Sec.  80.101   Radiotelephone testing procedures.

   This section is applicable to all stations using telephony except where
   otherwise specified.

   (a) Station licensees must not cause harmful interference. When radiation is
   necessary or unavoidable, the testing procedure described below must be
   followed:

   (1) The operator must not interfere with transmissions in progress.

   (2) The testing station's call sign, followed by the word “test”, must be
   announced on the radio-channel being used for the test.

   (3) If any station responds “wait”, the test must be suspended for a minimum
   of 30 seconds, then repeat the call sign followed by the word “test” and
   listen again for a response. To continue the test, the operator must use
   counts or phrases which do not conflict with normal operating signals, and
   must end with the station's call sign. Test signals must not exceed ten
   seconds, and must not be repeated until at least one minute has elapsed. On
   the frequency 2182 kHz or 156.800 MHz, the time between tests must be a
   minimum of five minutes.

   (b) Testing of transmitters must be confined to single frequency channels on
   working  frequencies. However, 2182 kHz and 156.800 MHz may be used to
   contact  ship or coast stations as appropriate when signal reports are
   necessary. Short tests on 4125 kHz are permitted by vessels equipped with
   MF/HF radios to evaluate the compatibility of the equipment for distress and
   safety purposes. U.S. Coast Guard stations may be contacted on 2182 kHz or
   156.800  MHz  for test purposes only when tests are being conducted by
   Commission  employees,  when  FCC-licensed  technicians are conducting
   inspections on behalf of the Commission, when qualified technicians are
   installing or repairing radiotelephone equipment, or when qualified ship's
   personnel conduct an operational check requested by the U.S. Coast Guard. In
   these cases the test must be identified as “FCC” or “technical.”

   (c) Survival craft transmitter tests must not be made within actuating range
   of automatic alarm receivers.

   [ 51 FR 31213 , Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at  63 FR 29659 , June 1, 1998;  68 FR 46961 , Aug. 7, 2003]