A Search and Rescue (SAR) Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) is attery-powered device designed to transmit distress signals to aid in search and rescue operations for aircraft, ships, or individuals in emergency situations. These transmitters are essential for ensuring that help can be dispatched quickly and accurately to the location of an incident.

SAR ELTs emit signals on designated frequencies that are monitored by satellite systems, ground stations, and search and rescue teams. The most common frequencies used are 406 MHz for satellite communication and 121.5 MHz for local homing purposes.

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Types of ELTs:

Aviation ELTs are installed in aircraft and automatically activate upon impact or manually by the crew.

Marine EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) are used in maritime environments and often automatically activate when in contact with water.

Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) are carried by individuals and can be manually activated in an emergency.

Once activated, the SAR ELT sends out a distress signal that includes identifying information and, in some cases, GPS coordinates. This allows search and rescue teams to pinpoint the location of the distress signal.