Sec.  11.61   Tests of EAS procedures.

   

   (a) Tests shall be made at regular intervals as indicated in
   paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section. Additional tests may be
   performed anytime. EAS activations and special tests may be performed
   in lieu of required tests as specified in paragraph (a)(4) of this
   section. All tests will conform with the procedures in the EAS
   Operating Handbook.

   (1) Required Monthly Tests of the EAS header codes, Attention Signal,
   Test Script and EOM code.

   (i) Effective January 1, 1997, AM, FM and TV stations.

   (ii) Effective October 1, 2002, cable systems with fewer than 5,000
   subscribers per headend.

   (iii) Effective December 31, 1998, cable systems with 10,000 or more
   subscribers; and effective October 1, 2002, cable systems serving
   5,000 or more, but less than 10,000 subscribers per headend.

   (iv) Effective October 1, 2002, all wireless cable systems.

   (v) Tests in odd numbered months shall occur between 8:30 a.m. and
   local sunset. Tests in even numbered months shall occur between local
   sunset and 8:30 a.m. They will originate from Local or State Primary
   sources. The time and script content will be developed by State
   Emergency Communications Committees in cooperation with affected
   broadcast stations, cable systems, wireless cable systems, and other
   participants. Script content may be in the primary language of the
   broadcast station or cable system. These monthly tests must be
   transmitted within 60 minutes of receipt by broadcast stations and
   cable systems and wireless cable systems in an EAS Local Area or
   State. Class D non-commercial educational FM and LPTV stations are
   required to transmit only the test script.

   (2) Required Weekly Tests:

   (i) EAS Header Codes and EOM Codes:

   (A) Effective January 1, 1997, AM, FM and TV stations must conduct
   tests of the EAS header and EOM codes at least once a week at random
   days and times.

   (B) Effective December 31, 1998, cable systems with 10,000 or more
   subscribers per headend must conduct tests of the EAS header and EOM
   codes at least once a week at random days and times on all programmed
   channels:

   (C) Effective October 1, 2002, cable systems serving fewer than 5,000
   subscribers per headend must conduct tests of the EAS header and EOM
   codes at least once a week at random days and times on at least one
   programmed channel.

   (D) Effective October 1, 2002, the following cable systems and
   wireless cable systems must conduct tests of the EAS header and EOM
   codes at least once a week at random days and times on all programmed
   channels:

   (1) Cable systems serving 5,000 or more, but less than 10,000
   subscribers per headend; and,

   (2) Wireless cable systems with 5,000 or more subscribers.

   (E) Effective October 1, 2002, the following cable systems and
   wireless cable systems must conduct tests of the EAS header and EOM
   codes at least once a week at random days and times on at least one
   programmed channel:

   (1) Cable systems with fewer than 5,000 subscribers per headend; and,

   (2) Wireless cable systems with fewer than 5,000 subscribers.

   (ii) Class D non-commercial educational FM and LPTV stations are not
   required to transmit this test but must log receipt.

   (iii) The EAS weekly test is not required during the week that a
   monthly test is conducted.

   (iv) TV stations, cable television systems and wireless cable systems
   are not required to transmit a video message when transmitting the
   required weekly test.

   (3) Periodic National Tests. National Primary (NP) sources shall
   participate in tests as appropriate. The FCC may request a report of
   these tests.

   (4) EAS activations and special tests. The EAS may be activated for
   emergencies or special tests at the State or Local Area level by a
   broadcast station, cable system or wireless cable system instead of
   the monthly or weekly tests required by this section. To substitute
   for a monthly test, activation must include transmission of the EAS
   header codes, Attention Signal, emergency message and EOM code and
   comply with the visual message requirements in Sec. 11.51. To substitute
   for the weekly test of the EAS header codes and EOM codes in paragraph
   (2)(i) of this section, activation must include transmission of the
   EAS header and EOM codes. Television stations and cable systems and
   wireless cable systems shall comply with the aural and visual message
   requirements in Sec. 11.51. Special EAS tests at the State and Local Area
   levels may be conducted on daily basis following procedures in State
   and Local Area EAS plans.

   (b) Entries shall be made in broadcast station and cable system and
   wireless cable system records as specified in Sec. 11.54(b)(12).

   [ 67 FR 18511 , Apr. 16, 2002]
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                         Last updated: June 8, 2005