifeline for locating aircraft or marine vessels in distress.

By comparison, other technologies that operate in the radio-wave portion of the electromagnetic spectrum include: 4G cellular signals (~880 MHz), GPS signals (1.228 and 1.575 GHz), Wi-Fi networks (2.4 to 5 GHz), and highway toll sensors (5.8 GHz). These frequencies are selected because the waves are less likely to be absorbed by common building materials, making them suitable for their respective applications.