Finding the HEX ID of your beacon
The Hex identifier is a 15-character string consisting of hexadecimal characters (valid range: numbers from 0 to 9 and letters from A to F), called the identifier 15 Hex or 15 Hex ID.
The 15-digit Hex ID of your beacon uniquely identifies your 406 MHz APB and is encoded in the message that your beacon transmits to search and rescue services if your beacon is activated.
The Hex ID contains the country code that must match the flag of the aircraft or ship (or host country in the case of the PLB owner) and may include other identification information for the aircraft or vessel (depending on the protocol that was used when the beacon was programmed electronically ). The identification of the aircraft or vessel included in the Hex ID may also contain notes on the registration of the aircraft or vessel, the call sign of the aircraft or vessel or other information.
You must find the Hex ID of your beacon on the label attached to it or in the documentation for it. If you are having trouble finding the Hex ID, contact the manufacturer of your beacon.
To correctly use the beacon decoding program, do the following:
- Enter hexadecimal beacon information in the specified field so that there are no spaces before, after, or between hexadecimal characters.
- Select the decoding parameter related to the number of characters entered.
- Click "Process".
Note:
If the program issues a warning that the character is out of range, check the entered data so that all digits are hexadecimal. For example, make sure that the character "0" was not mistakenly entered as the letter "O"; If everything is displayed correctly, make sure that no spaces are entered before the first character, after the last character, or between characters. Place the cursor before the first character and press the back-space key until the characters match the left edge of the input field, then place the cursor immediately after the last character and press the delete key (this will delete the spaces that were copied to the decoding block before or after the symbols).
Disclaimer: The program is offered for use "as is" and may not process more new beacon protocols or newly released country codes. This tool is designed to decode valid 15-Hex-ID or valid 22- and 30-Hex-messages. Unexpected or invalid results can arise from non-regular HexIDs or Hex messages that are incomplete or with uncorrected BCH errors.
