San Diego tower asking aircraft to listen for ELT

[laylow]

Just heard San Diego tower ask some aircraft to listen for an ELT on 121.5  Anyone know if something is going on down there?

[KSYR-pjr]

More times than not, when ATC asks a pilot to listen for an ELT it turns out that this is a false alarm usually caused by an ELT erroneously transmitting due to hard landings, accidentally flipped switches, etc.

In this case the odds are that the signaling aircraft is probably safely tied down at KSAN or a nearby airport.

[laylow]

That's what it sounds like.  No one sounds stressed or emotional.  No pilots were able to hear the ELT.

[dave]

This happens all the time around here (New England area).  I can't tell you how many ELT's I have picked up - fortunately all turned out to be nothing.

[rpd]

Also the Air Force will call the facility and say the satelite is picking up an ELT at a specific point.  The supervisors will ask us to check with aircraft in the vicinity of that point if they are receiving an ELT.  Most times we never here it at our facilty at all.

[Steel_Anxiety]

I have set off an ELT because of a hard landing. They are rated at around 2 Gs.