First let me just say that I am very new here. IN fact this is my first post.

I have been collecting "Aircrew Survival Equipment and Kits" for over 30 years now and I never stoip enjoying it.

Now I have a question, but first a little background on my quest for a repair shop.

I carry a PRC-90 while backpacking far away from civilization for that "just in case". However, I'd like to get them serviced if at all possible just to make sure she is up to specs. They were both manufactured by OAI, Inc which is no longer in existence. I contacted ACR and spoke to a woman about seeing if they would check it out for me. I'd pay to have this done. She was just plain rude. First she tells me that the ACR Mini B2 ILS that I also own is illegal to own because the Coast Guard says so, then she tells me that 121.5 is illegal to broadcast on becasue the CG say so also. Then she tells me that ACR's PRC-90's are completely different than anybody else's, which is also a lie. Even the PRC-116 is the same with one different frequency. I try and tell her this and then she mumbles something in spanish. I thank her for her deception and tell her that she is less likely to ever get my business again (I use to buy directly from them years ago) and hang up.

What should I do?

I know how you feel about the PRC-90, I like them also. When I left active duty, I gave mine to a CG AirAux pilot who put it to good use conducting Recon and SAR missions.

No offense intended, but it would be less complicated to place it on the shelf and update with new equipment. The USCG just announced that they will no longer monitor 121.5MHz . It will do no good for you if no one is listening for your emergency call outs.

Good Luck with dealing with some of the folks that exist in the various "consumer service" desks! I know what you are having to deal with!

Which version PRC-90 used 121.5? Mine used 243.0 (UHF Guard) and 288.0 IIRC. No VHF. As for using it, the batteries are probably out of date, I wouldn't carry it unless I had a source to keep it running.

I am probably getting my radios confused w/freqs carried. But the guard is going to stop monitoring 121.5MHz . I am probably thinking of the ELB's from the 80's.

All I can say for sure is: "Senility sucks".

Somebody will be listening to 121-5. Another question on the PRC-90: Were the batteries proprietary or common. I never opened mine, the riggers did that during inspections.

The batteries, as I recall from my failing memory banks, were proprietary so silly-vilians couldn't make use of them and would eliminate any black market sales.

I can't believe the USCG is gonna stop monitoring 121.5. Isn't that what aircraft ELT's transmit on?

Re batteries, there is an adapter available that will allow the use of more readily available batteries (or so they say).

As for maint/repair, if I couldn't find myself some retired military radio tech who was willing to play with it, I think I would just try any place that works on "HAM" type radios. It all looks like spagetti inside to me, but I suspect that to a radio tech type a radio is a radio is a radio. Or maybe not. Personally, neat as those things are, I think that I would look for something newer and more reliable to bet my life on.

By the way, welcome new guy...

I think I read about the 121.5 freq at: fredsplace.org

121.5/243 MHZ EPIRB USE PROHIBITED AFTER 31 DEC 2006

I checked with ole Fred, and found this.. The most important part seems to be subsection
3 (Action), (F), which I guess I can't cut and paste here anymore. But it looks like 121.5 will be history after 01Feb09...

So if I read this right, you can't use that freq from a boat in distress, but it is ok for a plane down in the water, or a man overboard in the water? I'm guessing that would mean a lifeboat is ok to use it in as well?

I am going to refer to the "Book of Bo-Vol I" (when I get home) and check the use of the 121.5MHz. I am thinking it was also designated as a lifeboat freq.

The "Book of Bo-Vol I" is the memo book I carried for 22 years and put down all the info I rarely used but needed immediate access to, if the need arose. From a 1/4" govt memo book, it has grown to approx 2" thick and has the Ranger Handbook attached to it, as well.

As I recall, I used to use my IFF to draw in curious DoD pilots and then contacted them on 243.0MHz to establish verbal contact, trade IFF code, then switch to a working freq and get them to give me realtime intel on where the shrimp boats were grouped/fishing within a 60 mi9le radius of my present position.

Curiosity is a powerful tool/weapon when used properly.

Go to a Hamfest. Find someone there with lots of complicated blinky-light radios, show them your PRC-90 and ask them who they know who can tune it up. Don't let one dingbat ruin your day! There's plenty of people willing to take on that radio.

The way I read it, you can use it all you want (in emergencies), but after 1Feb09 satellite detection of that freq will terminate, so you would be limited to line of sight transmission/reception. If anyone was still listening to that freq by then...

I work for ACR and was attracted by the title of this thread.

1. Satellite monitoring, alert and location of 121.5/243.0 will officially cease in Feb09. In the USA, the FCC, at the USCG's request, has outlawed the use of 121.5/243.0 EPIRBs, (called Class A, B and S). All other 121.5/243.0 transmitters are legal to use in an emergency. 121.5 will continue to be used as the primary Homing frequency for many years to come. The FAA still permits C-91 and C-91a ELTs and encourages fellow pilots to monitor 121.5. ACR did not create these policy changes.

2. Your PRC-90 radio is obsolete. There are many parts that are no longer available that may be required to repair or service your radio. I am sorry for this, but there is nothing ACR can do.

I'm sorry you felt you were treated rudely. It certainly isn't our policy to treat people poorly. You received good advice though, even if it wasn't what you wanted to hear.

Thanks for the clarification...

I agree that ACR has some of the most rude folks you will speak to on the phone!!!

I bought a PLB last year and they had a promo going on at the time. They were giving away some discontinued stuff with the purchase. The instructions on their website were a bit ambigious, so I called. I think I spoke with the rude spanish speaking lady you mention!!

PDHardin, since you work there, you should send a link to this thread to your folks at ACR. Poor phone skills should not be tolerated.

Thanks guys for the quickist response I know of! PDHardin, Sir, someone really does need to talk to your staff about their attitude towards customers and potential customers. This is not the first time for this. Years ago they ran a special with the "Mini B2 ILS, a whistle, strobe/flashlight combo, and some reflective patches". They were rude then and I almost didn't purchase one. If it wasn't for me going backpacking into the wilderness a few weeks later and the limitations on available products, I would of just hung up. ACR could be the greatest company on the face of the Earth. By the way, ALL OTHER PRC-90-()'s ARE THE SAME INTERNALLY, period! You might want to tell the staff that for just FYI purposes. Also, will ACR work on old LPU's and single man life rafts? If you guys do, I might be convinced to try one more time.

Also, I have quite a collection of Military Survival Equipment and componets. If there is some interest in seeing some of it, let me know and I will start posting some pictures via categories. Again thanks guys!