Subelement D: Other GMDSS Equipment— Topic :
Question 34D2
Element 9 (GMDSS Maintainer)In what frequency band does a search and rescue transponder operate?
Explanation
Search and Rescue Transponders (SARTs) operate in the 9 GHz frequency band, which corresponds to the X-band radar frequency range (typically 9.2-9.5 GHz). This specific band is chosen because SARTs are designed to be detected by standard marine X-band radar systems carried on vessels.
When a SART is interrogated by an X-band radar signal, it responds by transmitting a series of 12 distinctive pulses sweeping across the 9 GHz band. This creates a unique line of dots on the interrogating vessel's radar display, indicating the SART's location and direction.
Other options are incorrect: 3 GHz (S-band) is another common marine radar band, but SARTs are not designed to operate there. 406 MHz is the distress frequency used by Emergency Position-Indicating Radiobeacons (EPIRBs) and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) for satellite alerting, not for direct shipboard radar detection.
Related Questions
33D6 Which of the following is normally part of 406 MHz satellite EPIRBs?34D1 How should the signal from a Search And Rescue RADAR Transponder appear on a RADAR display?34D3 What causes the SART to begin a transmission?34D4 At what interval must the SART’s battery be replaced?34D4 How can reception of certain NAVTEX broadcasts be prevented?