[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 47, Volume 1]
[Revised as of October 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 47CFR11.61]

[Page 739-740]
 
                       TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION
 
              CHAPTER I--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
 
PART 11_EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM (EAS)--Table of Contents
 
                             Subpart E_Tests
 
Sec. 11.61  Tests of EAS procedures.


    (a) Tests shall be made at regular intervals as indicated in 
paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section. Additional tests may be 
performed anytime. EAS activations and special tests may be performed in 
lieu of required tests as specified in paragraph (a)(4) of this section. 
All tests will conform with the procedures in the EAS Operating 
Handbook.
    (1) Required Monthly Tests of the EAS header codes, Attention 
Signal, Test Script and EOM code.
    (i) Effective January 1, 1997, AM, FM and TV stations.
    (ii) Effective October 1, 2002, cable systems with fewer than 5,000 
subscribers per headend.
    (iii) Effective December 31, 1998, cable systems with 10,000 or more 
subscribers; and effective October 1, 2002, cable systems serving 5,000 
or more,

[[Page 740]]

but less than 10,000 subscribers per headend.
    (iv) Effective October 1, 2002, all wireless cable systems.
    (v) Tests in odd numbered months shall occur between 8:30 a.m. and 
local sunset. Tests in even numbered months shall occur between local 
sunset and 8:30 a.m. They will originate from Local or State Primary 
sources. The time and script content will be developed by State 
Emergency Communications Committees in cooperation with affected 
broadcast stations, cable systems, wireless cable systems, and other 
participants. Script content may be in the primary language of the 
broadcast station or cable system. These monthly tests must be 
transmitted within 60 minutes of receipt by broadcast stations and cable 
systems and wireless cable systems in an EAS Local Area or State. Class 
D non-commercial educational FM and LPTV stations are required to 
transmit only the test script.
    (2) Required Weekly Tests:
    (i) EAS Header Codes and EOM Codes:
    (A) Effective January 1, 1997, AM, FM and TV stations must conduct 
tests of the EAS header and EOM codes at least once a week at random 
days and times.
    (B) Effective December 31, 1998, cable systems with 10,000 or more 
subscribers per headend must conduct tests of the EAS header and EOM 
codes at least once a week at random days and times on all programmed 
channels:
    (C) Effective October 1, 2002, cable systems serving fewer than 
5,000 subscribers per headend must conduct tests of the EAS header and 
EOM codes at least once a week at random days and times on at least one 
programmed channel.
    (D) Effective October 1, 2002, the following cable systems and 
wireless cable systems must conduct tests of the EAS header and EOM 
codes at least once a week at random days and times on all programmed 
channels:
    (1) Cable systems serving 5,000 or more, but less than 10,000 
subscribers per headend; and,
    (2) Wireless cable systems with 5,000 or more subscribers.
    (E) Effective October 1, 2002, the following cable systems and 
wireless cable systems must conduct tests of the EAS header and EOM 
codes at least once a week at random days and times on at least one 
programmed channel:
    (1) Cable systems with fewer than 5,000 subscribers per headend; 
and,
    (2) Wireless cable systems with fewer than 5,000 subscribers.
    (ii) Class D non-commercial educational FM and LPTV stations are not 
required to transmit this test but must log receipt.
    (iii) The EAS weekly test is not required during the week that a 
monthly test is conducted.
    (iv) TV stations, cable television systems and wireless cable 
systems are not required to transmit a video message when transmitting 
the required weekly test.
    (3) Periodic National Tests. National Primary (NP) sources shall 
participate in tests as appropriate. The FCC may request a report of 
these tests.
    (4) EAS activations and special tests. The EAS may be activated for 
emergencies or special tests at the State or Local Area level by a 
broadcast station, cable system or wireless cable system instead of the 
monthly or weekly tests required by this section. To substitute for a 
monthly test, activation must include transmission of the EAS header 
codes, Attention Signal, emergency message and EOM code and comply with 
the visual message requirements in Sec. 11.51. To substitute for the 
weekly test of the EAS header codes and EOM codes in paragraph (2)(i) of 
this section, activation must include transmission of the EAS header and 
EOM codes. Television stations and cable systems and wireless cable 
systems shall comply with the aural and visual message requirements in 
Sec. 11.51. Special EAS tests at the State and Local Area levels may be 
conducted on daily basis following procedures in State and Local Area 
EAS plans.
    (b) Entries shall be made in broadcast station and cable system and 
wireless cable system records as specified in Sec. 11.54(b)(12).

[67 FR 18511, Apr. 16, 2002]

[[Page 741]]