About Us

company overview

Founded in 1968, Emergency Beacon Corp. (EBC) is a recognized world leader in the development, production and sales of avionics used in aviation related search and rescue. With full government approval on all its models, EBC has sold more search and rescue equipment than any other company in the world. All products are designed by professional engineers and are supported by a full array of service technicians.

In 2003 Emergency Beacon Corporation merged with its affiliates Glatzer Industries Corporation and ELTs Unlimited, Inc. Because of the merger, EBC is now the home of deft-1 and sharc-7 emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) and provides support and repair services for those transmitters as well as the EBC line.

All of our emergency locator transmitters are designed to be fully portable, in the belief that an ELT should stay with the pilot after an accident. The cabin-mount ELTs can immediately be taken from their bracket and used outside the aircraft. The aft-mount ELTs are more difficult to retrieve but they, too, can be removed from their bracket and used outside the aircraft with the attached portable antenna. The EBC 102-series, EBC 302-series and EBC 502-series ELTs are designed to mount in the cabin. The deft-1 and sharc-7 ELTs mount in the aft section.

Emergency Beacon Corporation has a complete line of EBC 406-series emergency locator transmitters. There are several different models, some for cabin mount, some for aft mount and some for helicopter use.

Emergency Beacon is operated by Roanwell Corporation, a women-owned, veteran owned, Hubzone, ITAR Registered company with AS9100 and ISO certifications.

EBC is the only factory approved maintenance facility for its products. it is an FAA certified repair station (#eycr558x).

Both private industry and governmental agencies, here and abroad, have utilized the manufacturing experience and design expertise of our company. Drop beacons, tracking systems, direction finders – almost any type of specialized transmitters and receivers for security systems, aviation/aerospace, scientific measurements, search and rescue, safety and other applications can be developed on time and within budget by Emergency Beacon Corporation.

What others say – testimonials

Thank you for your prompt response to my letter of june 4th requesting information on ordering new decals for my ebc102a. i was surprised and pleased to find decals enclosed in your return correspondence!

I’ll be certain to mention this incident to the local eaa/aopa bunch and to the members of the short wing piper club-it’s great to see a company that supports its customers.
–j. d.


I was a passenger in a cessna 180 along with the pilot when we had to make an emergency ditch in the cook inlet of alaska.

The pilot immediately ripped out his main elt from the plane and placed it in his coat and took an older one (your model ebc 102a) out of his survival bag and place it in my coat.

To make a long story short, we spent 42 minutes in 28 degree water and were picked up by the air force, thanks to the older elt, your model ebc 102a. the newer one flooded and ceased to work.

From my experience, we believe that all emergency locator transmitters should be built in a water proof housing. we hope the faa changes their standards to reflect this.

We want to thank you again for building such a great and durable elt.
–k. b.


“You do a good job-a delight to do business with you.” –r. c.


“Thank you very much. you have restored my faith in american business. thanks again!” –r. j.


“I can’t believe it, i received the elts today, less thank 24 hours after we talked. i’m at a loss for words. thank you! ” –a. f.


“Thanks for the excellent customer service.” –b. l., jr.


During a recent preflight, i found that my elt, an ebc model 120a, would not indicate proper operation in the test position. i removed the elt and returned it to the manufacturer, emergency beacon corporation (ebc) for repair.

In the letter accompanying the elt, i explained the problem and noted that this was the third time in five years that i had experienced the same problem and had to return the unit to them for repair. i paid for the first repair, they repaired it the second time under warranty as it was within one year of the first repair, and now about three years later i was returning it again for the same malfunction.

Ebc responded with a brand new replacement elt at no charge. they noted that, although it was beyond the warranty period, they stood behind their products and wanted a satisfied customer. this is an excellent example of “doing the right thing” and demonstrates a high standard for others to follow. i am impressed with the way ebc handled the matter and would like to pass on the experience to other eoc members.

I just wanted to write you a note and tell you how pleased i was to receive my new avm24cll (25 volt plug-in meter) which you were good enough to replace for me at no charge.

It is so seldom today that we receive such service let alone gratis service that i am taking the time to write a note to the aviation consumer to tell them just how you stood behind this product.

Sometime ago, they did a thorough review of the available volt meters and i think they should be advised that you certainly stand behind your product.

Thanks a million for your help and i send very best regards.
–p w., jr.


You requested the particulars on the accident associated with your product; emergency locator transmitter, model number ebc-302vrhm2-243, serial number 80938.

The accident occurred at 1730 hours on 3 june 1987. the helicopter crashed, caught fire and burned itself out. thursday evening, the fort’s security people contacted the helicopter company, because an elt was going off on post and the national guard aircraft were the only ones equipped with the transmitters.

The attack troop safety officer and an avionics man went to the crash sight at about 2230 hours on 4 june. they found the elt in the burned aircraft was transmitting. the safety officer dug the elt out of the wreckage, but it was burned so badly they could not shut it off with the external s/w. the avionics man removed the screws and was able to pry the lid off to gain access to the battery wires, which he cut to silence the transmitter.

The elt ran for 29 hours after the accident and subsequent/fire.
–k. b., national guard