Secs. 4, 303, 307(e), 309, and 332, 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 307(e), 309, and 332, unless otherwise noted. Interpret or apply 48 Stat. 1064-1068, 1081-1105, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 151-155, 301-609; 3 UST 3450, 3 UST 4726, 12 UST 2377.
51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, unless otherwise noted.
This section contains the statutory basis for this part of the rules and provides the purpose for which this part is issued.
(a)
(b)
The Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard has promulgated regulations which affect radiotelecommunication equipment carriage and power source installation requirements for certain ships. Inquiries concerning applicable U.S. Coast Guard regulations are to addressed to the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, Washington, DC 20593, or to the nearest District Headquarters Office of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Other FCC rule parts applicable to licensees in the maritime services include the following:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f) Part 20 of this chapter which governs commercial mobile radio services which include subpart J of this part (public coast stations).
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
(k)
(2) A
(3) The term
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(2) Where the word
(1) In radiotelegraphy, the international distress signal consists of the group “three dots, three dashes, three dots”, transmitted as a single signal in which the dashes are emphasized so as to be distinguished clearly from the dots.
(2) In radiotelephony, the international distress signal consists of the enunciation of the word “Mayday”, pronounced as the French expression “m'aider”. In case of distress, transmission of this particular signal is intended to ensure recognition of a radiotelephone distress call by stations of any nationality.
(2) In radiotelegraphy, the international safety signals consists of three repetitions of the group “TTT”, sent before the call, with the letters of each group and the successive groups clearly separated from each other.
(3) In radiotelephony, the international safety signal consists of three oral repetitions of “Security”, pronounced as the French word “Securite”, sent before the call.
(2) In radiotelegraphy, the international urgency signal consists of three repetitions of the group “XXX”, sent before the call, with the letters of each group and the successive groups clearly separated from each other.
(3) In radiotelephony, the international urgency signal consists of three oral repetitions of the group of words “PAN PAN”, each word of the group pronounced as the French word “PANNE” and sent before the call.
This subpart contains the procedures and requirements for the filing of applications for licenses to operate radio facilities in the maritime services. Part 1 of the Commission's rules contains the general rules of practice and procedure applicable to proceedings before the FCC.
(a) Except as noted in paragraph (c) of this section, stations in the maritime service must be licensed by the FCC either individually or by fleet.
(b) One ship station license will be granted for operation of all maritime services transmitting equipment on board a vessel. Radiotelegraph and narrow-band directing-printing equipment will not be authorized, however, unless specifically requested by the applicant.
(c) A ship station is licensed by rule and does not need an individual license issued by the FCC if the ship station is not subject to the radio equipment carriage requirements any statute, treaty or agreement to which the United States is signatory, the ship station does not travel to foreign ports, and the ship station does not make international communications. A ship station licensed by rule is authorized to transmit radio signals using a marine radio operating in the 156-162 MHz band, any type of EPIRB, and any type of radar installation. All other transmissions must be authorized under a ship station license. Even though an individual license is not required, a ship station licensed by rule must be operated in accordance with all applicable operating requirements, procedures, and technical specifications found in this part.
(a)
(b)
(1) Any alien or the representative of any alien;
(2) Any foreign government or its representative;
(3) Any corporation organized under the laws of any foreign government;
(4) Any corporation of which more than one-fifth of the capital stock is owned of record or voted by aliens or their representatives or by a foreign government or its representative, or by a corporation organized under the laws of a foreign country; or
(5) Any corporation directly or indirectly controlled by any other corporation of which more than one-fourth of the capital stock is owned of record or voted by aliens, their representatives, or by a foreign government or its representatives, or by any corporation organized under the laws of a foreign country, if the Commission finds that the public interest will be served by the refusal or revocation of such license.
(c)
(d)
(1) The owner or operator of the vessel;
(2) A subsidiary communications corporation of the owner or operator of the vessel;
(3) A State or local government subdivision; or
(4) Any agency of the U.S. Government subject to section 301 of the Communications Act.
(e)
(i) For use on board vessels operating within 32 kilometers (approximately 20 miles) of shore and in the Great Lakes, or
(ii) On passenger and cargo vessels with survival craft as required or recommended by the U.S. Coast Guard.
(2) Class A or B EPIRB stations will be authorized for use on board the following types of vessels:
(i) Vessels authorized to carry survival craft; or
(ii) Vessels expected to travel in waters beyond the range of marine VHF distress coverage which is generally considered to be more than 32 kilometers (approximately 20 miles) offshore; or
(iii) Vessels required to be fitted with EPIRB's to comply with U.S. Coast Guard regulations.
(3) A 406.025 MHz EPIRBs may be used by any ship required by U.S. Coast Guard regulations to carry an EPIRB or by any ship that is equipped with a VHF ship radio station.
(a) Stations in the Maritime Mobile Service are licensed according to class of station as follows:
(1) Public coast stations.
(2) Private coast stations.
(3) Maritime support stations.
(4)
(5) Marine utility stations.
(b) Stations on land in the Maritime Radiodetermination Service are licensed according to class of station as follows:
(1) Shore radiolocation stations.
(2) Shore radionavigation stations.
(c) Fixed stations in the Fixed Service associated with the maritime services are licensed as follows:
(1) Operational fixed stations.
(2) Alaska-public fixed stations.
(3) Alaska-private fixed stations.
The following table indicates the correct standard form or other means to be used when submitting an application. Forms may be obtained from the Commission at Gettysburg, PA 17325, Washington, DC 20554 or any of its District Offices.
Applications for radio stations to be located within designated radio protection areas, radio stations with a proposed antenna structure which will require antenna markings, a new public coast stations proposing operations in the 156-162 MHz band and new ship stations on vessels not located in the United States must contain supplementary information as indicated in this section. Other supplemental information may be required by other rule sections of this part concerning particular maritime services.
(a) To minimize harmful interference at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory site at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, and at the Naval Radio Research Observatory site at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, an applicant for a new station authorization (other than mobile or temporary fixed), or for modification of an existing license to change the frequency, power, antenna location, height or directivity within the area bounded by 39
(b) Protection for Federal Communications Commission monitoring stations:
(1) Geographical coordinates of FCC facilities which require protection are listed in § 0.121(c) of this chapter. Applications for stations (except mobile stations) which will be located within 80 km (50 miles) of the referenced coordinates are examined to determine extent of possible interference. A clause protecting the monitoring station may be added to the station license.
(2) Prospective applicants of stations for which the calculated value of expected field strength exceeds 10 mV/m (−65.8 dBW/m
Chief, Compliance and Information Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC 20554.
(c) Each application for a new public coast station operating on frequencies in the band 156-162 MHz must include as supplementary information a chart, with supporting data, showing the service area contour computed in accordance with subpart P of this part.
(d) Each application for a new public coast station operating on frequencies in the band 156-162 MHz to be located within the coordination boundaries of “Arrangement “A” of the Canada/U.S.A. Frequency Coordination Agreement above 30 MHz”, must comply with the provisions of the “Canada/U.S.A. Channeling Agreement for VHF Maritime, Public Correspondence” as contained in § 80.57.
(e) An application for a new station on a vessel not located in the United States must include:
(1) A statement that the vessel is not documented or otherwise registered by any foreign authority; and
(2) A statement that the foreign authorities where the vessel is located will not or cannot license the vessel radio equipment, or that they do not object to the licensing of the equipment by the United States.
(f) Any applicant for a new permanent base or fixed station to be located on the islands of Puerto Rico, Desecheo, Mona, Vieques, and Culebra, or for a modification of an existing authorization which would change the frequency, power, antenna height, directivity, or location of a station on these islands and would increase the likelihood of the authorized facility causing interference, shall notify the Interference Office, Arecibo Observatory, Post Office Box 995, Arecibo, Puerto Rico 00613, in writing or electronically, of the technical parameters of the proposal. Applicants may wish to consult interference guidelines, which will be provided by Cornell University. Applicants who choose to transmit information electronically should e-mail to: prcz@naic.edu
(1) The notification to the Interference Office, Arecibo Observatory shall be made prior to, or simultaneously with, the filing of the application with the Commission. The notification shall state the geographical coordinates of the antenna (NAD-83 datum), antenna height above ground, ground elevation at the antenna, antenna directivity and gain, proposed frequency and FCC Rule Part, type of emission, effective radiated power, and whether the proposed use is itinerant. Generally, submission of the information in the technical portion of the FCC license application is adequate notification. In addition, the applicant shall indicate in its application to the Commission the date notification was made to the Arecibo Observatory.
(2) After receipt of such applications, the Commission will allow a period of 20 days for comments or objections in response to the notification indicated. The applicant will be required to make reasonable efforts in order to resolve or mitigate any potential interference problem with the Arecibo Observatory and to file either an amendment to the application or a modification application, as appropriate. If the Commission determines that an applicant has satisfied its responsibility to make reasonable efforts to protect the Observatory from interference, its application may be granted.
(3) The provisions of this paragraph do not apply to operations that transmit on frequencies above 15 GHz.
Rules about the filing of applications for radio station licenses are contained in this section. Applications requiring fees as set forth in part 1, subpart G of this chapter must be filed with the Federal Communications Commission in accordance with § 1.1102 of the Rules.
(a) Each application must specify an address in the United States to be used by the Commission in serving documents or directing correspondence to the licensee.
(b) An original of each application must be filed.
(c) One application for two or more new maritime utility stations may be submitted when the applicant and proposed area of operation for each station is the same.
(d) One application for transfer of control may be submitted for two or more stations subject to this part when the individual stations are clearly identified and the following elements are the same for all existing or requested station authorizations involved:
(1) Applicant;
(2) Specific details of basic request.
(a) Licenses for ship stations in the maritime services will normally be issued for a term of ten years from the date of original issuance, major modification, or renewal. Licensees may apply for renewal of the station license up to ninety (90) days after the date the license expires.
(b) Licenses other than ship stations in the maritime services will normally be issued for a term of five years from the date of original issuance, major modification, or renewal, except that licenses for VHF public coast stations will normally be issued for a term of ten years from the date of original
(c) Licenses for stations engaged in developmental operation will be issued for a period not to exceed one year from date of grant.
(a) The following table indicates the required action for changes made during the license term:
(b) Written notices must be sent to the Federal Communications Commission, Gettysburg, PA 17325.
At 63 FR 36606, July 7, 1998, § 80.29, the table in paragraph (a) was amended by removing the term “type-accepted” and adding in its place “authorized” in the second column, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
When a station subject to this part which is not a communication common carrier permanently discontinues operation, the licensee must return the station license to the Commission's office at P.O. Box 1040, Gettysburg, PA 17325, for cancellation. Communication common carrier stations subject to this part must comply with the discontinuance of service provisions of part 63 of this chapter.
This section contains rules about the licensing of developmental operations at stations subject to this part.
(a)
(b)
(1) The applicant has an organized plan of development leading to an objective;
(2) A point has been reached in the program where actual transmission by radio is essential to progress;
(3) The program will contribute to the use of the radio services subject to this part;
(4) The program will be conducted by qualified personnel;
(5) The applicant is legally qualified and possesses technical facilities for conduct of the program as proposed; and
(6) The public interest, convenience and necessity will be served by the proposed operation.
(c)
(d)
(e)
(2) Where some phases of the developmental program are not covered by the general rules of the Commission and the rules in this part, the Commission may specify supplemental or additional requirements or conditions.
(3) The Commission may, from time to time, require a station engaged in developmental work to conduct special tests which are reasonable to the authorized developmental program.
(f)
(2) Communication with any station of a country other than the United States is prohibited unless specifically provided in the station authorization.
(3) Developmental operations must not cause harmful interference to the operation of stations regularly authorized to use the frequency or frequencies.
(g)
(1) Results of operation to date.
(2) Analysis of the results obtained.
(3) Copies of any published reports.
(4) Need for continuation of the program.
(5) Number of hours of operation on each authorized frequency during the term of the license to the date of the report.
(a) The licensee of each station is the same; and
(b) The authorized area of operation of each station is the same.
This section describes the circumstances under which a coast station location is classified as permanent or temporary unspecified.
(a)
(b)
This section applies to coast or fixed stations at permanent locations.
(a) Applicants must provide the address or location of the control point where station records will be kept.
(b) When the address or location of a control point where station records are kept is to be changed, the licensee must request a modification of the station license.
(c) Control points not collocated with station records and dispatch points may be installed and used without obtaining any authorization from the Commission.
Transmitters listed in § 80.203 must be authorized for a particular use by the Commission based upon technical requirements contained in subparts E and F of this part.
At 63 FR 36606, July 7, 1998, § 80.43 was amended by removing the term “type accepted” and adding in its place “authorized”; effective Oct. 5, 1998.
When an application is submitted on FCC Form 503, the applicant must propose frequencies to be used by the station. The applicant must ensure that frequencies requested are consistent with the applicant's eligibility, the proposed class of station operation and the frequencies available for assignment as contained in subpart H of this part.
A station may be used for emergency communications when normal communication facilities are disrupted. The Commission may order the discontinuance of any such emergency communication service.
(a)
(2) For LF, MF, HF, and AMTS band public coast station licensees, when a new license has been issued or additional operating frequencies have been authorized, if the station or frequencies authorized have not been placed in operation within eight months from the date of the grant, the authorization becomes invalid and must be returned to the Commission for cancellation.
(b)
(a) In cases where a ship earth station is required to be commissioned before it is certified to use a privately owned satellite system, FCC Form 506 must be submitted to the Commission prior to transmission on any of the satellite frequency bands allocated for maritime satellite communications.
(b) A ship earth station authorized to operate the INMARSAT space segment must display the Commission license in conjunction with the commissioning certificate issued by the INMARSAT Organization. Ship earth stations that were operating in the MARISAT system and are not commissioned by the INMARSAT Organization will continue to be used in the INMARSAT system without a commissioning certificate issued by the INMARSAT Organization. The continued use of such equipment, however, will not be permitted after September 1, 1991, unless a commissioning certificate is obtained from the INMARSAT Organization. Notwithstanding the requirements in this paragraph, ship earth stations can operate in the INMARSAT space segment without an INMARSAT issued commissioning certificate provided an appropriate written approval is obtained from the INMARSAT Organization in addition to the Commission's license.
(a) The Commission may grant a license permitting operation of a portable ship station aboard different vessels of the United States. Each application for a portable ship station must include a showing that:
(1) The station will be operated as an established class of station on board ship, and
(2) A station license for portable equipment is necessary to eliminate frequent application to operate a ship station on board different vessels.
(b) [Reserved]
AMTS licensees will be issued blanket authority for a system of coast stations and mobile units (subscribers). AMTS applicants will specify the maximum number of mobile units to be placed in operation during the license period.
(a) An applicant may apply for licenses for two or more radiotelephone stations aboard different vessels on the same application. Under these circumstances a fleet station license may be issued for operation of all radio stations aboard the vessels in the fleet.
(b) The fleet station license is issued on the following conditions:
(1) The licensee must keep a current list of vessel names and registration numbers authorized by the fleet license;
(2) The vessels do not engage in voyages to any foreign country;
(3) The vessels are not subject to the radio requirements of the Communications Act or the Safety Convention.
A ship station license may not be assigned. Whenever the vessel ownership is transferred, the previous authorization must be forwarded to the Commission for cancellation. The new owner must file for a new authorization.
(a)
(b)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(c)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5) Harmful interference will be determined and resolved using the definition and procedures of the ITU Radio Regulations.
(6) To keep the ERP and antenna elevations at a minimum and to limit coverage to the desired areas, an informal application may be filed for special temporary authority in accordance with §§ 1.41 and 1.925 to conduct a field survey to obtain necessary data for informal application. Such data may accompany the application and be used in lieu of theoretical calculations as required in subpart P of this part. The Seattle FCC District Office must be notified in advance of scheduled tests.
(d)
(2) The channeling arrangement applies to the following VHF public correspondence channels: Channels 24, 84, 25, 85, 26, 86, 27, 87 and 28.
(3) Public correspondence stations may be established by either country in accordance with the provisions of the arrangements. However, there must be an exchange of information prior to the establishment of new stations or a change in technical parameters of existing stations. Any channel except that used as primary or supplementary channel in a given sector is available for use as a local channel in that sector. Local channels are not protected from interference caused by primary or supplementary channels in adjacent sectors if these stations are in compliance with this section.
(4) Preliminary local Canadian/U.S. coordination is required for all applications at variance with this section. This coordination will be in accordance with the provisions of Arrangement “A” of the Canada/U.S. Frequency Coordination Agreement over 30 MHz. Stations at variance with the arrangement are not protected from interference and must not cause interference to existing or future stations which are in accordance with the agreement.
(5) Stations in existence at the time of the arrangement must have complied with the provisions of the arrangement within 12 months after it became effective with the following exceptions:
(i) Public coast (VHF) stations:
(ii) These stations employing frequencies assigned at the time of the arrangement may be maintained with existing antenna heights in excess of 152 meters (500 feet) unless harmful interference to existing stations is identified and reported directly to the Federal Communications Commission or
(6) The agreed channeling arrangements for the west coast are as follows:
(e)
(1) The provisions of the arrangement apply to the waters of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway within the coordination boundaries of “Arrangement A” of the Canada/U.S.A. Frequency Coordination Agreement above 30 MHz.
(2) The arrangement applies to the following public correspondence channels: Channels 24, 84, 25, 85, 26, 86, 27, 87, 28, and 88.
(3) Canada and the U.S.A. use the following channeling arrangement:
(i) Canadian channels: 24, 85, 27, 88 (Note 1).
(ii) U.S.A. channels: 84, 25, 86, 87, 28 (Note 2).
(iii) Shared channels: 26 (Note 3).
1. Also assignable to U.S. Stations within the frequency coordination zone following successful coordination with Canada.
2. Also assignable to Canadian station within the frequency coordination zone following successful coordination with the United States.
3. Changes to existing assignments and new assignments within the frequency coordination zone of either country are subject to prior coordination with the other Administration.
(f)
(1) The provisions of the arrangement apply to the Canadian and U.S.A. east coast waters including the St. Lawrence Seaway within the coordination boundaries of “Arrangement A” of the Canada/U.S.A. Frequency Coordination Agreement above 30 MHz.
(2) The arrangement applies to the following public correspondence channels: Channels 24, 84, 25, 85, 26, 86, 27, 87, 28, and 88.
(3) Canada and the U.S.A. use the following channeling arrangement:
(i) Canadian channels: 24, 85, 27, 88 (Note 1).
(ii) U.S.A. channels: 84, 25, 86, 87, 28 (Note 2).
(iii) Shared channel: 26 (Note 3).
1. Also assignable to U.S. stations within the frequency coordination zone following successful coordination with Canada.
2. Also assignable to Canadian stations within the frequency coordination zone following successful coordination with the United States.
3. Changes to existing assignments and new assignments within the frequency coordination zone of either country are subject to prior coordination with the other Administration.
(a) Inspection of ships subject to the Communications Act or the Safety Convention.
(1) The FCC will not normally conduct the required inspections of ships subject to the inspection requirements of the Communications Act or the Safety Convention.
(2) A certification that the ship has passed an inspection must be entered into the ship's log by the inspecting technician. The technician conducting the inspection and providing the certification must not be the vessel's owner, operator, master, or employee or their affiliates. Additionally, the vessel owner, operator, or ship's master must certify in the station log that the inspection was satisfactory. There are no FCC prior notice requirements for any inspection pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of this section. An inspection of
(3) Additionally, for passenger vessels operated on an international voyage the inspecting technician must send a completed FCC Form 806 to the Officer in Charge, Marine Safety Office, United States Coast Guard in the Marine Inspection Zone in which the ship is inspected.
(4) In the event that a ship fails to pass an inspection the inspecting technician must make a log entry detailing the reason that the ship did not pass the inspection. Additionally, the technician must notify the vessel owner, operator, or ship's master that the vessel has failed the inspection.
(5) Because such inspections are intended to ensure the availability of communications capability during a distress the Commission will vigorously investigate reports of fraudulent inspections, or violations of the Communications Act or the Commission's Rules related to ship inspections. FCC-licensed technicians, ship owners or operators should report such violations to the Commission through its National Call Center at 1-888-CALL FCC (1-888-225-5322).
(b) Inspection and certification of a ship subject to the Great Lakes Agreement. The FCC will not inspect Great Lakes Agreement vessels. An inspection and certification of a ship subject to the Great Lakes Agreement must be made by a technician holding one of the following: an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License, a GMDSS Radio Maintainer's License, a Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate, or a First Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate. The certification required by § 80.953 must be entered into the ship's log. The technician conducting the inspection and providing the certification must not be the vessel's owner, operator, master, or an employee of any of them. Additionally, the vessel owner, operator, or ship's master must certify that the inspection was satisfactory. There are no FCC prior notice requirements for any inspection pursuant to § 80.59(b).
(c)
With emergency requests, do not send the fee, you will be billed.)
(d)
(i) The ship's name and radio call sign;
(ii) The name of the first United States port of arrival directly from a foreign port;
(iii) The date of arrival;
(iv) The date and port at which annual inspection will be formally requested to be conducted;
(v) The reason why an FCC-licensed technician could not perform the inspection; and
(vi) A statement that the ship's compulsory radio equipment is operable.
(2) Vessels that are navigated on voyages outside of the United States for more than 12 months in succession are
(a)
(b)
(2)
(3)
(c)
(d)
(2)
All stations and required station records must be made available for inspection by authorized representatives of the Commission.
(a) The power of each radio transmitter must not be more than that necessary to carry on the service for which the station is licensed.
(b) Except for transmitters using single sideband and independent sideband emissions, each radio transmitter rated by the manufacturer for carrier power in excess of 100 watts must contain the instruments necessary to determine the transmitter power during its operation.
(a) All coast stations licensed to transmit in the band 156-162 MHz must be able to transmit and receive on 156.800 MHz and at least one working frequency in the band.
(b) All coast stations that operate telephony on frequencies in the 1605-3500 kHz band must be able to transmit and receive using J3E emission on the frequency 2182 kHz and at least one working frequency in the band. In addition, each such public coast station must transmit and receive H3E emission on the frequency 2182 kHz.
Public coast station using telegraphy must be provided with the following facilities.
(a) Stations having a frequency assignment below 150 kHz must:
(1) Transmit A1A emission on at least one working frequency within the band 100-150 kHz;
(2) Receive A1A emission on all radio channels authorized for transmission by mobile stations operating in the maritime mobile service for telegraphy within the band 100-150 kHz.
(b) Stations having a frequency assignment within the 405-525 kHz band must transmit and receive on 500 kHz and at least one working frequency in the band.
(c) Stations having frequency assignments above 4000 kHz must be equipped to receive on each of their assigned frequencies and all ship station radiotelegraphy frequencies in the same sub-band as the assigned frequency of the coast station. See subpart H of this part for the list of frequencies.
Public coast stations using telephony must be provided with the following facilities.
(a) When the station is authorized to use frequencies in the 1605-3500 kHz band, equipment meeting the requirements of § 80.67(b) must be installed at each transmitting location.
(b) The transmitter power on the frequency 2182 kHz must not exceed 50 watts carrier power for normal operation. During distress, urgency and safety traffic, operation at maximum power is permitted.
(a) Coast stations which transmit on the same radio channel above 150 MHz must minimize interference by reducing radiated power, by decreasing antenna height or by installing directional antennas. Coast stations at locations separated by less than 241 kilometers (150 miles) which transmit on the same radio channel above 150 MHz must also consider a time-sharing arrangement. The Commission may order station changes if agreement cannot be reached between the involved licensees.
(b) Coast stations which transmit on a radio channel above 150 MHz and are located within interference range of any station within Canada or Mexico must minimize interference to the involved foreign station(s), and must notify the Commission of any station changes.
(c) A VHF (156-162 MHz) public coast station licensee initially authorized on
Each coast station, Alaska-public fixed station and Alaska-private fixed station must provide operating controls in accordance with the following:
(a) Each station using telegraphy or telephony must be capable of changeover from transmission to reception and vice versa within two seconds excluding a change in operating radio channel.
(b) During it hours of service, each station must be capable of:
(1) Commencing operation within one minute after the need to do so occurs;
(2) Discontinuing all emission within five seconds after emission is no longer desired. The emission of an unattended station in an automated multistation system at which restoration to standby is automatic on conclusion of a call must be discontinued within three seconds of the disconnect signal or, if a disconnect signal is not received, within twenty seconds after reception of the final carrier transmission from a ship station.
(c) Each station using a multichannel installation for telegraphy must be capable of changing from one telegraphy channel to any other telegraphy channel within the same sub-band below 525 kHz within five seconds. This requirement need not be met by equipment intended for use only in emergencies and not used for normal communication.
(d) Every coast station using a multi-channel installation for radiotelephony must be capable of changing from one telephony channel to another telephony channel within:
(1) Five seconds within the frequency band 1605-3500 kHz; or
(2) Three seconds within the band 156-162 MHz. This requirement also applies to marine utility stations.
All emissions of a coast station a marine-utility station operated on shore using telephony within the frequency band 30-200 MHz must be vertically polarized.
A “busy” signal, when used by a public coast station in accordance with the provisions of § 80.111(d), must consist of the transmission of a single audio frequency regularly interrupted, as follows:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Each coast or fixed station subject to this part must have the following facilities:
(a) Except for marine utility stations, a visual indication of antenna current; or a pilot lamp, meter or equivalent device which provides continuous visual indication whenever the transmitter control circuits have been actuated.
(b) Capability to aurally monitor all transmissions originating at dispatch points and to disconnect the dispatch points from the transmitter or to terminate the operation of the transmitter.
(c) Facilities which will permit the responsible operator to turn the carrier of the radio transmitter on and off at will.
The Governments or appropriate administrations of countries which a ship
(a) Each control point must be capable of:
(1) Starting and discontinuing operation of the station;
(2) Changing frequencies within the same sub-band;
(3) Changing from transmission to reception and vice versa.
(4) In the case of stations operating in the 156-162 MHz bands, reducing power output to one watt or less in accordance with § 80.215(e).
(b) Each ship station using telegraphy must be capable of changing from telegraph transmission to telegraph reception and vice versa without manual switching.
(c) Each ship station using telephony must be capable of changing from transmission to reception and vice versa within two seconds excluding a change in operating radio channel.
(d) During its hours of service, each ship station must be capable of:
(1) Commencing operation within one minute;
(2) Discontinuing all emission within five seconds after emission is no longer desired.
(e) Each ship station using a multi-channel installation for telegraphy (except equipment intended for use only in emergencies on frequencies below 515 kHz) must be capable of changing from one radio channel to another within:
(1) Five seconds if the channels are within the same sub-band; or
(2) Fifteen seconds if the channels are not within the same sub-band.
(f) Each ship station and marine-utility station using a multi-channel installation for telephony must be capable of changing from one radio channel to another within:
(1) Five seconds within the band 1605-3500 kHz; or
(2) Three seconds within the band 156-162 MHz.
(g)(1) Any telegraphy transmitter constructed since January 1, 1952, that operates in the band 405-525 kHz with an output power in excess of 250 watts must be capable of reducing the output power to 150 watts or less.
(2) The requirement of paragraph (g)(1) of this section does not apply when there is available in the same station a transmitter capable of operation on the international calling frequency 500 kHz and at least one working frequency within the band 405-525 kHz, capable of being energized by a source of power other than an emergency power source and not capable of an output in excess of 100 watts when operated on such frequencies.
All telephony emissions of a ship station or a marine utility station on board ship within the frequency band 30-200 MHz must be vertically polarized.
Any license or renewal application for a ship earth station that will cause exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation in excess of the RF exposure guidelines specified in § 1.1307(b) of the Commission's Rules must comply with the environmental processing rules set forth in §§ 1.1301-1.1319 of this chapter.
In addition to being regulated by these rules, the use and operation of stations subject to this part are governed by the Radio Regulations and the radio provisions of all other international agreements in force to which the United States is a party.
Each radio channel is available for use on a shared basis only and is not available for the exclusive use of any one station or station licensee. Station licensees must cooperate in the use of their respective frequency assignments in order to minimize interference and obtain the most effective use of the authorized radio channels.
The station licensee, the master of the ship, the responsible radio operators and any person who may have knowledge of the radio communications transmitted or received by a fixed, land, or mobile station subject to this part, or of any radio-communication service of such station, must observe the secrecy requirements of the Communications Act and the Radio Regulations. See sections 501, 502, and 705 of the Communications Act and Article 23 of the Radio Regulations.
Stations must not:
(a) Engage in superfluous radio-communication.
(b) Use telephony on 243 MHz.
(c) Use selective calling on 2182 kHz or 156.800 MHz.
(d) When using telephony, transmit signals or communications not addressed to a particular station or stations. This provision does not apply to the transmission of distress, alarm, urgency, or safety signals or messages, or to test transmissions.
(e) When using telegraphy, transmit signals or communications not addressed to a particular station or stations, unless the transmission is preceded by CQ or CP or by distress, alarm, urgency, safety signals, or test transmissions.
(f) Transmit while on board vessels located on land unless authorized under a public coast station license. Vessels in the following situations are not considered to be on land for the purposes of this paragraph:
(1) Vessels which are aground due to a distress situation;
(2) Vessels in drydock undergoing repairs; and
(3) State or local government vessels which are involved in search and rescue operations including related training exercises.
(g) Transmit on frequencies or frequency bands not authorized on the current station license.
Transmission must be suspended immediately upon detection of a transmitter malfunction and must remain suspended until the malfunction is corrected, except for transmission concerning the immediate safety of life or property, in which case transmission must be suspended as soon as the emergency is terminated.
(a) The order of priority of radiotelegraph communications is as follows:
(1) Distress calls including the international distress signal for radiotelegraphy, the international radiotelegraph alarm signal, the international radiotelephone alarm signal, distress messages and distress traffic.
(2) Communications preceded by the international radiotelegraph urgency signal.
(3) Communications preceded by the international radiotelegraphy safety signal.
(4) Communications relative to radio direction-finding bearings.
(5) Communications relative to the navigation and safe movement of aircraft.
(6) Communications relative to the navigation, movements, and needs of ships, including weather observation
(7) Government communications for which priority right has been claimed.
(8) Service communications relating to the working of the radio-communication service or to communications previously transmitted.
(9) All other communications.
(b) The order of priority of radiotelephone communications is as follows:
(1) Distress calls including the international distress signal for radiotelephony, the international radiotelephone alarm signal, distress messages and distress traffic.
(2) Communications preceded by the international radiotelephone urgency signal, or known to the station operator to consist of one or more urgent messages concerning the safety of a person, aircraft or other mobile unit.
(3) Communications preceded by the international radiotelephone safety signal, or known to the station operator to consist of one or more messages concerning the safety of navigation or important meteorological warnings.
(4) Communications known by the station operator to consist of one or more messages relative to the navigation, movements and needs of ships, including weather observation messages destined for an official meteorological service.
(5) Government communications for which priority right has been claimed.
(6) All other communications.
(a) The station operator must determine that the frequency is not in use by monitoring the frequency before transmitting, except for transmission of signals of distress.
(b) When a radio-communication causes interference to a communication which is already in progress, the interfering station must cease transmitting at the request of either party to the existing communication. As between nondistress traffic seeking to commence use of a frequency, the priority is established under § 80.91.
(c) Except in cases of distress, communications between ship stations or between ship and aircraft stations must not interfere with public coast stations. The ship or aircraft stations which cause interference must stop transmitting or change frequency upon the first request of the affected coast station.
(a)
(b)
(2) Unless otherwise authorized by the Commission upon adequate showing of need, each public coast station authorized to operate on frequencies in the 3000-23,000 kHz band must maintain continuous hours of service.
(c)
(d)
When communicating with a coast station or any Government station in the maritime mobile service, ship stations must comply with the instruction given by the coast station or Government station relative to the order and time of transmission, the choice of frequency, the suspension of communication and the permissible type of message traffic that may be transmitted. This provision does not apply in the event of distress.
(a) Charges must not be made for service of:
(1) Any public coast station unless tariffs for the service are on file with the Commission;
(2) Any station other than a public coast station or an Alaska—public fixed station, except cooperatively shared stations covered by § 80.503;
(3) Distress calls and related traffic; and
(4) Navigation hazard warnings preceded by the SAFETY signal.
(b) The licensee of each ship station is responsible for the payment of all charges accruing to any other station(s) or facilities for the handling or forwarding of messages or communications transmitted by that station.
(c) In order to be included in the ITU List of Coast Stations public coast stations must recognize international Accounting Authority Identification Codes (AAIC) for purposes of billing and accounts settlement in accordance with Article 66 of the Radio Regulations. Stations which elect not to recognize international AAIC's will be removed from the ITU List of Coast Stations.
Stations are authorized to engage in test transmissions necessary for maintenance of the station. Test transmissions must conform to appropriate test operating procedures.
This section applies to ships and coast stations authorized to transmit in the band 405-525 kHz.
(a) Except for the transmission of distress or urgency signals, all transmissions must cease within the band 485-515 kHz during each 500 kHz silence period.
(b) Stations transmitting telegraphy must use the service abbreviations (“Q” code) listed in Appendix 14 to the Radio Regulations.
(c) The call consists of:
(1) The call sign of the station called, not more than twice; the word “DE” and the call sign of the calling station, not more than twice; if useful, the frequency on which the called station should reply; and the letter “K”.
(2) If the call is transmitted twice at an interval of not less than one minute, it must not be repeated until after an interval of three minutes.
(d) The reply to calls consists of: The call sign of the calling station, not more than twice; the word “DE”; and the call sign of the station called, once only.
(a) Stations authorized to use telegraphy may conduct tests on any assigned frequency. Emissions must not cause harmful interference. When radiation is necessary the radiotelegraph testing procedure described in this paragraph must be followed:
(1) The operator must not interfere with transmissions in progress.
(2) The operator must transmit “IE” (two dots, space, one dot) on the test frequency as a warning that test emissions are about to be made. When the frequency of the test emission is within the frequency band 405-525 kHz, a watch must be maintained on 500 kHz throughout the test period.
(3) If any station transmits “AS” (wait), testing must be suspended. When transmission of “IE” is resumed and no response is heard, the test may proceed.
(4) Test signals composed of a series of “VVV” having a duration of not more than ten seconds, followed by the call sign of the testing station will be transmitted. The call sign must be sent clearly at a speed of approximately 10 words per minute. This test transmission must not be repeated until a period of at least one minute has elapsed. On 500 kHz in a region of heavy traffic, at least five minutes must elapse before the test transmission is repeated.
(b) When testing is conducted on 500 kHz, no tests will be conducted during the 500 kHz silence periods. Care must be exercised not to so prolong and space the dash portion of the “VVV” series as to form the alarm signal.
(c) When testing is conducted on any frequency in the band 8362-8366 kHz,
This section applies to coast, ship and survival craft stations authorized to transmit in the band 405-525 kHz.
(a) The station transmitting radiotelegraph emissions must be identified by its call sign. The call sign must be transmitted with the telegraphy emission normally used by the station. The call sign must be transmitted at 20 minute intervals when transmission is sustained for more than 20 minutes. When a ship station is exchanging public correspondence communications, the identification may be deferred until completion of each communication with any other station.
(b) The requirements of this section do not apply to survival craft stations when transmitting distress signals automatically or when operating on 121.500 MHz for radiobeacon purposes.
(c) Emergency position indicating radiobeacon stations do not require identification.
The code employed for telegraphy must be the Morse code specified in the Telegraph Regulations annexed to the International Telecommunication Convention. Pertinent extracts from the Telegraph Regulations are contained in the “Manual for Use by the Maritime Mobile and Maritime Mobile-Satellite Services” published by the International Telecommunication Union.
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 2182 kHz by vessels with DSB (A3) equipment for distress and safety purposes are permitted to evaluate the compatibility of that equipment with an A3J emission system. 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. Survival craft transmitters must not be tested on the frequency 500 kHz during the silence periods.
This section applies to all stations using telephony which are subject to this part.
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, stations must give the call sign in English. Identification must be made:
(1) At the beginning and end of each communication with any other station.
(2) At 15 minute intervals when transmission is sustained for more than 15 minutes. When public correspondence is being exchanged with a ship or aircraft station, the identification may be deferred until the completion of the communications.
(b) Private coast stations located at drawbridges and transmitting on the navigation frequency 156.650 MHz may identify by use of the name of the bridge in lieu of the call sign.
(c) Ship stations transmitting on any authorized VHF bridge-to-bridge channel may be identified by the name of the ship in lieu of the call sign.
(d) Ship stations operating in a vessel traffic service system or on a waterway under the control of a U.S. Government agency or a foreign authoriy, when communicating with such an agency or authority may be identified by the name of the ship in lieu of the call sign, or as directed by the agency or foreign authority.
(e) VHF public coast station may identify by means of the approximate geographic location of the station or the area it serves when it is the only VHF public coast station serving the location or there will be no conflict with the identification of any other station.
(a) Operating procedures for the use of DSC equipment in the maritime mobile service are as contained in CCIR Recommendation 541 as modified by paragraph (c) of this section.
(b) When using DSC techniques, coast and ship stations must use nine digit maritime mobile service identities.
(c) DSC acknowledgement of DSC distress and safety calls must be made by designated coast stations and such acknowledgement must be in accordance with procedures contained in CCIR Recommendation 541. Nondesignated public and private coast stations must follow the guidance provided for ship stations in CCIR Recommendation 541 with respect to DSC “Acknowledgement of distress calls” and “Distress relays”.
This section applies to all maritime radar transmitters except radar beacon stations.
(a) Radar transmitters must not transmit station identification.
(b) [Reserved]
Each coast station or marine-utility station must acknowledge and receive all calls directed to it by ship or aircraft stations. Such stations are permitted to transmit safety communication to any ship or aircraft station. VHF (156-162 MHz) public coast stations may provide fixed or hybrid services on a co-primary basis with mobile operations.
(a) Each public coast station must exchange radio communications with any ship or aircraft station at sea; and each station on shipboard or aircraft at sea must exchange radio communications with any other station on shipboard or aircraft at sea or with any public coast station.
(b) Each public coast station must acknowledge and receive all communications from mobile stations directed to it, transmit all communications delivered to it which are directed to mobile stations within range in accordance with their tariffs. Discrimination in service is prohibited.
A private coast station or a marine-utility station is authorized to transmit messages necessary for the private business and operational needs of ships and the safety of aircraft.
(a) Each coast station is authorized to transmit lists of call signs in alphabetical order of all mobile stations for which they have traffic on hand. These
(1) In the case of telegraphy, at least two hours and not more than four hours during the working hours of the coast station.
(2) In the case of radiotelephony, at least one hour and not more than four hours during the working hours of the coast station.
(b) The announcement must be as brief as possible and must not be repeated more than twice. Coast stations may announce on a calling frequency that they are about to transmit call lists on a specific working frequency.
Group calls to vessels under the common control of a single entity and information for the general benefit of mariners including storm warnings, ordinary weather, hydrographic information and press materials may be transmitted by a public coast station simultaneously to a plurality of mobile stations.
The owner of each antenna structure required to be painted and/or illuminated under the provisions of Section 303(q) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, shall operate and maintain the antenna structure painting and lighting in accordance with part 17 of this chapter. In the event of default by the owner, each licensee or permittee shall be individually responsible for conforming to the requirements pertaining to antenna structure painting and lighting.
This section applies to all coast stations using telephony which are subject to this part.
(a)
(2) Coast stations must call ship stations by voice unless it is known that the particular ship station may be contacted by other means such as automatic actuation of a selective ringing or calling device.
(3) Coast stations may be authorized emission for selective calling on each working frequency.
(4) Calling a particular station must not continue for more than one minute in each instance. If the called station does not reply, that station must not again be called for two minutes. When a called station does not reply to a call sent three times at intervals of two minutes, the calling must cease for fifteen minutes. However, if harmful interference will not be caused to other communications in progress, the call may be repeated after three minutes.
(5) A coast station must not attempt to communicate with a ship station that has specifically called another coast station until it becomes evident that the called station does not answer, or that communication between the ship station and the called station cannot be carried on because of unsatisfactory operating conditions.
(6) Calls to establish communication must be initiated on an available common working frequency when such a frequency exists and it is known that the called ship maintains a simultaneous watch on the common working frequency and the appropriate calling frequency(ies).
(b)
(c)
(d)
(a) The service of each ship station must at all times be under the ultimate control of the master, who must require that each operator or such station comply with the Radio Regulations in force and that the ship station is used in accordance with those regulations.
(b) These rules are waived when the vessel is under the control of the U.S. Government.
(a) Associated ship units may be operated under a ship station authorization. Use of an associated ship unit is restricted as follows;
(1) It must only be operated on the safety and calling frequency 156.800 MHz or on commercial or noncommercial VHF intership frequencies appropriate to the class of ship station with which it is associated.
(2) Except for safety purposes, it must only be used to communicate with the ship station with which it is associated or with associated ship units of the same ship station. Such associated ship units may not be used from shore.
(3) It must be equipped to transmit on the frequency 156.800 MHz and at least one appropriate intership frequency.
(4) Calling must occur on the frequency 156.800 MHz unless calling and working on an intership frequency has been prearranged.
(5) Power is limited to one watt.
(6) The station must be identified by the call sign of the ship station with which it is associated and an appropriate unit designator.
(b) State or local government vehicles used to tow vessels involved in search and rescue operations are authorized to operate on maritime mobile frequencies as associated ship units. Such operations must be in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, except that the associated ship unit: May be operated from shore; may use Distress, Safety and Calling, Intership Safety, Liaison, U.S. Coast Guard, or Maritime Control VHF intership frequencies; and may have a transmitter power of 25 watts.
(a)
(2) Use by ship stations and marine utility stations of the frequency 156.800 MHz for calling coast stations and marine utility stations on shore, and for replying to calls from such stations, is authorized. However, such calls and replies should be made on the appropriate ship-shore working frequency.
(b)
(2) Except when other operating procedures are used to expedite safety communications, the frequency 156.800 MHz must be used for call and reply by ship stations and marine utility stations before establishing communication on one of the intership working frequencies. Calls may be initiated on an intership working frequency when it is known that the called vessel maintains a simultaneous watch on the working frequency and on 156.800 MHz.
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(a)
(i) One carriage return and one line feed,
(ii) Serial number or number of the message,
(iii) The name of the office of origin,
(iv) The number of words,
(v) The date of handing in of the message,
(vi) The time of handing in of the message, and
(vii) Any service instructions. (See The ITU “Manual for Use by the Maritime Mobile and Maritime Mobile-Satellite Services”.)
(2) Upon completion of transmission of the preamble, the address, text and signature must be transmitted as received from the sender.
(3) Upon completion of transmission of the signature the coast station must, following the signal “COL”, routinely repeat all service indications in the address and for figures or mixed groups of letters, figures or signs in the address, text or signature.
(4) In telegrams of more than 50 words, routine repetition must be given at the end of each page.
(5) Paragraphs (a) (1) through (4) of this section need not be followed when a direct connection is employed.
(6) In calling ship stations by narrow-band direct-printing, the coast station must use the ship station selective calling number (5 digits) and its assigned coast station identification number (4 digits). Calls to ship stations must employ the following format: Ship station selective call number, repeated twice; “DE”, sent once; and coast station identification number, repeated twice. When the ship station does not reply to a call sent three times at intervals of two minutes, the
(7) A public coast station authorized to use NB-DP frequencies between 4000 kHz and 27500 kHz may use class A1A emission on the “mark” frequency for station identification and for establishing communications with ship stations. The radio station license must reflect authority for this type of operation, and harmful interference must not be caused.
(b)
(2) Such station must employ receivers which are capable of being accurately set to any designated calling frequency in each band for which the receiver is intended to operate. The time required to set the receiver to a frequency must not exceed five seconds. The receiver must have a long term frequency stability of not more than 50 Hz and a minimum sensitivity of two microvolts across receiver input terminals of 50 ohms, or equivalent. The audio harmonic distortion must not exceed five percent at any rated output power.
(c)
Facsimile operations are a form of telegraphy for the transmission and receipt of fixed images between authorized coast and ship stations. Facsimile and data techniques may be implemented in accordance with the following paragraphs.
(a)
(b)
(2) Equipment used for facsimile and data operations is subject to the applicable provisions of subpart E of this part.
(3) The use of voice on frequencies authorized for facsimile operations in the bands 2000-27500 kHz listed in subpart H of this part is limited to setup and confirmation of receipt of facsimile transmissions.
Marine VHF public coast stations, including AMTS coast stations, may provide public correspondence service to stations on land in accordance with the following:
(a) The public coast station licensee must provide each associated land station with a letter, which shall be presented to authorized FCC representatives upon request, acknowledging that the land station may operate under the authority of the associated public coast station's license:
(b) Each public coast station serving stations on land must afford priority to marine-originating communications through any appropriate electrical or mechanical means.
(c) Land station identification shall consist of the associated public coast station's call sign, followed by a unique numeric or alphabetic unit identifier;
(d) Radio equipment used on land must be type accepted for use under part 22, part 80, or part 90 of this chapter. Such equipment must operate only on the public correspondence channels authorized for use by the associated public coast station;
(e) Transmitter power shall be in accordance with the limits set in § 80.215 for ship stations and antenna height shall be limited to 6.1 meters (20 feet) above ground level;
(f) Land stations may only communicate with public coast stations and
(g) The land station must cease operation immediately upon written notice by the Commission to the associated public coast station that the land station is causing harmful interference to marine communications.
Radioprinter operations provide a relatively low cost system of record communications between authorized coast and ship stations in accordance with the following paragraphs.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(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)
(2) Private coast station licensees must provide copies of their license to all ships with which they are authorized to conduct radioprinter operations.
Facsimile techniques may be implemented in accordance with the following paragraphs.
(a) Private coast stations in Alaska are eligible to use facsimile techniques with associated ship stations and other private coast stations in accordance with § 80.505(b).
(b) The frequency 156.425 MHz is assigned by rule to private coast stations in Alaska for facsimile transmissions.
(c) Equipment used for facsimile operations is subject to the applicable provisions of subpart E of this part.
(a)
(b)
(2) Every ship, on meeting with any direct danger to the navigation of other ships such as ice, a derelict vessel, a tropical storm, subfreezing air temperatures associated with gale force winds causing severe icing on superstructures, or winds of force 10 or above on the Beaufort scale for which no storm warning has been received, must transmit related information to ships in the vicinity and to the authorities on land unless such action has already been taken by another station. All such radio messages must be preceded by the safety signal.
(3) A ship station may accept communications for retransmission to any other station in the maritime mobile service. Whenever such messages or communications have been received and acknowledged by a ship station for this purpose, that station must retransmit the message as soon as possible.
(c)
(1) Compulsory radiotelegraph ships must provide this service during the hours the radio operator is normally on duty.
(2) Compulsory radiotelephone ships must provide this service for at least four hours daily. The hours must be prominently posted at the principal operating location of the station.
(d) Operating conditions. Effective August 1, 1994, VHF hand-held, portable transmitters used while connected to an external power source or a ship antenna must be equipped with an automatic timing device that deactivates the transmitter and reverts the transmitter to the receive mode after an uninterrupted transmission period of five minutes, plus or minus 10 percent. Additionally, such transmitters must have a device that indicates when the automatic timer has deactivated the transmitter. See also § 80.203(c).
(a)
(2) Where it is known that the coast station maintains a watch on working frequencies for ship station NB-DP calls the ship station must make its initial NB-DP call on those frequencies.
(3) Calls to a coast station or other ship station must employ the following format: Coast station identification number, repeated twice; “DE”, sent once; and ship station selective call number, repeated twice. When the coast station does not reply to a call sent three times at intervals of two minutes, the calling must cease for fifteen minutes.
(b)
(c)
(i) Transmit and receive on 500 kHz using the authorized emissions, and
(ii) Transmit on at least two working frequencies and receive on all other frequencies necessary for their service using authorized emissions, and
(iii) When a radiotelegraph installation is compulsory, a fourth frequency within this band which is authorized specifically for direction finding must also be provided.
(2) Each ship station using telegraphy on frequencies within the band 90-160 kHz must be capable of transmitting and receiving Class A1A emission on the frequency 143 kHz, and on at least two additional working frequencies within this band except that portion between 140 kHz and 146 kHz.
(3) Each ship station using telegraphy and operating in the bands between 4000-27500 kHz must be capable of transmitting and receiving Class A1A or J2A emission on at least one frequency authorized for calling and at least two frequencies authorized for working in each of the bands for which facilities are provided to carry on its service.
(4) Each ship station using telegraphy in Region 2 on frequencies within the band 2065-2107 kHz must be capable of transmitting and receiving Class A1A or J2A emission on at least one frequency in this band authorized for working in addition to a frequency in this hand authorized for calling.
(a) Except for compulsory vessels, each ship radiotelephone station licensed to operate in the band 1605-3500 kHz must be able to receive and transmit J3E emission on the frequency 2182 kHz. Ship stations are additionally authorized to receive and transmit H3E emission for communications with foreign coast stations and with vessels of foreign registry. If the station is used for other than safety communications, it must be capable also of receiving and transmitting the J3E emission on at least two other frequencies in that band. However, ship stations which operate exclusively on the Mississippi River and its connecting waterways,
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, at least one VHF radiotelephone transmitter/receiver must be able to transmit and receive on the following frequencies:
(1) The distress, safety and calling frequency 156.800 MHz;
(2) The primary intership safety frequency 156.300 MHz;
(3) One or more working frequencies; and
(4) All other frequencies necessary for its service.
(c) Where a ship ordinarily has no requirement for VHF communications, handheld VHF equipment may be used solely to comply with the bridge-to-bridge navigational communication requirements contained in subpart U of this part.
Class C EPIRBs must be used for distress purposes only after use of the VHF/FM radiotelephone installation, in accordance with § 80.320, has proved unsuccessful or when a VHF/FM radiotelephone installation is not fitted, or when specifically requested to do so by a station engaged in search and rescue operations.
During their hours of service, ship stations using frequencies in the authorized bands between 405-525 kHz must, remain on watch on 500 kHz except when the operator is transmitting on 500 kHz or operating on another frequency. The provisions of this section do not relieve the ship from complying with the requirements for a safety watch as prescribed in §§ 80.304 and 80.305.
Ship stations must maintain a watch on 2182 kHz as prescribed by § 80.304(b).
At least one VHF ship station per compulsory vessel while underway must maintain a watch on 156.800 MHz whenever such station is not being used for exchanging communications. The watch is not required:
(a) Where a ship station is operating only with handheld bridge-to-bridge VHF radio equipment under § 80.143(c) of this part;
(b) For vessels subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act and participating in a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) system when the watch is maintained on both the bridge-to-bridge frequency and a separately assigned VTS frequency; or
(c) For a station on board a voluntary vessel equipped with digital selective calling (DSC) equipment, maintaining a continuous DSC watch on 156.525 MHz whenever such station is not being used for exchanging communications, and while such station is within the VHF service area of a U.S. Coast Guard radio facility which is DSC equipped.
(a) Any person receiving official notice of violation of the terms of the Communications Act, any legislative act, executive order, treaty to which the United States is a party, terms of a station or operator license, or the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission must within 10 days from such receipt, send a written answer, in duplicate, to the office of the Commission originating the official notice. If an answer cannot be sent or an acknowledgment made within such 10-day period by reason of illness or other unavoidable circumstances, acknowledgment and answer must be made at the earliest practicable date with a satisfactory explanation of the delay. The answer to each notice must be complete in itself and must not be abbreviated by references to other
(b) When an official notice of violation, impending violation, or discrepancy, pertaining to any provision of Part II of Title III of the Communications Act or the radio provisions of the Safety Convention, is served upon the master or person responsible for a vessel and any instructions appearing on such document issued by a representative of the Commission are at variance with the content of paragraph (a) of this section, the instructions issued by the Commission's representative supersede those set forth in paragraph (a) of this section.
(a) Commercial radio operator licenses issued by the Commission are classified in accordance with the Radio Regulations of the International Telecommunication Union.
(b) The following licenses are issued by the Commission. International classification, if different from the license name, is given in parentheses. The licenses and their alphanumeric designator are listed in descending order.
(1) T-1. First Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate.
(2) T-2. Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate.
(3) G. General Radiotelephone Operator License (radiotelephone operator's general certificate).
(4) T-3. Third Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate (radiotelegraph operator's special certificate).
(5) MP. Marine Radio Operator Permit (radiotelephone operator's restricted certificate).
(6) RP. Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit (radiotelephone operator's restricted certificate).
(c) The following license endorsements are affixed by the Commission to provide special authorizations or restrictions. Applicable licenses are given in parentheses.
(1) Ship Radar endorsement (First and Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate, General Radiotelephone Operator License).
(2) Six Months Service endorsement (First and Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate).
(3) Restrictive endorsements; relating to physical handicaps, English language or literacy waivers, or other matters (all licenses).
(a) Except as provided in § 80.179, operation of a coast station transmitter must be performed by a person holding a commercial radio operator license of the required class, who is on duty at the control point of the station. The operator is responsible for the proper operation of the station.
(b) The minimum class of radio operator license required for operation of each specific classification of station is set forth below:
—Manual Morse under supervision of T1 or T2—T-3.
—NB-DP under supervision of T1 or T2—T-3, G or MP.
(c)
(2) An operational fixed station associated with a coast station may be operated by the operator of the associated coast station.
Except as provided in §§ 80.177 and 80.179, operation of transmitters of any ship station must be performed by a person holding a commercial radio operator license or permit of the class required below. The operator is responsible for the proper operation of the station.
The operator on board ships required to have a holder of a commercial operator license or permit on board may, if authorized by the station licensee or master, permit an unlicensed person to modulate the transmitting apparatus for all modes of communication except Morse code radiotelegraphy.
A
(a) Each telegraphy passenger ship equipped with a radiotelegraph station in accordance with Part II of Title III of the Communications Act must carry one radio officer holding a first or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate and a second radio officer holding either a first or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate. The holder of a second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate may not act as the chief radio officer.
(b) Each cargo ship equipped with a radiotelegraph station in accordance with Part II of Title III of the Communications Act and which has a radiotelegraph auto alarm must carry a radio officer holding a first or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate who has had at least six months service as a radio officer on board U.S. ships. If the radiotelegraph station does not have an auto alarm, a second radio officer who holds a first or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate must be carried.
(c) Each cargo ship equipped with a radiotelephone station in accordance with Part II of Title III of the Communications Act must carry a radio operator who meets the following requirements:
(1) Where the station power does not exceed 1500 watts peak envelope power, the operator must hold a marine radio operator permit or higher class license.
(2) Where the station power exceeds 1500 watts peak envelope power, the operator must hold a general radiotelephone radio operator license or higher class license.
(d) Each ship transporting more than six passengers for hire equipped with a radiotelephone station in accordance with Part III of Title III of the Communications Act must carry a radio operator who meets the following requirements:
(1) Where the station power does not exceed 250 watts carrier power or 1500 watts peak envelope power, the radio operator must hold a marine radio operator permit or higher class license.
(2) Where the station power exceeds 250 watts carrier power or 1500 watts peak envelope power, the radio operator must hold a general radiotelephone operator license or higher class license.
Each ship subject to the Great Lakes Radio Agreement must have on board an officer or member of the crew who holds a marine radio operator permit or higher class license.
Each ship subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act must have on board a radio
The operator of maritime radio equipment other than T-1, T-2, or G licensees, must not:
(a) Make equipment adjustments which may affect transmitter operation;
(b) Operate any transmitter which requires more than the use of simple external switches or manual frequency selection or transmitters whose frequency stability is not maintained by the transmitter itself.
(a) All adjustments of radio transmitters in any radiotelephone station or coincident with the installation, servicing, or maintenance of such equipment which may affect the proper operation of the station, must be performed by or under the immediate supervision and responsibility of a person holding a first or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate or a general radiotelephone operator license.
(b) Only persons holding a first or second class radiotelegraph operator certificate must perform such functions at radiotelegraph stations transmitting Morse code.
(c) Only persons holding an operator certificate containing a ship radar endorsement must perform such functions on radar equipment.
All operator licenses required by this subpart must be readily available for inspection.
(a) No radio operator authorization is required to operate:
(1) A shore radar, a shore radiolocation, maritime support or shore radionavigation station;
(2) A survival craft station or an emergency position indicating radio beacon;
(3) A ship radar station if:
(i) The radar frequency is determined by a nontunable, pulse type magnetron or other fixed tuned device, and
(ii) The radar is capable of being operated exclusively by external controls;
(4) An on board station; or
(5) A ship station operating in the VHF band on board a ship voluntarily equipped with radio and sailing on a domestic voyage.
(b) No radio operator license is required to install a VHF transmitter in a ship station if the installation is made by, or under the supervision of, the licensee of the ship station and if modifications to the transmitter other than front panel controls are not made.
(c) No operator license is required to operate coast telephone stations or marine utility stations.
(d) No radio operator license is required to install a radar station on a voluntarily equipped ship when a manual is included with the equipment that provides step-by-step instructions for the installation, calibration, and operation of the radar. The installation must be made by, or under the supervision of, the licensee of that ship station and no modifications or adjustments other than to the front panel controls are to be made to the equipment.
The following unattended transmitter operations are authorized:
(a) EPIRB operations when emergency conditions preclude attendance of the EPIRB transmitter by a person.
(b) Automatic use of a transmitter during narrow-band direct-printing (NB-DP) operations in accordance with § 80.219.
(c) Automatic use of a transmitter during selective calling operations in accordance with § 80.225.
(d) Automatic use of a transmitter when operating as part of the Automated Maritime Telecommunications System (AMTS), an automated multi-station system for which provisions are contained in this part, or an automated public coast station.
(e) Automatic use of a VHF transmitter to send brief digital communications relating to the condition or safety of vessels while moored when all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The equipment must be using DSC in accordance with CCIR Recommendations 493 and 541 as modified by this section.
(2) Sensors must automatically activate the transmitter only under one or more of the following conditions:
(i) Fire, explosion;
(ii) Flooding;
(iii) Collision;
(iv) Grounding;
(v) Listing, in danger of capsizing;
(vi) Sinking;
(vii) Disabled and adrift; and
(viii) Undesignated condition related to ship safety.
(3) The “ROUTINE” DSC category must be used.
(4) Communications must be selectively addressed to an individual station.
(5) Transmitter output power must not exceed one watt.
(6) The call must employ a fixed format and must be in conformity with Recommendation 493 as follows:
(7) Such transmissions are permitted only on channel 70 and the transmitter must be inhibited automatically whenever there is another call in progress on Channel 70.
(8) The call sequence for any one alarm must not be repeated until after an interval of at least five seconds. Further repetition is permitted only after intervals of at least fifteen minutes each. Repetitions following fifteen-minute waiting intervals must not exceed three.
This subpart gives the general technical requirements for the use of frequencies and equipment in the maritime services. These requirements include standards for equipment authorization, frequency tolerance, modulation, emission, power and bandwidth.
(a) Each transmitter authorized in a station in the maritime services after September 30, 1986, except as indicated in paragraphs (g), (h) and (i) of this section, must be certificated by the Commission for part 80 operations. The procedures for certification are contained in part 2 of this chapter. Transmitters of a model authorized before October 1, 1986 will be considered type accepted for use in ship or coast stations as appropriate.
(b) The external controls, of maritime station transmitters capable of operation in the 156-162 MHz band and manufactured in or imported into the United States after August 1, 1990, or sold or installed after August 1, 1991, must provide for selection of only maritime channels for which the maritime station is authorized. Such transmitters must not be capable of being programmed by station operators using external controls to transmit on channels other than those programmed by
(1) Any manufacturer procedures and special devices for programming must only be made available to service companies employing licensed service and maintenance personnel that meet the requirements of § 80.169(a) and must not be made available with information normally provided to consumers.
(2) The channels preprogrammed by manufacturers, service and maintenance personnel for selection by the external controls of a maritime station transmitter must be limited to those channels listed in this part and the duplex channels listed in Appendix 18 of the international Radio Regulations. The duplex channels listed in Appendix 18 of the international Radio Regulations must be used only in the specified duplex mode. Simplex operations on Appendix 18 duplex channels that are not in accordance with this part are prohibited.
(3) Programming of authorized channels must be performed only by a person holding a first or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate or a general radiotelephone operator's license using any of the following procedures:
(i) Internal adjustment of the transmitter;
(ii) Use of controls normally inaccessible to the station operator;
(iii) Use of external devices or equipment modules made available only to service and maintenance personnel through a service company; and
(iv) Copying of a channel selection program directly from another transmitter (cloning) using devices and procedures made available only to service and maintenance personnel through a service company.
(4) VHF maritime radio station transmitters capable of being programmed by station operators by means of external controls that are installed in a maritime station by August 1, 1991, are authorized for use indefinitely at the same maritime station.
(c) All VHF ship station transmitters that are either manufactured in or imported into the United States, on or after August 1, 1993, or are initially installed on or after August 1, 1994, must be equipped with an automatic timing device that deactivates the transmitter and reverts the transmitter to the receive mode after an uninterrupted transmission period of five minutes, plus or minus 10 per cent. Additionally, such transmitters must have a device that indicates when the automatic timer has deactivated the transmitter. VHF ship station transmitters initially installed before August 1, 1994, are authorized for use indefinitely at the same maritime station. VHF hand-held, portable transmitters are not required to comply with the requirements in paragraph (c) of this section except when used as described in § 80.141.
(d) Except for radar equipment, applicants for certification of radio equipment designed to satisfy Part II of Title III of the Communications Act or the Safety Convention must also submit with their application a working unit of the type for which certification is desired. Manufacturers of radar equipment intended for installation on voluntarily equipped ships by persons without FCC operators license must include with their equipment authorization application a manual that provides step-by-step procedures for the installation, calibration, and operation of the radar stations.
(e) Double sideband (DSB) radiotelephone equipment operating in the 1605-27500 kHz band will be authorized only for use in ship stations. Such equipment must comply with Chapter IV of the Safety Convention, operate only on the frequency 2182 kHz, and be marked “Distress and Safety Use Only”.
(f) Transmitters certificated for single sideband suppressed carrier radiotelephone transmissions may be used for facsimile transmissions without filing for a certification modification provided the transmitters retain certification and comply with the applicable standards in this part.
(g) Manufacturers of ship earth station transmitters intended for use in the INMARSAT space segment must comply with the verification procedures given in part 2 of this chapter. Such equipment must be verified in accordance with the technical requirements provided by INMARSAT and
(h) In addition to the certification requirements contained in part 2 of this chapter applicants for type acceptance of 406.025 MHz radiobeacons must also comply with the certification procedures contained in § 80.1061 of this part.
(i) Certification is not required for U.S. Government furnished transmitters to fulfill a U.S. Government contract. However, such transmitters must comply with all technical requirements in this part.
(j) Certification is not required for transmitters authorized for developmental stations.
(k) Certification of individual radio transmitters requested by station applicants or licensees must also follow the certification procedure in paragraph (a) of this section. However, operation of such transmitters must be limited to the specific units individually identified on the station authorization.
(l) Ship station transmitters may be certificated for emissions not shown in § 80.205 of this part. However, such emissions are not authorized for use in the United States or for communications with U.S. coast stations.
(m) Ship station MF, HF, and VHF transmitters may employ external or internal devices to send synthesized voice transmissions for distress and safety purposes on any distress and safety frequency authorized for radiotelephony listed in § 80.369 provided the following requirements are met:
(1) The technical characteristics of the distress transmissions must comply with this part.
(2) A transmitter and any internal device capable of transmitting a synthesized voice message must be certificated as an integral unit.
(3) The synthesized voice distress transmission must begin with the words “this is a recording” and should be comprised of at least:
(i) the radiotelephone distress call as described in § 80.315(b) and the ship's position as described in § 80.316(c); or
(ii) the radiotelephone distress message as described in § 80.316(b). If available, the ship's position should be reported as described in § 80.316(c).
(4) Such transmission must be initiated manually by an off-switch that is protected from inadvertent activation and must cause the transmitter to switch to an appropriate distress and safety frequency. The radiotelephone distress call and message described in §§ 80.203(m)(3) (i) and (ii), respectively, may be repeated. However, the entire transmission including repeats must not exceed 45 seconds from beginning to end. Upon ending the transceiver must return to the receive mode and must not be capable of sending the synthesized distress call for at least thirty seconds. Placing the switch to the off position must stop the distress transmission and permit the transmitter to be used to send and receive standard voice communications.
(5) Use of the microphone must cause the synthesized voice distress transmission to cease and allow the immediate use of the transmitter for sending and receiving standard voice communications.
(n) Applications for type acceptance of all marine radio transmitters operating in the 2-27.5 MHz band or the 156-162 MHz band received on or after June 17, 1999, must have a DSC capability in accordance with § 80.225. This requirement does not apply to transmitters
At 63 FR 36606, July 7, 1998, section 80.203, paragraph (a) was amended by removing the term “type accepted” and adding in its place “certificated” in the first sentence, removing the term “type acceptance” and adding in its place “certification” in the second sentence, and removing the term “type accepted or type approved” and adding in its place “authorized” in the last sentence. Paragraphs (d), (f), (h), (g), (i), (j), (k), (l) and (m)(2) were amended by removing the term “type accepted” each place it appears and adding in its place “certificated” and removing the term “type acceptance” each place its appears and adding in its place “certification”. Paragraph (k) was amended by removing the last sentence, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
(a) An emission designator shows the necessary bandwidth for each class of emission of a station except that in ship earth stations it shows the occupied or necessary bandwidth, whichever is greater. The following table gives the class of emission and corresponding emission designator and authorized bandwidth:
(b) For land stations the maximum authorized frequency deviation for F3E or G3E emission is as follows:
(1) 5 kHz in the 72.0-73.0 MHz, 75.4-76.0 MHz and 156-162 MHz bands;
(2) 15 kHz for stations which were authorized for operation before December 1, 1961, in the 73.0-74.6 MHz band.
At 63 FR 36606, July 7, 1998, § 80.205, paragraph (a), footnote 11 was amended by removing the term “type accepted” and adding in its place “approved”, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
(a) Authorization to use radiotelephone and radiotelegraph emissions by ship and coast stations includes the
(b) In radiotelegraphy communications employing a modulated carrier the carrier must be keyed and modulated by an audio frequency.
(c) Authorization to use single sideband emission is limited to emitting a carrier;
(1) For full carrier transmitters at a power level between 3 and 6 dB below peak envelope power;
(2) For suppressed carrier transmitters at a power level at least 40 dB below peak envelope power; and
(3) For reduced or variable level carrier:
(i) In the 1600-4000 kHz band:
(A) For coast station transmitters 18
(B) For ship station transmitters installed before January 2, 1982, 16
(C) For ship station transmitters installed after January 1, 1982, 18
(ii) In the 4000-27500 kHz band:
(A) For coast station transmitters 18
(B) For ship station transmitters installed before January 2, 1978, 16
(C) For ship station transmitters installed after January 1, 1978, 18
(d) The authorized classes of emission are as follows:
At 63 FR 36606, July 7, 1998, § 80.207, paragraph (d), footnotes 2 and 5 were amended by removing the term “type accepted” and adding in its place “approved”, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
(a) The frequency tolerance requirements applicable to transmitters in the maritime services are shown in the following table. Tolerances are given as parts in 10
(b) When pulse modulation is used in land and ship radar stations operating in the bands above 2.4 GHz the frequency at which maximum emission occurs must be within the authorized bandwidth and must not be closer than 1.5/T MHz to the upper and lower limits of the authorized bandwidth where “T” is the pulse duration in microseconds. In the band 14.00-14.05 GHz the center frequency must not vary more than 10 MHz from 14.025 GHz.
(c) For stations in the maritime radiodetermination service, other than ship radar stations, the authorized frequency tolerance will be specified on the license when it is not specified in this part.
At 63 FR 36606, July 7, 1998, § 80.209, in the first column of the table in the entries in paragraph (a), paragraphs (1)(ii), (1)(iii) and (1)(iv) were amended by removing the terms “type accepted or type approved” and “type approved” and adding in its place “approved”; footnote 1 following the table, was amended by removing the term “type acceptance” and adding in its place “approval”; footnote 2 was amended by removing the term “type accepted” and adding in its place “approved”, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
The emissions must be attenuated according to the following schedule.
(a) The mean power when using emissions H3E, J3E and R3E:
(1) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 50 percent up to and including 150 percent of the authorized bandwidth:
at least 25 dB for transmitters installed before February 1, 1992,
at least 28 dB for transmitters installed on or after February 1, 1992;
(2) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 150 percent up to and including 250 percent of the authorized bandwidth: At least 35 dB; and
(3) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 250 percent of the authorized bandwidth: At least 43 plus 10log
(b) For transmitters operating in the band 1626.5-1646.5 MHz. In any 4 kHz band the mean power of emissions shall be attenuated below the mean output power of the transmitter as follows:
(1) Where the center frequency is removed from the assigned frequency by more than 50 percent up to and including 100 percent of the authorized bandwidth: At least 25 dB;
(2) Where the center frequency is removed from the assigned frequency by more than 100 percent up to 250 percent of the authorized bandwidth: At least 35 dB; and
(3) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 250 percent of the authorized bandwidth: At least 43 plus 10log
(c) In any 4 kHz band the peak power of spurious emissions and noise at the input to the transmit antenna must be attenuated below the peak output power of the station as follows:
(1) 125 dB at 1525.0 MHz, increasing linearly to 90 dB at 1612.5 MHz;
(2) 90 dB at 1612.5 MHz increasing linearly to 60 dB at 1624.0 MHz;
(3) 90 dB from 1624.0 MHz to 1650.0 MHz, except at frequencies near the transmitted carrier where the requirements of paragraphs (b)(1) through (3) of this section, apply;
(4) 60 dB at 1650.0 MHz decreasing linearly to 90 dB at 1662.5 MHz;
(5) 90 dB at 1662.5 MHz decreasing linearly to 125 dB at 1752.5 MHz; and
(6) 125 dB outside above range, except for harmonics which must comply with (b)(3) of this section.
(d) The mean power of emissions from radiotelephone survival craft transmitters, 9 GHz search and rescue transponders, and radiotelegraph survival craft transmitters must be attenuated below the mean output power of the transmitter as follows:
(1) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 50
(2) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 100 percent of the authorized bandwidth: at least 30 dB.
(e) The mean power of EPIRBs operating on 121.500 MHz, 243.000 MHz and 406.025 MHz must be as follows:
(1) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 50 percent, up to and including 100 percent of the authorized bandwidth: At least 25 dB;
(2) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 100 percent: at least 30 dB.
(f) The mean power when using emissions other than those in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this section:
(1) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 50 percent up to and including 100 percent of the authorized bandwidth: At least 25 dB;
(2) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 100 percent up to and including 250 percent of the authorized bandwidth: At least 35 dB; and
(3) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 250 percent of the authorized bandwidth: At least 43 plus 10log
(g) Developmental stations must conform to the standards for regular authorized stations.
(a) Transmitters must meet the following modulation requirements:
(1) When double sideband emission is used the peak modulation must be maintained between 75 and 100 percent;
(2) When phase or frequency modulation is used in the 156-162 MHz and 216-220 MHz bands the peak modulation must be maintained between 75 and 100 percent. A frequency deviation of
(3) In single sideband operation the upper sideband must be transmitted. Single sideband transmitters must automatically limit the peak envelope power to their authorized operating power and meet the requirements in § 80.207(c).
(b) Radiotelephone transmitters using A3E, F3E and G3E emission must have a modulation limiter to prevent any modulation over 100 percent. This requirement does not apply to survival craft transmitters, to transmitters that do not require a license or to transmitters whose output power does not exceed 3 watts.
(c) Coast station transmitters operated in the 72.0-73.0 MHz and 75.4-76.0 MHz bands must be equipped with an audio low-pass filter. The filter must be installed between the modulation limiter and the modulated radio frequency stage. At frequencies between 3 kHz and 15 kHz it must have an attenuation greater than at 1 kHz by at least 40log
(d) Ship and coast station transmitters operating in the 156-162 MHz and 216-220 MHz bands must be capable of proper operation with a frequency deviation of
(e) Coast station transmitters operated in the 156-162 MHz band must be equipped with an audio low-pass filter. The filter must be installed between the modulation limiter and the modulated radio frequency stage. At frequencies between 3 kHz and 20 kHz it must have an attenuation greater than at 1 kHz by at least 60log
(f) Radiodetermination ship stations operating on 154.585 MHz, 159.480 MHz, 160.725 MHz, 160.785 MHz, 454.000 MHz and 459.000 MHz must employ a duty cycle with a maximum transmission period of 60 seconds followed by a minimum quiescent period four times the duration of the transmission period.
(g) Radar stations operating in the bands above 2.4 GHz may use any type of modulation consistent with the bandwidth requirements in § 80.209(b).
(h) Radar transponder coast stations using the 2920-3100 MHz or 9320-9500 MHz band must operate in a variable frequency mode and respond on their operating frequencies with a maximum error equivalent to 100 meters. Additionally, their response must be encoded with a Morse character starting with a dash. The duration of a Morse dot is defined as equal to the width of a space and
(i) Variable frequency ship station transponders operating in the 2920-3100 MHz or 9320-9500 MHz band that are not used for search and rescue purposes must meet the following requirements:
(1) Non-selectable transponders must have the following characteristics:
(i) They must respond on all their frequencies with a maximum range error equivalent to 100 meters;
(ii) They must use a Morse encoding of “PS” (dot-dash-dash-dot, dot-dot-dot), meaning “You should not come any closer”. The width of a Morse dot is defined as equal to the width of a space and
(iii) When they employ swept frequency techniques they must not transmit on any frequency for more than 10 seconds in any 120 second period;
(iv) Any range offset of their response must occur during their pause on the fixed frequency;
(v) The duration of the response code must not exceed 50 microseconds;
(vi) The sensitivity of the stations must be adjustable so that received signals below −10 dBm at the antenna input will not activate the transponder;
(vii) Antenna polarization must be horizontal when operating in the 9320-9500 MHz band and either horizontal or both horizontal and vertical when operating in the 2920-3100 MHz band.
(viii) Transponders using frequency agile techniques must include circuitry designed to reduce interference caused by triggering from radar antenna sidelobes.
(2) Selectable transponders must be authorized under part 5 of the Commission's rules until standards for their use are developed.
(j) The transmitted signals of search and rescue transponders must cause to appear on a radar display a series of at least 20 equally spaced dots.
(k) The modulation requirements for EPIRB's are contained in subpart V.
(a) Transmitter power shown on the radio station authorization is the maximum power the licensee is authorized to use. Power is expressed in the following terms:
(1) For single sideband emission: Peak evelope power;
(2) For G3E emission: Carrier power;
(3) For PON and F3N emission: Mean power;
(4) For all emissions in the 1626.5-1646.5 MHz band: equivalent isotropic radiated power.
(5) For all other emissions: the carrier power multiplied by 1.67.
(b)
(1) Public coast stations, except Alaska:
(i) Radiotelegraphy:
(ii) Radiotelephony:
(2) Private coast stations, except in Alaska: 1kW
(3) Coast stations in Alaska, public and private:
(c)
(1) Coast stations:
(2) Marine utility stations:
(d)
(1) Radiotelegraphy: All ships—2kW
(2) Radiotelephony:
(i) All ships—Great Lakes and Inland Waters—150W
(ii) All ships—Open waters; 2000-4000 kHz—150W
(iii) All ships—Open waters; 4000-27500 kHz—1.5kW
(3) Digital selective calling:
(e)
(1) Ship stations 156-162 MHz—25W
Marine utility stations and hand-held portable transmitters 156-162 MHz—10W
(2) Ship stations 216-220 MHz—25W
(3) On board stations 456-468 MHz—4W
(4) Ship earth stations 1626.5-1646.5 MHz
(5) Ship radar stations with F3N emission—200 mW
(6) EPIRB—121.500 and 243.00 MHz
(7) EPIRB—156.750 and 156.800 MHz
(f)
(1) Maritime support (receiver test):
(2) Operational fixed: 72-76 MHz and above 162 MHz
(3) Alaska—Private fixed:
(4) Alaska—Public fixed:
(g) The carrier power of ship station radiotelephone transmitters, except portable transmitters, operating in the 156-162 MHz band must be at least 8 but not more than 25 watts. Transmitters that use 12 volt lead acid storage batteries as a primary power source must be measured with a primary voltage between 12.2 and 13.7 volts DC. Additionally, unless otherwise indicated, equipment in radiotelephone ship stations operating in the 156-162 MHz band must meet the following requirements:
(1) All transmitters must be capable of reducing the carrier power to one watt or less;
(2) All remote control units that are used with transmitters manufactured after August 31, 1979, or installed after February 29, 1980, must be capable of
(3) Except as indicated in (4) of this paragraph, all transmitters manufactured after January 21, 1987, or in use after January 21, 1997, must automatically reduce the carrier power to one watt or less when the transmitter is tuned to 156.375 MHz or 156.650 MHz, and must be provided with a manual override switch which when held by an operator will permit full carrier power operation on 156.375 MHz and 156.650 MHz;
(4) Hand-held portable transmitters are not required to comply with the automatic reduction of carrier power in (g)(3) of this section; and
(5) Transmitters dedicated for use on public correspondence duplex channels as additional equipment to a VHF ship station in the Great Lakes which meet all pertinent rules in this part are not required to reduce their carrier power to one watt.
(h) Coast stations in an AMTS may radiate as follows, subject to the condition that no harmful interference will be caused to television reception except that TV services authorized subsequent to the filing of the AMTS station application will not be protected.
(1) When located more than 169 kilometers (105 miles) from the antenna of a Channel 13 TV station and more than 129 kilometers (80 miles) from the antenna of a channel 10 station, the ERP of coast stations having an antenna height of 61 meters (200 feet) or less above ground must not exceed 1000 watts.
(2) Coast stations located less than 169 kilometers (105 miles) from a Channel 13 TV station, or less than 129 kilometers (80 miles) from a channel 10 station or when using a transmitting antenna height above ground greater than 61 meters (200 feet), must submit a plan to limit interference to TV reception. The plan must include:
(i) A description of the interference contour with indentification of the method used to determine this contour; and
(ii) A statement concerning the number of residences within the interference contour. The interference contour includes only areas inside the TV grade B contour with the latter determined assuming maximum permissible TV antenna height and power for broadcast stations and the actual facility parameters for translators and low power TV stations. See part 73, subpart E of this chapter for further information on TV grade B contour determination.
(3) When located as described in paragraph (h)(2) of this section, the coast station (or stations affecting the same TV Grade B contour) will be authorized if the applicant's plan has limited the interference contour(s) to fewer than 100 residences or if the applicant:
(i) Shows that the proposed site is the only suitable location;
(ii) Develops a plan to control any interference caused to TV reception within the Grade B contour from its operations; and
(iii) Agrees to make such adjustments in the TV receivers affected as may be necessary to eliminate interference caused by its operations.
(4) The applicant must eliminate any interference caused by its operation to TV reception within the Grade B contour that might develop within 90 days of the time it is notified in writing by the Commission. If this interference is not removed within the 90-day period, operation of the coast station must be discontinued. The licensee is expected to help resolve all complaints of interference, whether inside or outside the Grade B contour.
(5) The transmitter output power must be 50 watts or less.
(i) A ship station must have a transmitter output power not exceeding 25 watts and an ERP not exceeding 18 watts. The transmitter must include the capability to reduce the carrier power to 2.5 watts with a front panel control. The maximum transmitter output power is permitted to be increased to 50 watts under the following conditions:
(1) Increases exceeding 25 watts are made only by radio command from the controlling coast stations; and
(2) The application for an equipment authorization demonstrates that the transmitter output power is 25 watts or less when external radio commands are not present.
(j) A ship installation with a transmitter output power exceeding 25 watts
(k) Within the 1626.5-1646.5 MHz band the maximum e.i.r.p by a ship earth station in any direction in the horizontal plane or in the direction of the space station must not exceed +40 dB relative to one watt in any 4 kHz band in the main beam, except upon a satisfactory showing of need for greater power, in which case a maximum of +55 dB relative to one watt may be authorized.
(l) For operational fixed stations using frequencies in the 72-76 MHz band and for other classes of stations operating above 162.025 MHz, the transmitter power must be specified in the station authorization. Frequencies in the 72-76 MHz band are listed in § 80.381. The operational requirements for 72-76 MHz are contained in subpart L of this part.
(m) For radiodetermination transmitters using A1D, A2D, F1D, F2D, G1D and G2D emissions on 154.585 MHz, 159.480 MHz, 160.725 MHz, 160.785 MHz, 454.000 MHz and 459.000 MHz the mean output power of the unmodulated carrier must not exceed 25 watts.
(n) For radiodetermination stations operating above 2400 MHz the output power must be as follows:
(1) For radar stations that use F3N emission the mean output power must not exceed 200 milliwatts;
(2) For search and rescue stations the output power must be at least 400 milliwatts peak e.i.r.p.
(3) For all other transponder stations the output power must not exceed 20 watts peak e.i.r.p. Licensees of non-selectable transponder coast stations operating in the 2920-3100 MHz and 9320-9500 MHz bands must notify in writing the USCG District Commander of any incremental increase of their station's output power above 5 watts peak e.i.r.p.
At 63 FR 36606, July 7, 1998, § 80.215, in paragraph (e)(3), footnote 8 is amended by removing the term “type acceptance” and adding in its place “Certification”, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
(a) A voluntarily equipped ship station receiver must not cause harmful interference to any receiver required by statute or treaty.
(b) The electromagnetic field from receivers required by statute or treaty must not exceed the following value at a distance over sea water of one nautical mile from the receiver:
Deliver not more than the following amounts of power, to an artificial antenna having electrical characteristics equivalent to those of the average receiving antenna(s) use on shipboard:
NB-DP and data transmission equipment installed in ship and coast stations before October 1, 1990, that operates on the frequencies in the 4,000-27,500 kHz bands must be capable of operation in accordance with the technical requirements of either CCIR Recommendation 476 or CCIR Recommendation 625 and may be used indefinitely. Equipment installed on or after October 1, 1990, must be capable of operation in accordance with the technical requirements of CCIR Recommendation 625. NB-DP and data transmission equipment are additionally permitted to utilize any modulation, so long as emissions are within the limits set forth in § 80.211(f) and the
(a) Each device for automatically generating the radiotelephone alarm signal must be capable of being disabled to permit the immediate transmission of a distress call and message.
(b) The device must comply with the following requirements:
(1) The frequency tolerance of each tone must be
(2) The duration tolerance of each tone must be
(3) The interval between successive tones must not exceed 50 milliseconds; and
(4) The amplitude ratio of the tones must be flat within 1.6 dB.
(c) Devices installed on or after January 1, 1983, must comply with the following requirements:
(1) The frequency tolerance of each tone must be
(2) The duration tolerance of each tone must be
(3) The interval between successive tones must not exceed 4 milliseconds;
(4) The amplitude ratio of the tones must be flat within 1.6 dB;
(5) The output of the device must be sufficient to modulate the associated transmitter for H2B emission to at least 70 percent, and for J2B emission to within 3 dB of the rated peak envelope power;
(6) Light from the device must not interfere with the safe navigation of the ship;
(7) After activation the device must automatically generate the radiotelephone alarm signal for not less than 30 seconds and not more than 60 seconds unless manually interrupted;
(8) After generating the radiotelephone alarm signal or after manual interruption the device must be immediately ready to repeat the signal;
(9) The transmitter must be automatically switched from the stand-by condition to the transmit condition at the start and return to the stand-by condition at the conclusion of the radiotelephone alarm signal.
(d) Any device used by a station to automatically generate the radiotelephone alarm signal must be certificated by the Commission.
At 63 FR 36606, July 7, 1998, § 80.221, paragraph (d) was amended by removing the term “type accepted” and adding in its place “certificated”, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
(a) Survival craft stations capable of transmitting on:
(1) 500 kHz must be able to operate with class A2A and A2B or H2A and H2B emissions;
(2) 2182 kHz must be able to operate with A2B and A3E or H2B and H3E and J2B and J3E emissions;
(3) 8364 kHz must be able to operate with class A2A or H2A emission; and
(4) 121.500 MHz must be able to operate with A3E or A3N emission.
(b) Survival craft stations must be able to receive the frequency and types of emission which the transmitter is capable of using. Where the transmitter frequency is 8364 kHz the receiver must be able to receive A1A, A2A and H2A emissions throughout the 8320-8745 kHz band.
(c) Survival craft transmitters operating on 500 kHz or on 8364 kHz must be able to be manually keyed. If provisions are made for automatically transmitting the radiotelegraph alarm signal or the radiotelegraph distress signal, such provisions must meet the requirements in subpart F of this part.
(d) Any EPIRB carried as part of a survival craft station must comply with the specific technical and performance requirements for its class contained in subpart V of this chapter.
This section specifies the requirements for voluntary digital selective calling (DSC) equipment and selective calling equipment installed in ship and coast stations. Reference to any CCIR
(a) DSC equipment voluntarily installed in coast or ship stations must meet either the requirements of CCIR Recommendation 493 (including only equipment classes A, B, D, and E) or RTCM Paper 56-95/SC101-STD. DSC equipment must not be used with the sensors referred to in § 80.179(e)(2). DSC equipment used on compulsorily fitted ships must meet the requirements contained in subpart W for GMDSS.
(b) Manufacturers of Class C DSC equipment to be used on United States vessels must affix a clearly discernible permanent plate or label visible from the operating controls containing the following:
Warning. This equipment is designed to generate a digital maritime distress and safety signal to facilitate search and rescue. To be effective as a safety device, this equipment must be used only within communication range of a shore-based VHF marine channel 70 distress and safety watch system. The range of the signal may vary but under normal conditions should be approximately 20 nautical miles.
(c) Selective calling equipment, other than that designed in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, is authorized as follows:
(1) Equipment used in conjunction with the Automated Maritime Telecommunications System (AMTS) in the band 216-220 MHz,
(2) Equipment used to perform a selective calling function during narrow-band direct-printing (NB-DP) operations in accordance with CCIR Recommendation 476 or 625, and
(3) Equipment functioning under the provisions of § 80.207(a) includes the brief use of radiotelegraphy, including keying only the modulating audio frequency, tone signals, and other signalling devices to establish or maintain communications provided that:
(i) These signalling techniques are not used on frequencies designated for general purpose digital selective calling (DSC) and distress and safety DSC calling as listed in § 80.359;
(ii) The authorized radiotelephone emission bandwidth is not exceeded;
(iii) Documentation of selective calling protocols must be available to the general public; and,
(iv) Harmful interference is not caused to stations operating in accordance with the International Radio Regulations.
As part of the information provided with transmitters for ship earth stations, manufacturers of each such unit must include installation and operating instructions to help prevent human exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation in excess of the RF exposure guidelines specified in § 1.1307(b) of the Commission's Rules.
Brief signalling for the purposes of measuring the quality of a radio channel and thereafter establishing communication shall be permitted within the 2 MHz-30 MHz band. Public coast stations providing high seas service are authorized by rule to use such signalling under the following conditions:
(a) The transmitter power shall not exceed 100 W ERP;
(b) Transmissions must sweep linearly in frequency at a rate of at least 60 kHz per second, occupying any 3 kHz bandwidth for less than 50 milliseconds;
(c) The transmitter shall scan the band no more than four times per hour;
(d) Transmissions within 6 kHz of the following protected frequencies and frequency bands must not exceed 10
(1) Protected frequencies (kHz)
(2) Protected bands (kHz)
(e) The instantaneous signal, which refers to the peak power that would be measured with the frequency sweep stopped, along with spurious emissions generated from the sweeping signal, must be attenuated below the peak carrier power (in watts) as follows:
(1) On any frequency more than 5 Hz from the instantaneous carrier frequency, at least 3 dB;
(2) On any frequency more than 250 Hz from the instantaneous carrier frequency, at least 40 dB; and
(3) On any frequency more than 7.5 kHz from the instantaneous carrier frequency, at least 43 + 10log
(a) This subpart gives the general technical requirements for certification of equipment used on compulsory ships. Such equipment includes radiotelegraph transmitters, radiotelegraph auto alarms, automatic-alarm-signal keying devices, survival craft radio equipment, watch receivers, and radar.
(b) The equipment described in this subpart must be certificated.
(c) The term
(d)
At 63 FR 36606, July 7, 1998, § 80.251, paragraph (a) was amended by removing the term “type acceptance” and adding in its place “certification”, and in paragraph (b) by removing the term “type accepted” and adding in its place “certificated”, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
(a) The following table gives the operating carrier frequency, emission, modulation and average ship station antenna power requirements for the main transmitter.
(b) A main transmitter must operate at its required antenna power when adjusted to any required operating frequency and energized by the main
(c) A main transmitter must be equipped to measure (1) antenna current, (2) transmitter power supply voltages, and (3) anode or collector current(s).
(d) The antenna power must be determined at the operating carrier frequency by the product of the antenna resistance and the square of the average antenna current, both measured at the same point in the antenna circuit at approximately ground potential.
(e) A main transmitter producing more than 250 watts output power must have the output power reduced to not more than 150 watts when used for telegraphy. In stations where a separate telegraph transmitter operable on the same frequencies as the main transmitter with an output power of less than 250 watts, is installed, the power reduction requirement does not apply. Such separate transmitters must not obtain power from the emergency power supply.
At 63 FR 36606, July 7, 1998, § 80.253, in paragraph (a), footnote 1 was amended by removing the term “type accepted or type approved” and adding in its place “approved”; footnote 2 was amended by removing the term “type accepted or type approval” and adding in its place “approved”, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
(a) The following table describes the operating carrier frequency, emission, modulation and average ship station antenna power requirements for the reserve transmitter.
(b) A reserve transmitter must operate at its required antenna power when adjusted to the operating frequency and energized by the reserve power supply of the ship station or by an equivalent power supply.
(c) A reserve transmitter must be equipped to measure antenna current.
(d) The antenna power must be determined at the operating carrier frequency by the product of the antenna resistance and the square of the average antenna current both measured at the same point in the antenna circuit at approximately gound potential.
At 63 FR 36606, July 7, 1998, § 80.255, paragraph (a), footnotes 1 and 2 were amended by removing the terms “type accepted or type approved” and adding in its place “approved”, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
(a) The auto alarm must consist of:
(1) A radio receiver capable of receiving emissions of classes A1A, A1B, A2A, A2B, H2A, H2B, J2A, and J2B over the frequency range 496 through 504 kHz.
(i) The receiver must reject signals +106 dB above one microvolt at
(ii) The receiver must respond to signals from 100 microvolts to 1 volt on the center frequency. There must be less than 6 dB variation in sensitivity from 496 kHz through 504 kHz.
(2) A device capable of selecting the alarm signal specified under § 80.259 (a) and (b).
(3) A minimum of 3 audible alarm units to meet the three location installation requirements of § 80.259(g).
(4) A testing device to determine locally that the auto alarm system is operative.
(b) The auto alarm may be constructed in one or more units but must be independent of the ship's regular radio receiving apparatus.
(c) A telephone jack must be provided to permit reception by a telephone receiver.
(d) Tuning and timing controls must not be accessible from the exterior of the device.
(e) Once set into operation the audible alarms must continue to function until switches off in the principal radiotelegraph operating room.
(f) A nonlocking or momentary-throw switch must be provided to permit temporary disconnection of the audible alarm on the bridge and in the operator's quarters when the auto alarm system is being tested.
(g) A failure of the auto alarm power supply must activate the audible alarms.
(h) The auto alarm must operate within specifications throughout the temperature range 0-50 degrees Celsius at relative humidities as high as 95%.
(i) The auto alarm must be protected from excessive currents, power supply reversals and voltage variations which could cause damage to any component.
(j) The auto alarm must be capable of operating when subjected to vibrations having a frequency between 20 and 30 Hertz and an amplitude of 0.76 mm (0.03 inch) in a direction at an angle of 30 to 45 degrees with the base of the auto alarm.
(a) For certification the auto alarm in the absence of interference must be capable of being operated by four consecutive dashes whose length may vary from 6.0 to 3.5 seconds and the intervening spaces vary between 1.5 seconds to 10 milliseconds. These types of auto alarms must not respond to dashes longer than 6.31 seconds or shorter than 3.33 seconds nor to intervening spaces longer than 1.58 seconds or shorter than 5 milliseconds except as follows:
(1) Non-digital types employing resistance-capacitance timing, approved before October 1, 1969, and placed in service on or before January 1, 1985, must not respond to dashes longer than 7.40 seconds or shorter than 2.80 seconds, nor to space intervals longer than 1.80 seconds or shorter than 5 milliseconds.
(2) Digital types employing a stable clock as the basic timing device, approved before May 1, 1968, and placed in service on or before December 1, 1975, may accept dashes whose lower limits extends down to 3.0 seconds.
(b) The auto alarm must operate with a signal of 100 microvolts RMS at 500 kHz applied to an artificial antenna consisting of a 20 microhenry inductance, a 500 picofarad capacitor, and a 5 ohm resistor connected in series in the absence of any interference and without manual adjustment. It must be capable of operation under these conditions on the following classes of emission:
(1) A1B;
(2) A2B with a carrier modulated at any modulation percentage from 30 through 100 percent with any modulation frequency from 300 through 1350 Hertz; and
(3) H2B with a carrier keyed and emitted at any power level from 3 through 6 decibels below peak envelope power, with any modulation frequency from 300 through 1350 Hertz.
(c) The auto alarm must operate with signal levels up to 1 volt under normal operating conditions.
(d) The auto alarm warning device must not be activated by atmospherics or by any signal from the antenna other than the alarm signal.
(e) The auto alarms must respond to the alarm signal through non-continuous interference caused by atmospherics and powerful signals other than the
(f) The auto alarm must respond without adjustment and with practically uniform sensitivity to signals over a band extending no less than 4 kHz on each side of the 500 kHz radiotelegraph frequency and with a minimum attenuation of:
(g) When the auto alarm is activated it must sound continuously a warning in the radiotelegraph operating room, in the radio operator's cabin, and on the bridge.
(h) The auto alarm must include a 500 kHz signal generator and a keying device which automatically disconnects the auto alarm from the antenna when an alarm signal of 100 microvolts is applied to test the auto alarm.
At 63 FR 36606, July 7, 1998, § 80.259 paragraph (a) introductory text was amended by removing the term “type acceptance” and adding in its place “certification”, paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) were amended by removing the term “type approved” and adding in its place “approved”, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
(a) The automatic-alarm-signal keying device may consist of one or more units.
(b) The device must be designed to activate the keying circuits of any transmitter approved by the Commission for use as a main or reserve transmitter.
(c) Timing-adjustment controls must not be accessible from the exterior of the device.
(d) The device must be able to repeatedly transmit the alarm signal. For this purpose the dashes transmitted must have a duration of 3.8 to 4.2 seconds, and spaces between each of the twelve dashes constituting a series must have a duration of 0.8 to 1.2 seconds. Spaces between each series of twelve dashes must have a duration of 0.8 second to one minute. This operation must be sustainable with power supply voltage variations of
(e) A single control, protected to avoid accidental manipulation, must be provided for placing the device into full operation within 30 seconds. Once in operation, the device must be capable of continuous operation without attention for a least one hour.
(f) When the “on-off” control of the device is placed in the “off” position, the keying circuit to the radio transmitter(s) must be automatically opened.
(g) The automatic-alarm-signal keying device must be capable of operation from a power supply independent of ship power. It may operate from the radio station emergency power supply.
(h) Instructions for adjustment of the device and the correct indication of any instrument incorporated to reveal improper operation must be inscribed on a plate mounted on the device in a position to be easily read by the operator.
(i) The keying circuit must be capable of switching 0.75 amperes DC through a 32 ohms non-inductive resistance. If the automatic-alarm-signal keying device is also intended to be used with transmitters requiring a keying circuit capability of 2 amperes DC through a 115 ohms non-inductive resistance, the keying circuit of the device must comply with this latter requirement.
(j) The automatic-alarm-signal keying device must operate within specifications throughout the temperature range 0-50 degrees Celsius at relative humidities as high as 95%.
(k) The automatic-alarm-signal keying device must be protected from excessive currents, power supply reversals and voltage variations which could cause damage to any component.
(l) The automatic-alarm-signal keying device must be capable of operating when subjected to vibrations having a frequency between 20 and 30 Hertz and an amplitude of 0.76 mm (0.03 inch) in a direction at an angle of 30 to 45 degrees
In addition to the requirements set forth in §§ 80.265 and 80.267, survival craft radio equipment must comply with the following:
(a) The radio equipment must be operable without tools.
(b) Each equipment must be provided with an instruction manual covering the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of the equipment.
(c) Simple instructions for the operation of the equipment must be prominently and permanently attached to it. These instructions must include information about the erection of the antenna(s), and automatic and manual transmission of the international distress and alarm signals on 500 kHz.
(d) An artificial antenna for test purposes must be provided.
(e) The survival craft radio transmitter must meet the following:
(1) Must be pretuned to the required frequencies. The operating frequencies must be maintained within the prescribed tolerances under varying voltages, antenna circuit characteristics, and other normal conditions of adjustment, and shock or vibration. The frequency control circuit adjustments must not be readily available to the person using the transmitter;
(2) Antenna tuning controls must be provided on the operating panel. An initial adjustment of these controls must resonate the antenna circuit at each required operating radio frequency. Resonance must be maintained without further adjustment of the controls during a normal operating period of the transmitter;
(3) The front panel must contain controls for manual operation on 500 kHz, manual operation on 8364 kHz, and automatic operation alternately on these two frequencies. Not more than one manual switch adjustment must be necessary to transmit automatically. For manual radiotelegraphy the transmitter and receiver, including their controls, must be arranged so that they can be operated from the same operating position and the time necessary to change from transmission to recepition and vice versa must not exceed two seconds; and
(4) In automatic operation the radio must:
(i) On 500 kHz transmit the international radiotelegraph alarm signal followed by the international radiotelegraph distress signal, the latter to be transmitted in one or more separate groups, each group consisting of three separate distress signals;
(ii) On 8364 kHz transmit the international radiotelegraph distress signal in one or more separate groups, each group consisting of three separate distress signals; this group or these groups to be followed by a continuous long dash of not less than 30 seconds in duration;
(iii) Transmit the specified signals by automatically changing the operating frequency of the transmitter from 500 kHz to 8364 kHz and vice versa with a transfer time interval not to exceed one second;
(iv) Completely de-energize the receiver during operation of the transmitter;
(v) Be capable of testing the required automatic keying arrangement without the generation of radio frequency energy; and
(vi) For automatic transmission of the international radiotelegraph distress signal, not exceed 16 words per minute or be less than 8 words per minute. The alarm signal dashes must have a duration within the limits of 3.8 to 4.2 seconds, and the spaces between each of the 12 dashes constituting a series must have a duration within the limits of 0.8 to 1.2 seconds.
(f) Survival craft radio receivers must meet the following requirements:
(1) The receiver must be capable of receiving A2A or H2A emission over the 492-508 kHz band without manual tuning and when manually tuned must be capable of receiving A1A and A2A or H2A and J2A emission on any frequency in the 8320-8745 kHz band;
(2) The selectivity of the receiver preceeding the final detector must be flat within 6 dB over the band 492 to 508 kHz;
(3) The audio frequency response of the receiver must be flat within 6 dB
(4) The receiver must be equipped with only one manually operated volume control.
(g) The artificial antenna must meet the following requirements:
(1) Provide a reliable test load for the transmitter at the frequencies 500 kHz and 8364 kHz of approximately the same electrical characteristics as the single wire or collapsible rod antenna required by this section;
(2) Be housed in a single container and provided with terminals. If more than two terminals are provided on the artificial antenna, all the terminals must be labelled; and
(3) Be prominently labelled “FOR TEST USE ONLY”.
(a) Survival craft portable radio equipment must be provided as a single portable buoyant unit consisting of a transmitter, receiver including headphones, power supply, grounding system, antenna system and line for lowering the apparatus. Each totally enclosed lifeboat must comply with the additional equipment requirements specified in this section:
(1) The radio must float in sea water and withstand a drop into sea water in various positions from a height of 6 meters (20 feet), without requiring repair or adjustment other than normal antenna tuning. The operating controls, indicating devices and instruments, including the headphones, must be protected against physical damage and from prolonged exposure to the weather. The radio must withstand submersion in sea water so that no part is less than 5 centimeters (2 inches) below the surface of the water for two hours without leaking;
(2) The radio must be fitted with handles or grips. It must be carryable by either one or two persons;
(3) The radio must be designed to attach to a lifeboat thwart by lashing or other acceptable means;
(4) The radio, exclusive of the line for lowering, must not weigh more than 27 kilograms (60 pounds). A radio for use in a totally enclosed lifeboat must not weigh more than 18 kilograms (40 pounds);
(5) The line for lowering must consist of not less than 12 meters (40 feet) of 9 thread manila or sisal rope, or the equivalent thereof, which must be securely attached to the radio at all times;
(6) All removable components necessary for the proper operation of the radio must be attached to this equipment;
(7) Each radio must have a durable removable plate showing clearly the survival craft radio call sign in letters and digits and in characters of the Morse code; and
(8) The maximum overall dimensions of the radio to be used in totally enclosed lifeboats including accessories must not exceed 35 by 40 by 50 centimeters (14 by 16 by 20 inches).
(b)(1) Portable survival craft radio transmitters must meet the following requirements:
(2) The transmitter must be equipped with a visual indicator or indicators such as neon tubes to show antenna circuit resonance. Failure of the indicator(s) must not keep the transmitter from operating.
(c) Portable survival craft receivers must meet the following requirements:
(1) The audio output must be one milliwatt with a signal to noise power ratio of at least 10 to 1, when the receiver is supplied through the following artificial antennas with the respective radio frequency signals:
(2) The noise power present in the output of the receiver when the receiver is adjusted for A2A or H2A emission on 500 kHz and 8364 kHz must be determined with an unmodulated input signal of the indicated strength.
(d) The power supply must meet the following requirements:
(1) The source of power must be a manually operated electric generator capable of energizing the survival craft radio installation. The mechanical power applied to the crank handle(s) or the propelling lever(s) of the generator driving mechanism must not exceed a maximum of 0.15 horsepower for any operation of the survival craft radio installation at any temperature of the generator and its associated driving mechanism between minus 30 degrees and plus 50 degrees Celsius. Under these conditions the speed of rotation of the crank handle(s) must not be greater than 70 revolutions per minute nor must the cycles of operation of the propelling lever(s) be greater than 70 cycles per minute. The voltages applied to the radio installation must not vary from their normal values more than 20 percent at any generator speed in excess of the normal operating speed which can be manually developed.
(e) The antenna system must consist of a single wire antenna with a collapsible mast or a collapsible rod antenna conforming to the following requirements:
(1) The single wire antenna must be at least 12 meters (40 feet) of at least No. 10 AWG insulated extra-flexible stranded copper and include a means for fastening the wire to the antenna supports, and means for making electrical connection to the transmitter;
(2) Each totally enclosed lifeboat must be provided with a collapsible rod antenna which operates in either a freestanding position or supported only by a grommet in the canopy of the lifeboat. The antenna must be capable of being erected from within the enclosure. Antennas for use in totally enclosed lifeboats must be certificated.
(f) The grounding system must consist of either a conducting wire or plate to provide an efficient ground for the portable survival craft equipment. The conducting wire must consist of a length of not less than 6 meters (20 feet) of No. 10 AWG bare stranded copper or equivalent copper braid weighted at one end for immersion in the sea. The ground plate must consist of a bare plate or strips of corrosion resistant metal having a total area of at least .6 square meters (6.5 square feet) and must be located on the hull of the lifeboat below the waterline. The electrical connection to the grounding conductor or to the ground plate must be made from inside the lifeboat.
At 63 FR 36606, July 7, 1998, § 80.265, following the table in paragraph (b)(1), footnotes 1 and 2 were amended by removing the terms “type accepted or type approved” and adding in its place “approved”; footnote 3 was amended by removing the word “type”; paragraph (c)(1), the footnote to the table was amended by removing the term “type approved” and adding in its place “approved”; paragraph (e)(2) was amended by removing the term “type
(a)(1) The radio transmitter must meet the following requirements:
(2) The transmitter must have an antenna current meter.
(b) Survival craft non-portable receivers must meet the following requirements:
(1) The audio output must be one milliwatt at a signal to noise power ratio of at least 10 to 1, when the receiver is supplied through the following artificial antennas with the respective radio frequency signals:
(2) When the receiver is adjusted for A2A or H2A emission on 500 kHz and 8364 kHz the noise power present in the output of the receiver must be determined with an unmodulated input signal of the indicated strength;
(3) The audio output of the receiver must be capable of at least 8 dB above one milliwatt at the rated loan impedance.
At 63 FR 36607, July 7, 1998,§ 80.267, paragraph (a)(1), following the table, footnotes 1 and 2 were amended by removing the term “type accepted or type approved” and adding in its place “approved”, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
(a) The radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver is comprised of a receiver, a loudspeaker and a radiotelephone auto alarm device.
(b) The radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver must meet the following requirements:
(1) The receiver must be capable of being switched to 2182 kHz and of receiving signals of at least A2A, A2B, H2A and H2B emissions;
(2) The receiver sensitivity must provide a SINAD of 20 dB at the audio output when a 30 microvolt signal with A2A, A2B, H2A, or H2B emission modulated 30% at 400 Hz is applied to the receiver RF terminals;
(3) The audio output of the receiver must be at least 50 milliwatts at the rated load impedance;
(4) The receiver must be provided with an auto alarm device which mutes the receiver (silences the loudspeaker) unless the radiotelephone alarm signal or the signal preceeding a vital navigational warning is received. When the auto alarm is activated the receiver audio output level must be louder than the output level of the received speech signal. Additionally, the receiver must meet the following requirements:
(i) When the receiver is muted its audio output power must be less than 1 milliwatt;
(ii) If tone filters are used to process the 1300 Hz and 2200 Hz tones the tolerance of their center frequency must be
(iii) The receiver must not be unmuted by atmospherics or by strong signals other than the radiotelephone alarm and the vital navigational warning signal.
(5) The receiver must be unmuted within 4 to 6 seconds when a double sideband alarm signal modulated at 70% is applied at its input terminals at a level which produces a SINAD of 10 dB under the following conditions:
(i) For radiotelephone alarm the signal must be modulated sequentially by a 1300
(ii) For navigational warning the signal must be modulated by a 2200
(6) The receiver must not be unmuted when a double sideband signal of 70 dB above the receiver measured sensitivity, modulated at 70% by a 2200
(i) “On” periods of less than 175 milliseconds or more than 325 milliseconds followed by “off” periods of any duration; and
(ii) “Off” periods of less than 175 milliseconds or more then 425 milliseconds followed by “on” periods of any duration.
(7) The controls listed below must be provided on the exterior of the equipment:
(i) On/off switch with a visual indication that the device is on;
(ii) Volume control to adjust the audio output;
(iii) Control for dimming any light on the equipment;
(iv) Control for switching the auto alarm in and out of operation; and
(v) Control to manually reset the auto alarm to muted condition.
(8) The receiver must operate within specifications throughout the temperature range 0-50 degrees Celsius at relative humidities as high as 95%.
(9) The receiver must be capable of operating when subjected to vibrations having a frequency between 20 and 30 Hertz and an amplitude of 0.76 mm (0.03 inch) in a direction at an angle of 30 to 45 degrees with the base of the auto alarm.
(a) Portable survival craft radiotelephone transceivers must comply with the following:
(1) The transceivers must receive and transmit either on 457.525 MHz or on 156.800 MHz;
(2) The receiver must comply with the requirements in part 15, subpart C of this chapter and must have a sensitivity of not more than 2 microvolts. The sensitivity requirement must be met using the receiver sensitivity measurement procedure specified in the Radio Technical Commission for Marine Services (RTCM) Special Committee No. 66 Report MMS-R2;
(3) The effective radiated power of the transmitter must be at least 0.1 watt;
(4) The transceivers must be battery powered and operate for at least four hours with a transmit to receive ratio of 1:9 with no significant adverse effect upon the performance of the device;
(5) The transceivers must have a permanently attached waterproof label with the statement “Complies with the FCC requirements for survival craft two-way radiotelephone equipment”; and
(6) The antenna must be permanently attached to the device or its removal must require the use of a special tool.
(b) Portable radiotelephone transceivers that are already certificated may be used to satisfy the survival craft radiotelephone requirement until October 1, 1993, provided the device meets the technical requirements
(c) Survival craft radiotelephone equipment installed after October 1, 1988, must be certificated to meet the requirements of this section.
(d) After October 1, 1993, all portable radiotelephone transceivers that are used to satisfy the survival craft radiotelephone requirement must have been certificated to meet the requirements of this section.
(e) Portable radiotelephone transceivers which are type accepted to meet the requirements of this section must be identified by an appropriate note in the Commission's database.
At 63 FR 36607, July 7, 1998, § 80.271, paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) were amended by removing the term “type accepted” and adding in its place “certificated”; paragraph (e) was amended by removing the term “Radio Equipment List” and adding in its place “database”, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
The technical requirements for radar equipment are contained in § 80.825.
(a) Each public coast station operating on telegraphy frequencies in the band 405-535 kHz must maintain a watch for classes A1A, A2B and H2B emissions by a licensed radiotelegraph operator on the frequency 500 kHz for three minutes twice each hour, beginning at x h.15 and x h.45 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
(b) Each public coast station licensed to operate in the band 1605-3500 kHz must monitor such frequency(s) as are used for working or, at the licensee's discretion, maintain a watch on 2182 kHz.
(c) Except for distress, urgency or safety messages, coast stations must not transmit on 2182 kHz during the silence periods for three minutes twice each hour beginning at x h.00 and x h.30 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
(d) Each public coast station must provide assistance for distress communications when requested by the Coast Guard.
(a) When changes occur in the operation of a public coast station which include discontinuance, reduction or suspension of a watch required to be maintained on 500 kHz, 2182 kHz, or 156.800 MHz, notification must be made by the licensee to the nearest district office of the U.S. Coast Guard as soon as practicable. The notification must include the estimated or known resumption time of the watch.
(b) [Reserved]
(a) During its hours of operation, each coast station operating in the 156-162 MHz band and serving rivers, bays and inland lakes except the Great Lakes, must maintain a safety watch on the frequency 156.800 MHz except when transmitting on 156.800 MHz.
(b) A coast station is exempt from compliance with the watch requirement when Federal, State, or Local Government stations maintain a watch on 156.800 MHz over 95% of the coast station's service area. Each licensee exempted by rule must notify the nearest district office of the U.S. Coast Guard at least thirty days prior to discontinuing the watch, or in the case of new stations, at least thirty days prior to commencing service. The Coast Guard may require any coast station to maintain the watch temporarily or permanently. The Coast Guard may also require any coast station to remain capable of either immediately resuming the watch or providing the Coast Guard direct dial-up access to the necessary 156.800 MHz transceiver at no charge so that the Coast Guard can maintain the watch.
(c) If the government station(s) providing the 156.800 MHz watch over the service area of an exempt station temporarily discontinues that watch, the exempt coast station upon receiving
(a) Each ship station operating on telegraphy frequencies in the band 405-535 kHz, must maintain a watch on the frequency 500 kHz of three minutes twice each hour beginning at x h.15 and x h.45 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) by a licensed radiotelegraph officer using either a loudspeaker or headphone.
(b) Each ship station operating on telephony on frequencies in the band 1605-3500 kHz must maintain a watch on the frequency 2182 kHz. This watch must be maintained at least twice each hour for 3 minutes commencing at x h.00 and x h.30 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) using either a loudspeaker or headphone. Expect for distress, urgency or safety messages, ship stations must not transmit during the silence periods on 2182 kHz.
(a) Each ship of the United States which is equipped with a radiotelegraph station for compliance with part II of title III of the Communications Act or chapter IV of the Safety Convention must:
(1) Keep a continuous and efficient watch on 500 kHz by means of radio officers while being navigated in the open sea outside a harbor or port. In lieu thereof, on a cargo ship equipped with a radiotelegraph auto alarm in proper operating condition, an efficient watch on 500 kHz must be maintained by means of a radio officer for at least 8 hours per day in the aggregate, i.e., for at least one-third of each day or portion of each day that the vessel is navigated in the open sea outside of a harbor or port.
(2) Keep a continuous and efficient watch on the radiotelephone distress frequency 2182 kHz from the principal radio operating position or the room from which the vessel is normally steered while being navigated in the open sea outside a harbor or port. A radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver having a loudspeaker and a radiotelephone auto alarm facility must be used to keep the continuous watch on 2182 kHz if such watch is kept from the room from which the vessel is normally steered. After a determination by the master that conditions are such that maintenance of the listening watch would interfere with the safe navigation of the ship, the watch may be maintained by the use of the radiotelephone auto alarm facility alone.
(3) Keep a continuous and efficient watch on the VHF distress frequency 156.800 MHz from the room from which the vessel is normally steered while in the open sea outside a harbor or port. The watch must be maintained by a designated member of the crew who may perform other duties, relating to the operation or navigation of the vessel, provided such other duties do not interfere with the effectiveness of the watch. Use of a properly adjusted squelch or brief interruptions due to other nearby VHF transmissions are not considered to adversely affect the continuity or efficiency of the required watch on the VHF distress frequency. This watch need not be maintained by vessels subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act and participating in a Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) system as required or recommended by the U.S. Coast Guard, when an efficient listening watch is maintained on both the bridge-to-bridge frequency and a separate assigned VTS frequency.
(b) Each cargo ship of the United States which is equipped with a radiotelephone station for compliance with part II of title III of the Communications Act or chapter IV of the Safety Convention must while being navigated outside of a harbor or port:
(1) Keep a continuous watch on 2182 kHz in the room from which the vessel is normally steered while at sea, whenever such station is not being used for authorized traffic. Such watch must be maintained by at least one officer or
(2) Keep a continuous watch on 156.800 MHz from the room from which the vessel is normally steered. The watch must be maintained by a crewmember who may perform other duties, relating to the operation or navigation of the vessel, provided such other duties do not interfere with the watch. Use of properly adjusted squelch of brief interruptions due to other nearby VHF transmissions are not considered to adversely affect the watch. This watch need not be maintained by vessels subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act and participating in a Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) system when a watch is maintained on both the bridge-to-bridge frequency and a VTS frequency.
(c) Each vessel of the United States transporting more than six passengers for hire, which is equipped with a radiotelephone station for compliance with part III of title III of the Communications Act must, while being navigated in the open sea or any tidewater within the jurisdiction of the United States adjacent or contiguous to the open sea, keep a continuous watch on 2182 kHz while the vessel is beyond VHF communication range of the nearest VHF coast station, whenever the radiotelephone station is not being used for authorized traffic. A VHF watch must be kept on 156.800 MHz whenever such station is not being used for authorized traffic. The VHF watch must be maintained at the vessel's steering station actually in use by the qualified operator as defined by § 80.157 or by a crewmember who may perform other duties relating to the operation or navigation of the vessel, provided such other duties do not interfere with the watch. The use of a properly adjusted squelch is not considered to adversely affect the watch. The VHF watch need not be maintained by vessels subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act and participating in a Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) system when an efficient listening watch is maintained on both the bridge-to-bridge frequency and a VTS frequency.
(a) The radio officer must use the main or reserve receiver, and either headphones or a loudspeaker to keep the watch on 500 kHz.
(b) During the watch, the radio officer may temporarily interrupt the required watch on 500 kHz while transmitting or receiving signals or messages to or from a station but only if it is not feasible to simultaneously handle such traffic and listen on 500 kHz by split headphones or a loudspeaker. The watch on 500 kHz must, however, without exception be maintained during the silence periods.
(c) During this watch, on vessels subject to the Communications Act and the Safety Convention on international voyages, the radio officer may discontinue listening when handling traffic on other frequencies or performing other essential radio duties, but only if it is impracticable to listen by split headphones or loudspeaker. The watch must always be maintained by a radio officer using headphones or loudspeaker during the silence periods. The term “essential radio duties” in this rule includes urgent repairs of radio-communication equipment used for safety or radio navigational equipment by order of the master.
(d) When authorized by the master, the radio officer may perform maintenance repair of communications, navigation or other electronic equipment outside of the radiotelegraph room, provided that the listening watch on 500 kHz can be maintained by headphones, loudspeakers, portable receivers, or other suitable means. The watch on 500 kHz must be maintained in the radiotelegraph room during the silence period.
The radiotelegraph auto alarm required on a cargo ship subject to the radiotelegraph provisions of part II of title III of the Communications Act or the Safety Convention must be in operation, connected to the main antenna and adjusted for optimum efficiency at all times while the ship is being navigated in the open sea when a radio officer is not listening on the frequency 500 kHz, except under the circumstances as set forth in § 80.306(b).
(a) Each ship of the United States that is equipped with a radiotelephone station for compliance with the Great Lakes Radio Agreement must when underway keep a watch on:
(1) 156.800 MHz on board a vessel 20 meters (65 feet) and over in length, a vessel engaged in towing (See § 80.951(b)), or a vessel carrying more than 6 passengers for hire. This watch must be maintained whenever the station is not being used for authorized traffic. However, a watch on 156.800 MHz need not be maintained by a vessel maintaining a watch on the bridge-to-bridge frequency 156.650 MHz
(2) 156.650 MHz on board a vessel 38 meters (124 feet) and over in length, a vessel engaged in towing (See § 80.951(b)), or a vessel carrying more than six passengers for hire. This watch must be maintained continuously and effectively. Sequential monitoring is not sufficient. Portable VHF equipment may be used to meet this requirement. Vessels are exempted from this requirement while transiting the St. Lawrence Seaway and complying with the Joint Regulations of the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority and St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation between the lower exit of St. Lambert Lock at Montreal and Crossover Island, New York and in the Welland Canal and approaches between Calling in Point No. 15 and No. 16.
(b) The watch must be maintained by the master, or person designated by the master, who may perform other duties provided they do not interfere with the effectiveness of the watch.
In addition to the watch requirement contained in § 80.148, all vessels subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act must keep a watch on the designated navigational frequency. The watch must be maintained by the master or person in charge of the vessel or the person designated by the master or person in charge to pilot or direct the movement of the vessel. The person standing watch may perform other duties provided such other duties do not interfere with the watch.
Voluntary vessels not equipped with DSC must maintain a watch on 156.800 MHz (channel 16) whenever the radio is operating and is not being used to communicate. Noncommercial vessels, such as recreational boats, may alternatively maintain a watch on 156.450 MHz (channel 9) for call and reply purposes.
A mobile station in distress may use any means at its disposal to attract attention, make known its position, and obtain help. A distress call and message, however, must be transmitted only on the authority of the master or person responsible for the mobile station. No person shall knowingly transmit, or cause to be transmitted, any false or fraudulent signal of distress or related communication.
The distress call has absolute priority over all other transmissions. All stations which hear it must immediately cease any transmission capable
The frequencies specified in the bands below are for use by mobile stations in distress. The conventional emission is shown. When a ship station cannot transmit on the designated frequency or the conventional emission, it may use any available frequency or emission. Frequencies for distress and safety calling using digital selective calling techniques are listed in § 80.359(b). Distress and safety NB-DP frequencies are indicated by footnote 2 in § 80.361(b).
(a) The international radiotelegraphy distress signal consists of the group “three dots, three dashes, three dots” (... ---...), symbolized herein by SOS, transmitted as a single signal in which the dashes are slightly prolonged so as to be distinguished clearly from the dots.
(b) The international radiotelephone distress signal consists of the word MAYDAY, pronounced as the French expression “m'aider”.
(c) These distress signals indicate that a mobile station is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requests immediate assistance.
(a) The radiotelegraph distress call consists of:
(1) The distress signal SOS, sent three times;
(2) The word DE;
(3) The call sign of the mobile station in distress, sent three times.
(b) The radiotelephone distress call consists of:
(1) The distress signal MAYDAY spoken three times;
(2) The words THIS IS;
(3) The call sign (or name, if no call sign assigned) of the mobile station in distress, spoken three times.
(a) The radiotelegraph distress message consists of:
(1) The distress signal SOS;
(2) The name of the mobile station in distress;
(3) Particulars of its position;
(4) The nature of the distress;
(5) The kind of assistance desired;
(6) Any other information which might facilitate rescue.
(b) The radiotelephone distress message consists of:
(1) The distress signal MAYDAY;
(2) The name of the mobile station in distress;
(3) Particulars of its position;
(4) The nature of the distress;
(5) The kind of assistance desired;
(6) Any other information which might facilitate rescue, for example, the length, color, and type of vessel, number of persons on board.
(c) As a general rule, a ship must signal its position in latitude and longitude, using figures for the degrees and minutes, together with one of the words NORTH or SOUTH and one of the words EAST or WEST. In radiotelegraphy, the signal .-.-.- must be used to separate the degrees from the minutes. When practicable, the true bearing and distance in nautical miles from a known geographical position may be given.
(a) The international radiotelegraph alarm signal consists of a series of twelve dashes sent in one minute, the duration of each dash being four seconds and the duration of the interval between consecutive dashes one second. The purpose of this special signal is the
(b) The international radiotelephone alarm signal consists of two substantially sinusoidal audio frequency tones transmitted alternately. One tone must have a frequency of 2200 Hertz and the other a frequency of 1300 Hertz, the duration of each tone being 250 milliseconds. When generated by automatic means, the radiotelephone alarm signal must be transmitted continuously for a period of at least 30 seconds, but not exceeding one minute; when generated by other means, the signal must be transmitted as continuously as practicable over a period of approximately one minute. The purpose of this special signal is to attract the attention of the person on watch or to actuate automatic devices giving the alarm.
(a) The radiotelegraph or radiotelephone alarm signal, as appropriate, must only be used to announce:
(1) That a distress call or message is about to follow;
(2) The transmission of an urgent cyclone warning. In this case the alarm signal may only be used by coast stations authorized by the Commission to do so; or
(3) The loss of a person or persons overboard. In this case the alarm signal may only be used when the assistance of other ships is required and cannot be satisfactorily obtained by the use of the urgency signal only, but the alarm signal must not be repeated by other stations. The message must be preceded by the urgency signal.
(b) In cases described in paragraphs (a)(2) and (3) of this section, the transmission of the warning or message by radiotelegraphy must not begin until two minutes after the end of the radiotelegraph alarm signal.
(a) The radiotelegraph distress procedure consists of the following six steps: however, when time is vital, the first and second steps may be omitted. These two steps of the distress procedure may also be omitted in circumstances when transmission of the alarm signal is considered unnecessary:
(1) The radiotelegraph alarm signal;
(2) The distress call and an interval of two minutes;
(3) The distress call;
(4) The distress message;
(5) Two dashes of ten to fifteen seconds each;
(6) The call sign of the mobile station in distress.
(b) The radiotelegraph distress transmissions must be sent by means of the international Morse code at a speed not exceeding 16 words per minute nor less than 8 words per minute.
(c) The distress message, preceded by the distress call, must be repeated at intervals, especially during the 500 kHz international silence periods, until an answer is received. The radiotelegraph alarm signal may also be repeated, if necessary.
(d) The transmissions under paragraphs (a) (5) and (6) of this section, which are to permit direction finding stations to determine the position of the station in distress, may be repeated at frequent intervals if necessary.
(e) When the mobile station in distress receives no answer to a distress message transmitted on the distress frequency, the message may be repeated on any other available frequency on which attention might be attracted.
(a) The radiotelephone distress procedure consists of:
(1) The radiotelephone alarm signal (whenever possible);
(2) The distress call;
(3) The distress message.
(b) Radiotelephone distress transmissions must be made slowly and distinctly, each word being clearly pronounced to facilitate transcription.
(c) After the transmission by radiotelephony of its distress message, the mobile station may be requested to transmit suitable signals followed by its call sign or name, to permit direction-finding stations to determine its
(d) The distress message, preceded by the distress call, must be repeated at intervals until an answer is received. This repetition must be preceded by the radiotelephone alarm signal whenever possible.
(e) When the mobile station in distress receives no answer to a distress message transmitted on the distress frequency, the message may be repeated on any other available frequency on which attention might be attracted.
(a) Stations of the maritime mobile service which receive a distress message from a mobile station which is beyond any possible doubt in their vicinity must immediately acknowledge receipt. However, in areas where reliable communication with one or more coast stations is practicable, ship stations may defer this acknowledgement for a short interval so that a coast station may acknowledge receipt.
(b) Stations of the maritime mobile service which receive a distress message from a mobile station which beyond any possible doubt is not in their vicinity, must allow a short interval of time to elapse before acknowledging receipt of the message in order to permit stations nearer to the mobile station in distress to acknowledge receipt without interference.
(a) The acknowledgement of receipt of a radiotelegraph distress message is transmitted in the following form:
(1) The distress signal SOS;
(2) The call sign of the station sending the distress message, sent three times;
(3) The word DE;
(4) The call sign of the station acknowledging receipt, sent three times;
(5) The group RRR;
(6) The message signal SOS.
(b) The acknowledgement of receipt of a radiotelephone distress message is transmitted in the following form:
(1) The distress signal MAYDAY;
(2) The call sign or other identification of the station sending the distress message, spoken three times;
(3) The words THIS IS;
(4) The call sign or other identification of the station acknowledging receipt, spoken three times;
(5) The word RECEIVED;
(6) The distress signal MAYDAY.
(a) Every mobile station which acknowledges receipt of a distress message must on the order of the master or person responsible for the ship, aircraft, or other vehicle carrying such mobile station, transmit as soon as possible the following information in the order shown:
(1) Its identifier;
(2) Its position;
(3) The speed at which it is proceeding towards, and the approximate time it will take to reach the mobile station in distress.
(b) Before sending this message, the station must ensure that it will not interfere with the emissions of other stations better situated to render immediate assistance to the station in distress.
(a) A mobile station or a land station which learns that a mobile station is in distress must transmit a distress message in any of the following cases:
(1) When the station in distress cannot transmit the distress message.
(2) When the master or person responsible for the ship, aircraft, or other vehicle not in distress, or for the land station, believes that further help is necessary.
(3) When, although not in a position to assist, it has heard a distress message which has not been acknowledged. When a mobile station transmits such a distress message, it must notify the authorities who may be able to assist.
(b) Transmission must be made on the international distress frequencies or on any other available frequency on which attention might be attracted.
(c) Transmission of the distress message must always be preceded by the call indicated below, which must itself
(1) When radiotelegraphy is used:
(i) The signal DDD SOS SOS SOS DDD:
(ii) The word DE;
(iii) The call sign of the transmitting station, sent three times.
(2) When radiotelephony is used:
(i) The signal MAYDAY RELAY, spoken three times;
(ii) The words THIS IS;
(iii) The call sign or other identification of the transmitting station, spoken three times.
(d) When the radiotelegraph alarm signal is used, an interval of two minutes must be allowed, whenever this is considered necessary, before the transmission of the call mentioned in paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
(a) Distress traffic consists of all messages relating to the immediate assistance required by the mobile station in distress. In distress traffic, the distress signal must be sent before the call and at the beginning of the preamble of any radiotelegram.
(b) The control of distress traffic is the responsibility of the mobile station in distress or of the station which has sent the distress message. These stations may delegate the control of the distress traffic to another station.
(c) The station in distress or the station in control of distress traffic may impose silence either on all stations of the mobile service in the area or on any station which interferes with the distress traffic. It must address these instructions “to all stations” or to one station only, according to circumstances. In either case, it must use one of the following signals which are reserved for use by the mobile station in distress and for the station controlling distress traffic:
(1) In radiotelegraphy, the abbreviation QRT, followed by the distress signal SOS.
(2) In radiotelephony, the signal SEELONCE MAYDAY.
(d) If essential, any station of the mobile service near the ship, aircraft, or other vehicle in distress may also impose silence. It must use for this purpose:
(1) In radiotelegraphy, the abbreviation QRT, followed by the word DISTRESS and its own call sign;
(2) In radiotelephony, the word SEELONCE, followed by the word DISTRESS and its own call sign or other identification.
(a) When distress traffic has ceased, or when complete silence is no longer necessary on a frequency which has been used for distress traffic, the station which has controlled this traffic must transmit on that frequency a message addressed “to all stations” indicating that normal working may be resumed.
(1) In radiotelegraphy, this message consists of:
(i) The distress signal SOS;
(ii) The call “to all stations” (CQ), sent three times;
(iii) The word DE;
(iv) The call sign of the station sending the message;
(v) The time of handing in the message;
(vi) The name and call sign of the mobile station which was in distress;
(vii) The service abbreviation QUM.
(2) In radiotelephony, this message consists of:
(i) The distress signal MAYDAY;
(ii) The call “Hello all stations”, spoken three times;
(iii) The words THIS IS;
(iv) The call sign or other identification of the station sending the message;
(v) The time of handing in of the message;
(vi) The name and call sign of the mobile station which was in distress;
(vii) The words SEELONCE FEENEE OR PRU-DONCE.
(b) Until they receive the foregoing message indicating that normal or limited working may be resumed, all stations which are aware of the distress traffic, and which are not taking part in it, are forbidden to transmit on the frequencies on which the distress traffic is taking place.
(a) The urgency signal indicates that the calling station has a very urgent message to transmit concerning the safety of a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle, or the safety of a person. The urgency signal must be sent only on the authority of the master or person responsible for the mobile station.
(b) In radiotelegraphy, the urgency signal consists of three repetitions of the group XXX, sent with the individual letters of each group, and the successive groups clearly separated from each other. It must be transmitted before the call.
(c) In radiotelephony, the urgency signal consists of three oral repetitions of the group of words PAN PAN transmitted before the call.
(d) The urgency signal has priority over all other communications except distress. All mobile and land stations which hear it must not interfere with the transmission of the message which follows the urgency signal.
(a) The urgency signal and call, and the message following it, must be sent on one of the international distress frequencies. Stations which cannot transmit on a distress frequency may use any other available frequency on which attention might be attracted.
(b) Mobile stations which hear the urgency signal must continue to listen for at least three minutes. At the end of this period, if no urgency message has been heard, they may resume their normal service. However, land and mobile stations which are in communication on frequencies other than those used for the transmission of the urgency signal and of the call which follows it may continue their normal work without interruption provided the urgency message is not addressed “to all stations”.
(c) When the urgency signal has been sent before transmitting a message “to all stations” which calls for action by the stations receiving the message, the station responsible for its transmission must cancel it as soon as it knows that action is no longer necessary. This message of cancellation must likewise be addressed “to all stations”.
(a) The safety signal indicates that the station is about to transmit a message concerning the safety of navigation or giving important meteorological warnings.
(b) In radiotelegraphy, the safety signal consists of three repetitions of the group TTT, sent with the individual letters of each group, and the successive groups clearly separated from each other. It must be sent before the call.
(c) In radiotelephony, the safety signal consists of the word SECURITE, pronounced as in French, spoken three times and transmitted before the call.
(d) The safety signal and call must be sent on one of the international distress frequencies (500 kHz or 8364 kHz radiotelegraph; 2182 kHz or 156.8 MHz radiotelephone). Stations which cannot transmit on a distress frequency may use any other available frequency on which attention might be attracted.
(a) The safety signal and call must be followed by the safety message. Where practicable, the safety message should be sent on a working frequency, and a suitable announcement to this effect must be made at the end of the call.
(b) Except for the cases mentioned in paragraph (c) of this section, the safety signal when sent on the frequency 500 kHz must be transmitted toward the end of the first available silence period; the safety message must be transmitted immediately after the silence period.
(c) Messages about meteorological warnings, of cyclones, dangerous ice, dangerous wrecks, or any other imminent danger to marine navigation must be preceded by the safety signal.
(d) Stations hearing the safety signal must not make any transmission likely to interfere with the message.
(a) Vessels subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act transmitting on the designated navigational frequency must conduct communications in a format similar to those given below:
(1) This is the (name of vessel). My position is (give readily identifiable position, course and speed) about to (describe contemplated action). Out.
(2) Vessel off (give a readily identifiable position). This is (name of vessel) off (give a readily identifiable position). I plan to (give proposed course of action). Over.
(3) (Coast station), this is (vessel's name) off (give readily identifiable position). I plan to (give proposed course of action). Over.
(b) Vessels acknowledging receipt must answer “(Name of vessel calling). This is (Name of vessel answering). Received your call,” and follow with an indication of their intentions. Communications must terminate when each ship is satisfied that the other no longer poses a threat to its safety and is ended with “Out”.
(c) Use of power greater than 1 watt in a bridge-to-bridge station shall be limited to the following three situations:
(1) Emergency.
(2) Failure of the vessel being called to respond to a second call at low power.
(3) A broadcast call as in paragraph (a)(1) of this section in a blind situation, e.g., rounding a bend in a river.
(a) Survival craft stations may transmit distress, urgency and safety signals, calls and messages.
(b) EPIRB's may transmit only in accordance with the requirements of subparts V and X of this part.
The provisions of §§ 80.311 and 80.324 apply to the operations of ship earth stations in the maritime mobile-satellite service.
The following sections describe the carrier frequencies and general uses of radiotelegraphy with respect to the following:
(a) Unless otherwise indicated radiotelegraphy may be used by ship and public coast stations only.
(b) The signal code for Morse telegraphy must be the international Morse code signals specified in the Telegraph Regulations annexed to the International Telecommunication Convention.
(c) To facilitate communications, ship stations transmitting by means of radiotelegraphy must use the service abbreviations (“Q” signals) listed in Appendix 14 to the ITU Radio Regulations whenever practicable.
(d) In order to reduce interference stations must attempt to select calling frequencies which provide the most favorable propagational characteristics for effecting reliable communications.
(e) Coast stations may apply to use for telegraphy communications any additional coast station frequencies that are allocated for such communications in the 10-27500 kHz band that are not listed in this part. See the Table of Frequency allocations in § 2.106 of this chapter. The use of such frequencies will be authorized initially with a six month provisional period.
(f) Radiotelegraphy stations communicating with a Government station may transmit on a Government frequency when authorized to do so by the Government station or agency if the emission, bandwidth and frequency tolerance of the non-Government station are within the same limits as the Government station.
This section describes the distress, urgency, safety, call and reply carrier frequencies assignable to stations for Morse code radiotelegraphy.
(a)
(b)
(2) In Region 2 and areas of heavy traffic ship stations must request coast stations to listen on the ship station's working frequencies.
(3) In areas where 500 kHz is used for distress a ship or coast station must use the supplementary calling frequency 512 kHz for routine calling and normally request a reply on its working frequency. The called station may reply on 512 kHz when requested to do so by the calling station.
(c)
(2)
(3)
(d)
(2) EPIRB stations may be assigned 121.500 MHz and 243.000 MHz using A3E, A3X and NON emission or 156.750 MHz and 156.800 MHz using G3N emission to aid search and rescue operations. See subpart V of this part.
This section describes the working frequencies assignable to maritime stations for A1A or J2A radiotelegraphy.
(a)
(2)
(3)
(i) Two Channel Series will be assigned for routine use to each ship station. Frequencies from any other Channel Series may be used if the frequencies in the assigned Channel Series are not adequate for communications.
(ii) If the frequencies listed in paragraph (3)(i) of this section are not adequate for communications, ship stations may use any of the non-paired narrow-band direct-printing frequencies listed in § 80.361(b) of this part for A1A or J2A radiotelegraphy.
(b)
(2)
(i) Frequencies in the 100-160 kHz band are assignable to coast stations for high seas communications only;
(ii) Frequencies above 5 MHz may be assigned primarily to stations serving the high seas and secondarily to stations serving inland waters of the United States, including the Great Lakes, under the condition that interference will not be caused to any coast station serving the high seas. Applicants for these frequencies must submit a substantial showing of need based on the following factors:
(A) A schedule of each currently licensed Morse working frequency and the expected use of the proposed frequencies;
(B) For additional frequencies within the same MHz band, a factual showing of the 3 busiest hours of any 4 days within a consecutive 10 day period for
(C) Any other facts that support the need for the proposed assignment,
(iii) The frequency 410 kHz may be used on a secondary basis for the transmission of radiodetermination information and for transmitting by radiotelegraph radiodetermination messages to direction-finding stations; and
(iv) The frequency 512 kHz may be used as a supplementary calling frequency when 500 kHz is used for distress, urgency and safety communications. The use of the 512 kHz as a working frequency is prohibited in areas where 500 kHz is used for distress, urgency and safety communications.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(a)
(2) Applicants for these frequencies must submit a substantial showing of need based on the following factors:
(i) A schedule of each currently licensed NBDP frequency and the expected use of the proposed frequencies;
(ii) For additional frequencies within the same MHz band, a factual showing of the 3 busiest hours of any 4 days within a consecutive 10 day period for each of the 2 months immediately preceding the filing of the application indicating that the applicant has used its currently assigned frequencies within the same MHz band an aggregate average of at least 40% of the 3 busiest hours of each day for exchanging communications; and
(iii) Any other facts that support the need for the proposed assignment,
(b)
(c)
(d) The frequencies in the 156-162 MHz band available for assignment to public coast stations that are contained in § 80.371(c) of this part are also available for radioprinter and data communications between ship and coast stations using F1B, F2B, F1D, or F2D emission.
(a) The non-paired frequencies with F1C, F3C, J2C or J3C emission which are assignable to ship and public coast stations for facsimile are as follows:
(1)
(2)
(b) The frequencies in the 156-162 MHz band available for assignment to public coast stations that are contained in § 80.371(c) of this part are also available for facsimile communications between ship and coast stations using F2C or F3C emission.
(c) The frequency 156.425 MHz is assigned by rule to private coast stations and ship stations in Alaska for ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship facsimile transmissions using F2C or F3C emissions.
The following sections describe the carrier frequencies and general conditions of use for the following types of radiotelephony:
—Distress, urgency, safety, call and reply.
—Working.
—Public.
—Private.
(a) Ship stations communicating with foreign coast stations may operate on any frequency designated by that coast station.
(b) Radiotelephony stations communicating with a Government station may transmit on a Government frequency when authorized to do so by the Government station or agency if the emission, bandwidth and frequency tolerance of the maritime station are within the same limits as the Government station.
(c) Frequencies assigned to Government radio stations are assignable to non-Government maritime stations for radiotelephony communications with other non-Government stations in connection with activities performed in coordination with or on behalf of the Government.
(d) Frequencies in the 2000-27500 kHz band will be authorized only to ship stations that in addition are authorized to use frequencies in the 156-162 MHz band.
(e) Frequencies in the 2000-2850 kHz band will be authorized to private coast stations that in addition are authorized to use frequencies in the 156-162 MHz band.
(f) Ship and coast stations authorized to use frequencies in both the 2000-27500 kHz and 156-162 MHz bands must not use frequencies in the 2000-27500 kHz band for communications with any other station which is within the VHF service range.
(g) Coast and ship station radiotelephone working frequencies are available for DSC general purpose calling under the provisions of § 80.207(a).
(h) Digital selective calling techniques are not authorized on the frequencies 2182 kHz or 156.800 MHz.
This section describes the general uses and frequencies assignable to maritime stations for distress, urgency, safety, call and reply radiotelephony communications.
(a) In the 1605-3500 kHz band, the frequency 2182 is an international radiotelephony distress, urgency and safety frequency for ship stations, public and private coast stations, and survival craft stations. It is also used for call and reply by ship stations on a primary basis and by public coast stations on a secondary basis. The carrier frequency 2191 kHz may be used as a supplementary calling frequency in areas of heavy usage of 2182 kHz. All stations must use J3E emission when operating on 2182 and 2191 kHz, except that:
(1) H3E emission may be used on 2182 kHz for communications with foreign coast and ship stations; or,
(2) A3E emission may be used on 2182 kHz by portable survival craft stations, or transmitters authorized for use prior to January 1, 1972. See § 80.203(c).
(b) The frequencies 4125.0 kHz, 6215 kHz, 8291 kHz, 12290 kHz, and 16420 kHz may be used by coast and ship stations on a simplex basis for distress and safety communications. The frequency 4125.0 kHz may also be used for distress and safety communications between aircraft and maritime mobile stations.
(c) The frequency 5167.5 kHz is available to any station for emergency communications in the State of Alaska. Peak envelope power of stations operating on this frequency must not exceed 150 watts. This frequency may also be used by Alaska private fixed stations for calling and listening, but only for establishing communication.
(d) In the 4000-27500 kHz band, the following coast frequencies are available for assignment to public coast stations for call and reply communications. The paired ship frequencies are available for use by authorized ship stations.
(e) In the 120-156 MHz band the following frequencies are used as indicated:
(1) The frequencies 121.500 MHz and 123.100 MHz using A3E emission are available for scene of action search and rescue operations to ship, coast and aircraft stations. Communications in support of search and rescue operations must employ the frequency 121.500 MHz only when communications on 123.100 MHz or other VHF frequencies is not practicable. Ship, coast and aircraft
(2) The frequency 156.525 MHz is available for intership, ship and coast general purpose, distress and safety DSC calls.
(3) The frequency 156.800 MHz is the international radiotelephone distress, urgency, safety, call and reply frequency for ship, public and private coast stations. Stations operating on 156.800 MHz must be able to transmit and receive using G3E emission.
(4) The frequency 156.450 MHz (channel 9) is available for intership, ship and coast station general purpose calling by noncommercial vessels, such as recreational boats. Distress, urgency and safety calls should initially be made on 156.800 MHz (channel 16) or, if equipped with DSC, on 156.525 MHz (channel 70).
This section describes the radiotelephony working frequencies assignable to ship and public coast stations.
(a)
(b)
(1) The following table specifies the carrier frequencies available for assignment to public coast stations. The paired ship frequencies are available for use by authorized ship stations.
(2) The following table specifies the additional carrier frequencies available for assignment to public coast stations for public correspondence. The paired ship frequencies are available for use by authorized ship stations. The specific frequency assignment available to public coast stations for a particular geographic area is indicated by an “x” under the appropriate column. Table B is based on the initial Appendix 25 Allotment Arrangement published by the International Frequency Registration Board (IFRB) (
(3) The following table specifies the non-paired carrier frequencies that are available for assignment to public coast stations for simplex operations subject to the provision of paragraph (b)(4) of this section. These frequencies are available for use by authorized ship stations for transmissions to coast stations (simplex operations). Assignments on these frequencies must accept interference. They are shared with government users and are considered “common use” frequencies under the international Radio Regulations. They cannot be notified for inclusion in the Master International Frequency Register, which provides stations with interference protection, but may be listed in the international List of Coast Stations. (
(4) Applicants for these public coast frequencies specified in this section must submit a substantial showing of need based on the following factors:
(i) A schedule of each currently licensed working frequency in the 4000-27500 kHz band and the expected use of the proposed frequencies;
(ii) For additional frequencies within the same MHz band, a factual showing of the 3 busiest hours of any 4 days within a consecutive 10 day period for each of the 2 months immediately preceding the filing of the application indicating that the applicant has used its
(iii) Any other facts that support the need for the proposed assignment, e.g.,
(iv) For simplex frequencies listed in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, an additional showing supporting the use of simplex rather than duplex frequencies for the proposed situation.
(c)
(ii) Service areas in the marine VHF 156-162 MHz band are VHF Public Coast Station Areas (VPCSAs). As listed in the table in this paragraph, VPCSAs are based on, and composed of one or more of, the U.S Department of Commerce's 172 Economic Areas (EAs). See 60 FR 13114 (March 10, 1995). In addition, the Commission shall treat Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Gulf of Mexico as EA-like areas, and has assigned them EA numbers 173-176, respectively. Maps of the EAs and VPCSAs are available for public inspection and copying at the Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, room 8010, 2025 M Street, NW, Washington, DC. Except as shown in the table, the frequency pairs listed in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section are available for assignment to a single licensee in each of the VPCSAs listed in the table in this paragraph. In addition to the listed EAs listed in the table in this paragraph, each VPCSA also includes the adjacent waters under the jurisdiction of the United States.
(iii) Subject to paragraph (c)(3) of this section, each licensee may also operate on 12.5 kHz offset frequencies in areas where the licensee is authorized on both frequencies adjacent to the offset frequency, and in areas where the licensee on the other side of the offset frequency consents to the licensee's use of the adjacent offset frequency.
(2) Any recovered channel pairs will revert automatically to the holder of the VPCSA license within which such channels are included, except the channel pairs listed in the table in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section. Those channel pairs, and any channel pairs recovered where there is no VPCSA licensee, will be retained by the Commission for future licensing.
(3) VPCSA licensees may not operate on Channel 228B (162.0125 MHz), which is available for use in the Coast Guard's Ports and Waterways Safety System (PAWSS)). In addition, within six months of the conclusion of the competitive bidding procedures to determine the licensees in each VPCSA, the U.S. Coast Guard shall submit to each licensee of VPCSAs 1-9 a plan specifying up to two narrowband channel pairs offset 12.5 kHz from the channels set forth in the table in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section, for use in the PAWSS. The final selection of the PAWSS channel pairs can be negotiated (if the VPCSA licensee objects to the Coast Guard proposal, it shall make a counterproposal within three months) and established by an agreement between the parties. All parties are required to negotiate in good faith. If no agreement is reached within one year of the date the Coast Guard submitted its plan, the Coast Guard may petition the Commission to select the channel pairs.
(4) Subject to the requirements of § 80.21, each VPCSA licensee may place stations anywhere within its region without obtaining prior Commission approval provided:
(i) It provides to co-channel coast station incumbent licensees, and incumbent Private Land Mobile Radio licensees authorized under part 90 of this chapter on a primary basis, protection as defined in subpart P of this part. VPCSA licensees that share a common
(ii) The locations and/or technical parameters of the transmitters are such that individual coordination of the channel assignment(s) with a foreign administration, under applicable international agreements and rules in this part, is not required.
(iii) For any construction or alteration that would exceed the requirements of § 17.7 of this chapter, licensees must notify the appropriate Regional Office of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA Form 7460-1) and file a request for antenna height clearance and obstruction marking and lighting specifications (FCC Form 854) with the FCC, Attn: Information Processing Branch, 1270 Fairfield Rd., Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245.
(iv) The transmitters must not have a significant environmental effect as defined by §§ 1.1301 through 1.1319 of this chapter.
(d)
(e)
This section describes the carrier frequencies assignable for ship-to-ship and ship-to-coast private communications.
(a)
(1) Private coast stations must see J3E emission.
(2) On 2182 kHz, private coast stations must be capable of receiving J3E and H3E emissions.
(3) Except in the Mississippi River System and Great Lakes, private coast stations serving lakes or rivers are not authorized on the 2000-2850 kHz band.
(4) Private coast stations may use DSC for calling on their assigned frequencies in the 2000-27500 kHz band and on those frequencies in the 156-162 MHz band which are allocated for maritime control, commercial and non-commercial communications.
(b)
(1)
(2) Except for 2093.0 kHz and 2214.0 kHz the frequencies shown in paragraph (b)(1) of this section are authorized primarily for intership safety communications in the indicated geographic area.
(3) Except for the frequencies 2093.0 kHz, 2214.0 Khz and 2670.0 kHz the frequencies shown in paragraph (b)(1) of this section may be used on a non-interference basis to safety communications, for operational communications and in the case of commercial transport ships and ships of municipal and state governments, for business communications.
(4) Ship stations may communicate with government coast stations on 2003.0 kHz about passage of vessels. Interference must not be caused to communications on the St. Lawrence Seaway and on the St. Mary's River.
(5) Ship stations may use 2670.0 kHz for communications with coast and ship stations of the U.S. Coast Guard. When a ship is not equipped to transmit on 2670.0 kHz or in the band 156-162 MHz the frequency 2003.0 kHz may be used on the Great Lakes for communications must not cause harmful interference to intership safety, operational and business communications.
(6) Navigational communications between ships and private coast stations may be exchanged on 2738.0 kHz and 2830.0 kHz. The frequencies 2214.0 kHz2738.0 kHz and 2830.0 kHz are assignable to private coast stations upon a showing that they need to communicate with commercial transport or Government ships. Private coast station applicants must show that public coast stations do not provide the required communications and harmful interference will not be caused to the intership use of these frequencies. The transmitter power must not exceed 150 watts. If 2214.0 kHz is authorized for ships, intership communication is also authorized. The geographic limitations to the frequencies 2738.0 KHz and 2830.0 Khz do not prohibit intership communication of less than 320 km (200 statute miles) when only one of the ship stations is within a permitted use geographic area.
(7) Private aircraft stations may communicate with ship stations on 2738.0 kHz and 2830.0 kHz if:
(i) The communications are limited to business or operational needs of the vessel while it is engaged in commercial fishing activities in the open sea or adjacent waters;
(ii) Harmful interference must not be caused to intership communications;
(iii) The maximum output power used for such communication must not exceed 25 watts;
(c)
(2) Assignment of these frequencies is subject to the following general limitations:
(i) These frequencies are shared and are not available for the exclusive use of any station. No more than one frequency from each of the frequency bands will be authorized to a private station without justification;
(ii) The emissions must be J3E except that when DSC is used the emission must be F1B or J2B; and
(iii) Maximum transmitter output power is limited to 1 kW except as noted.
(d)
(2) Ship stations may conduct radioprinter communications with private coast stations on frequencies within these bands which are assigned to their associated private coast stations;
(3) Any alphanumeric code may be used; and
(4) The bandwidth of radioprinter communications on frequencies within these bands must not exceed 300 Hz.
(e)
(2) No protection is provided from harmful interference caused by foreign stations; and
(3) A private coast station must cease operations on a frequency that causes harmful interference to a foreign station.
(f)
(g) On-board communications: This section describes the carrier frequency pairs assignable for on-board mobile radiotelephony communications. The center of the on-board repeater antenna must not be located more than 3 meters (10 feet) above the ship's working deck. These frequencies are available on a shared basis with stations in the Business Radio Service.
(h)
(i)
(j)
Until implementation procedures and schedules are determined by a conference of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the bands 4000-4063 kHz and 8100-8195 kHz are allocated on a shared primary basis between the fixed service and the maritime mobile service; see § 2.106, note US236, of the Commission's Rules. Frequency assignments in the 4000-4063 kHz and 8100-8195 kHz bands are subject to coordination with government users. Additionally, coast station assignments in the 4000-4063 kHz band deviate from international provisions. Coast station assignments in the 4000-4063 kHz band are permitted provided that harmful interference is not caused to, and must accept interference from, stations operated by other countries in accordance with the Radio Regulations (
(a)
(1) A schedule of each currently licensed 4, 6, and 8 MHz frequency and the expected use of the proposed frequencies;
(2) For additional frequencies within the same MHz band, a factual showing of the 3 busiest hours of any 4 days within a consecutive 10 day period for each of the 2 months immediately preceding the filing of the application indicating that the applicant has used its currently assigned frequencies within the same MHz band an aggregate average of at least 40% of the 3 busiest hours of each day for exchanging communications; and
(3) Any other facts that support the need for the proposed assignment,
(b)
(i) Supplementary ship-to-shore duplex operations with coast stations assigned the frequencies described in § 80.371(b) of this part;
(ii) Intership simplex operations and cross-band operations;
(iii) Ship-to-shore or shore-to-ship simplex operations; or
(iv) Duplex operations with coast stations assigned in the band 4438-4650 kHz, as described in § 80.373(d) of this part.
(2) The following table describes the channelization of carrier frequencies in the 4000-4063 kHz band.
(c)
(i) Supplementary ship-to-shore duplex operations with coast stations assigned the frequencies described in § 80.371(b) of this part;
(ii) Intership simplex operations and cross-band operations; or
(iii) Ship-to-shore or shore-to-ship simplex operations.
(2) The following table describes the channelization of carrier frequencies in the 8100-8195 kHz band.
This section describes the carrier frequencies assignable to radiodetermination stations. Only direction finding radar stations will be authorized on land.
(a)
(1) Except in distress the assigned frequency for direction finding is 410 kHz;
(2) Ship stations may use 500 kHz for direction finding exclusively in Regions 1 and 3 outside areas of heavy radio traffic. Use must not interfere with distress urgency and safety signals or calls and replies.
(b)
(1) They are not permitted within the territorial waters of a foreign country;
(2) Their output power must not exceed 15 watts; and
(3) They must not cause interference to any maritime station in the radionavigation service.
(c)
(1) The use of these frequencies is related to the ship's commercial operations;
(2) The station antenna height does not exceed 6 meters (20 feet) above sea level in a buoy station or 6 meters (20 feet) above the mast of the ship in which it is installed.
(d)
(2) Assignment of these bands to ship and coast stations are subject to the following conditions:
(i) The 2450-2500 MHz band may be used only for radiolocation on the condition that harmful interference must not be caused to the fixed and mobile services. No protection is provided from interference caused by emissions from industrial, scientific, or medical equipment;
(ii) The use of the 2900-3100 MHz, 5470-5650 MHz and 9300-9500 MHz bands for radiolocation must not cause harmful interference to the radionavigation and Government radiolocation services. Additionally, the use of the 2900-3000 MHz band for radiolocation must not cause harmful interference to the Government meteorological aids service.
(iii) In the 2920-3100 MHz and 9320-9500 MHz bands the use of fixed-frequency transponders for radionavigation is not permitted;
(iv) Non-Government radiolocation stations may be authorized in the 5460-5470 MHz band on the condition that harmful interference shall not be caused to the aeronautical or maritime radionavigation services or to Government radiolocation service;
(v) The use of the 5460-5650 MHz band for radionavigation is limited to shipborne radar;
(vi) The use of the 14.00-14.05 GHz band will be authorized only for test purposes and maritime radionavigation on a secondary basis to the fixed-satellite service; and
(vii) Selectable transponders must be authorized under Part 5 of the Commission rules until technical standards for their use are developed.
(3) In addition to the conditions in (2) of this paragraph ship stations are subject to the following conditions:
(i) Transponders used for safety purposes will be authorized in the 2900-3100 MHz, 5470-5650 MHz and 9300-9500 MHz bands. Transponders used for non-safety purposes will be confined to the 2930-2950 MHz, 5470-5480 MHz and 9300-9500 MHz subbands only;
(ii) In the 2900-2920 MHz and 9300-9320 MHz subbands the use of radars other than those installed prior to January 2, 1976, is not permitted;
(iii) In the 2920-3100 MHz and 9320-9500 MHz bands non-selectable transponders will be authorized only for safety purposes;
(iv) Non-selectable transponders must not be used to enhance detection of marine craft;
(4) In the 2920-3100 MHz and 9320-9500 MHz bands shore station radar transponders used only as racons will be authorized.
(e) In addition to the other technical requirements contained in subpart E of this part search and rescue transponder stations must meet the following technical standards contained in the latest international Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR) Recommendation 628 titled “Technical Characteristics for a Search and Rescue Radar Transponder”:
(1) Operate in the 9300-9500 MHz band;
(2) Be horizontally polarized at their source;
(3) Have an effective receiver sensitivity including its antenna gain better than −50 dBm;
(4) Operate within specifications between the temperatures of −20 and +50 degrees Celsius;
(5) Operate within specifications for at least 48 hours at 0 degrees Celsius without changing batteries;
(6) Have a sawtooth sweep with a 5 microseconds
(7) Have a pulse emission of 100 microseconds maximum duration;
(8) Have a recovery time following excitation of 10 microseconds or less;
(9) Have a delay between receipt of a radar signal and start of transmissions of 1.25 microseconds or less;
(10) Have an antenna whose vertical beamwidth is no less than 25 degrees and its azimuthal beamwidth is omnidirectional within 2 dB; and
(11) Suppress interference caused by the interrogating radar antenna's sidelobes.
The frequency band 1626.5-1645.5 MHz is assignable for communication, radiodetermination and telecommand messages, and developmental operations that are associated with the position, orientation and operational functions of maritime satellite equipment. The frequency band 1645.5-1646.5 MHz is reserved for use in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
This section describes the maritime frequencies assignable to aircraft stations for simplex operations:
(a) Available frequencies:
(b) The conditions of use of the carrier frequencies in paragraph (a) of this section, are:
(1) For permissible geographic areas of operation see § 80.373(b)(1). For other limitations see § 80.373(b)(7);
(2) Aircraft and ship stations may use 3023.0 kHz and 5680.0 kHz for search and rescue scene-of-action coordination including communications between these stations and participating land stations. Stations using these frequencies must use J3E emission;
(3) Assignable for distress and safety communications between aircraft and maritime mobile stations;
(4) Assignable for search and rescue between ships and aircraft. Stations using these frequencies must use A3E emission;
(5) These frequencies may be used by aircraft stations when:
(i) The altitude of aircraft stations does not exceed 300 meters (1,000 feet), except for reconnaissance aircraft participating in icebreaking operations where an altitude of 450 meters (1,500 feet) is allowed;
(ii) The mean power of aircraft stations must not exceed five watts;
(iii) Communications are limited to operations in which the maritime mobile stations are primarily involved and where direct communications between the aircraft and the ship or coast station is required;
(iv) Stations may use 156.300 MHz for safety purposes only;
(v) Stations may use 156.800 MHz for distress, safety and calling only; and
(vi) Use of 156.375 MHz by aircraft is not permitted in the New Orleans VTS area specified in §80.383.
(6) The use of 157.100 MHz is limited to communications with stations of the Department of Interior at Lake Mead, Nevada; and
(7) Commercial fishing vessels and associated aircraft may use 157.425 MHz while engaged in commercial fishing activities except within 120 km (75 miles) of the United States/Canada border and Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca and its approaches, the Great Lakes, and the St. Lawrence Seaway.
The following carrier frequencies in the 72-76 MHz band are assignable to operational fixed stations using vertical polarization, if no harmful interference is caused to TV reception on Channels 4 and 5. These frequencies are shared with the Land Mobile and Aviation Radio Services.
This section describes the carrier frequencies available for use in the Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) systems within the designated geographic radio protected areas.
(a) Assigned frequencies:
(b) The U.S. Coast Guard designated radio protection areas for VTS are as follows:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(c) The use of the frequencies shown in paragraph (a) of this section is permitted in areas outside the Coast Guard radio protection areas provided there is no interference to VTS communications within the VTS areas.
This section describes the carrier frequencies for the Automated Maritime Telecommunications System (AMTS) and for other automated multi-station systems.
(a)
(2) The following carrier frequency pairs are available for radiotelephony, facsimile and teleprinter communications. AMTS operations must not cause harmful interference to the U.S. Navy SPASUR system which operates in the band 216.880-217.080 MHz.
(3) Channels in the 219-220 MHz band are also used on a secondary, non-interference basis by amateur stations participating in digital message forwarding systems. Amateur stations may not cause harmful interference to AMTS operations and must accept any harmful interference from AMTS operation. Amateur stations within 80 km (50 miles) of an AMTS coast station must obtain written approval from the AMTS licensee prior to operating in the 219-220 MHz band. Amateur stations within 640 km (398 miles) of an AMTS coast station must notify the AMTS licensee in writing at least 30
(b)
(c)
(a) The carrier frequencies listed in (b) of this section are assignable for point-to-point simplex radiotelephone communications between private fixed stations in Alaska. The frequency pairs listed in paragraph (d) of this section are assignable for point-to-point duplex radiotelephone communications between private and public fixed stations in Alaska. Fixed stations in Alaska authorized to share carrier frequencies with the maritime mobile service must always give priority on such frequencies to maritime distress, urgency and safety communications.
(b)
(c) Use of the frequencies in paragraph (b) of this section must meet the following conditions:
(1) Communications between private coast and private fixed stations are prohibited; and
(2) Station licensees must not charge for third party communication services between their station and any other private fixed station.
(d) The following carrier frequency pairs are assignable for point-to-point communications between public fixed and private fixed stations:
(e) The public fixed station frequencies are assignable to common carriers.
(f) The private fixed station frequencies described in paragraph (d) of this section are assignable to private entities located in areas where common carrier facilities are not available. Private fixed stations operating on the frequencies in paragraph (d) of this section, must communicate with public fixed stations only. Private fixed stations are permitted to provide third party communications between their station and the public fixed stations. A charge for such service is prohibited.
(g) U.S. Government frequencies will be authorized if the Commission determines that the assignment is in the public interest.
(a)
(b)
(a) Ship and shore stations engaged in developmental operations may be assigned any frequency or frequencies assignable to the service and class of station they propose to operate. The following frequency bands are also assignable to ships and coast stations for developmental operations:
(b) Stations authorized to conduct developmental operations are prohibited from communicating with any station of a country other than the United States.
(c) Stations authorized to conduct developmental operations must not cause harmful interference to the operation of stations authorized in other public services nor to any United States Government or foreign station.
Licensees of radio stations are required to have current station documents as indicated in the following table:
1. The expired station license must be retained in the station records until the first Commission inspection after the expiration date.
2. Alternatively, a list of coast stations maintained by the licensee with which communications are likely to be conducted, showing watchkeeping hours, frequencies and charges, is authorized.
3. Required only if station provides a service to oceangoing vessels.
4. Certification of a Great Lakes Agreement inspection may be made by either a log entry or issuance of a Great Lakes Agreement certificate. Radiotelephone logs containing entries certifying that a Great Lakes Agreement inspection has been conducted must be retained and be available for inspection by the FCC for 2 years after the date of the inspection.
Station documents must be readily available to the licensed operator(s) on duty during the hours of service of the station and to authorized Commission employees upon request.
(a)
(b)
(c)
This section contains information and rules pertinent to the application for and posting of radio operator authorizations. Rules applicable to radio operator requirements are contained in subpart D of this part and other rules pertinent to commercial radio operators are contained in part 13 of this chapter.
(a)
(b)
(1) A voluntary station;
(2) Any class of ship station when the operator is on board solely to service the radio equipment; or
(3) A portable station.
(a)
(1) The log must be kept in an orderly manner. The required information for the particular class or category of station must be readily available. Key letters or abbreviations may be used if their proper meaning or explanation is contained elsewhere in the same log.
(2) Erasures, obliterations or willful destruction within the retention period are prohibited. Corrections may be made only by the person originating the entry by striking out the error, initialing the correction and indicating the date of correction.
(3) Ship station logs must identify the vessel name, country of registry, and official number of the vessel.
(4) The station licensee and the radio operator in charge of the station are responsible for the maintenance of station logs.
(b)
(1) Logs must be retained by the licensee for a period of two years from the date of entry, and, when applicable, for such additional periods as required by the following paragraphs:
(i) Logs relating to a distress situation or disaster must be retained for three years from the date of entry.
(ii) If the Commission has notified the licensee of an investigation, the related logs must be retained until the licensee is specifically authorized in writing to destroy them.
(iii) Logs relating to any claim or complaint of which the station licensee has notice must be retained until the claim or complaint has been satisfied
(2) Logs containing entries required by paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section must be kept at the principal radiotelephone operating location while the vessel is being navigated. All entries in their original form must be retained on board the vessel for at least 30 days from the date of entry. Additionally, logs required by paragraph (f) of this section must be retained on board the vessel for a period of 2 years from the date of the last inspection of the ship radio station.
(3) Ship radiotelegraph logs must be kept in the principal radiotelegraph operating room during the voyage.
(c)
(1) “ON DUTY” must be entered by the operator beginning a duty period, followed by the operator's signature. “OFF DUTY” must be entered by the operator being relieved of or terminating duty, followed by the operator's signature.
(2) The date and time of making an entry must be shown opposite the entry.
(3) Failure of equipment to operate as required and incidents tending to unduly delay communication must be entered.
(4) All measurements of the transmitter frequency(ies) must be entered with a statement of any corrective action taken.
(5) Entries must be made giving details of all work performed which may affect the proper operation of the station. The entry must be made, signed and dated by the operator who supervised or performed the work and, unless the operator is regularly employed on a full-time basis at the station, must also include the mailing address, class, serial number, and expiration date of the operator license.
(6) Entries must be made about the operation of the antenna tower lights when the radio station has an antenna structure requiring illumination by part 17 of this chapter.
(7) All distress or safety related calls transmitted or received must be entered, together with the frequency used and the position of any vessel in need of assistance.
(8) Coast stations which maintain a watch on 500 kHz must enter the time this watch is begun, suspended or ended.
(d)
(1) The date and time of each occurrence or incident required to be entered in the log must be shown opposite the entry and the time must be expressed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
(2) “ON WATCH” must be entered by the operator beginning a watch, followed by the operator's signature. “OFF WATCH” must be entered by the operator being relieved or terminating a watch, followed by the operator's signature. All log entries must be completed by the end of each watch.
(3) During the watch, all calls and replies to and from the station must be entered to include the time, frequencies, and call letters of the station communicated with or heard. Also, any messages exchanged must be entered to include the time, frequency, and call letters of the station(s) communicated with or heard.
(4) During the watch, an entry must be made twice per hour stating whether the international silence period was observed. Entries must also be made indicating any signals or communications heard on 500 kilohertz during this period. If no signals are heard on 500 kHz, an entry to that effect must be made.
(5) The time and reason for discontinuance and the time of resuming the watch must be entered when the 500 kHz watch is discontinued.
(6) All distress calls, automatic-alarm signals, urgency and safety signals made or intercepted, the complete text, if possible, or distress messages and distress communications, and any incidents or occurrences which may appear to be of importance to safety of life or property at sea, must be entered, together with the time of such observation or occurrence and the position of the ship or other mobile unit in need of assistance.
(7) The position of the ship at least once per day.
(8) A daily entry must be made comparing the radio station clock with standard time, including errors observed and corrections made. For this purpose, authentic radio time signals received from land or fixed stations will be acceptable as standard time.
(9) All test transmissions must be entered, including the time of the transmissions and the approximate geographical location of the vessel.
(10) Any failure of equipment to operate as required and any incidents tending to unduly delay communications must be entered.
(11) A ship required to keep a radiotelegraph watch on 500 kHz must meet the following:
(i) Entries must be made of the results of tests of the emergency installation including transmitter antenna current, hydrometer readings of lead-acid storage batteries, voltage readings of other types of batteries, and quantity of fuel available for engine generators.
(ii) When the vessel is in the open sea, a log entry must be made each time the emergency power supply is used to carry on a communication other than during a safety watch.
(iii) When the vessel is in the open sea, a daily entry must be made showing whether the storage batteries were brought up to the normal full charge condition that day.
(iv) Entries must be made stating when each storage battery is placed on charge or off charge.
(v) Entries must be made about maintenance of survival craft radio equipment, including a record of charging of any storage batteries supplying power to such equipment. The record of charging must show when such storage battery is placed on charge and when it is taken off charge.
(vi) Results of inspections and tests of survival craft radio equipment, prior to departure of the vessel from a harbor or port and weekly inspections, must be entered.
(vii) On a cargo vessel equipped with an auto alarm, the entry “AUTO ALARM ON” and the entry “AUTO ALARM OFF”, respectively, must be made whenever the operator places the auto alarm in and out of operation. Results of the required auto alarm tests must be entered daily, including the minimum number of 4-second dashes from the testing device which were necessary to properly operate the alarm.
(viii) On a cargo vessel equipped with an auto alarm, a log entry must be made whenever the auto alarm becomes inoperative. The entry must include a statement showing the time the operator was called to make repairs; the reason for the failure; parts changed; repairs; and the time the auto alarm was restored to service.
(e)
(1) A summary of all distress, urgency and safety traffic;
(2) A summary of communications conducted on other than VHF frequencies between the ship station and land or mobile stations;
(3) A reference to important service incidents;
(4) The position of the ship at least once a day;
(5) The name of the operator at the beginning and end of the watch period;
(6) The time the watch begins when the vessel leaves port, and the time it ends when the ship reaches port;
(7) The time the watch is discontinued, including the reason, and the time the watch is resumed;
(8) The times when storage batteries provided as a part of the required radiotelephone installation are placed on charge and taken off charge;
(9) Results of required equipment tests, including specific gravity of lead-acid storage batteries and voltage reading of other types of batteries provided as a part of the compulsory installation;
(10) Results of inspections and tests of compulsorily fitted lifeboat radio equipment;
(11) A daily statement about the condition of the required radiotelephone equipment, as determined by either normal communication or test communication;
(12) When the master is notified about improperly operating radiotelephone equipment.
(f)
(1) Radiotelephony stations subject to the Communications Act, the Safety Convention, or the Bridge-to-Bridge Act must record entries indicated by paragraphs (e)(1) through (e)(12) of this section. Additionally, the radiotelephone log must provide an easily identifiable, separate section relating to the required inspection of the ship's radio station. Entries must be made in this section giving at least the following information.
(i) For ships that pass the inspection:
(A) The date the inspection was conducted.
(B) The date by which the next inspection needs to completed.
(C) The inspector's printed name, address and class of FCC license (including the serial number).
(D) The results of the inspection, including any repairs made.
(E) The inspector's signed and dated certification that the vessel meets the requirements of the Communications Act and, if applicable, the Safety Convention and the Bridge-to-Bridge Act contained in subparts Q, R, S, U, or W of this part and has successfully passed the inspection.
(F) The vessel owner, operator, or ship's master's certification that the inspection was satisfactory.
(ii) For ships that fail the inspection:
(A) The date the inspection was conducted.
(B) The inspector's printed name, address and class of FCC license (including the serial number).
(C) The reason that the ship did not pass the inspection.
(D) The date and time that the ship's owner, operator or master was notified that the ship failed the inspection.
(2) Radiotelephony stations subject to the Great Lakes Agreement and the Bridge-to-Bridge Act must record entries indicated by paragraphs (e) (1), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (11) and (12) of this section. Additionally, the radiotelephone log must provide an easily identifiable, separate section relating to the required inspection of the ship's radio station. Entries must be made in this section giving at least the following information:
(i) The date the inspection was conducted;
(ii) The date by which the next inspection needs to be completed;
(iii) The inspector's printed name, address and class of FCC license (including the serial number);
(iv) The results of the inspection, including any repairs made;
(v) The inspector's signed and dated certification that the vessel meets the requirements of the Great Lakes Agreement and the Bridge-to-Bridge Act contained in subparts T and U of this part and has successfully passed the inspection; and
(vi) The vessel owner, operator, or ship's master's certification that the inspection was satisfactory.
(3) Radiotelephony stations subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act must record entries indicated by paragraphs (e) (1), (5), (6), (7), (11) and (12) of this section.
(a)
(b)
(a) The licensee of an on-board station must keep equipment records which show:
(1) The ship name and identification of the on-board station;
(2) The number and type of repeater and mobile units used on-board the vessel; and
(3) The date and type of equipment which is added or removed from the on-board station.
(b) [Reserved]
(a) The following publications listed in the table contained in § 80.401 are published by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU):
(1) Manual for Use of the Maritime Mobile and Maritime Mobile-Satellite Services.
(2) List IV—List of Coast Stations.
(3) List V—List of Ship Stations.
(4) List VI—List of Radiodetermination and Special Services Stations.
(5) List VII A—Alphabetical List of Call Signs of Stations Used by the Maritime Mobile Service, Ship Station Selective Call Numbers or Signals and Coast Station Identification Numbers or Signals.
(b) The publications listed in paragraph (a) of this section may be purchased from:
The Commission's printed publications are described in subpart C of part 0 of this chapter. These publications may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. The Commission does not furnish copies of these publications but will furnish a price list, Information Services and Publications-Bulletin No. 1, upon request. Requests for copies of this list should be directed to the Office of Public Affairs, Public Service Division, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC 20554.
A public coast station license may be granted to any person meeting the citizenship provisions of § 80.15(b).
Public coast stations provide ship/shore radiotelephone and radiotelegraph services.
(a) Public coast stations are authorized to communicate:
(1) With any ship or aircraft station operating in the maritime mobile service, for the transmission or reception of safety communication;
(2) With any land station to exchange safety communications to or from a ship or aircraft station;
(3) With Government and non-Government ship and aircraft stations to exchange public correspondence;
(4) With units on land in accordance with § 80.123.
(b) Public coast stations are authorized to communicate with a designated station at a remote fixed location where other communication facilities are not available.
(c) Public coast stations are authorized to transmit meteorological and navigational information of benefit to mariners.
(d) Each public coast telegraphy station is authorized to communicate with other public coast telegraphy stations to exchange message traffic destined to or originated at mobile stations:
(1) To exchange operating signals, brief service messages or safety communication;
(2) To exchange message traffic destined for a mobile station when the coast station initially concerned is unable to communicate directly with the mobile station;
(3) In the Great Lakes region, to exchange message traffic originated at a
(4) Utilization of radiotelegraphy must not incur additional charges or replace available point-to-point communication facilities;
(5) Only authorized working frequencies within the band 415 kHz to 5000 kHz must be employed for communications between coast stations;
(6) Harmful interference must not be caused to communication between mobile stations and coast stations or between mobile stations.
(a) The frequencies designated in §§ 80.355 and 80.357 may be licensed for use by coast stations employing telegraphy.
(b) [Reserved]
Subpart H of this part lists frequencies assignable for DSC.
Subpart H of this part lists the frequencies assignable to public coast stations for operations with ship stations. Operating procedures are listed in subpart C of this part.
Subpart H of this part lists the frequencies available for assignment to public coast stations for telephony operations.
No duplication of service areas as determined by subpart P of this part will be permitted by public coast stations operating on the same VHF public correspondence channel. Within the service area of a station, the ratio of desired to undesired co-channel signal strengths on public correspondence channels must be at least 12dB.
(a) Maritime mobile repeater stations are authorized to extend the range of communication between a VHF public coast station located in Alaska and ship stations.
(b) On a secondary basis, maritime mobile repeater stations may be authorized to extend the range of a private coast station:
(1) In an area where VHF common carrier service is not available;
(2) A maritime mobile repeater station license expires 60 days after a public coast station in the area begins service.
(c) Each application for a maritime mobile repeater station must include a statement showing why operational fixed frequencies cannot be employed.
(d) The provisions relating to duplication of service described in subpart P apply to maritime mobile repeater stations.
(e) The frequencies 157.275 and 161.875 MHz are assignable to maritime mobile repeater stations.
(f) Each maritime mobile repeater station must:
(1) Deactivate automatically within 5 seconds after the signals controlling the station cease; and
(2) During periods when it is not controlled from a manned control point, deactivate automatically not more than 20 minutes after its activation by a mobile unit.
A public coast station must not discontinue or impair service unless authorized to do so by the Commission.
(a) AMTS applicants proposing to serve inland waterways must show how the proposed system will provide continuity of service along more than 60%
(1) Applicants proposing to locate a coast station transmitter within 169 kilometers (105 miles) of a channel 13 television station or within 129 kilometers (80 miles) of a channel 10 television station or with an antenna height greater than 61 meters (200 feet) must submit an engineering study clearly showing the means of avoiding interference with television reception within the grade B contour. See § 80.215(h).
(2) Additionally, applicants required to submit the above specified must give written notice of the filing of such application(s) to the television stations which may be affected. A list of the notified television stations must be submitted with the subject applications.
(b) In lieu of public correspondence service an AMTS system may provide private coast station communications related to the operational requirements of ships including transmissions of fuel, weather, position and supply reports. However, such communications may be provided only to ship stations whose licensees make cooperative arrangements with the AMTS coast station licensees. In emergency and distress situations, services must be provided without prior arrangements.
(a) AMTS coast stations may communicate with fixed platform stations located in the offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico, with ship stations, and with land units in accordance with § 80.123.
(b) AMTS licensees in the offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico may use AMTS coast and ship station frequencies on a secondary basis for fixed service communications to support offshore AMTS operations.
(c) AMTS service may be provided to any vessel within communication service range of an AMTS station even though the vessel may not be operating within the confines of a served waterway.
(a) The frequencies assignable to AMTS stations are listed in subpart H of this part. These frequencies are assignable to ship and public coast stations for voice, facsimile and radioteletypewriter communications.
(b) [Reserved]
(a) A private coast station or a marine utility station may be granted only to a person who is:
(1) Regularly engaged in the operation, docking, direction, construction, repair, servicing or management of one or more commercial transport vessels or United States, state or local government vessels; or is
(2) Responsible for the operation, control, maintenance or development of a harbor, port or waterway used by commercial transport vessels; or is
(3) Engaged in furnishing a ship arrival and departure service, and will employ the station only for the purpose of obtaining the information essential to that service; or is
(4) A corporation proposing to furnish a nonprofit radio communication service to its parent corporation, to another subsidiary of the same parent, or to its own subsidiary where the party
(5) A nonprofit corporation or association, organized to furnish a maritime mobile service solely to persons who operate one or more commercial transport vessels; or is
(6) Responsible for the operation of bridges, structures or other installations that area part of, or directly related to, a harbor, port or waterway when the operation of such facilities requires radio communications with vessels for safety or navigation; or is
(7) A person controlling public moorage facilities; or is
(8) A person servicing or supplying vessels other than commercial transport vessels; or is
(9) An organized yacht club with moorage facilities; or is
(10) A nonprofit organization providing noncommercial communications to vessels other than commercial transport vessels.
(b) Each application for station authorization for a private coast station or a marine utility station must be accompanied by a statement indicating eligibility under paragraph (a) of this section.
(a) A person engaged in the operation of one or more commercial transport vessels or government vessels may receive maritime mobile service from a private coast station or a marine utility station on shore even though not the licensee of the private coast station or the marine utility station. Restrictions on cooperative arrangements are as follows:
(1) Foreign persons must be the licensees of the radio stations installed on board their vessels.
(2) The licensee of a private coast station or marine utility station on shore may install ship radio stations on board United States commercial transport vessels of other persons. In each case these persons must enter into a written agreement verifying that the ship station licensee has the sole right of control of the ship stations, that the vessel operators must use the ship stations subject to the orders and instructions of the coast station or marine utility station on shore, and that the ship station licensee will have sufficient control of the ship station to enable it to carry out its responsibilities under the ship station license.
(b) Cooperative arrangements are limited concerning cost and charges as follows:
(1) The arrangement must be established on a non-profit, cost-sharing basis by written contract. A copy of the contract must be kept with the station records and made available for inspection by Commission representatives.
(2) Contributions to capital and operating expenses are to be prorated on an equitable basis among all persons who are parties to the cooperative arrangement. Records which reflect the cost of the service and its nonprofit, cost-sharing nature must be maintained by the licensee of the station and made available for inspection by Commission representatives.
(a) Private coast stations and marine utility stations are authorized to communicate:
(1) With any mobile station in the maritime mobile service for the exchange of safety communications;
(2) With any land station for the purpose of aiding the exchange of safety communications;
(3) With ship stations.
(b) Private coast stations of the same licensee may be authorized to communicate on a secondary basis between themselves if:
(1) The communications are confined exclusively to those for which authority has been granted the coast station, and concerns ships with which one or both of the coast stations are authorized to communicate; and
(2) Other satisfactory point-to-point communication facilities between the coast stations are unavailable; and
(3) Coast stations which communicate with each other are not more than 160 km (100 miles) apart; and
(4) Harmful interference is not cause to mobile stations.
(c) A private coast station and associated marine utility stations serving
(a) A private coast station or marine utility station using telephony serves the operational and business needs of ships including the transmission of safety communication.
(b) In areas where environmental communications are provided by U.S. Government stations or by public coast stations, private coast stations and marine utility stations on shore must not duplicate that service. In other areas, private coast stations and marine utility stations on shore may transmit weather and hydrographic information required for the ships with which they normally communicate. Private coast stations may provide environmental communication service in areas where adequate service is not available.
(c) Each marine utility station on shore must be operated as a private coast station except that it may be operated at temporary unspecified locations. Marine utility stations on ships are operated as ship stations.
(d) Each private coast station is authorized by rule to use hand-held marine radios in the vicinity of the station's fixed transmitter site on those frequencies assigned to the private coast station. Hand-held communications must conform to those normally permitted under a marine utility station authorization and must be limited to contact with the associated private coast station and ship stations in the vicinity of the private coast station.
Frequencies assignable to private coast stations and marine utility stations are listed in subpart H.
(a) Only one port operation, one commercial and one non-commerical frequency will be assigned to a private coast station or marine utility station. Applications for authority to use more than one frequency in any one of the above three categories must include a showing of need as specified below.
(b) An application for an additional frequency by a person who services vessels, must include a description of the vessels with which communication is planned and a statement that the applicant has personal knowledge that the ship radio stations are not capable of operating on working frequencies already assigned to the coast station.
(c) An application for an additional frequency based on congestion of the assigned frequency must show that for any four periods of 5 consecutive days each, in the preceeding 6 months, the assigned frequency was in use at least 25 percent of the time during 3 hours of daily peak activity. If the application for an additional frequency is based on the congestion by other nearby stations, the showing must include the call signs and locations of such stations.
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section each application for a new VHF private coast station license or modification of an existing license to be located in an area having a recognized frequency coordinating committee must be accompanied by:
(1) A report based on a field study, indicating the degree of probable interference to existing stations operating in the same area. The applicant must consider all stations operating on the working frequency or frequencies requested or assigned within 80 km (50 miles) of the proposed station location, and
(2) The report must include a statement that all existing licensees on the frequency within 80 km (50 miles) and the frequency coordinating committee have been notified of the applicant's intention to file an application. The notice of intention to file must provide
(b) Applications for modification need not be accompanied by the field study where the modification does not involve any change in frequency(ies), power, emission, antenna height, antenna location or area of operation.
(c)(1) In lieu of the field study, a statement from a frequency coordinating committee may be submitted with the application. The committee must comment on the requested frequency or the proposed changes in the authorized station and give an opinion regarding the probable interference to existing stations. The committee must consider all stations operating on the requested frequency within 80 km (50 miles) of the proposed station location. The frequency coordinating committee statement must also recommend a frequency which will result in the least amount of interference to proposed and existing stations. Committee recommendations may also include comments on technical factors and may recommend restrictions to minimize interference.
(2) A frequency coordinating committee must be representative of all persons who are eligible for VHF private coast stations within the service area of the recognized frequency coordinating committee. A statement of organization, service area and composition of the committee must be submitted to the Commission for approval. The functions of any coordinating committee are purely advisory to the applicant and the Commission. Its recommendations are not binding upon either the applicant or the Commission.
This section contains the names of organizations that have been recognized by the Commission to serve as marine VHF frequency coordinating committees for their respective areas. For frequency advisory committee mailing address information, write or call: FCC, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Customer Services Division, Consumer Assistance Branch, Gettysburg, PA 17326. Phone: 800-322-1117.
(a) The Southern California Marine Radio Council serves the California counties of Santa Barbara, Kern, San Bernardino, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial and the Channel Islands.
(b) The North Pacific Marine Radio Council serves the following counties in the State of Washington: Clallam, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, and Whatcom.
A private coast station or marine utility station using telephony must:
(a) Not be used for public correspondence;
(b) Not be used to transmit program material for radio broadcasting; and
(c) Not be used to transmit press material or news items which are not required to serve the needs of ships.
All communication engaged in by private coast stations and marine utility stations must be limited to the minimum practicable transmission time. Each station licensee must employ standardized operating practices and procedures.
(a) Stations must identify transmissions by announcing in the English language the station's assigned call sign. In lieu of the identification of the station by voice, the official call sign may be transmitted by tone-modulated telegraphy in international Morse Code manually or by means of an automatic device approved by the Commission. Transmissions on the navigation frequency (156.650 MHz) by stations on drawbridges may be identified by use of the name of the bridge in lieu of the call sign. Identification must be made:
(1) At the beginning and end of each exchange of communications and;
(2) At intervals not exceeding 15 minutes whenever transmissions or communications are sustained for more than 15 minutes.
(b) Marine utility stations, private coast stations, and associated hand-held radios, when exchanging communications, may be identified by a unit identifier in lieu of the call sign. Identification by transmission of the assigned call sign must be at the end of the exchange or at least once every 15 minutes.
This subpart contains rules applicable to operational fixed stations.
An applicant for an operational fixed station must show that:
(a) The applicant is the licensee of a coast station;
(b) Other suitable telecommunications facilities are not available to satisfy coast station requirements.
An operational fixed station provides control, repeater or relay functions for its associated coast station.
The specific frequencies for these stations are listed in subpart H of this part.
Operational fixed stations are subject to the following licensing limitations:
(a) A maximum of four frequencies will be assigned.
(b) Stations will not be authorized when applications indicate less than 16 km (10 miles) separation between a proposed station and a TV transmitter operating on either Channel 4 or 5, or from the post office of a community in which either channel is assigned but not in operation.
(c) Stations located between 16 km (10 miles) and 128 km (80 miles) of a TV transmitter operating on either Channel 4 or 5, or from the post office of a community in which either channel is assigned but not in operation, are secondary to TV operations within the Grade B service contour.
Stations on land in the Maritime Radiodetermination Service provide a radionavigation or radiolocation service for ships.
The frequencies available for assignment to shore radionavigation/radiolocation stations are contained in subpart H of this part.
(a) Radionavigation coast stations operated to provide information to aid in the movement of any ship are private aids to navigation. Before submitting an application for an radionavigation station, an applicant must obtain written permission from the cognizant Coast Guard District Commander at the area in which the device will be located. Documentation of the Coast Guard approval must be submitted with the application.
Surveillance radar coast stations do not require U.S. Coast Guard approval.
(b) Applications for certification of coast and ship station transponders must include a description of the technical characteristics of the equipment including the scheme of interrogation and the characteristics of the transponder response. When a certification application in submitted to the Commission a copy of such application must be submitted concurrently to: Commandant (G-TTS-3), U.S. Coast Guard, Washington, DC 20593.
(c) Prior to submitting an application for a non-selectable transponder coast station license in the 2920-3100 MHz or 9320-9500 MHz band the applicant must submit a letter requesting written approval of the proposed station to the cognizant Coast Guard District Commander of the area in which the device will be located. The letter must include:
(1) The necessity for the station;
(2) The latitude and longitude of its position;
(3) The transponder antenna height above sea level;
(4) The antenna azimuth response (angle of directivity);
(5) The manufacturer and model number of the transponder;
(6) The identifying Morse character for transponders used as racons;
(7) The name and address of the person responsible for the operation and maintenance of the station;
(8) The time and date during which it is proposed to operate the station; and
(9) The maximum station e.i.r.p. if it would exceed 5 watts.
A copy of the request and the U.S. Coast Guard approval must be submitted to the Commission with the station license application.
(d) Prior to submitting an application for a non-selectable transponder ship station license in the 2920-3100 MHz or 9320-9500 MHz band the applicant must submit a letter requesting approval of the proposed station to: Commandant (G-NSR), U.S. Coast Guard, Washington, DC 20593. The letter must include the name, address and telephone number of a person or a point of contact responsible for the operation of the device, the specific need for the station, the name of the associated ship, the area in which the transponder will be used, and the hours of operation. A copy of the request and the U.S. Coast Guard approval must be submitted to the Commission with the station license application.
At 63 FR 36607, July 7, 1998,§ 80.605, paragraph (b) was amended by removing the term “type acceptance” each place it appears and adding in its place “certification”, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
(a) An applicant for a maritime support station must demonstrate a requirement for training personnel associated with the maritime service or for the testing, demonstration or maintenance of ship or coast radio equipment.
(b) [Reserved]
(a) Maritime support stations are land stations authorized to operate at permanent locations or temporary unspecified locations.
(b) Maritime support stations are authorized to conduct the following operations:
(1) Training of personnel in maritime telecommunications;
(2) Transmissions necessary for the test and maintenance of maritime radio equipment at repair shops and at temporary unspecified locations;
(3) Transmissions necessary to test the technical performance of the licensee's public coast station(s) radiotelephone receiver(s); and
(4) Transmissions necessary for radar/racon equipment demonstration.
(a) The frequencies available for assignment to maritime support stations are described or listed in:
(1) Section 80.373 for scope of communications described in § 80.653(b)(1);
(2) Sections 80.373 and 80.385 for scope of communications described in § 80.653(b)(2); and
(3) Section 80.389 for scope of communications described in § 80.653 (b)(3) and (4).
(b) Frequencies must be used only on a secondary, non-interference basis to operational maritime communications.
(c) Use of frequencies assigned to services other than the maritime radiolocation service is limited to one hour per twenty four hour period.
The authorized frequency tolerance, class of emission, bandwidth, and transmitter power for maritime support stations are contained in subpart E of this part under the category associated with the intended use except for power limitations imposed upon stations operating within the scope of § 80.653(b)(3), which are further limited by the provisions of § 80.215(f).
There are two classes of Alaska Fixed stations. Alaska-public fixed stations are common carriers, open to public correspondence, which operate on the paired duplex channels listed in subpart H of this part. Alaska-private fixed stations may operate on simplex frequencies listed in subpart H of this part to communicate with other Alaska private fixed stations or with ship stations, and on duplex frequencies listed in subpart H of this part when communicating with the Alaska-public fixed stations. Alaska-private fixed stations must not charge for service, although third party traffic may be transmitted. Only Alaska-public fixed stations are authorized to charge for communication services.
Alaska-public fixed stations, when operating on an authorized carrier frequency which is also used by the maritime mobile service, must give priority to distress, urgency or safety signals, or to any communication preceded by one of these signals.
Each Alaska-public fixed station whose hours of service are not continuous must not suspend operations before having concluded all communications of an emergency nature.
(a) Only one Alaska-public fixed station will be authorized to serve any area whose point-to-point communication needs can be adequately served by a single radio communication facility.
(b) Each radio channel authorized for use by an Alaska-private fixed station is available on a shared basis only. All station licensees must cooperate in the use of their respective frequency assignments to minimize interference.
Frequencies assignable to Alaska fixed stations are listed in subpart H of this part.
Alaska-public fixed stations may be authorized to use frequencies assigned to U.S. Government radio stations for communications with Government stations or for coordination of Government activities.
This subpart specifies receiver antenna terminal requirements in terms of power, and relates the power available at the receiver antenna terminals to transmitter power and antenna height and gain. It also sets forth the co-channel interference protection that VHF public coast station geographic area licensees must provide to incumbents.
(a) The requirements for reception by a marine VHF shipboard receiver are satisfied if the field strength from the
(b) These field strengths, voltages and powers at the receiver input are equivalent:
(1) −132 dBW (decibels referred to 1 watt).
(2) 1.8 microvolts across 50 ohms.
(3) +17 dBu (decibels referred to 1 microvolt per meter).
(4) 7 microvolts per meter.
Applications for maritime frequencies in the 156-162 MHz band must include a map showing the proposed service area contour. The service area contour must be computed in accordance with the following procedures.
(a) In the preparation of profile graphs and in determining the location and height above sea level of the antenna site, the elevations or contour intervals must be taken from U.S. Geological Survey topographic quadrangle maps, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maps or Tennessee Valley Authority maps, whichever is the latest, for all areas for which maps are available. If such maps are not published for the area in question, the next best topographic information must be used. The maps used must include the principal area to be served. U.S. Geological Survey topographic quadrangle maps may be obtained from the Eastern Distribution Branch, U.S. Geological Survey, 1200 South Eads Street, Arlington, VA 22202, for maps of areas east of the Mississippi River, including Minnesota, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, and from the Western Distribution Branch, U.S. Geological Survey, Federal Center, Denver CO 80225, for maps of areas west of the Mississippi River, including Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Guam and American Samoa. Sectional aeronautical charts are available from the Distribution Division, National Ocean Service, Riverdale, MD 20840.
(b) In lieu of maps, the average terrain elevation may be computer generated, using elevations from a 30 second point or better topographic data file such as those available for the U.S. Geological Survey's National Geographic Information Center or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Geophysical Data Center. In case of dispute maps will be used to determine the correct value.
(a)(1) Draw radials from the antenna site for each 45 degrees of azimuth starting with true north. Any such radial which extends entirely over land from the antenna site to the point of +17 dBu field strength need not be drawn.
(2) If the distance from the antenna site to the point of +17 dBu field strength between any of the 45 degrees radials would be less than the distances calculated along these radials, an additional radial between such adjacent radials must be plotted and calculations made in each case. Each additional radial must be that radial along which it appears by inspection that transmission loss would be greatest.
(b) Draw a circle of 16 km (10 statute mile) radius using the antenna site as the center. Divide each radial into 320 meter (0.2 statute mile) increments inside the circumference to the 3.2 km (2 statute mile) point.
(c) Calculate the height above sea level of each 320 meter (0.2 statute mile) division by interpolating the contour intervals of the map, and record the value.
(d) Average the values by adding them and dividing by the number of readings along each radial.
(e) Calculate the height above average terrain by averaging the values calculated for each radial.
The following graphs must be employed where conversion from one to the other of the indicated types of units is required.
(a)
(b)
(c)
The effective height of the antenna is the vertical distance between the center of the radiating system above the mean sea level and the average terrain elevation.
Effective radiated power is used in computing the service area contour. The effective radiated power is derived from the transmitter output power, loss in the transmission system including duplexers, cavities, circulators, switches and filters, and the gain relative to a half-wave dipole of the antenna system.
The propagation graph, § 80.767 Graph 1, must be used in computing the service area contour. The graph provides data for field strengths in dBu for an effective radiated power of 1 kW, over sea water, fresh water or land (smooth earth); transmitting antena heights of 4,800, 3,200, 1,600, 800, 400, 200, and 100 feet; based on a receiving antenna height of 9 meters (30 feet), for the 156-162 MHz band. The use of this is described in this section.
(a) Calculate the effective radiated power of the coast station, Ps in dB referred to 1 kW (dBk), as follows:
1. To determine field strengths where the distance is known, for effective radiated powers other than 1kW (0 dBk): Enter the graph from the “statute miles” scale at the known distance, read up to intersection with the curve for the antenna height, read left to the “dBu for 1 kW radiated” scale and note the referenced field strength (Fe). The value of the actual field strength (F) in dBu will be F=Fe+Ps where Ps is the effective radiated power calculated above.
2. To determine distance, where the actual field strength is specified, for effective radiated powers other than 0 dBk: The value of the field referenced strength will be Fe=F−Ps in dBu. Enter the graph, from the “dBu for 1 kW radiated” scale at the corrected value of Fe, read right to intersection with the antenna height, read down to “statute miles” scale.
(b) Determine the antenna height. For antenna heights between the heights for which this graph is drawn, use linear interpolation; assume linear height-gain for antennas higher than 4,800 feet.
(c) For receiver antenna heights lower than 9 meters (30 feet), assume that the field strength is the same as at 9 meters (30 feet).
(d) Assume that propagation over fresh water or over land is the same as that over sea water.
Where the transmission path is obstructed the received signal must be adjusted to include shadow loss. Attenuation due to shadowing must be taken from § 80.769 Graph 1, as follows:
(a) Inspect the map(s) to determine if a hill(s) obstructs an imaginary line of
(b) If a hill appears to obstruct the radio path, plot the antenna site elevation, the obstruction elevation and the height of the ship station on rectangular coordinate paper using elevation above mean sea level as the vertical scale and distance in statute miles as the horizontal scale. Then draw a straight line between the antenna and the ship.
(c) If a hill obstructs the imaginary line of sight, determine its height (H) above the imaginary line and its distance (D) from either the coast or ship station, whichever is nearer, as illustrated by examples “A” and “B” on Graph 1.
(d) Read the shadow loss from this Graph 1 and subtract that loss from the computed received signal.
(e) Where more than one hill obstructs the transmission path, determine the height and position of a single equivalent hill, as illustrated by example “C” on this graph. Read the shadow loss from this graph for the equivalent hill.
Compute the +17 dBu contour as follows:
(a) Determine the effective antenna height above mean sea level according to the procedures in §§ 80.757-80.761.
(b) Determine the effective radiated power according to § 80,765. Determine
(c) Plot on a suitable map each point of +17 dBu field strength for all radials and draw the contour by connecting the adjacent points by a smooth curve.
(a) Where a VHF public coast station geographic area licensee shares a frequency with an incumbent VHF public coast station licensee, the ratio of desired to undesired signal strengths must be at least 12 dB within the service area of the station.
(b) Where a VHF public coast station geographic area licensee shares a frequency with an incumbent private land mobile radio licensee, the VHF public coast station geographic area licensee must provide at least 10 dB protection to the PLMR incumbent's predicted 38 dBu signal level contour. The PLMR incumbent's predicted 38 dBu signal level contour is calculated using the F(50, 50) field strength chart for Channels 7-13 in § 73.699 (Fig. 10a) of this chapter, with a 9 dB correction factor for antenna height differential, and is based on the licensee's authorized effective radiated power and antenna height-above-average-terrain.
The radiotelegraph requirements of Part II of Title III of the Communications Act apply to all passenger ships irrespective of size and cargo ships of 1600 gross tons and upward. The Safety Convention applies to such ships on international voyages. These ships are required to carry a radiotelegraph installation complying with this subpart.
(a) Every ship of the United States subject to Part II of Title III of the Communications Act or Chapter IV of the Safety Convention equipped with a radiotelegraph installation must have the required radio equipment inspected by an FCC-licensed technician holding a Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate, or First Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate once every 12 months. If the ship passes the inspection the technician will issue a Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate. Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificates may be obtained from the Commission's National Call Center—(888) 225-5322—or from its Forms contractor.
(1) The effective date of ship safety certificates is the date the station is found to be in compliance or not later than one business day later.
(2) At inspection, the minimum field strength capability of the main installation and reserve installation when connected to the main antenna may be shown by the licensee by one of the following methods:
(i) Producing a record of communications on 500 kHz over a minimum distance of 370 kilometers (200 nautical miles) for the main installation and 185 kilometers (100 nautical miles) for the reserve installation which demonstrates the transmission and reception of clearly perceptible signals from ship to ship by day and under normal conditions and circumstances, or
(ii) Provide documentation by a professional engineer, or a person holding a first or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate, or a general radiotelephone operator license, that the installation produces at 1.85 kilometers (one nautical mile) a minimum field strength of thirty (30) millivolts per meter for the main installation and ten (10) millivolts per meter for the reserve installation. The licensee shall provide, at a minimum, the name and license number of the individual making the measurements or record of communications.
(b) Certificates issued in accordance with the Safety Convention must be posted in a prominent and accessible place in the ship.
The required radio station must comply with the provisions of this subpart in addition to all other applicable requirements of this part. The radio station consists of a radiotelegraph station and a ship radar station. The radiotelegraph station comprises a main and a reserve radiotelegraph installation, electrically separate and electrically independent of each other except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of § 80.805, a radiotelephone installation and such other equipment as may be necessary for the proper operation of these installations. The ship radar station comprises a radar installation and such other equipment and facilities as may be necessary for its proper operation.
(a) The main radiotelegraph installation includes a main transmitter, a main receiver, a main power supply, a main antenna system and a 2182 kHz radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver.
(b) The reserve radiotelegraph installation includes a reserve transmitter, a reserve receiver, a reserve power supply, emergency electric lights and reserve antenna system: except that:
(1) In installations on cargo ships of 300 gross tons and upwards but less than 1,600 gross tons, and in installations on cargo ships of 1,600 gross tons and upwards installed prior to November 19, 1952, if the main transmitter complies with all the requirements for the reserve transmitter, the latter may be omitted.
(2) A cargo ship the keel of which was laid prior to June 1, 1954, may either be equipped with a reserve antenna or provided a spare antenna consisting of a single-wire transmitting antenna (including suitable insulators) completely assembled for immediate installation.
(c) The medium frequency radiotelephone installation includes a radiotelephone transmitter, a radiotelephone receiver and an appropriate antenna system.
All main radiotelegraph installations must meet the following requirements:
(a) The main antenna must be installed and protected to ensure proper operation of the station. Effective October 14, 1986, the main antenna energized by the main transmitter on the frequency 500 kHz must produce at one nautical mile a minimum field strength of thirty (30) millivolts per meter. If the main antenna is suspended between masts or other supports liable to whipping, a safety link must be installed which, under heavy stress, will reduce breakage of the antenna, the halyards, or any other antenna-supporting elements.
(b) The main transmitter must be capable of meeting the requirements of § 80.253.
(c) The main receiver must efficiently receive A1A and A2A emission on all frequencies within the bands 100-200 kHz and 405-535 kHz. It must have headphones capable of effective operation. The main receiver must have sufficient sensitivity to effectively operate headphones or a loudspeaker when the receiver input is 50 microvolts.
(d) The main power supply must simultaneously (1) energize the main transmitter at its required antenna power, and the main receiver, (2) charge at any required rate all batteries forming part of the radiotelegraph station, and (3) charge the main power supply for this purpose at all times including times of inspection. Under this load condition the voltage of the main power supply at the radio room terminals must not deviate from its rated value by more than 10 percent on vessels completed on or after July 1, 1941, nor by more than 15 percent on vessels completed before that date. While at sea, batteries forming part of the main installation must be fully charged daily.
(e) To measure voltage(s) of the main power supply at its radio room terminals, voltmeter(s) must be permanently installed in the radiotelegraph operating room.
(f) The main installation must be provided with a device permitting changeover from transmission to reception and vice versa without manual switching.
(g) The main installation must be capable of being quickly connected with
All radiotelephone installations in radiotelegraph equipped vessels must meet the following conditions.
(a) The radiotelephone transmitter must be capable of transmission of A3E or H3E emission on 2182 kHz and must be capable of transmitting clearly perceptible signals from ship to ship during daytime, under normal conditions over a range of 150 nautical miles when used with an antenna system in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section. The transmitter must:
(1) Have a duty cycle which allows for transmission of the radiotelephone alarm signal described in § 80.221.
(2) Provide 25 watts carrier power for A3E emission or 60 watts peak power on H3E emission into an artificial antenna consisting of 10 ohms resistance and 200 picofarads capacitance or 50 ohms nominal impedance to demonstrate compliance with the 150 nautical mile range requirement.
(3) Have a visual indication whenever the transmitter is supplying power to the antenna.
(4) Have a two-tone alarm signal generator that meets § 80.221.
(5) The radiotelephone transmitter required by this paragraph may be contained in the same enclosure as the receiver required by paragraph (b) of this section. Additionally, these transmitters may have the capability to transmit J3E emissions.
(b)(1) The radiotelephone receiver must receive A3E and H3E emissions when connected to the antenna system specified in paragraph (c) this section and must be preset to 2182 kHz. The receiver must additionally:
(i) Provide an audio output of 50 milliwatts to a loudspeaker when the RF input is 50 microvolts. The 50 microvolt input signal must be modulated 30 percent at 400 Hertz and provide at least a 6 dB signal-to-noise ratio when measured in the rated audio bandwidth.
(ii) Be equipped with one or more loudspeakers capable of being used to maintain a watch on 2182 kHz at the principal operating position or in the room from which the vessel is normally steered.
(2) The receiver required by § 80.805 may be used instead of this receiver. If the watch is stood at the place from which the ship is normally steered, a radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver must be used for this purpose.
(3) This receiver may be contained in the same enclosure as the transmitter required by paragraph (a) of this section. Additionally, these receivers may have the capability to receive J3E emissions.
(c) The antenna system must be as nondirectional and efficient as is practicable for the transmission and reception of radio ground waves over seawater. The installation and construction of the required antenna must ensure, insofar as is practicable, proper operation in time of emergency. If the required antenna is suspended between masts or other supports subject to whipping, a safety link must be installed which under heavy stress will reduce breakage of the antenna, the halyards, or any other supporting elements.
(d) The radiotelephone installation must be provided with a device for permitting changeover from transmission to reception and vice versa without manual switching.
(e) An artificial antenna must be provided to permit weekly checks, without causing interference, of the automatic device for generating the radiotelephone alarm signal on frequencies other than the radiotelephone distress frequency.
(f) The radiotelephone installation must be located in the radiotelegraph operating room or in the room from which the ship is normally steered.
(g) Demonstration of the radiotelephone installation may be required by Commission representatives to show compliance with applicable regulations.
(h) The radiotelephone installation must be protected from excessive currents and voltages.
(i) The radiotelephone installation must be maintained in an efficient condition.
(a) All reserve radiotelegraph installations must comply with the following conditions, in addition to all other requirements:
(1) The reserve installation must be capable of being placed in operation within a maximum time of 1 minute.
(2) The reserve antenna must be installed and protected to ensure proper operation in time of an emergency.
(3) Effective October 14, 1986, the main antenna energized by the reserve transmitter on 500 kHz must produce at one nautical mile a minimum field strength of ten (10) millivolts per meter.
(4) The reserve transmitter must meet the requirements of § 80.255.
(5) The reserve receiver must receive A1A and A2B emissions on all frequencies within the band 405-535 kHz. It must have headphones. Additionally a loudspeaker may be provided for use in accordance with the provisions of § 80.313. The reserve receiver must be able to operate headphones or a loudspeaker when the receiver RF input is 100 microvolts.
(6) The reserve installation must be capable of being quickly connected with and tuned to the main antenna, and the reserve antenna if one is installed.
(7) Emergency electric lights, energized solely by the reserve power supply and connected to it through individual fuses must be provided. The emergency electric lights must illuminate the operating controls of the main and reserve radiotelegraph installations and the radio station clock. The emergency lighting circuits must avoid excessive voltage to the emergency lights during the charging of any batteries forming part of the reserve installation. The provisions of this paragraph do not preclude the use of any other power supply for energizing these lights solely as an additional provision. If a separate emergency radiotelegraph operating room is provided, the requirements of this paragraph apply to it.
(8) The emergency electric lights must be controlled by two-way switches placed near the main entrance to the radiotelegraph operating room and at the radiotelegraph operating position, in all cases where the distance between these points is greater than 2.4 meters (8 feet). This requirement applies to stations which replace, or initially install the main or reserve radiotelegraph transmitter on and after May 26, 1965.
(9) There must be readily available under normal load conditions a reserve power supply for the reserve installation which must be independent of the propelling power of the ship and of any other electrical system. The reserve power supply must simultaneously energize the reserve transmitter at its required antenna power and the reserve receiver for at least 6 hours continuously under normal working conditions, and energize the automatic-alarm-signal keying device continuously for a period of 1 hour.
(10) The reserve power supply may be used to energize the following apparatus provided it has adequate capacity:
(i) The audible warning apparatus included as a component of an approved radiotelegraph auto alarm;
(ii) The VHF installation required by subpart R of this chapter simultaneously with the reserve transmitter in the case of distress, urgency and safety communications;
(iii) The VHF installation required by subpart R of this chapter alternately with the reserve transmitter. A switching device must be fitted to ensure alternate operation only in the case of distress, urgency and safety communications;
(iv) The radiotelephone alarm signal generator;
(v) The bridge-to-bridge VHF radiotelephone installation required by subpart U of this chapter.
(11) The reserve power supply must be located as near to the reserve transmitter and reserve receiver as is practicable and must comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the United States Coast Guard. The switchboard of the reserve power supply must wherever possible, be situated in the radiotelegraph operating room. If it is not, it must be illuminated.
(12) All reserve power supply circuits must be protected from overloads.
(13) Means must be provided for charging any batteries forming a part
(14) The cooling system of each internal combustion engine used as a part of the reserve power supply must be protected to prevent freezing or overheating consistent with the season and route to be traveled by the particular vessel.
(b)(1) The shipowner, operating company, or station licensee, if directed by the Commission or its authorized representative must demonstrate that the reserve installation satisfies the 6-hour operating requirement of law.
(2) When the reserve power supply includes a battery, proof of the ability of such battery to operate continuously and effectively for 6 hours can be established by a discharge test over a prescribed period of time, when supplying power at the voltage required for normal operation to an electrical load as prescribed by paragraph (b)(4) of this section.
(3) When the reserve power supply includes an engine-driven generator, proof of the adequacy of the engine fuel supply to operate the unit continuously and effectively for 6 hours may be established by measuring the fuel consumption during 1 hour when supplying power, at the voltage required for normal operation, to an electrical load as prescribed by paragraph (b)(4) of this section.
(4) To determine the electrical load to be supplied by the reserve power supply, the following formula must be used:
(i) One-half of the reserve transmitter current with the key closed; plus
(ii) One-half of the reserve transmitter current with the key open; plus
(iii) One sixth of the current of the automatic radiotelegraph alarm signal keying device when this device is energized; plus
(iv) Current of the reserve receiver; plus
(v) Current of emergency lights; plus
(vi) Current of the bridge-to-bridge transceiver when connected.
(5) At the conclusion of the tests specified in paragraphs (b) (2) and (3) of this section, no part of the reserve power supply must have an excessive temperature rise, nor must the specific gravity or voltage of the battery be below the 90 percent discharge point.
The conductors connecting the main power supply to the main installation, the reserve supply to reserve installation and the radar power supply to the ship radar station, must be routed to ensure adequate protection from overload, mechanical injury and be kept clear of electrical grounds.
The reserve transmitter, and the reserve power supply for the reserve transmitter, are primarily for safety and test communication. This equipment may be used for other communication for a period not to exceed 1 hour per day in the aggregate. The reserve receiver, and the reserve power supply for the reserve receiver if a battery, may be used at any time to maintain a safety watch if such use will not reduce the capabilities of the reserve power supply to energize the associated component or components of the reserve installation for at least 6 consecutive hours.
(a) The condition of the reserve installation and of the automatic alarm signal keying device must be determined (with the exception noted in paragraph (b) of this section) prior to the vessel's departure from each port and on each day the vessel is outside of a harbor or port. If the vessel is in two or more ports within one day, the required tests need be made only once. If the vessel is in port for less than one day, the required test for that day may be made before arrival or after departure. The following tests must be made and the results entered in the radiotelegraph station log:
(1) Check the reserve power supply as follows:
(i) Test battery charging circuits for correct polarity and charging rate:
(ii) In the case of lead-acid batteries, determine the specific gravity of the electrolyte.
(iii) In the case of other types of batteries, take voltage readings under normal battery load.
(iv) When an engine-driven generator is used, check the quantity of fuel in the fuel tank;
(2) Test the emergency lighting circuits and emergency electric lights by actual operation;
(3) Test the reserve receiver, while energized by the reserve power supply, by actual operation and comparison of received signals with similar signals received by the main receiver;
(4) On days when not used for communication, the reserve transmitter energized by the reserve power supply must be tested by actual operation when connected to the main antenna, an artificial antenna or a reserve antenna.
(5) If installed, the reserve antenna must be used at least once each voyage, noting antenna currents;
(6) Test the automatic-alarm-signal keying device for correct timing adjustment of the keying mechanism.
(b) In the case of vessels loading or discharging flammable, unstable or dangerous cargo, or while berthed at oil terminals or in other comparable areas, predeparture transmitter tests need not be made. In such cases, the provisions of paragraph (a)(4) of this section, in connection with predeparture tests, do not apply if a suitable explanation is entered in the radio station log.
The required radiotelegraph station includes one or more devices, certificated by the Commission in accordance with subpart F of this part capable of automatically operating the normal keying circuits of a required radiotelegraph transmitter to transmit the international radiotelegraph alarm signal.
At 63 FR 36607, July 7, 1998, § 80.812 was amended by removing the term “of a type accepted” and adding in its place “certificated”, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
(a) The automatic radiotelegraph alarm signal keyer must be installed in the radiotelegraph operating room. It must be possible to key, nonsimultaneously, the main transmitter and the reserve transmitter, and to permit the device to be taken out of operation at any time in order to permit immediate manual transmitter operation. Only one control must be provided for each automatic alarm signal keying device. This control must be located in the radiotelegraph operating room.
(b) The required automatic radiotelegraph alarm signal keying device must be capable of operating efficiently for a continuous period of 1 hour when energized solely by the reserve power supply.
An auto alarm which is installed and used on board a cargo ship of the United States pursuant to the provisions of § 80.315 comprises a complete receiving, selecting and warning device certificated by the Commission in accordance with section 3(x) of the Communications Act, capable of being actuated automatically by intercepted radio frequency waves forming the international radiotelegraph alarm signal.
At 63 FR 36607, July 7, 1998, § 80.814 was amended by removing the term “of a type accepted” and adding in its place “certificated”, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
Installation of a radiotelegraph auto alarm must comply with the following conditions.
(a) The auto alarm must be located in the radiotelegraph operating room and be installed and protected to insure proper operation. The radiotelegraph auto alarm system must be operated from the radiotelegraph operating room. A switch must be provided to:
(1) Transfer the main antenna from all other equipment and connect it to the radiotelegraph auto alarm receiver and place the auto alarm in service and, back to the original configuration A voltmeter must be provided for the determining that the supply voltages are within the operating limits.
(2) [Reserved]
(b) The auto alarm must give an audible warning in the radiotelegraph operating room, in the radio officer's cabin, and on the navigating bridge. The alarm must operate continuously after the alarm has been actuated by a radiotelegraph alarm signal or by failure of the system, until manually turned off. Only one switch for stopping the alarm is authorized, and this must be located in the radiotelegraph operating room and be capable of manual operation only. However ships operating under the general exemption of § 80.836(c) may install an additional switch on the bridge for stopping the warning apparatus.
(c) Failure of the auto alarm if of a type approved prior to July 23, 1951, to function normally due to prolonged interference must operate a visual indicator on the bridge. The type and method of installation of such visual indicator must comply with the requirements of the U.S. Coast Guard.
(d) The power supply voltage of an auto alarm must be maintained within definite upper and lower limits. The power supply must have an auxiliary device which:
(1) Will energize the alarm if this power supply fails or its voltage exceeds the limits specified for the particular type of auto alarm involved; or
(2) Will automatically connect the auto alarm to an auxiliary power supply, the voltage of which is within the specified limits.
(a) The radio officer must at least once every 24 hours while the ship is in the open sea:
(1) Test the auto alarm by using the testing device to determine whether the auto alarm will respond to not less than 4 nor more than 12 consecutive dashes having an approximate duration of 4 seconds and an approximate spacing of 1 second.
(2) Determine the proper functioning of the auto alarm receiver while connected to its normal antenna, by actual operation and comparison of received signals with similar signals received on 500 kHz by the main receiver.
(b) If the auto alarm is not in proper operating condition, the radio officer must report that fact to the master or officer on watch on the bridge.
(c) A statement that the tests specified in this section have been made, and the results of such tests, must be inserted in the radiotelegraph station log.
Each compulsory ship of 1,600 gross tons or over whose keel was laid:
(a)
(b)
(a) The radio direction finding apparatus must:
(1) Be capable of receiving signals A1A, A2B and R2B emission, on each frequency within the band 285-515 kHz assigned by the Radio Regulations for distress and direction finding and for maritime radio beacons, and be calibrated to take bearings on such signals from which the true bearing and direction may be determined; and
(2) Possess a sensitivity, sufficient to permit the taking of bearings on a signal having a field strength of 50 microvolts per meter.
(b) The calibration of the direction finder must be verified by check bearings or by a further calibration whenever any changes are made in the physical or electrical characteristics or the position of any antennas, and whenever any changes are made in the position of any deck structures which might affect the accuracy of the direction finder. In addition, the calibration must be verified by check bearings at yearly intervals. A record of the calibrations, and of the check bearings made of their accuracy and the accuracy of the check bearings must be kept on board the ship for a period of not less than 1 year.
An auxiliary receiving antenna must be provided when necessary to avoid unauthorized interruption or reduced efficiency of the required watch because the normal receiving antenna is not available because a radio direction finder on board the vessel is operated.
(a) The direction finder must be located to minimize interference from noise.
(b) The direction finder antenna system must be erected so that the determination of bearings will not be hindered by the proximity of other antennas, cranes, wire halyards, or large metal objects.
When the required calibration can not be made before departure from a harbor or port for a voyage in the open sea, the direction finder may be tentatively approved on condition that the master certifies in writing that the direction finder will be calibrated by a competent technician.
The requirement for calibration by check bearings is met if:
(a) The required verification by check bearings are made not more than 90 days prior to the date of the annual detailed inspection of the radiotelegraph station;
(b) The verification consists of a comparison of simultaneous visual and radio direction finder bearings. At least one comparison bearing must be taken in each quadrant, within plus or minus 20 degrees from the following bearings relative to the ship's heading: 45 degrees; 135 degrees; 225 degrees; 315 degrees;
(c) The verification shows the visual bearing relative to the ship's heading and the difference between the visual and radio direction finder bearing, and the date each check bearing is taken.
(a) Direction finding equipment used on compulsory vessels whose keel was laid on or after May 25, 1980, must additionally have a homing facility which is:
(1) Capable of operating with A1A, A2B, H2B and H8E emission on any frequency in the band 2167-2197 kHz;
(2) Capable of taking direction finding bearings on the radiotelephone distress frequency 2182 kHz without ambiguity of sense within an arc of 30 degrees on either side of the bow;
(3) Installed with due regard to CCIR Recommendation 428-2:
(4) Sufficiently sensitive, in the absence of interference, to take bearings on a signal having a field strength of 25 microvolts per meter;
(5) Capable of determining its accuracy by comparison of visual or calculated bearings and homing facility bearings. Comparisons must be made at −30, 0 and +30 degrees relative to the ships heading to show that the correct sense is indicated.
(b) [Reserved]
(a) Radar installations on board ships that are required by the Safety Convention or the U.S. Coast Guard to be equipped with radar must comply with
(1) Radar installed on ships of 500 gross tons and upwards on or after July 1, 1988, must comply with the provisions of RTCM Paper 133-87/SC 103-33 including Appendix A. Title: “RTCM Recommended Performance Specification for a General Purpose Navigational Radar Set for Oceangoing Ships of 500 Gross Tons and Upwards for New Radar Installations.” Title of Appendix A: “General Purpose Shipborne Navigational Radar Set for Oceangoing Ships
(2) Radar installed on ships of 1,600 gross tons and upwards on or before April 27, 1981, must comply with the provisions of Volume II of RTCM Special Committee No. 65 Final Report; Part II. Title: “Performance Specification for a General Purpose Navigational Radar Set for Oceangoing Ships of 1,600 Tons Gross Tonnage and Upwards for Ships Already Fitted.” Document approved by RTCM July 18, 1978; effective as FCC requirement on April 27, 1981.
(3) Radar installed on ships of 1,600 gross tons and upwards after April 27, 1981 and before July 1, 1988, must comply with the provisions of Volume II of RTCM Special Committee No. 65 Final Report with Change 1 entered; Part I including Appendix A. Title: “Performance Specification for a General Purpose Navigational Radar Set for Oceangoing Vessels of 1,600 Tons Gross Tonnage and Upwards for New Radar Installations.” Title of Appendix A: “General Purpose Shipborne Navigational Radar Set for Oceangoing Ships
(4) Ships between 500 and 1,600 gross tons constructed on or after September 1, 1984, with radar installed before July 1, 1988, must comply with Regulation 12, Chapter V of the Safety Convention and with the provisions of Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) [Now International Maritime Organization (IMO)] Resolution A.477(XII). Title: “Performance Standards for Radar Equipment.” Adopted by IMCO November 19, 1981.
(b) For ships of 10,000 gross tons or more and any other ship that is required to be equipped with two radar systems, each of these systems must be capable of operating independently and must comply with the specifications, standards and general requirements established by paragraph (a) of this section. One of the systems must provide a display with an effective diameter of not less than 340 millimeters (13.4 inches) (16-inch cathode ray tube). The other system must provide a display with an effective diameter of not less than 250 millimeters (9.8 inches) (12-inch cathode ray tube).
(c) Recommendations for tools, test equipment, spares and technical manuals are contained in Part IV of Volume III of the RTCM SC-65 Final Report approved by RTCM July 18, 1978.
(a) An interior communication system must be provided between the bridge of the ship and the radiotelegraph operating room in all cases where the radiotelegraph operating room does not adjoin or open onto the navigating bridge structure. An interior communication system must also be provided between the bridge and the location of the radio direction finding apparatus whenever the latter is not located on the bridge or within any
(b) If a vessel has more than one location from which it is normally controlled and steered, the interior communication system between the radiotelegraph operating room and bridge must include communication to each such location. The existence at a location of all of the following factors will require that a point of communication be established there: (1) A steering wheel; (2) a compass; (3) an engine order telegraph; (4) control of the whistle; and (5) a wheelhouse enclosure.
(c) Paragraph (b) of this section does not apply to locations established solely for emergency use in event of failure of the normal steering facilities or locations used solely while docking or maneuvering a ship while in port or for brief periods while navigating the ship in close quarters on inland waters.
The interior communication systems required by § 80.826 must provide two-way calling and voice communication, be independent of any other communication system in the ship, and be of a type approved by the United States Coast Guard. The location and termination of individual systems is subject to approval by the Commission.
A working clock equipped with a sweep seconds hand and having a dial not less than 12.7 cm (5 inches) in diameter, the face of which is marked to indicate the silence periods prescribed for the radiotelegraph service by the International Radio Regulations, must be provided. It must be securely mounted in the radiotelegraph operating room in such a position that the entire dial can be clearly observed by the radio officer from the normal radiotelegraph operating position, from the operating position where the international radiotelegraph alarm signal would ordinarily be transmitted by hand, and from the position used for testing the auto alarm (if installed). If a separate emergency radiotelegraph operating room is provided, the requirements of this section apply to it also.
(a) A survival craft nonportable radiotelegraph installation required by law to be provided in a motor lifeboat must include the following components as a minimum:
(1) A transmitting and receiving antenna and antenna accessories,
(2) An artificial antenna for testing purposes;
(3) A transmitter with keying arrangements for use of radiotelegraphy, an associated radio receiver with headphones, and a suitable device for converting from the power supply battery voltage to the voltages used by the transmitter and receiver;
(4) A power supply;
(5) A device for a ground connection to the water when the lifeboat is afloat.
(b) Components of a survival craft nonportable radiotelegraph installation specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section must be certificated of §§ 80.263 and 80.265.
(c) The radiotelegraph equipment must be installed in a cabin large enough to accommodate both the equipment and the person using it. The operation of the radiotelegraph installation must not be interfered with by the survival craft engine while it is running, whether or not a battery is on charge.
(d) The antenna must be a single wire inverted L type with a horizontal section of the maximum practicable length and a height above the mean waterline of not less than 6 meters (20 feet), and must be so designed that it can be quickly erected and utilized by a person in the lifeboat while afloat.
(e) The ground system must comply with the following requirements:
(1) The radio installation when installed in a metal hull lifeboat must be grounded to the hull of the lifeboat.
(2) The radio installation when installed in a lifeboat having a nonmetallic hull must be grounded to a bare plate or strips of corrosion resistant metal having a total area of at least 6 square feet and located on the hull of the lifeboat below the waterline.
(f) When the lifeboat is afloat the installation must be capable of developing an antenna current such that the product of the maximum height of the antenna above the mean surface of the water, expressed in meters, and the r.m.s. antenna current on the frequency 500 kHz, expressed in amperes, is not less than 9.6.
At 63 FR 36607, July 7, 1998,§ 80.829, paragraph (b) was amended by removing the term “type accepted” and adding in its place “certificated”, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
(a) The power supply for the survival craft nonportable radiotelegraph installation must consist of a battery capable of operating the survival craft radiotelegraph installation for at least 6 hours continuously under normal working conditions.
(b) The battery may power equipment other than the radiotelegraph installation (except that it must not be used to supply power to any engine starting motor or ignition system) provided such additional use will not adversely affect the required capabilities of the battery. All circuits connected to the battery must be independently fused.
(c) The battery must be kept charged at all times while at sea. The charging of the battery must not require its removal from the survival craft in which it is installed. The necessary charging equipment must not interfere with the launching of the survival craft, and must be easily and quickly removable. The charging circuit for the battery must be routed through the radiotelegraph operating room, and include a device located in the radiotelegraph operating room which will give continuous indication of the polarity and the rate of charge.
(d) Installation must provide for charging of the battery by means of a generator on the survival craft engine.
(e) Subject to approval of the United States Coast Guard, the battery must be mounted in a suitable container that will provide protection from salt water spray and also allow proper ventilation.
(a) Survival craft portable radiotelegraph equipment required by law to be provided must be certificated by the Commission as capable of meeting the provisions of §§ 80.263 and 80.265.
(b) The equipment must be stowed in the radio room, bridge or a protected location near a lifeboat and be readily accessible for transfer to a lifeboat. However, in tankers of 3,000 gross tons and over in which lifeboats are fitted amidships and aft, this equipment must be kept in a suitable place in the vicinity of those lifeboats which are farthest away from the ship's main transmitter.
(c) Equipment for totally enclosed lifeboats must meet the extra requirements specified in § 80.265.
At 63 FR 36607, July 7, 1998, § 80.831, paragraph (a) was amended by removing the term “type accepted” and adding in its place “certificated”, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
(a) Except for emergency position indicating radio beacons and two-way radiotelephone equipment, inspections and tests of survival craft radio equipment must be conducted by the licensee at weekly intervals while the ship is at sea or, if a test or inspection has not been conducted within a week prior to its departure, within 24 hours prior to the ship's departure from a
(b) When the ship is in a harbor or port of the United States an authorized representative of the Commission may require:
(1) Inspection and test of the survival craft radio equipment in the survival craft afloat, including an operational test of the transmitter and receiver connected to the required antenna to determine that the equipment is in operating condition;
(2) Demonstration in accordance with § 80.808 that a battery used as a part of the survival craft nonportable radio installation is capable of energizing the installation for the required 6 hours.
(c) The results of the inspections and test must be made known to the master, and be entered in the ship's radio station log, or in the ship's log if the ship is not provided with a radio station.
(a) Survival craft emergency position indicating radiobeacons, Class S, required to comply with title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations must be certificated to meet the provisions of § 80.1059.
(b) The Class S EPIRB must be stowed in the survival craft.
(c) The Class S EPIRB must be tested at intervals not to exceed twelve months.
(d) Batteries must be replaced after the date specified in § 80.1053(e), or after the transmitter has been used in an emergency situation, whichever is earlier.
At 63 FR 36607, July 7, 1998, § 80.833, paragraph (a) was amended by removing the term “type accepted” and adding in its place “certificated”, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
(a) Survival craft portable two-way radiotelephone transceivers must meet the provisions of § 80.271.
(b) The equipment must be stowed in the radio room, on the bridge or in a location readily accessible for transfer to life boats when not being used by shipboard personnel to satisfy the vessel's operational requirements.
(c) When not in routine use the survival craft two-way radiotelephone transceivers must be operationally tested once a week. Operational test should be conducted with equipment separated as far as practical and in the case of UHF equipment must include tests on the frequency 457.525 MHz.
(d) All survival craft two-way radiotelephones associated with a ship must operate in the same frequency band (VHF or UHF).
(a) Each ship station must be provided with such spare parts, tools, testing equipment, instruction books and circuit diagrams as will enable the radiotelegraph installation and survival craft station to be maintained in working condition while at sea. Each ship station licensee must compile a list of spare parts, tools, test equipment and circuit diagrams it considers necessary for compliance with this requirement. This list must be available at inspection. Spare parts for the survival craft station must be kept with that station. Other items must be located convenient to the radio room.
(b) The testing equipment must include an instrument or instruments for measuring A.C. volts, D.C. volts and ohms.
(a) General small passenger vessel exemptions, applicable to certain U.S. passenger vessels of less than 100 gross tons, are contained in subpart S of this part.
(b) All newly constructed U.S. cargo vessels of 1600 gross tons and upward
(1) The vessel is equipped with a radiotelephone capable of operation on 2182 kHz and equipped with a radiotelephone alarm signal generator. The vessel may carry an additional portable radiotelephone, located in the wheelhouse, equipped with a radiotelephone alarm signal generator to satisfy the radiotelephone alarm signal generator requirement;
(2) The radio direction-finding apparatus is calibrated during the sea trials;
(3) A continous watch is maintained in 2182 kHz whenever the radiotelephone is not being used for authorized traffic during the sea trials; and
(4) The local FCC Engineer in Charge is advised of the dates and routes of the sea trials.
(c) Prior to February 1, 1999, cargo ships of 1600 gross tons and upward are exempt from the radiotelegraph requirements of Part II of Title III of the Communications Act, if the following criteria are met:
(1) The ship operates on domestic voyages only. For purposes of this paragraph, the term domestic voyages includes ports in Alaska, U.S. possessions in the Caribbean, and along the coasts of the 48 contiguous states, so long as the vessel does not make port at a foreign destination;
(2) The routes of the voyage are never more than 150 nautical miles from the nearest land; and,
(3) The ship complies fully with all of the following conditions. The ship must:
(i) Be equipped with a satellite ship earth station providing both voice and telex, which has been certificated for GMDSS use;
(ii) Be equipped with a VHF and MF radiotelephone installation which complies fully with subpart R of this part and has the additional capability of operating on the HF frequencies listed in § 80.369(b) for distress and safety communications (this capability may be added to the MF radiotelephone installation);
(iii) Be equipped with a narrow-band direct-printing radiotelegraph system with SITOR meeting the requirements of § 80.219;
(iv) Be equipped with at least two VHF transceivers capable of being powered by the reserve power supply (one of the VHF transceivers may be the VHF required by paragraph (c)(3)(ii) of this section);
(v) Be equipped with a Category 1, 406 MHz EPIRB meeting the requirements of § 80.1061;
(vi) Be equipped with a NAVTEX receiver meeting the requirements of § 80.1101(c)(1);
(vii) Be equipped with three two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus and two radar transponders in accordance with § 80.1095;
(viii) In addition to the main power source, be equipped with an emergency power source which complies with all applicable rules and regulations of the U.S. Coast Guard (the satellite earth station, the narrow-band direct-printing equipment and the 500 kHz autoalarm receiver must be capable of being powered by the main and emergency power sources);
(ix) Be equipped with a 500 kHz autoalarm receiver and a means of recording or decoding any distress signal received for relay to the Coast Guard or a public coast station;
(x) Participate in the AMVER system when on voyages of more than twenty-four hours and have the capability of operating on at least four of the AMVER HF duplex channels;
(xi) Carry at least one licensed operator to operate and maintain all the ship's distress and safety radio communications equipment in accordance with §§ 80.159(c) and 80.169; and,
(xii) Maintain a continuous watch on 2182 kHz and 156.8 MHz, in accordance with § 80.305(b), when navigated.
(d) Subject to a determination by the United States Coast Guard pursuant to Public Law No. 104-104, 110 Stat. 56 (1996) at Section 206, each U.S. passenger vessel and each U.S. cargo vessel of 1,600 gross tons and upward is exempt from the radiotelegraph provisions of part II of title III of the Communications Act, provided that the
(e) These exemptions may be terminated at any time without hearing if, in the Commission's discretion, the need for such action arises.
At 63 FR 36607, July 7, 1998, § 80.836, paragraph (c)(3)(i) was amended by removing the term “type accepted” and adding in its place “certificated”, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
(a) The radiotelephone requirements of Part II of Title III of the Communications Act apply to cargo ships of 300 gross tons and upward but less than 1600 gross tons. The radiotelephone requirements of the Safety Convention apply to passenger ships irrespective of size and cargo ships of 300 gross tons and upward on international voyages. These ships are required to carry a radiotelephone installation complying with this subpart.
(b) Until February 1, 1999, the inspection of all cargo vessels equipped with a radiotelephone installation operated on domestic or international voyages must be conducted by an FCC-licensed technician in accordance with § 80.59 once every 12 months. If the ship passes the inspection the technician will issue a Safety Certificate. Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificates may be obtained from the Commission's National Call Center—(888) 225-5322—or from its forms contractor.
(a) The radiotelephone station is a radiotelephone installation and other equipment necessary for the proper operation of the installation.
(b) The radiotelephone station must be installed to insure safe and effective operation of the equipment and to facilitate repair. Adequate protection must be provided against the effects of vibration, moisture, and temperature.
(c) The radiotelephone station and all necessary controls must be located at the level of the main wheelhouse or at least one deck above the ship's main deck.
(d) The principal operating position of the radiotelephone station must be in the room from which the ship is normally steered while at sea. In installations on cargo ships of 300 gross tons and upwards but less than 500 gross tons on which the keel was laid prior to January 1, 1965, the location of the principal operating controls may be in a room adjoining and opening into the room from which the vessel is normally steered while at sea. If the station can be operated from any location other than the principal operating position, a positive means must be provided at the principal operating position to take full control of the station.
(e) The use of a independent communication system between the principal operating position and all other operating locations is acceptable as a method for taking control at the principal operating position. For stations first placed in service on or after June 1, 1956 the use of this method for taking control at the principal operating position is acceptable only for operating locations in the chartroom or master's quarters.
The radiotelephone installation includes:
(a) A radiotelephone transmitter;
(b) A receiver as specified in § 80.858(a);
(c) A radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver specified in § 80.269;
(d) A main source of energy;
(e) A reserve source of energy, when required by § 80.860(a);
(f) An antenna system.
(a) The transmitter must be capable of transmission of H3E and J3E emission on 2182 kHz, and J3E emission on 2638 kHz and at least two other frequencies within the band 1605 to 3500 kHz available for ship-to-shore or ship-to-ship communication.
(b) The duty cycle of the transmitter must permit transmission of the international radiotelephone alarm signal.
(c) The transmitter must be capable of transmitting clearly perceptible signals from ship to ship during daytime under normal conditions over a range of 150 nautical miles.
(d) The transmitter complies with the range requirement specified in paragraph (c) of this section if:
(1) The transmitter is capable of being matched to actual ship station transmitting antenna meeting the requirements of § 80.863; and
(2) The output power is not less than 60 watts peak envelope power for H3E and J3E emission on the frequency 2182 kHz and for J3E emission on the frequency 2638 kHz into either an artificial antenna consisting of a series network of 10 ohms resistance and 200 picofarads capacitance, or an artificial antenna of 50 ohms nominal impedance. An individual demonstration of the power output capability of the transmitter, with the radiotelephone installation normally installed on board ship, may be required.
(e) The transmitter must provide visual indication whenever the transmitter is supplying power to the antenna.
(f) The transmitter must be protected from excessive currents and voltages.
(g) A durable nameplate must be mounted on the transmitter or made an integral part of it showing clearly the name of the transmitter manufacturer and the type or model of the transmitter.
(h) An artificial antenna must be provided to permit weekly checks of the automatic device for generating the radiotelephone alarm signal on frequencies other than the radiotelephone distress frequency.
The transmitter must be equipped with an international radiotelephone alarm signal generator certificated by the Commission. See § 80.221.
At 63 FR 36607, July 7, 1998, § 80.856 is amended by removing the term “type accepted” and adding in its place “certificated”, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
The controls of the automatic radiotelephone alarm signal generator required by § 80.856 must be located at the principal radiotelephone operating position only. The controls must permit instant use of this device to modulate the required transmitter and permit the device to be taken out of operation at any time so that the transmitter may be immediately voice modulated for transmission of a distress call and message.
(a) The receiver required by § 80.854(a) of this part must be capable of reception of H3E and J3E emissions on the radiotelephone distress frequency. The receiver must be capable of reception of J3E emissions on 2638 kHz and the receiving frequencies associated with the transmitting frequencies authorized pursuant to § 80.855(a).
(b) In addition to the receiver required by paragraph (a) of this section, a radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver meeting the technical standards of § 80.269 must be provided.
(c) One or more loudspeakers capable of being used to maintain the distress frequency (2182 kHz) watch at the principal operating position and at any other place where the listening watch is performed must be provided.
(d) The receiver required by paragraph (a) of the section must:
(1) Have a sensitivity of 50 microvolts;
(2) Be capable of operation when energized by the main source of energy, and by the reserve source of energy if a reserve source is required by § 80.860(a);
(3) Be protected from excessive currents and voltages;
(4) Be provided with a nameplate showing the name of the receiver manufacturer and the type or model.
(e) The sensitivity of a receiver is the strength in microvolts of a signal, modulated 30 percent at 400 cycles per second, required at the receiver input to produce an audio output of 50 milliwatts to the loudspeaker with a signal-to-noise ratio of at least 6 decibels. Evidence of a manufacturer's rating or a demonstration of the sensitivity of a required receiver computed on this basis must be furnished upon request of a Commission representative.
(a) The main power supply must simultaneously energize the radiotelephone transmitter at its required antenna power and the required receivers. Under this load condition the voltage of the main power supply at the radiotelephone input terminals must not deviate from its rated potential by more than 10 percent on ships completed on or after July 1, 1941, nor by more than 15 percent on ships completed before that date.
(b) Means must be provided for charging any batteries used as a main power supply. A continuous indication of the rate and polarity of the charging current must be provided during charging of the batteries.
(a) When the main power supply is not on the same deck as the main wheelhouse or at least one deck above the vessel's main deck, a reserve power supply must be provided and must be so situated. The location of the reserve power supply must be located as near to the required transmitter and receivers as practicable and meet all applicable rules and regulations of the United States Coast Guard.
(b) The reserve power supply must be independent of the propelling power of the ship and of any other electrical system, and must simultaneously energize the radiotelephone transmitter at its required antenna power, the required receivers, the emergency light and the automatic radiotelephone alarm signal generator. The reserve power supply must be available at all times.
(c) The reserve power supply may be used to energize the bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone and the VHF radiotelephone installation required by § 80.871.
(d) All circuits connected to the reserve power supply must be protected from overloads.
(e) Means must be provided for charging any batteries used as a reserve power supply. A continuous indication of the rate and polarity of the charging current during charging of the batteries must be provided.
(f) The cooling system of each internal combustion engine used as a part of the reserve power supply must be adequately treated to prevent freezing or overheating consistent with the season and route to be traveled by the particular vessel involved.
(g) The reserve power supply must be available within 1 minute.
If the main power supply or the reserve power supply provided for the purpose of complying with §§ 80.859 and 80.860 consists of batteries, the batteries must have sufficient reserve capacity available at all times while the vessel is leaving or attempting to leave a harbor or port for a voyage in the open sea, and while being navigated in the open sea outside of a harbor or port, to permit operation of the radiotelephone transmitter and the required receivers for at least 6 hours continuously under normal working conditions.
(a) When directed by the Commission or its authorized representative, the station licensee must prove that the requirements of § 80.861 are met.
(b) Proof of the ability of a battery used as a main or reserve source to operate continuously for 6 hours can be established by a discharge test over a
(c) When the reserve power supply is an engine-driven generator, proof of the adequacy of the engine fuel supply to operate the unit contiuously for 6 hours can be established by measuring the fuel consumption for 1 hour when supplying power, at the voltage required for normal operation, to an electrical load as prescribed by paragraph (d) of this section.
(d) In determining the electrical load to be supplied, the following formula must be used:
(1) One-half of the current of the required transmitter at its rated power output.
(2) One fourth of the current of the automatic radiotelephone alarm signal generator; plus
(3) Current of receiver; plus
(4) Current of emergency light(s); plus
(5) Current of the bridge-to-bridge transceiver when connected.
(e) At the conclusion of the test specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, no part of the main or reserve power supply must have an excessive temperature rise, nor must the specific gravity or voltage of any battery be below 90 percent discharge point of the fully charged value.
(a) An antenna system must be installed which is as nondirectional and as efficient as is practicable for the transmission and reception of radio ground waves over seawater. The installation and construction of the required antenna must insure operation in time of emergency.
(b) If the required antenna is suspended between masts or other supports liable to whipping, a safety link which, under heavy stress, will operate to greatly reduce such stress without breakage of the antenna, the halyards, or other antenna-supporting elements, must be installed.
(c) When an electrical ground connection is used as an element of the antenna system, the connection must be efficient.
(a) Emergency electric light(s) must be installed to illuminate the operating controls of the radiotelephone installation at the principal operating position, the card of instructions, and the radiotelephone station clock if the latter is not self-illuminated.
(b) The emergency electric light(s) must be energized from the reserve power supply, if a reserve power supply is required. In cases where a reserve power supply is not required, the emergency lights must be energized independently of the system which supplies the normal lighting.
A clock having a face of at least 12.7 cm (5 in.) in diameter must be mounted in a position that can be observed from the principal operating position.
A spare transmitting antenna completely assembled for immediate erection must be provided. If the installed transmitting antenna is suspended between supports, this spare antenna must be a single-wire transmitting antenna of the same length and must also include suitable insulators.
(a) Each ship station must be provided with such tools, testing equipment, instruction books and circuit diagrams to enable the radiotelephone installation to be maintained in efficient working condition while at sea. Each ship station licensee must compile a list of spare parts, tools, test equipment and circuit diagrams it considers necessary for compliance with this requirement. This list must be available at inspection. The Commission may consider equipment manufacturer lists of recommended spare parts, tools, test equipment, and repair circuit diagrams in determining compliance with this subsection. These items must be located convenient to the radio room.
(b) The testing equipment must include an instrument or instruments for
A card of instructions giving a clear summary of the radiotelephone distress procedure must be securely mounted and displayed in full view of the principal operating position.
Unless the normal use of the required radiotelephone station demonstrates that the equipment is operating, a test communication on a required or working frequency must be made each day the ship is navigated. When this test is performed by a person other than the master and the equipment is found to be defective the master must be promptly notified.
(a) A Class S survival craft emergency position indicating radiobeacon, (EPIRB) required to be carried to comply with title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations must meet the provisions of § 80.833.
(b) A survival craft two-way radiotelephone apparatus must meet the provisions of § 80.834.
(a) All passenger ships irrespective of size and all cargo ships of 300 gross tons and upwards subject to part II of title III of the Communications Act or to the Safety Convention are required to carry a VHF radiotelephone station complying with this subpart. Ships subject only to the Communications Act may use a VHF radiotelephone installation meeting the technical standards of the Bridge-to-Bridge Act to satisfy the watch requirements of § 80.305(a)(3) if the equipment can transmit and receive on 156.800 MHz.
(b) The VHF radiotelephone station must be installed to insure safe and effective operation of the equipment and facilitate repair. It must be protected against vibration, moisture and temperature.
(c) The principal operating position of the radiotelephone station must be in the room from which the ship is normally steered while at sea.
(d) The radiotelephone stations on ships subject to Part II of Title III of the Communications Act must be capable of operating on the frequency 156.800 MHz and in other respects meet the requirements of § 80.143. The radiotelephone stations on ships subject to the Safety Convention must be capable of operating in the simplex mode on the ship station transmitting frequencies specified in the frequency band 156.025 MHz to 157.425 MHz and in the semiduplex mode on the two frequency channels specified in the following table:
The VHF radiotelephone installation includes:
(a) A VHF radiotelephone transmitter,
(b) A VHF radiotelephone receiver,
(c) A power supply,
(d) An antenna system.
(a) The transmitter must be capable of transmission of G3E emission on 156.300 MHz and 156.800 MHz, and on frequencies which have been specified for use in a system established to promote safety of navigation. Vessels in waters of other Administrations are required to communicate on any channel designated by that Administration for navigational safety in the bands specified in § 80.871(d).
(b) The transmitter must be adjusted so that the transmission of speech normally produces peak modulation within the limits of 75 percent and 100 percent.
(c) The transmitter must deliver a carrier power between 8 and 25 watts into a 50 ohm effective resistance. Provision must be made for reducing the carrier power to a value between 0.1 and 1.0 watts.
(d) The transmitter complies with the power output requirements specified in paragraph (c) of this section when:
(1) The transmitter is capable of being adjusted for efficient use with an actual ship station transmitting antenna meeting the requirements of § 80.876; and
(2) The transmitter has been demonstrated capable, with normal operating voltages applied, of delivering not less than 8 watts of carrier power into 50 ohms effective resistance over the frequency band specified in § 80.871(d). An individual demonstration of the power output capability of the transmitter, with the radiotelephone installation normally installed on board ship, may be required; and
(3) It is certificated as required by subpart F of this part.
At 63 FR 36607, July 7, 1998, § 80.873, paragraph (d)(3) was amended by removing the term “type accepted” and adding in its place “certificated”, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
(a) The receiver used for providing the watch for navaigational safety required by § 80.313 must be certificated by the Commission and capable of effective reception of G3E emission on the frequencies required by § 80.871(d) when connected to the antenna specified in § 80.876.
(b) The receiver must have a usable sensitivity of 0.5 microvolts.
(c) The receiver must deliver adequate audio output power to be heard in the ambient noise level likely to be expected on board ships with a loudspeaker and/or a telephone handset.
(d) In the simplex mode when the transmitter is activated the receiver output must be muted.
At 63 FR 36607, July 7, 1998, § 80.874, paragraph (a) is amended by removing the term “type accepted” and adding in its place “certificated”, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
(a) There must be readily available for use under normal load conditions a power supply sufficient to simultaneously energize the VHF transmitter at its required antenna power, and the VHF receiver. Under this load condition the voltage of the source of energy at the power input terminals of the VHF radiotelephone installation must not deviate from its rated value by
(b) When the power supply for the VHF radiotelephone installation consists of batteries, they must be installed in the upper part of the ship, secured against shifting with motion of the ship, capable of operating the installation for 6 hours, and accessible with not less than 26 cm (10 in.) head room.
(c) Means must be provided for charging any rechargeable batteries used in the ship's VHF radiotelephone installation. There must be provided a device which, during charging of the batteries, will give a continuous indication of the charging current.
(d) The VHF radiotelephone installation may be connected to the reserve power supply of a compulsorily fitted radiotelephone or radiotelegraph installation.
A vertically polarized nondirectional antenna must be provided for VHF radiotelephone installations. The construction and installation of this antenna must insure proper operation in an emergency.
The controls and indicators used on equipment of the VHF radiotelephone installation must meet the following standards:
(a) The size of controls must easily permit normal adjustment. The function and the setting of the controls must be clearly indicated.d
(b) Controls must be illuminated to permit satisfactory operation of the equipment.
(c) Means must be provided to reduce to extinction any light output from the equipment which could affect safety of navigation.
(d) An on/off switch must be provided for the entire installation with a visual indication that the installation is switched on.
(e) The equipment must indicate the channel number, as given in the Radio Regulations, to which it is tuned. It must allow the determination of the channel number under all conditions of external lighting. Channel 16 must be distinctively marked.
(f) The receiver must have a manual volume control and a squelch control.
(g) If the external controls are on a separate control unit and more than one such control unit is provided, the one on the bridge must have priority over the others. When there is more than one control unit, indication must be given to the other(s) that the transmitter is in operation.
Ships of 500 gross tons and upwards that are constructed on or after September 1, 1984, must comply with the radar installation requirements and specifications contained in § 80.825 of this part.
The provisions of Part III of Title III of the Communication Act require United States vessels which transport more than six passengers for hire while such vessels are being navigated on any tidewater within the jurisdiction of the United States adjacent or contiguous to the open sea, or in the open sea to carry a radiotelephone installation complying with this subpart. The provisions of Part III do not apply to vessels which are equipped with a radio installation for compliance with Part II of Title III of the Act, or for compliance with the Safety Convention, or to vessels navigating on the Great Lakes.
Every vessel subject to Part III of Title III of the Communications Act must have a detailed inspection of the radio installation by an FCC-licensed technician in accordance with § 80.59
(a) Vessels subject to part III of title III of the Communications Act that operate in the waters described in § 80.901 of this section must, at a minimum, be equipped as follows:
(1) Vessels operated solely within the communications range of a VHF public coast station or U.S. Coast Guard station that maintains a watch on 156.800 MHz while the vessel is navigated must be equipped with a VHF radiotelephone installation. Vessels in this category must not operate more than 20 nautical miles from land.
(2) Vessels operated beyond the 20 nautical mile limitation specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, but not more than 100 nautical miles from the nearest land, must be equipped with a medium frequency transmitter capable of transmitting J3E emission and a receiver capable of reception of J3E emission within the band 1710 to 2850 kHz, in addition to the VHF radiotelephone installation required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section. The medium frequency transmitter and receiver must be capable of operation on 2670 kHz.
(3) Vessels operated more than 100 nautical miles but not more than 200 nautical miles from the nearest land must:
(i) Be equipped with a VHF radiotelephone installation;
(ii) Be equipped with an MF radiotelephone transmitter and receiver meeting the requirements of paragraph (a)(2) of this section; and
(iii) Be equipped with either:
(A) a single sideband radiotelephone capable of operating on all distress and safety frequencies in the medium frequency and high frequency bands listed in §§ 80.369 (a) and (b), on all the ship-to-shore calling frequencies in the high frequency bands listed in § 80.369(d), and on at least four of the automated mutual-assistance vessel rescue (AMVER) system HF duplex channels (this requirement may be met by the addition of such frequencies to the radiotelephone installation required by paragraph (a)(2) of this section); or
(B) if operated in an area within the coverage of an INMARSAT maritime mobile geostationary satellite in which continuous alerting is available, an INMARSAT ship earth station meeting the equipment authorization rules of parts 2 and 80 of this chapter;
(iv) Be equipped with a reserve power supply meeting the requirements of §§ 80.917(b), 80.919, and 80.921, and capable of powering the single sideband radiotelephone or the ship earth station (including associated peripheral equipment) required by paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this section;
(v) Be equipped with a NAVTEX receiver conforming to the following performance standards: IMO Resolution A.525(13) and CCIR Recommendation 540;
(vi) Be equipped with a Category I, 406 MHz satellite emergency position-indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB) meeting the requirements of § 80.1061; and,
(vii) Participate in the AMVER system while engaged on any voyage where the vessel is navigated in the open sea for more than 24 hours. Copies of the AMVER Bulletin are available at: AMVER Maritime Relations (G-NRS-3/AMR), U.S. Coast Guard, Building 110, Box 26, Governor's Island, N.Y. 10004-5034, telephone number (212) 668-7764.
(4) Vessels operated more than 200 nautical miles from the nearest land must:
(i) Be equipped with two VHF radiotelephone installations;
(ii) Be equipped with an MF radiotelephone transmitter and receiver meeting the requirements of paragraph (a)(2) of this section;
(iii) Be equipped with either:
(A) an independent single sideband radiotelephone capable of operating on all distress and safety frequencies in the medium frequency and high frequency bands listed in §§ 80.369(a) and (b), on all of the ship-to-shore calling
(B) If operated in an area within the coverage of an INMARSAT maritime mobile geostationary satellite in which continuous alerting is available, an INMARSAT ship earth station meeting the equipment authorization rules of parts 2 and 80 of this chapter;
(iv) Be equipped with a reserve power supply meeting the requirements of §§ 80.917(b), 80.919, and 80.921, and capable of powering the single sideband radiotelephone or the ship earth station (including associated peripheral equipment) required by paragraph (a)(4)(iii) of this section;
(v) Be equipped with a NAVTEX receiver conforming to the following performance standards: IMO Resolution A.525(13) and CCIR Recommendation 540;
(vi) Be equipped with a Category I, 406 MHz satellite emergency position-indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB) meeting the requirements of § 80.1061;
(vii) Be equipped with a radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver meeting the requirements of § 80.269;
(viii) Be equipped with an automatic radiotelephone alarm signal generator meeting the requirements of § 80.221; and
(ix) Participate in the AMVER system while engaged on any voyage where the vessel is navigated in the open sea for more than 24 hours. Copies of the AMVER Bulletin are available at: AMVER Maritime Relations (G-NRS-3/AMR), U.S. Coast Guard, Building 110, Box 26, Governor's Island, N.Y. 10004-5034, telephone number (212) 668-7764.
(b) For a vessel that is navigated within the communication range of a VHF public coast station or U.S. Coast Guard station, but beyond the 20-nautical mile limitation specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, an exemption from the band 1605 to 2850 kHz installation requirements may be granted if the vessel is equipped with a VHF transmitter and receiver. An application for exemption must include a chart showing the route of the voyage or the area of operation of the vessel, and the receiving service area of the VHF public coast or U.S. Coast Guard station. The coverage area of the U.S. Coast Guard station must be based on written information from the District Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, a copy of which must be furnished with the application. The coverage area of a public coast station must be computed by the method specified in subpart P of this part.
(c) The radiotelephone installation must be installed to insure safe operation of the equipment and to facilitate repair. It must be protected against the vibration, moisture, temperature, and excessive currents and voltages.
(d) A VHF radiotelephone installation or a remote unit must be located at each steering station except those auxiliary steering stations which are used only during brief periods for docking or for close-in maneuvering. A single portable radiotelephone set meets the requirements of this paragraph if adequate permanent mounting arrangements with suitable power provision and antenna feed are installed at each operator steering station. Additionally, for vessels of more than 100 gross tons, the radiotelephone installation must be located at the level of the main wheelhouse or at least one deck above the vessel's main deck.
The principal operating position of the radiotelephone installation on vessels over 100 gross tons must be in the room from which the vessel is normally steered while at sea. If the station can be operated from any location other than the principal operating position, a positive means must be provided at the principal operating position to take full control of the station.
(a) The medium frequency transmitter must have a peak envelope output power of at least 60 watts for J3E emission on 2182 kHz and at least one ship-to-shore working frequency within the
(b) The single sideband radiotelephone must be capable of operating on maritime frequencies in the band 1710 to 27500 kHz with a peak envelope output power of at least 120 watts for J3E emission and H3E emission on 2182 kHz and J3E emission on the distress and safety frequencies listed in § 80.369(b). Single sideband radios installed on or before February 2, 1992, may be used until February 2, 1997, provided such radios are capable of operating on the frequencies listed in §§ 80.369 (a) and (b), and at least half of the frequencies listed in § 80.369(d).
(c) The transmitter complies with the power output requirements specified in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section when:
(1) The transmitter can be adjusted for efficient use with an actual ship station transmitting antenna meeting the requirements of § 80.923 of this part; and
(2) The transmitter, with normal operating voltages applied, has been demonstrated to deliver its required output power on the frequencies specified in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section into either an artificial antenna consisting of a series network of 10 ohms effective resistance and 200 picofarads capacitance or an artificial antenna of 50 ohms nominal impedance. An individual demonstration of power output capability of the transmitter, with the radiotelephone installation normally installed on board ship, may be required.
(d) The single sideband radiotelephone must be capable of transmitting clearly perceptible signals from ship to shore. The transmitter complies with this requirement if it is capable of enabling communication with a public coast station on working frequencies in the 4000 to 27500 kHz band specified in § 80.371(b) of this part under normal daytime operating conditions.
(a) The transmitter must be capable of transmission of G3E emission on 156.800 MHz, 156.300 MHz, and on the ship-to-shore working frequencies necessary to communicate with public coast stations serving the area in which the vessel is navigated.
(b) The transmitter must be adjusted so that the transmission of speech normally produces peak modulation within the limits 75 percent and 100 percent.
(c) The transmitter must be certificated to transmit between 20 watts and 25 watts, on each of the frequencies 156.300 MHz, 156.800 MHz and on ship-to-shore public correspondence channels, into 50 ohms effective resistance when operated with a primary supply voltage of 13.6 volts DC.
(d) When an individual demonstration of the capability of the transmitter is necessary the output power requirements prescribed in this paragraph must be met as follows:
(1) Measurements of primary supply voltage and transmitter output power must be made with the equipment drawing energy only from ship's battery;
(2) The primary supply voltage, measured at the power input terminals to the transmitter, and the output power of the transmitter, terminated in a matching artificial load, must be measured at the end of 10 minutes of continuous operation of the transmitter at its full power output.
(3) The primary supply voltage must not be less than 11.5 volts.
(4) The transmitter output power must be not less than 15 watts.
(5) For primary supply voltages, measured in accordance with the procedures of this paragraph, greater than 11.5 volts, but less than 12.6 volts, the required transmitter output power shall be equal to or greater than the value calculated from the formula
At 63 FR 36607, July 7, 1998, § 80.911, paragraph (c) was
(a) If a medium frequency radiotelephone installation is provided, the watch receiver must be capable of effective reception of J3E emissions, be connected to the antenna system specified by § 80.923, and be preset to, and capable of accurate and convenient selection of, the frequencies 2182 kHz, 2638 kHz, and the receiving frequency(s) of public coast stations serving the area in which the vessel is navigated.
(b) If a single sideband radiotelephone installation is provided, the receiver must be capable of reception of H3E and J3E emissions on 2182 kHz and J3E emission on any receiving frequency authorized pursuant to § 80.909 of this part.
(c) If a very high frequency radiotelephone installation is provided, the receiver used for maintaining the watch required by § 80.303 must be capable of effective reception of G3E emission, be connected to the antenna system specified by § 80.923 and be preset to, and capable of selection of, the frequencies 156.300 MHz, 156.800 MHz, and the receiving frequency(s) of public coast stations serving the area in which the vessel is navigated.
(d) One or more loudspeakers must be provided to permit reception on 2182 kHz or 156.800 MHz at the principal operating position and at any other place where listening is performed.
(e) Any receiver provided as a part of the radiotelephone installation must have a sensitivity of at least 50 microvolts in the case of MF equipment, and 1 microvolt in the case of HF or VHF equipment.
(f) The receiver required in paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of this section must be capable of efficient operation when energized by the main source of energy. When a reserve source of energy is required pursuant to § 80.905 or § 80.917 of this part, the receiver must also be capable of efficient operation when energized by the reserve source of energy.
(g) The sensitivity of a receiver is the strength in microvolts of a signal, modulated 30 percent at 400 Hertz, required at the receiver input to produce an audio output of 50 milliwatts to the loudspeaker with a signal-to-noise ratio of at least 6 decibels. Evidence of a manufacturer's rating or a demonstration of the sensitivity of a required receiver computed on this basis must be furnished upon request of the Commission.
(a) There must be readily available for use under normal load conditions a main power supply sufficient to simultaneously energize the radiotelephone transmitter at its required antenna power, and the required receiver. Under this load condition the potential of the main power supply at the power input terminals of the radiotelephone installation must not deviate from its rated potential by more than 10 percent on vessels completed on or after March 1, 1957, nor by more than 15 percent on vessels completed before that date.
(b) When the main power supply consists of batteries, they must be installed as high above the bilge as practicable, secured against shifting with motion of the vessel, and accessible with not less than 26 cm (10 in.) head room.
(c) Means must be provided for adequately charging any batteries used as a main power supply. There must be a device which gives a continuous indication of the rate and polarity of the charging current during charging.
(a) A vessel of more than 100 gross tons the keel of which was laid after March 1, 1957, must have a reserve power supply located on the same deck as the main wheel house or at least one deck above the vessel's main deck, unless the main power supply is so situated.
(b) The reserve power supply must be independent of the ship's propulsion and of any other electrical system, and be sufficient to simulataneously energize the radiotelephone transmitter at
(c) When the reserve power supply consists of batteries, they must be installed as high above the bilge as practicable, secured against shifting with motion of the vessel, and accessible with not less than 26 cm (10 in.) head room.
(d) The reserve power supply must be located as near the required transmitter and receiver as practicable.
(e) All reserve power supply circuits must be protected from overloads.
(f) Means must be provided for charging any storage batteries used as a reserve power supply for the required radiotelephone installation. There must be a device which will give continuous indication of the rate and polarity of the charging current during charging.
(g) The cooling system of each internal combustion engine used as a part of the reserve power supply must be adequately treated to prevent freezing or overheating consistent with the season and route to be travelled by the particular vessel involved.
If either the main or reserve power supply includes batteries, these batteries must have sufficient reserve capacity to permit proper operation of the required transmitter and receiver for at least 3 hours under normal working conditions.
(a) When directed by a representative of the Commission the vessel must prove by demonstration as prescribed in paragraphs (b), (c), (d) and (e) of this section, that the requirements of § 80.919 are met.
(b) Proof of the ability of a storage battery used as a main or reserve power supply to operate over the 3-hour period established by a discharge test over the prescribed period of time, when supplying power at the voltage required for an electrical loss as prescribed by paragraph (d) of this section.
(c) When the required power supply consists of an engine-driven generator, proof of the adequacy of the engine fuel supply to operate the unit over the 3-hour period of time may be established by using as a basis the fuel consumption during a 1 hour period when supplying power, at the voltage required for operating an electrical load as prescribed by paragraph (d) of this section.
(d) In determining the required electrical load the following formula must be used:
(1) One-half of the current of the required transmitter at its rated output power; plus
(2) Current of the required receiver; plus
(3) Current of electric light, if required by § 80.925; plus
(4) The sum of the current of all other loads the reserve power supply may provide in time of emergency.
(e) At the conclusion of the test specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, no part of the main or reserve power supply must have an excessive temperature rise, nor must the specific gravity or voltage of any storage battery be below the 90 percent discharge point.
An antenna must be provided in accordance with the applicable requirements of § 80.81 of this part which is as efficient as practicable for the transmission and reception of radio waves. The construction and installation of this antenna must insure proper emergency operation.
(a) If the vessel is navigated at night an electric light or dial lights which clearly illuminate the operating controls must be installed to provide illumination of the operating controls at the principal operating position.
(b) The electric light must be energized from the main power supply and, if a reserve power supply for the radiotelephone installation is required, from the reserve power supply.
The transmitter must be equipped with a device which provides visual indication whenever the transmitter is supplying power to the antenna.
A durable nameplate must be mounted on the required radiotelephone equipment. When the transmitter and receiver comprise a single unit, one nameplate is sufficient. The nameplate must show the name of the manufacturer and the type or model number.
Unless normal use of the radiotelephone installation demonstrates that the equipment is in proper operating condition, a test communication on a required frequency in the 1605 to 27500 kHz band or the 156 to 162 MHz band must be made by a qualified operator each day the vessel is navigated. If the equipment is not in proper operating condition, the master must be promptly notified.
(a) Subject U.S. vessels less than 50 gross tons which are navigated not more than 300 meters (1,000 feet) from the nearest land at mean low tide are exempt from the provisions of title III, part III of the Communications Act.
(b) All U.S. passenger vessels of less than 100 gross tons, not subject to the radio provisions of the Safety Convention, are exempt from the radiotelegraph provisions of Part II of Title III of the Communications Act, provided that the vessels are equipped with a radiotelephone installation fully complying with subpart S of this part.
(c) Prior to February 1, 1999, U.S. passenger vessels of less than 100 gross tons are exempt from the radiotelepraph requirements of Part II of Title III of the Communications Act and the MF radiotelephone requirements of this subpart as well as Regulations 7 to 11 of Chapter IV of the Safety Convention if the following criteria are fully met:
(1) The ship is equipped with a VHF radiotelephone installation meeting the requirements of this subpart;
(2) While navigating more than three nautical miles from the nearest land, the ship is equipped with:
(i) A Category 1, 406 MHz EPIRB meeting the requirements of § 80.1061;
(ii) A NAVTEX receiver meeting the requirements of § 80.1101(c)(1); and
(iii) Three two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus and two radar transponders meeting the requirements of § 80.1095.
(3) The ship remains within communications range of U.S. Coast Guard or public coast stations operating in the band 156-162 MHz;
(4) The routes of the voyage are never more than 20 nautical miles from the nearest land or, alternatively, not more than 200 nautical miles between two consecutive ports, and are limited to the following domestic and international voyages:
(i) In waters contiguous to Hawaii, the Bahama Islands and the islands in the Caribbean Sea, including the Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles, and the coastal waters of Venezuela between the Mouth of the Orinoco River and the Gulf of Venezuela;
(ii) In waters contiguous to the coast of Southern California from Point Conception south to Cape San Lucas, Mexico; the islands of San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacopa, San Nicolas, Santa Barbara, Santa Catalina, and San Clemente are considered to be within these waters; and,
(iii) In waters of the Pacific Northwest between Tacoma, Washington and the waters of British Columbia, Canada, as far north as Queen Charlotte Strait, never in the open sea.
(d) Prior to February 1, 1999, U.S. passenger vessels of less than 100 gross tons are exempt from the radiotelegraph requirements of Part II of Title III of the Communications Act, as well as Regulations 7 to 11 of Chapter IV of the Safety Convention, if the following criteria are fully met:
(1) The ship is equipped in accordance with paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section;
(2) The ship is equipped with a MF radiotelephone installation meeting the requirements of this subpart;
(3) The routes of the voyage are never more than 20 nautical miles from the nearest land or, alternatively, not more than 100 nautical miles between two consecutive ports, and are limited to international voyages between Florida and the Bahama Islands.
(e) These exemptions may be terminated at any time without hearing, if in the Commission's discretion, the need for such action arises.
Each station subject to this subpart must have a working clock or timepiece readily available to the operator.
The Agreement Between the United States of America and Canada for Promotion of Safety on the Great Lakes by Means of Radio, 1973, applies to vessels of all countries when navigated on the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Radio Agreement defines the Great Lakes as “all waters of Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron (including Georgian Bay), Michigan, Superior, their connecting and tributary waters and the River St. Lawrence as far east as the lower exit of the St. Lambert Lock at Montreal in the Province of Quebec, Canada,” but does not include such of the connecting and tributary waters as may be specified in the Technical Regulations. The Technical Regulations do not include any connecting and tributary waters except the St. Mary's River, the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River and the Welland Canal. A vessel to which the Great Lakes Radio Agreement applies and which falls into the specific categories by paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this section and not excepted by paragraph (d) or (e) of this section must comply with this subpart while navigated on the Great Lakes.
(a) Every vessel 20 meters (65 feet) or over in length (measured from end to end over the deck, exclusive of sheer).
(b) Every vessel engaged in towing another vessel or floating object, except:
(1) Where the maximum length of the towing vessel, measured from end to end over the deck exclusive of sheer, is less than 8 meters (26 feet) and the length or breadth of the tow, exclusive of the towing line, is less than 20 meters (65 feet);
(2) Where the vessel towed complies with this subpart;
(3) Where the towing vessel and tow are located within a booming ground (an area in which logs are confined); or
(4) Where the tow has been undertaken in an emergency and neither the towing vessel nor the tow can comply with this part.
(c) Any vessel carrying more than six passengers for hire.
(d) The requirements of the Great Lakes Radio Agreement do not apply to:
(1) Ships of war and troop ships;
(2) Vessels owned and operated by any national government and not engaged in trade.
(e) The Commission may if it considers that the conditions of the voyage or voyages affecting safety (including but not necessarily limited to the regularity, frequency and nature of the voyages, or other circumstances) are such as to render full application of the Great Lakes Agreement unreasonable or unnecessary, exempt partially, conditionally or completely, any individual vessel for one or more voyages or for any period of time not exceeding one year.
(a) Each U.S. flag vessel subject to the Great Lakes Agreement must have an inspection of the required radiotelephone installation at least once every 13 months. This inspection must be made while the vessel is in active service or within not more than one month before the date on which it is placed in service.
(b) An inspection and certification of a ship subject to the Great Lakes Agreement must be made by a technician holding one of the following: a
(1) The date the inspection was conducted;
(2) The date by which the next inspection needs to be completed;
(3) The inspector's printed name, address, class of FCC license (including the serial number);
(4) The results of the inspection, including any repairs made; and
(5) The inspector's signed and dated certification that the vessel meets the requirements of the Great Lakes Agreement and the Bridge-to-Bridge Act contained in subparts T and U of this part and has successfully passed the inspection.
(c) The vessel owner, operator, or ship's master must certify that the inspection required by paragraph (b) was satisfactory.
(d) The ship's log must be retained on-board the vessel for at least two years from the date of the inspection.
(a) Each U.S. flag vessel of less than 38 meters (124 feet) in length while subject to the Great Lakes Agreement must have a radiotelephone meeting the provisions of this subpart in addition to the other rules in this part governing ship stations using telephony.
(b) Each U.S. flag vessel of 38 meters (124 feet) or more in length while subject to the Great Lakes Agreement must have a minimum of two VHF radiotelephone installations in operating condition meeting the provisions of this subpart. The second VHF installation must be electrically separate from the first VHF installation. However, both may be connected to the main power supply provided one installation can be operated from a separate power supply located as high as practicable on the vessel.
(c) This paragraph does not require or prohibit the use of other frequencies for use by the same “radiotelephone installation” for communication authorized by this part.
(a) Each VHF radiotelephone installation must be capable of transmitting and receiving G3E emission as follows:
(1) Channel 16—156.800 MHz-Distress, Safety and Calling; and
(2) Channel 6—156.300 MHz—Primary intership.
(b) The radiotelephone station must have additional frequencies as follows:
(1) Those ship movement frequencies appropriate to the vessel's area of operation: Channel 11—156.550 MHz, Channel 12—156.600 MHz, or Channel 14—156.700 MHz.
(2) The navigational bridge-to-bridge frequency, 156.650 MHz (channel 13).
(3) Such other frequencies as required for the vessel's service.
(4) One channel for receiving marine navigational warnings for the area of operation.
(c) Every radiotelephone station must include one or more transmitters, one or more receivers, one or more sources of energy and associated antennas and control equipment. The radiotelephone station, exclusive of the antennas and source of energy, must be located as high as practicable on the vessel, preferably on the bridge, and protected from water, temperature, and electrical and mechanical noise.
(a) The principal operating position of the radiotelephone installation must be on the bridge, convenient to the conning position.
(b) When the radiotelephone station is not located on the bridge, operational control of the equipment must be provided at the location of the radiotelephone station and at the bridge operating position. Complete control of the equipment at the bridge operating position must be provided.
(a) The transmitter must be capable of transmission of G3E emission on the required frequencies.
(b) The transmitter must deliver a carrier power of between 10 watts and 25 watts into 50 ohms nominal resistance when operated with its rated supply voltage. The transmitter must be capable of readily reducing the carrier power to one watt or less.
(c) To demonstrate the capability of the transmitter, measurements of primary supply voltage and transmitter output power must be made with the equipment operating on the vessel's main power supply, as follows:
(1) The primary supply voltage measured at the power input terminals to the transmitter terminated in a matching artificial load, must be measured at the end of 10 minutes of continuous operation of the transmitter at its rated power output.
(2) The primary supply voltage, measured in accordance with the procedures of this paragraph, must be not less than 11.5 volts.
(3) The transmitter at full output power measured in accordance with the procedure of this paragraph must not be less than 10 watts.
(a) The receiver must be capable of reception of G3E emission on the required frequencies.
(b) The receiver must have a sensitivity of at least 2 microvolts across 50 ohms for a 20 decibel signal-to-noise ratio.
(a) A main power supply must be available at all times while the vessel is subject to the requirements of the Great Lakes Radio Agreement.
(b) Means must be provided for charging any batteries used as a source of energy. A device which during charging of the batteries gives a continuous indication of charging current must be provided.
(a) Each passenger vessel of more than 100 gross tons and each cargo vessel of more than 300 gross tons must be provided with a reserve power supply independent of the vessel's normal electrical system and capable of energizing the radiotelephone installation and illuminating the operating controls at the principal operating position for at least 2 continuous hours under normal operating conditions. When meeting this 2 hour requirement, such reserve power supply must be located on the bridge level or at least one deck above the vessel's main deck.
(b) Instead of the independent power supply specified in paragraph (a) of this section, the vessel may be provided with an auxiliary radiotelephone installation having a power source independent of the vessel's normal electrical system. Any such installation must comply with §§ 80.955, 80.956, 80.957, 80.959, 80.961, 80.969 and 80.971, as well as the general technical standards contained in this part. Additionally, the power supply for any such auxiliary radiotelephone must be a “reserve power supply” for the purposes of paragraphs (c), (d) and (e) of this section.
(c) Means must be provided for adequately charging any batteries used as a reserve power supply for the required radiotelephone installation. A device must be provided which, during charging of the batteries, gives a continuous indication of charging.
(d) The reserve power supply must be available within one minute.
(e) The station licensee, when directed by the Commission, must prove by demonstration as prescribed in paragraphs (e)(1), (2), (3) and (4) of this section that the reserve power supply is capable of meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section as follows:
(1) When the reserve power supply includes a battery, proof of the ability of the battery to operate continuously for the required time must be established by a discharge test over the required time, when supplying power at the voltage required for normal operation to an electric load as prescribed by paragraph (e)(3) of this section.
(2) When the reserve power supply includes an engine driven generator, proof of the adequacy of the engine fuel supply to operate the unit continuously for the required time may be established by using as a basis the fuel
(3) For the purposes of determining the electrical load to be supplied, the following formula must be used:
(i) One-half of the current of the radiotelephone while transmitting at its rated output, plus one-half the current while not transmitting; plus
(ii) Current of the required receiver; plus
(iii) Current of the source of illumination provided for the operating controls prescribed by § 80.969; plus
(iv) The sum of the currents of all other loads to which the reserve power supply may provide power in time of emergency or distress.
(4) At the conclusion of the test specified in paragraphs (e) (1) and (2) of this section, no part of the reserve power supply must have excessive temperature rise, nor must the specific gravity or voltage of any battery be below the 90 percent discharge point.
The antenna must be omni-directional, vertically polarized and located as high as practicable on the masts or superstructure of the vessel.
(a) The radiotelephone must have dial lights which illuminate the operating controls at the principal operating position.
(b) Instead of dial lights, a light from an electric lamp may be provided to illuminate the operating controls of the radiotelephone at the principal operating position. If a reserve power supply is required, arrangements must permit the use of that power supply for illumination within one minute.
At least once during each calendar day a vessel subject to the Great Lakes Radio Agreement must test communications on 156.800 MHz to demonstrate that the radiotelephone installation is in proper operating condition unless the normal daily use of the equipment demonstrates that this installation is in proper operating condition. If equipment is not in operating condition, the master must have it restored to effective operation as soon as possible.
The Bridge-to-Bridge Act and the regulations of this part apply to the following vessels in the navigable waters of the United States:
(a) Every power-driven vessel of 20 meters or over in length while navigating;
(b) Every vessel of 100 gross tons and upward carrying one or more passengers for hire while navigating;
(c) Every towing vessel of 7.8 meters (26 feet) or over in length, measured from end to end over the deck excluding sheer, while navigating; and
(d) Every dredge and floating plant engaged, in or near a channel or fairway, in operations likely to restrict or affect navigation of other vessels. An unmanned or intermittently manned floating plant under the control of a dredge shall not be required to have a separate radiotelephone capability.
Vessels subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act must have a radiotelephone installation to enable the vessel to participate in navigational communications. This radiotelephone installation must be continuously associated with the ship even though a portable installation is used. Foreign vessels coming into U.S. waters where a bridge-to-bridge station is required may fulfill this requirement by use of portable equipment brought a board by the pilot. Non portable equipment, when used, must be arranged to facilitate repair. The equipment must be protected against vibration, moisture, temperature and excessive currents and voltages.
The bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone station will be inspected on vessels subject to regular inspections pursuant to the requirements of Parts II and III of Title III of the Communications Act, the Safety Convention or the Great Lakes Agreement at the time of the regular inspection. If after such inspection, the Commission determines that the Bridge-to-Bridge Act, the rules of the Commission and the station license are met, an endorsement will be made on the appropriate document. The validity of the endorsement will run concurrently with the period of the regular inspection. Each vessel must carry a certificate with a valid endorsement while subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act. All other bridge-to-bridge stations will be inspected from time to time. An inspection of the bridge-to-bridge station on a Great Lakes Agreement vessel must normally be made at the same time as the Great Lakes Agreement inspection is conducted by a technician holding one of the following: a General Radiotelephone Operator License, a GMDSS Radio Maintainer's License, a Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate, or a First Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate. Additionally, the technician must not be the vessel's owner, operator, master, or an employee of any of them. Ships subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act may, in lieu of an endorsed certificate, certify compliance in the station log required by section 80.409(f).
Use of the bridge-to-bridge transmitter must be restricted to the master or person in charge of the vessel, or the person designated by the master or person in charge to pilot or direct the movement of the vessel. Communications must be of a navigational nature exclusively.
The principal operating position of the bridge-to-bridge station must be the vessel's navigational bridge or, in the case of dredges, its main control station. If the radiotelephone installation can be operated from any location other than the principal operating position, the principal operating position must be able to take full control of the installation.
(a) The bridge-to-bridge transmitter must be capable of transmission of G3E emission on the navigational frequency 156.650 MHz (Channel 13) and the Coast Guard liaison frequency 157.100 MHz (Channel 22A). Additionally, the bridge-to-bridge transmitter must be capable of transmission of G3E emission on the navigational frequency of 156.375 MHz (Channel 67) while transiting any of the following waters:
(1) The lower Mississippi River from the territorial sea boundary, and within either the Southwest Pass safety fairway or the South Pass safety fairway specified in § 166.200 of the U.S. Coast Guard's Rules, 33 CFR 166.200, to mile 242.4 AHP (Above Head of Passes) near Baton Rouge;
(2) The Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet from the territorial sea boundary, and within the Mississippi River-Gulf outlet Safety Fairway specified in § 166.200 of the U.S. Coast Guard's Rules, 33 CFR 166.200, to that channel's junction with the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal; and
(3) The full length of the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal from its junction with the Mississippi River to that canal's entry to Lake Pontchartrain at the New Seabrook vehicular bridge.
(b) [Reserved]
The bridge-to-bridge receiver must be capable of reception of G3E emission on the navigational frequency 156.650 MHz (Channel 13) and the Coast Guard liaison frequency 157.100 MHz (Channel 22A). In addition, the bridge-to-bridge receiver must be capable of reception of G3E emission on the navigational frequency of 156.375 MHz (Channel 67) while transiting in the waters of the lower Mississippi River as described in
(a) There must be readily available for use under normal load conditions, a power supply sufficient to simultaneously energize the bridge-to-bridge transmitter at its required antenna power, and the bridge-to-bridge receiver. Under this load condition the voltage of the power supply at the power input terminals of the bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone installation must not deviate from its rated voltage by more than 10 percent on vessels completed on or after March 1, 1957, nor by more than 15 percent on vessels completed before that date.
(b) When the power supply for a nonportable bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone installation consists of or includes batteries, they must be installed as high above the bilge as practicable, secured against shifting with motion of the vessel, and accessible with not less than 26 cm (10 in.) head room.
(c) Means must be provided for adequately charging any rechargeable batteries used in the vessel's bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone installation. There must be provided a device which will give a continuous indication of the charging current during charging.
(a) An antenna must be provided for nonportable bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone installations which is nondirectional and vertically polarized. The construction and installation of this antenna must insure proper operation in time of an emergency.
(b) In cases where portable bridge-to-bridge equipment is permanently associated with a vessel, the equipment must be provided with a connector for an external antenna of a type capable of meeting requirements of paragraph (a) of this section and § 80.71. The vessel must be equipped with an external antenna meeting requirements of paragraph (a) of this section and § 80.71, capable of use with the portable equipment during a normal listening watch.
Each nonportable bridge-to-bridge transmitter must be equipped, at each point of control, with a carrier operated device which will provide continuous visual indication when the transmitter is supplying power to the antenna transmission line or, in lieu thereof, a pilot lamp or meter which will provide continuous visual indication when the transmitter control circuits have been placed in a condition to activate the transmitter.
A durable nameplate must be mounted on the required radiotelephone or be an integral part of it. When the transmitter and receiver comprise a single unit, one nameplate is sufficient. The nameplate must show at least the name of the manufacturer and the type or model number.
Unless normal use of the required radiotelephone installation demonstrates that the equipment is in proper operating condition, a test communication for this purpose must be made by a qualified operator each day the vessel is navigated. If the equipment is not in proper operating condition, the master must be promptly notified. The master must have it restored to effective operating condition as soon as possible.
This subpart describes the technical and performance requirements for Classes A, B, C, and S, and Categories 1, 2, and 3 EPIRB stations.
(a) A Class A EPIRB station must meet the following:
(1) Float free of a sinking ship;
(2) Activate automatically when it floats free of a sinking ship;
(3) Have an antenna that deploys automatically when the EPIRB activates;
(4) Use A3X emission on a mandatory basis and A3E and NON emissions on an optional basis on the frequencies 121.500 MHz and 243.000 MHz;
(5) Transmission of A3E or NON emission must not exceed 90 seconds and must be followed by a transmission of at least three minutes of A3X emission; each transmission of a synthesized and/or pre-recorded voice message must be preceded by the words “this is a recording”;
(6) The effective radiated power must not be less than 75 milliwatts after 48 hours of continuous operation and without replacement or recharge of batteries.
(7) The mandatory A3X emission must be amplitude modulated with an audio signal swept downward between 1600 and 300 Hz. The sweeping range of the audio signal must be 700 Hz or greater. Its sweep repetition rate must be between 2 and 4 times per second. The modulation factor must be at least 0.85 and the modulation duty cycle must be at least 33%, but not more that 55%.
(8) EPIRBs manufactured on or after October 1, 1988; EPIRBs carried as part of a ship station to satisfy USCG equipment carriage requirements that are newly installed on or after April 1, 1989; EPIRBs carried as part of a ship station to satisfy USCG equipment carriage requirements on or after August 1, 1991; and EPIRBs that are newly installed as part of a voluntarily equipped ship station after August 1, 1991, must have a clearly defined carrier frequency distinct from the modulation sidebands for the mandatory emission, A3X, and if used, the A3E or NON emissions. On 121.500 MHz at least thirty per cent of the total power emitted during any transmission cycle with or without modulation must be contained within plus or minus 30 Hz of the carrier frequency. On 243.000 MHz at least thirty per cent of the toal power emitted during any transmission cycle with or without modulation must be contained within plus or minus 60 Hz of the carrier frequency. Additionally, if the type of emission is changed during transmission the carrier frequency nust not shift more than plus or minus 30 Hz on 121.500 MHz and not more than plus or minus 60 Hz on 243.000 MHz. The long term stability of the carrier frequency must comply with the requirements in § 80.209(a) of this part.
(9) Have a visible or audible indicator which clearly shows that the device is operating. The indicator must be activated by the RF output power. The indicator must be protected from damage due to dropping or contact with other objects;
(10) Float in calm water with at least the upper 5 cm (2 in.) of the EPIRB out of the water and the base of the antenna at least 5 cm (2 in.) above the water, with the antenna in a vertical position completely above the water surface;
(11) Be ballasted to right itself from a position of 90 degrees from its upright position in one second or less;
(12) Meet the requirements of paragraphs (a) (1) through (9) of this section after a free fall into water 3 times from a height of 20 meters (66 ft.);
(13) Bear a designation that indicates it is a “Class A” EPIRB;
(14) Have a positive means of turning the equipment off. When an on-off switch is employed a guard must be provided to prevent inadvertent operation.
(b) Class A EPIRB's must have a manually activated test switch which must be held in position for test operation and when released return the EPIRB to its normal state. A switch guard must be provided to prevent inadvertent activation. Class A EPIRB's must also have an associated test circuit and an RF output power indicator which in the test position must:
(1) Permit the operator to determine that the unit is operative;
(2) Switch the transmitter output to an artificial antenna equivalent to that of the EPIRB antenna;
(3) Reduce radiation to a level not to exceed 100 nanowatts at a distance of 30 meters (98 feet) irrespective of direction.
(c) EPIRBs manufactured on or after October 1, 1988, must be tested in accordance with subpart N, part 2 of this chapter. A report of the measurements
(d) Vacuum tubes are not permitted in EPIRB's. The equipment must meet the requirements after extended periods of inaction while carried in vessels and subjected to the environmental conditions prescribed. Operation into any RF load from open to short must not cause continuing degradation in performance.
(e) EPIRBs must be powered by a battery contained within the transmitter case or in a battery holder that is rigidly attached to the transmitter case. The battery connector must be corrosion resistant and positive in action and must not rely for contact upon spring force alone. The useful life of the battery is the length of time that the battery can be stored under marine environmental conditions without the EPIRB transmitter peak effective radiated power falling below 75 milliwatts prior to 48 hours of continuous operation. The month and year of the battery's manufacture must be permanently marked on the battery and the month and year upon which 50 percent of its useful life will have expired must be permanently marked on both the battery and the outside of the transmitter. The batteries must be replaced if 50 percent of their useful life has expired or if the transmitter has been used in an emergency situation. EPIRBs manufactured after April 27, 1992 must display prominently on the outer case one of the following: The battery installation instructions, the title of the manual that contains such information, or the company name and address where the battery installation can be performed.
(f) The EPIRB must be waterproof and must not be accidentally activated by rain, seaspray, hose wash-down spray or storage in high humidity conditions. Standing water on the outer surface must not significantly affect its performance.
(g) Operating instructions understandable by untrained personnel must be permanently displayed on the equipment.
(h) The exterior of the equipment must have no sharp edges or projections. Means must be provided to fasten the EPIRB to a survival craft or person.
(i) The antenna must be deployable to its designed length and operating position in a foolpoof manner. The antenna must be securely attached to the EPIRB and easy to de-ice. The antenna must be vertically polarized and omnidirectional.
At 63 FR 36607, July 7, 1998, § 80.1053, paragraph (c) was amended by removing the term “type accepted” each place it appears and adding in its place “certificated”, and by removing the term “type acceptance” each place it appears and adding in its place “certification”, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
(a) A Class B EPIRB must meet the following:
(1) The EPIRB must be turned on automatically, as by water activated battery, or manually by an on-off switch. A positive means of turning the equipment off must be provided. Where an on-off switch is employed, a guard must be provided to prevent inadvertent operation;
(2) The equipment must be designed to be deployed, its controls actuated, or its antenna erected, each by a single action task which can be performed by either hand;
(3) Meet the requirements in §§ 80.1053(a) (4) through (8), (a)(14), and (c) through (i) of this part. EPIRBs with water activated batteries must, additionally, meet the requirements contained in §§ 80.1053 (a)(10) and (a)(11) of this part,
(4) Bear a designation that indicates it is a “Class B” EPIRB.
(b) A Class B EPIRB may have a manually activated test switch which meets the requirements in § 80.1053 (b) and (c).
(c) If testing of an EPIRB with Coast Guard coordination is not possible, brief operational tests are authorized provided the tests are conducted within the first five minutes of any hour and are not longer than three audio sweeps or one second whichever is longer.
Class C EPIRB's shall not be manufactured, imported, or sold in the United States after February 1, 1995. Class C EPIRB stations installed on board vessels before February 1, 1995, may be used until February 1, 1999, and not thereafter.
(a) A Class C EPIRB must operate on the frequencies 156.750 and 156.800 MHz, must use G3N modulation, and employ the international Radiotelephone Two Tone Alarm signal. The EPIRB transmission must be cycled. Each cycle must consist of 6 periods (T1 to T6) as shown in the table below. During T1, T2, T3, and T5 the 156.750 MHz and 156.800 MHz carriers must be modulated alternately by a 2200 Hz and a 1300 Hz tone.
The modulating duration of each tone must be 250 milliseconds. The maximum tolerance of the frequency and modulating duration of each tone must be
(b) The effective radiated power must not be less than 1 watt. The power must be determined according to FCC Bulletin OCE 45. The EPIRB must meet the power requirements over each of the following temperature ranges for the time period shown below. Batteries may be replaced after completion of tests for each temperature range:
(1) 0 to +50 degrees Celsius for 24 hours continuous operation.
(2) −20 to 0 degrees Celsius for 12 hours continuous operation.
(c) The equipment must have a transmitter, an integral antenna and a power supply. The transmitter and power supply must be in separate compartments in a single watertight case.
(d) The equipment must be provided with a visible or audible indicator which clearly shows the device is operating. The indicator must be activated by the RF output power.
(e) The equipment must operate when hand held or when floating in water after storage for extended periods under marine environmental conditions.
(f) The switch used to activate the EPIRB must indicate the state of the
(g) The equipment case must be waterproof and resealable without special tools or sealing compounds. EPIRB operation must not be degraded by submersion in sea water for a period of 24 hours.
(h) The EPIRB must float in fresh water with the antenna vertical and completely out of the water.
(i) Vacuum tubes are not permitted in EPIRB's. The EPIRB must meet the requirements after extended periods of inaction while carried in vessels and subjected to marine environmental conditions. Operation into any load from open to short must not result in continuous degradation of performance.
(j) The exterior of the equipment must have no sharp edges or projections. Means must be provided to secure the EPIRB to a survival craft or person.
(k) Operating instructions understandable by untrained personnel must be permanently displayed on the equipment. It must indicate that the device is “to be used solely for distress purposes.”
(l) The equipment must have no exposed areas or terminals that could ignite flammable gases or materials.
(m) The omndirectional antenna must be securely attached to the case and capable of being stowed without being damaged.
(n) The equipment must meet the technical standards after being dropped into water from a height of 6 meters (20 feet).
(o) The EPIRB must meet the technical standards when plunged into sea water at +20 degrees Celsius after storage at a temperature of +50 degrees Celsius.
(p) If testing of an EPIRB with Coast Guard coordination is not possible, brief operational tests are authorized provided the tests are conducted within the first five minutes of any hour for not more than 10 seconds.
(q) The EPIRB must automatically turn off after 24 hours
(r) The EPIRB must be equipped with a visual indication of a low battery condition.
(s) The EPIRB must have a designation that indicates it is a “Class C” EPIRB.
(a) A Class S EPIRB station must be able to float or be permanently secured to a survival craft.
(b) A Class S EPIRB able to float must meet the following:
(1) Be watertight and float in calm water with at least 5 cm (2 in.) of the EPIRB out of the water and the base of the antenna at least 5 cm (2 in.) above the water, with the antenna in a vertical position completely above the water surface;
(2) Be ballasted to right itself from a position 90 degrees from its upright position in one second or less;
(3) Meet the requirements in § 80.1053 (a)(4) through (9) after free fall into water 3 times from a height of 20 meters (67 ft.).
(c) A Class S EPIRB intended to be permanently secured to a survival craft is not required to float in water.
(d) Additionally, all Class S EPIRB's must meet the following:
(1) Be capable only of manual activation by an on-off switch protected by a guard to prevent inadvertent operation;
(2) Be designed to be deployed, its controls actuated, or its antenna erected, each by a single action task which can be performed by either hand;
(3) Meet the requirements in §§ 80.1053 (a)(4) through (a)(8) and (b) through (i) of this part;
(4) Class S EPIRBs may provide either continuous or intermittent operation. If the EPIRB is designed for intermittent operation, the duty cycle must be from 50 to 60 per cent and the period two minutes plus or minus 12 seconds. In either event, the EPIRB must meet the power output characteristics described in § 80.1053(a)(8) of this part;
(5) If testing of an EPIRB with Coast Guard coordination is not possible, brief operational tests are authorized provided the tests are conducted within the first five minutes of any hour and are not longer than three audio sweeps or one second whichever is longer;
(6) Have a designation that indicates it is a “Class S” EPIRB.
(e) Applications for certification must include a letter from the manufacturer stating that the EPIRB meets the requirements in paragraphs (b) and (d), or (c) and (d) of this section.
At 63 FR 36607, July 7, 1998, § 80.1059, paragraph (e) was amended by removing the term “type acceptance” and adding in its place “certification”, effective Oct. 5, 1998.
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions in paragraph (b) of this section, 406.025 MHz EPIRBs must meet all the technical and performance standards contained in the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services document titled “RTCM Recommended Standards for 406 MHz Satellite Emergency Position-Indicating Radiobeacons (EPIRBs)” dated July 31, 1987, with editorial updates of December 31, 1987 (RTCM Recommended Standards). This RTCM document is incorporated by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a). The document is available for inspection at Commission headquarters in Washington, DC or may be obtained from the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services, Post Office Box 19087, Washington, DC 20036.
(b) The 406.025 MHz EPIRB must contain as an integral part a “homing” beacon operating only on 121.500 MHz that meets all the requirements described in the RTCM Recommended Standards document described in paragraph (a) of this section. The 121.500 MHz “homing” beacon must have a continuous duty cycle that may be interrupted during the transmission of the 406.025 MHz signal only. Additionally, at least 30 percent of the total power emitted during any transmission cycle must be contained within plus or minus 30 Hz of the carrier frequency.
(c) Prior to submitting a certification application for a 406 MHz radiobeacon, the radiobeacon must be certified by a test facility recognized by one of the COSPAS/SARSAT Partners that the equipment satisfies the design characteristics associated with the measurement methods described in Appendix B of the RTCM Recommended Standards.
(1) After a 406.025 MHz EPIRB has been certified by the recognized test facilities the following information must be submitted in duplicate to the Commandant (G-MVI), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 2nd Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001:
(i) The name of the manufacturer or grantee and model number of the EPIRB;
(ii) Copies of the certificate and test data obtained from the test facility recognized by a COSPAS/SARSAT Partner showing that the radiobeacon complies with the COSPAS/SARSAT design characteristics associated with the measurement methods described in Appendix B of the RTCM Recommended Standards;
(iii) Copies of the test report and test data obtained from the test facility recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard showing that the radiobeacon complies with the U.S. Coast Guard environmental and operational characteristics associated with the measurement methods described in Appendix A of the RTCM Recommended Standards; and
(iv) Instruction manuals associated with the radiobeacon, description of the test characteristics of the radiobeacon including assembly drawings, electrical s