Sec. 80.131  Radioprinter operations.

    Radioprinter operations provide a relatively low cost system of 
record communications between authorized coast and ship stations in 
accordance with the following paragraphs.
    (a) Supplementary eligibility requirement. A radioprinter 
authorization for a private coast station may be issued to the owner or 
operator of a ship of less than 1600 gross tons, a community of ships 
all of which are less than 1600 gross tons, or an association whose 
members operate ships of less than 1600 gross tons.
    (b) Scope of communications. Only those communications which concern 
the business and operational needs of vessels are authorized.
    (c) Assignment and use of frequencies. (1) Frequencies may be 
assigned to private coast stations for radioprinter use from the 
appropriate bands listed in subpart H of this part.
    (2) Frequencies in the listed bands are shared with other radio 
services including the maritime mobile service. Each assigned frequency 
is available on a shared use basis only, not for the exclusive use of 
any one station or licensee.
    (d) Coast station responsibilities. (1) Private coast stations must 
propose frequencies and provide the names of ships to be served with the 
application.
    (2) Private coast station licensees must provide copies of their 
license to all ships with which they are authorized to conduct 
radioprinter operations.