Understanding the Modes in One Page
Edit on GitHubBEACON, SEARCH, CONFIG and EMERGENCY explained with a real-world example for each.
Understanding the Modes in One Page
The beacon has four modes. Each maps to a real situation.
BEACON (transmit SOS)
Situation: you need to be found. The beacon cycles through your configured frequencies, transmitting SOS (plus name and GPS if enabled) in Morse at each one, then enters deep sleep to save battery.
Defaults: +17 dBm, 10 s sleep between cycles, repeat once per frequency.
SEARCH (listen for others)
Situation: you are a rescuer looking for a beacon. The beacon scans every configured frequency, measures RSSI on each, and gives an audio alert whose pitch rises with signal strength, like a metal detector. Detections are logged to the RTC RAM hit log.
Defaults: 400 ms dwell per frequency, -90 dBm threshold.
CONFIG (change settings)
Situation: you need to change frequency, power, or your name without reflashing. Hold SEL for 3 seconds and the beacon becomes a WiFi access point with a captive-portal dashboard at 192.168.4.1. Every parameter is editable from a browser.
EMERGENCY (maximum effort)
Situation: a life is on the line. Maximum power (+22 dBm), continuous transmission, full payload with name and GPS, no deep sleep, 1760 Hz audible tone, and a persisted flag that survives reboots so the beacon keeps screaming even if it restarts. Cleared by entering CONFIG and saving.
Activate by holding MODE for 2 seconds. Deactivate the same way, or from the dashboard.
One rule of thumb
- Need to be heard: BEACON.
- Looking for someone: SEARCH.
- Changing settings: CONFIG.
- Life-threatening emergency: EMERGENCY.