Sec.  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  Sec. 11.51. To substitute for the weekly test of the EAS header
   codes and EOM codes in paragraph (2)(i) of this section, activation must
   include transmission of the EAS header and EOM codes. Television stations
   and cable systems and wireless cable systems shall comply with the aural and
   visual message requirements in  Sec. 11.51. Special EAS tests at the State and
   Local Area levels may be conducted on daily basis following procedures in
   State and Local Area EAS plans.

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

   [ 67 FR 18511 , Apr. 16, 2002]
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                        Last updated: August 7, 2006