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47 C.F.R. Subpart E—Tests

Title 47 - Telecommunication

Title 47: Telecommunication
PART 11—EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM (EAS)

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Subpart E—Tests

§ 11.61   Tests of EAS procedures.

Link to an amendment published at 70 FR 71038, Nov. 25, 2005.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(2) Required Weekly Tests:

(i) EAS Header Codes and EOM Codes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[67 FR 18511, Apr. 16, 2002]

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