Objects Database

Avalanche Transceivers x3

Accession Number

1031.2012.1(a-c)

Object Name

Avalanche Transceivers x3

Created

31/10/2012

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

31/10/2012

Brief Description

Three avalanche transceivers - one in rubberised pouch and the other two in zipped nylon pouches. Two have carrying straps.

Materials

nylon, rubber, plastic, metal

Dimensions

a-14x11x4cms b- 15x9.5x3cms c- 13.5x9.5x3cms

Number Of Objects

Inscription Description

On all three pouches "PIEPS" On each transceiver "DF 2.275-457KHZ"

Colour

yellow, black,red

Maker

Pieps

Object Production Place

Austria

Provenance

Dr John Lawton invented the first effective avalanche transceiver at the Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory, New York in 1968 and the first units appeared on the market in 1971 under the brand name 'SKADI.' The idea was that skiers, walkers, climbers and folk of that ilk, would carry the transceiver in transmit mode when out in the snow and should they happen to be avalanched, anyone who was not buried in the avalanche or subsequent rescue teams, could switch to receive mode which would enable them to locate the victims whose transceivers would, hopefully, still be transmitting.
The original transceivers operated on a frequency of 2.275 Khz which was later (1986) standardized by the International Committee of Alpine Rescue to 457Khz - some early transceivers used both frequencies.
We've not been able to work out what PIEPS stands for, but do know that it is a branch of the Austrian Company, Seidel Elektronik, or it was until the American Black Diamond Company bought them out in 2012.
Anyway, Pieps were/are one of the many companies producing avalanche transceivers and the ones we have here in the collection date from the 1990's and belonged to Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, becoming redundant as newer, better technology came along to replace them. We've kept these three together as they are pretty much the same albeit with three different cases.