DISTRESS BEACON COMPRISING A THERMOSTATICALLY-CONTROLLED QUARTZ OSCILLATOR

摘要

The invention relates to a radio communication beacon. According to the invention, the beacon employs an oscillator (OCXO) and is characterised in that it comprises a connection (INH) which can be used to inhibit the temperature regulation means inside the chamber (REG) either completely or partially, in order to reduce energy consumption. For beacons with two transmit channels, in which the frequency stability constraints are weaker on the second channel than the first, the temperature regulation means are inhibited for the periods between transmissions over the first channel, such that the oscillator operates in degraded mode (less stability) during transmission over the second channel. The invention is suitable for distress beacons that are used to locate the position of a ship or a person in distress by means of active communication with a satellite.