Screened enclosures & GPS test

Every 406MHz beacon has a "self-test" mode, to enable built-in test equipment to verify critical operational features without causing a false alert.  A test message is also transmitted as part of this process, allowing the radiated signal to be checked.

However in order to verify that the beacon will activate in its operational mode, or to carry out extended testing, a radio screened enclosure (Faraday Cage) is required to stop the radiated signals being detected by the satellite system.

This of course also stops the beacon receiving any other signals, such as those from GPS satellites.  To test a beacon with internal GPS, signals from an external GPS antenna must be amplified and reradiated inside the screened enclosure.  This feature is standard on the TSE100, and available as an add-on kit for the FC2.