The present document lays down the minimum requirements for maritime "Personal Homing Radio Beacon for 121,5 MHz search and rescue purposes", and incorporates the relevant provisions of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) radio regulations.

Operational radio beacons described in the present document are intended only for transmission of radio signals on the frequency 121,5 MHz for locating purposes.

Beacons for training purposes will be frequency programmed in accordance with national licensing. It should be noted that licensing for such use is also dependent on the administration responsible for the waters where the equipment is operated and not the registered flag state.

The present document applies to radio beacons intended for short-range maritime personal homing applications. For this application, both the radiated power and the length of time of operation are reduced to enable the equipment to be sufficiently small and light to be worn comfortably at all times.

The present document also specifies technical characteristics, methods of measurement and required test results.

The present document contains requirements to demonstrate that "... Radio equipment shall be so constructed that it both effectively uses and supports the efficient use of radio spectrum in order to avoid harmful interference" [i.1].