General Documents (G.xxx Series)

There are two Cospas-Sarsat "G" series documents available for downloading, G.003 and G.005.

Document G.003 "Introduction to the Cospas-Sarsat System" provides a detailed information of the System history, Programme Management, concept of operation, and description of the various components. This is the best document to read to obtain a general understanding of the Cospas-Sarsat System.

Document G.005 "Cospas-Sarsat Guidelines on 406 MHz Beacon Coding, Registration and Type Approval", was developed as an aide to help understand these issues. G.005 is not a specification document, but it may be useful in explaining some of the complicated issues defined in Specification documents. For example, the specifications for coding 406 MHz beacons is detailed in the "Cospas-Sarsat 406 MHz Beacon Specification" C/S T.001. Document G.005 complements the information provided in C/S T.001 by clarifying some of the concepts and rules for beacon coding, and by providing several examples.

C/S Reference		Document Title	Dated
G.003	Not available	Introduction to the Cospas-Sarsat System (New issue available in Oct. 2010)	-
G.005	Complete Document	Cospas-Sarsat Guidelines on 406 MHz Beacon Coding, Registration and Type Approval, Issue 2 - Revision 3	Oct 2008
G.005	Updated Pages Only		Oct 2008
G.007	Complete Document	Handbook on Distress Alert Messages for Rescue Coordination Centres (RCCs), Search and Rescue Points of Contact (SPOCs) and IMO Ship Security Competent Authorities, Issue 1	Oct 2008