5 FCC Red No. 1 Federal Communications Commission Record
FCC 89-351
Before the
Federal
Communications Commission
Washington, D.C.
20554
PR
Docket No. 89-622
In
the
Matter
of
Amendment
of
Parts 80
and
87
RM-6578
of
the
Commission's
Rules to
modify
and
clarify
the
technical
characteristics
of
emergency
position
indicating
radiobeacons
and
emergency
locator
transmitters
in
the
maritime
and
aviation
services.
NOTICE
OF
PROPOSED RULE MAKING
Adopted: December
20, 1989; Released:
January
10, 1990
By
the
Commission:
I.
INTRODUCTION
1.
This Notice
of
Proposed Rule Making (Notice)
pro-
poses to
amend
Parts
80
and
87
of
the
Commission's
Rules, 47 C.F.R. Parts 80
and
87, to modify
and
clarify
the
rules
pertaining
to
the
technical characteristics
of
emergency
position
indicating
radiobeacons (EPIRBs)
and
emergency
locator
transmitters (ELTs) that
operate
on
121.500 MHz
and
243.000 MHz. We are initiating this
rule
making
proceeding
in response to a petition filed by
the
Radio
Technical
Commission
for
Maritime
Services.
II.
BACKGROUND
2.
EPIRBs
and
EL
Ts
are
small battery powered trans-
mitters used to send a distress signal. EPIRBs
are
carried
on
ships while ELTs
are
carried
on
aircraft.
They
may
be
activated
automatically
or
manually.
The
transmitted
dis-
tress signal
is
identical for EPIRBs
and
ELTs.
The
distress
signal
is
used
both
as an
alarm
to alert
others
that
the
ship
or
aircraft
is
in
distress
and
as a beacon to aid
in
its
location
by
search
and
rescue personnel.
3.
The distress signal may
be
received by overflying
aircraft,
nearby
ship
stations if they are
monitoring
the
distress
frequency
and
are
within
range
of
the
EPIRB
or
ELT,
or
by low
orbiting
satellites that are
part
of
the
COSPAS-SARSAT
system.'
When
received by
the
COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system
the
transmitted distress
signal
is
retransmitted
in
its entirety to a
ground
station.
The
ground
station measures
the
Doppler
shift
of
the
carrier
frequency
transmitted
by
the
EPIRB
or
ELT,
pro-
cesses
the
Doppler
shift using digital signal processing
techniques
in
correlation
with
the
satellite's position
in
orbit
and
arrives at a
probable
location
on
the
earth's
surface.
167
4.
In a recent proceeding,
the
Commission
released a
Report
and
Order
2
(Order)
modifying
the
technical stan-
dards for EPIRBs
and
ELTs to
enhance
detection by
satellite receivers. Briefly, this
"spectral
enhancement"
requires EPIRBs and ELTs
manufactured
after
October
1,
1988, to have a percentage
of
the
transmitted
power con-
centrated
about
the
carrier
during
each
audio
sweep.
and
requires
them
to
maintain
frequency
stability
when
the
modulation
changed.
3
The
Order
incorporated
by refer-
ence, Federal Aviation
Administration
(FAA) Technical
Standard
Order
(TSO)
Document
TSO-C91a titled
"Emer-
gency Locator
Transmitter
(ELT)
Equipment"
dated
April
29, 1985.
III.
PROPOSAL
5. We have before us a Petition for Rule
Making
filed
by the Radio Technical
Commission
for
Maritime
Ser-
vices (RTCM) to
further
clarify
the
EPIRB
rules (RTCM
Petition).
Public Notice was given
on
November
14, 1988
(Report
No. 1758). RTCM notes that Section
80.1053(a)(7)
of
the
Commission's
Rules, 47 C.F.R. §
80.1053(a)(7), requires EPIRB emissions
to
be in accor-
dance
with
FAA
TSO-C91a.
According
to RTCM, how-
ever,
TSO-C9la
does not specify types
of
emissions.
4
Additionally, RTCM
points
out
that TSO-C91a requires
sidebands that
are
symmetric
about
the
output
signal spec-
trum
but
that
such
symmetry
is
not
necessary for im-
proved detection
by
the
COSPAS-SARSA T system.
5
Finally, RTCM states that
TSO-C9la
incorporates
the
Ra-
dio Technical
Commission
for
Aeronautics
(RTCA)
docu-
ment,
No.
RTCND0-183,
"Minimum
Operational
Performance
Standards for
Emergency
Locator Transmit-
ters"
(D0-183).
Because
TSO-C9la
is
incorporated
into
Section
80.1053(a)(7)
of
the rules, so
is
document
D0-
183. RTCM
contends
that
the
reference to
aeronautical
service
documents
TSO-C91a
and
parts
of
D0-183
is
in-
appropriate
for EPIRBs
and
should
be removed from Part
80
and replaced with
the
applicable
technical standards.
The
National
Aeronautics
and
Space
Administration
(NASA) filed
comments
supporting
the
RTCM petition
(NASA
Comments).
NASA agreed
that
the
requirement
of
TSO-C91a for
symmetric
sidebands
on
ELTs does not
improve
detection
by the COSPAS-SARSAT system.
7
6.
RTCM also notes that
the
requirement
for 30
per
cent
of
the
total power to be
contained
within
± 30 Hz
and
± 60 Hz
of
the reference
carrier
on
121.500 MHz
and
243.000 MHz beacons, respectively,
contained
in
Sec-
tion 80.1053(a)(8) applies
only
to
A3N
emission.
8
RTCM
recommends
that the
requirement
to
have 30
per
cent
of
the total power within ± 30 Hz
and
± 60 Hz for 121.500
MHz
and
243.000 MHz, respectively, be modified to apply
to all emissions regardless
of
whether
they
have modula-
tion.9 NASA notes that the
requirement
to have 30
per
cent
of
the
power
centered
about
the
carrier
for all emis-
sions would improve detection by
the
COSPAS-SARSAT
system.w
7.
RTCM states that there
are
substantial variations in
the ability
of
many
EPIRBs
manufactured
in past years to
be detected by
the
COSPAS-SARSAT system. NASA con-
ducted field tests
of
EPlRBs
with
and
without
distinct
carrier
components
and
concluded
that EPIRBs
without
distinct
carriers
separate from the
modulating
sidebands
would
experience
significant negative
impact
on
their
ability to be received by
the
COSPAS-SARSAT system
compared
to EPIRBs
with
distinct
carriers."
Additionally,
FCC 89-351 Federal Communications Commission Record 5 FCC Red
No.
1
improvements in the computed location of EPIRBs and
ELTs are directly related
to
carrier frequency stabilityY
RTCM suggests, therefore, that EPIRBs that meet the new
modulation characteristics be labeled in such a manner
that individuals purchasing EPIRBs will be able
to
iden-
tify those EPIRBs with the improved satellite detection
capability.
13
The requirement
to
label EPIRBs
is
sup-
ported by NASA.U The United States Coast Guard
(USCG) filed comments (USCG Comments) supporting
RTCM's petition and stated that requiring the labeling of
EPIRBs that meet the improved satellite detection
char-
acteristics would be
an
important addition to the Com-
mission's Rules.
15
8.
The USCG suggested making the changes proposed
by
RTCM administratively rather than through a rule
making proceeding.
16
Additionally, the USCG states that
it
is
unclear whether changes made by manufacturers
to
comply with the power distribution requirements for
EPIRBs will require a new application for type accep-
tance and requests that the Commission issue guidance
to
manufacturers concerning type acceptance for modified
EPIRBs.
17
9.
In a separate but related matter, the National Trans-
portation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended changes
to
the Commission's EPIRB Rules. As a result of its inves-
tigation into the sinking of the fishing vessel WAYWARD
WIND
18
NTSB
recommends that the Commission require
labeling all newly manufactured EPIRBs with battery
in-
stallation directions; the elimination
of
water activated
batteries in EPIRBs that do not float;
19
and, establishing
an inspection program for EPIRBs.
20
See
National Trans-
portation Safety Board Safety Recommendation M-89-6
through -8 dated February I, 1989.
IV.
DISCUSSION
10.
The proposals before us are intended to improve
performance, clarify and eliminate unnecessary rules, and
allow users
to
identify EPIRBs
and
ELTs that meet the
requirements for improved satellite detection. Because
EPIRBs and EL
Ts
are life saving devices used worldwide,
it
is
vitally important that
our
rules permit them
to
operate
as
effectively
as
possible
and
to
ensure that when
the devices are activated, search and rescue teams will
detect the distress signal and locate the ships
or
aircraft in
distress.
Further,
we believe the public interest will be
better served through a broader rule making proceeding
inviting public comment
on
modification and clarification
of EPIRB and EL T rules rather than an administative
proceeding incorporating the RTCM petition
as
suggested
by the USCG.
We
have taken similar steps in the past
to
improve EPIRB and EL T operation and believe the pub-
lic interest will
be
served if
we
do so again.
11. In Docket 87-133
we
modified the carrier power
requirements for EPIRBs and ELTs when operating with
an A3N emission
to
improve detection. While all EPIRBs
and ELTs are required
to
operate with A3N emission,
they are permitted
to
use other emissions
as
well. RTCM
and NASA supported extending the carrier power
require-
ments
to
all emissions.
We
agree. This should increase the
likelihood that EPIRBs and
EL
Ts, regardless of the type
of emission used to transmit a distress signal, will be
detected. Therefore,
we
propose that newly manufactured
EPIRBs and ELTs meet the carrier power requirements
168
adopted in PR Docket 87-133 for
an
A3N emission for all
emissions irrespective of whether there
is
modulation
present.
12.
We
are also proposing that the 121.500 MHz "hom-
ing" transmitter required
as
part of the 406 MHz EPIRB
21
meet the same carrier power characteristics. Although the
121.500 MHz
homer
is
restricted in power to
25
mW
22
and
is
intended
to
be used by search and rescue personnel
for close in direction finding, the
USCG and FAA have
indicated that requiring the "homing" transmitter
to
meet
the carrier power characteristics for improved satellite
detection adopted in PR Docket 87-133 could result in its
detection by the
COSPAS-SARSAT system and increase
the likelihood of lives being saved.
We
seek specific com-
ments regarding the proposed
output
power characteris-
tics for the 121.500 MHz "homing" transmitter required
as
part of the 406.025 MHz EPIRB.
13.
We
are also proposing
to
extend the carrier power
characteristics
to
all Class S EPIRBs. Currently, only
Class S EPIRBs that float must meet the improved sat-
ellite detection requirements. Class S EPIRBs not re-
quired to float do not have to comply with the improved
satellite detection requirements. Because Class
S EPIRBs
are intended specifically for stowage
on
survival craft for
use in potentially life threatening situations
we
propose
that both types must meet the improved satellite detection
requirements
to
increase the likelihood that the distress
signals transmitted will be received by the
COSPAS-
SARSA
T system.
14. Additionally,
we
are proposing
to
require that
EPIRBs using water activated batteries must float. EPIRBs
that use water activated batteries and do not float are
potentially unsafe since they have to be in the water
to
operate and,
if
not buoyed properly, will sink. Further,
we
are proposing rules requiring that the battery installa-
tion instructions
be
displayed
on
the EPIRB case.
As
previously noted
by
the
NTSB
an
improperly installed
battery can affect how an EPIRB floats. Requiring battery
installation instructions
on
a label will reduce the in-
cidence of improperly installed batteries and increase
their effective operation in
an
emergency.
15.
We
are proposing rules that eliminate all reference
to
FAA documents TSO-C91a and
D0-183
from the
EPIRB rules in Part
80.
Those documents are specific to
ELTs and are not applicable for EPIRBs.
Further,
the
elimination of reference
to
TSO-C91a and
D0-183
in the
EPIRB rules removes the requirement for EPIRBs to
have symmetric sidebands
as
requested by RTCM. Also,
we
are proposing rules eliminating the requirement that
EL
Ts
have symmetric sidebands centered about the car-
rier frequency 121.500 MHz and 243.000 MHz.
As
pre-
viously noted, NASA stated that symmetric sidebands do
not enhance detection by the
COSPAS-SARSAT system
and do not appear
to
be necessary.
16.
In
order to reduce the burden of testing EPIRBs for
type acceptance,
we
are proposing that the reduced radi-
ation level required for the Class A EPIRB test switch be
measured at
30 meters (98 feet) and referenced
as
a power
level instead of the
current
46
meters and field strength.
See
Section 80.1053(b)(3),
47
C.F.R. § 80.1053(b)(3).
There
is
no change in the technical standard, and
we
believe that this testing will be less burdensome
on
EPIRB manufacturers.
Further,
to be consistent with the
Safety Convention requirement for drop tests of EPIRBs
from
20 meters
we
are proposing that Class A EPIRBs
meet the technical requirements after free fall into water.
5 FCC Red No. 1
Federal Communications Commission Record
FCC 89-351
from
20 meters
rather
than
the
current
18 meters. This
is
consistent
with
our
current
rules
for
Class S EPIRBs
and
the
requirements
for
the
406
MHz
EPIRBs. We have also
rewritten
and
reorganized a
number
of
the
rules pertain-
ing
to EPIRBs to simplify
and
clarify
the
existing require-
ments.
17.
In
a
companion
item
to
this
rule
making
proceeding
the
Commission
is
proposing
a revised test
procedure
for EPIRBs. See
General
Docket
89 -(Add
when
received from
OET).
Newly
manufactured
EPIRBs
must
meet
the
requirements
of
this test
procedure
prior
to
a
grant
of
type acceptance. Newly
manufactured
ELTs
·must meet
certain
parts
of
this test
procedure
prior
to
a
grant
of
type acceptance. Copies
of
the
proposed test
procedure
may
be
obtained
from
the
Commission's
copy
contractor.
See Section 0.465, 47 C.F.R. § 0.465.
18. Finally, we
are
proposing
rules
regarding
the
label-
ing
of
EPIRBs
and
ELTs
that
meet
the
improved
satellite
detection
requirements
for
carrier
power
characteristics to
identify for
the
maritime
and
aviation
consumer
those
devices
that
will
improve
the
likelihood
that
the
COSPAS-SARSAT system will detect a distress signal.
V. PROCEDURAL MATTERS
19.
In
accordance
with Section 605 (b)
of
the Regula-
tory Flexibility Act
of
1980, 5 U .S.C. § 605 (b),
the
Commission
certifies that these rules
would
not, if pro-
mulgated, have a significant
economic
impact
on
a sub-
stantial
number
of
small entities.
The
changes proposed
herein
will have
some
beneficial effect
on
the
maritime
and
aviation
communities
by
improving
the
lifesaving
capability
of
the
COSPAS-SARSAT system by
improving
the
detection
and
accurate
location
of
an
activated EPIRB
or
ELT. We estimate that
the
cost to
manufacturers
would
be
less
than
$2.00
per
unit
to
incorporate
the
proposed
changes.
20.
For
purposes
of
this non-restricted notice
and
com-
ment
rule
making
proceeding,
members
of
the
public
are
advised
that
ex parte presentations
are
permitted
except
during
the
Sunshine
Agenda period. See generally
47
C.F.R. § 1.1206(a).
The
Sunshine
Agenda
period
is
the
period
of
time
which
commences
with
the
release
of
a
public
notice that a
matter
has
been
placed
on
the
Sun-
shine
Agenda
and
terminates
when
the
Commission
(1)
releases
the
text
of
a decision
or
order
in
the
matter; (2)
issues a
public
notice
stating that
the
matter
has
been
deleted
from
the
Sunshine
Agenda;
or
(3) issues a
public
notice
stating that
the
matter
has
been
returned
to the
staff for
further
consideration,
whichever
occurs
first. See
47 C.F.R. § 1.1202(f).
During
the
Sunshine
Agenda pe-
riod,
no
presentations, ex parte
or
otherwise, are
permitted
unless specifically requested by
Commission
or
staff for
the
clarification
or
adduction
of
evidence
or
the
resolution
of
issues
in
the
proceeding. See 47 C.F.R. §
1.1203.
21.
In
general,
an
ex
parte
presentation
is
any
presenta-
tion
directed
to
the
merits
or
outcome
of
the
proceeding
made
to decision-making
personnel
which
(1) if written,
is
not
served
on
the parties to
the
proceeding,
or
(2), if
oral,
is
made
without
advance
notice
to
the
parties to the
proceeding
and
without
opportunity
for
them
to be
present.
See 47 C.F.R. § 1.1202(b).
Any
person
who
makes
an
oral
ex parte
presentation
that presents data
or
arguments
not
already
reflected
in
that
person's
previous-
ly-filed
written
comments,
memoranda,
or
filings
in
the
169
proceeding
must
provide
on
the day
of
the
oral
presenta-
tion
a written
memorandum
to
the
Secretary
(with
a
copy
to the
Commissioner
or
staff
member
involved)
which
summarizes
the
data
and
arguments.
Each
ex
parte pre-
sentation
described above
must
state
on
its face
that
the
Secretary has
been
served,
and
must
also state by
docket
number
the
proceeding
to
which
it relates. See
47
C.F.R.
§ 1.1206.
22.
Authority
for issuance
of
this Notice
is
contained
in
Sections 4(i)
and
303(r)
of
the
Communications
Act
of
1934, as
amended,
47 U.S.C. §§ 154(i)
and
303(r).
Pursu-
ant
to
applicable
procedures
set forth
in
Sections 1.415
and
1.419
of
the
Commission's
Rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.415
and
1.419, interested parties
may
file
comments
on
or
before
March
5,
1990
and
reply
comments
on
or
before
March
20, 1990.
The
Commission
will
consider
all rel-
evant
and
timely
comments
before taking final
action
in
this proceeding. To file formally
in
this proceeding, par-
ticipants must file
an
original
and
five copies
of
all
com-
ments, reply
comments
and
supporting
comments.
If
.
participants want
each
Commissioner
to receive a per-
sonal
copy
of
their
comments,
an
original
and
nine
copies
must be filed.
Comments
and
reply
comments
should
be
sent
to
Office
of
the Secretary. Federal
Communications
Commission, Washington, D.C. 20554.
Comments
and
re-
ply
comments
will be available for
public
inspection
dur-
ing regular business
hours
in
the
Dockets Reference
Room
(Room
239)
of
the
Federal
Communications
Com-
mission, 1919 M Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554.
23.
The
proposal
contained
herein
has
been
analyzed
with respect to
the
Paperwork
Reduction
Act
of
1980
and
found
to
contain
no
new
or
modified form,
information
collection
or
record
keeping, labeling, disclosure,
or
record
retention
requirements;
and
will not increase
or
decrease the
burden
hours
imposed
on
the public.
24.
The
Commission
hereby certifies
pursuant
to Sec-
tion
605(b)
of
the
Regulatory Flexibility Act
of
1980 (Pub.
L. 96-354 ), that these rules, if promulgated, will not have
a significant
economic
impact
on
a substantial
number
of
small entities.
25.
It
IS
ORDERED
that a
copy
of
this Notice shall be
sent
to the
Chief
Counsel
for Advocacy
of
the
Small
Business
Administration.
FEDERAL
COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
Donna
R.
Searcy
Secretary
APPENDIX
Parts
80
and
87
of
Chapter
I
of
Title
47
of
the
Code
of
Federal
Regulations
are
proposed to be
amended
as fol·
lows:
A.
Part 80 - STATIONS IN
THE
MARITIME
SER-
VICES.
1.
The
authority
citation for Part 80
continues
to
read
as follows:
FCC 89-351
Federal Communications Commission Record
5 FCC Red No. 1
AUTHORITY:
Sees. 4, 303, 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as
amended; 47
U.
S. C. 154, 303, 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, unless otherwise noted.
2.
Section 80.223
is
amended
by revising paragraph (d)
to read
as
follows:
§ 80.223 Special Requirements for survival
craft
sta-
tions.
* * * * *
(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.
3. Section
80.1053
is
amended
by rev1smg paragraphs
(a)(7), (a)(8), (a)(12), (b)(3), (c),
and
(e) to read
as
fol-
lows:
§ 80.1053 Special Requirements for Class A EPIRB sta-
tions.
(a) * * *
(7)
The
mandatory A3N 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 rate must be between
2
and
4 times per second.
The
modulation
factor must
be
at least .85
and
the
modulation
duty
cycle must be at least
33%,
but
not
more
than
55%.
The
optional
A3E
emission
must
comply
with the
modulation
factor and duty cycle.
(8)
EPIRBs
manufactured
on
or
after
October
l.
1988;
EPIRBs
carried
as
part
of
a
ship
station to satisfy USCG
equipment
carriage
requirements
that are newly
install~d
on
or
after
April
1, 1989; EPIRBs carried
as
part
of a sh1p
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, A3N,
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 total 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
chang~d
during
transmission the
carrier
frequency must 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 section 80.209(a).
170
* * * * *
(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 (67 ft.);
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(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 the
Office
of
Engineer-
ing Technology Test
Procedure,
OET
T::8,
"FCC
.Pro.ce-
dure
for Testing Emergency Pos1t10n Ind1catmg
Radiobeacons
(EPIRBs)". A
report
of
the
measurements
must be submitted with each application for type accep-
tance. EPIRBs that meet the
output
power characteristics
of
this section must have a
permanent
label
prominently
displayed
on
the
outer
casing stating, "Meets
FCC
Rules
for improved satellite detection."
This.
label,
howe~er,
must not be placed
on
the
equipment
without
authonza-
tion to do so by the Commission. Such
authorization
may
be applied for
either
by submission
of
a new
application
for type acceptance
accompanied
by the required fee
and
all information
and
test data required by Parts 2
and
80
of
this
Chapter
or,
for EPIRBs type accepted
prior
to Octo-
ber
1,
1988, a letter requesting
such
authorization, includ-
ing
appropriate
test data and a showing that all
u?its
produced
under
the original type acceptance
author~za
tion
comply
with the
requirements
of
th1s
paragraph ":Jth-
out
change to the original circuitry.
The
modulatiOn,
power
and
frequency stability requirements specified in
paragraphs (a)(6), (a)(7)
and
(a)(8)
of
th~s.
section
~ust
?e
met
under
the
environmental
test conditiOns spec1fied m
the FCC test
procedure
OET
TP-8.
(d) * * *
(e) EPIRBs must
be
powered by a battery
containe?
within the transmitter case
or
in a battery
holder
that IS
rigidly attached
to
the
transmitter
case.
Th~.
bat~ery
c?n-
nector must be corrosion resistant
and
positive m 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
con-
ditions without the EPIRB transmitter
output
power fall-
ing below
75
milliwatts
prior
to 48
hours
of
continuous
operation. The
month
and
year
of
the battery's manufac-
ture
must be
permanently
marked
on
the ba.ttery
and
t~e
month
and
year
upon
which 50
percent
of Its useful hfe
will have expired must be
permanently
marked
on
both
the battery
and
the outside
of
the transmitter.
The
bat-
teries must be replaced if 50
percent
of
their
usef~l
life
has expired
or
if the
transmitter
has
been
used m
an
emergency situation. EPIRBs
manufactured
after(one year
from
the effective date
of
this rule making)
mus~
have the
battery installation instructions displayed
prommently
on
the
outer
case.
5 FCC Red No. 1 Federal Communications Commission Record
FCC 89-351
* * * * *
4. Section 80.1055
is
amended
by revising paragraph
(a)(3) to read as follows:
§ 80.1055 Special requirements for Class B EPIRB
sta·
tions.
(a)
* * *
(3) Meet the
requirements
in § 80.1053(a)(4)
through
(8), (a)(14),
and
(c)
through
(i). EPIRBs with water ac-
tivated batteries must, additionally, meet the requirements
contained
in§
80.1053(a)(l0)
and
(a)(ll);
* * * * *
5.
Section 80.1059
is
amended
by revising paragraphs
(d)(3)
and
(d)(4) to read as follows:
§ 80.1059 Special requirements for Class S EPIRB sta-
tions.
* * * * *
(d)
* * *
(3) Meet the
requirements
in § 80.1053 (a)(4)
through
(a)(8)
and
(b)
through
(i);
(4) Class
S EPIRBs may provide
either
continuous
or
intermittent
operation.
If
the EPIRB
is
designed for inter-
mittent
operation,
the duty cycle must be 50 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);
* * * * *
6. Section 80.1061
is
amended
by revising paragraph (b)
to read
as
follows:
§ 80.1061 Special requirements for 406. 025 MHz
EPIRBs.
* * * * *
(b) The 406.025 MHz EPIRB
must
contain
as
an
in-
tegral 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 per
cent
of
the total
power emitted
during
any
transmission cycle must be
contained
within
plus
or
minus
30 Hz
of
the
carrier
frequency.
171
* * * * *
B.
Part
87-
AVIATION SERVICES
1.
The
authority
for Part
87
continues
to read
as
fol-
lows:
AUTHORITY: Sees. 4, 303, 48 Stat. 1066, 1082,
as
amended; 47
U.
S. C. 154, 303, 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, unless otherwise noted.
2.
Section 87.141
is
amended
by revising paragraphs (g),
(h)
and
(i) to read
as
follows:
§ 87.141 Modulation requirements.
* * * * *
(g) Except that symmetric sidebands are
not
required,
the
modulation
characteristics for ELTs must be in accor-
dance with
the
specifications
contained
in
the Federal
Aviation
Administration
(FAA) Technical Standard
Order
(TSO)
Document
TSO-C91a titled
"Emergency
Locator
Transmitter
(ELT)
Equipment"
dated
April
29, 1985.
TSO-C91a
is
incorporated by reference in accordance
with 5
U.S.C. 552(a). TSO-C91a may be obtained from
the
Department
of
Transportation, Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration, Office
of
Airworthiness, 800
Independence
Avenue S.W., Washington,
DC
20591.
(h)
ELTs must use A3N emission
and
may use
A3E
or
NON
emissions
on
an
optional basis while transmitting.
Each
transmission
of
a synthesized
or
recorded voice mes-
sage
from
an
ELT must be preceded by the words "this is
a recording"; transmission
of
A3E
or
NON
emission must
not exceed
90 seconds;
and
any transmission
of
A3E
or
NON
emissions must be followed by at least three
min-
utes of A3N emission.
(i) ELTs
manufactured
on
or
after
October
1,
1988,
must have a clearly defined
carrier
frequency distinct
from
the
modulation
sidebands for
the
mandatory
emis-
sion, A3N,
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 total 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
must
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 § 87.133.
3.
In
Section 87.147, paragraph (b)
and
(c) are
redesignated as paragraphs (c)
and
(d),
and
a new para-
graph (b)
is
added to read as follows:
§ 87.147 Type
aeeept~nee
of
equipment.
FCC
89-351
Federal Communications Commission Record
5 FCC Red No. 1
* * * * *
(b) ELTs
manufactured
after
October
1,
1988, must
meet the
output
power characteristics
contained
in
para-
graph 87.141(i)
of
this section when tested in accordance
with the Signal
Enhancement
Test,
contained
in
the Of-
fice
of
Engineering
Technology Test Procedure,
OET
TP-
8, "FCC
Procedure
for Testing Emergency Position
Indicating Radiobeacons (EPIRBs)". A
report
of
the mea-
surements
must
be submitted with each
application
for
type acceptance. ELTs that meet the
output
power
char-
acteristics
of
this section must have a
permanent
label
prominently
displayed
on
the
outer
casing stating, "Meets
FCC Rules for
improved
satellite detection." This label,
however, must
not
be
placed
on
the
equipment
without
authorization
to do so by the Commission.
Such
au-
thorization may be applied for
either
by submission
of
a
new application for type acceptance
accompanied
by the
required fee
and
all
information
and
test data required by
Parts 2
and
87
of
this
Chapter
or,
for EL
Ts
type accepted
prior
to
October
1, 1988, a letter requesting
such
au-
thorization,
including
appropriate
test data
and
a showing
that all units
produced
under
the original type acceptance
authorization
comply
with the requirements
of
this para-
graph
without
change to the original circuitry.
* * * * *
FOOTNOTES
1
SARSAT stands for ·search
and
rescue satellite-aided track-
ing. COSPAS
is
an
acronym
for a Russian phrase meaning space
system for search
of
distressed vessels.
2
Report
and
Order,
PR
Docket
No.
87-133, 3 FCC Red
1027
(1988).
3
Thirty
per
cent
of the total power emitted
during
an
audio
sweep cycle, for A3N emission,
is
required to
be
within
+1-
30
Hz and +/- 60 Hz
of
the
carrier
frequencies 121.500 MHz
and
243.000 MHz, respectively.
The
carrier
frequency
is
required to
be
maintained
within
+I-
30
Hz
when operating at 121.500 MHz
and +/-
60
Hz
when
operating at 243.000 MHz
when
the type of
modulation changed. See generally, Section 80.1053 of Commis-
sion's Rules,
47
C.F.R. § 80.1053.
4
RTCM
Petition
at
2-3.
5
ld. at
3.
6
ld. at 2-3.
7
NASA
Comments
at
l.
8
RTCM Petition at 3.
9
ld. at
5.
10
NASA
Comments
at
2.
ll
International Radio Consultative Committee, Draft Report
V/8, "Power Distribution Requirements for EPIRBs
Operating
on the Frequencies
121.5
MHz
and
243
MHz." (Question 31-3/8)
12
Improved location
is
a direct result
of
a stable
carrier
frequency.
The
Doppler shift used in calculating
the
location of
an
EPIRB
or
an
ELT
is caused by the polar orbiting satellite
in
the COSPAS-SARSAT system intercepting
the
distress signal
at
a high rate
of
speed.
The
received frequency
is
shifted from
the
expected
carrier
frequency
and
is
received
as
a change in fre-
quency.
The
algorithm
used to compute position
cannot
distin-
guish between shifts in transmitted
carrier
frequency
and
Doppler shifts. Therefore, changes
in
the
transmitted
frequency
172
when changing types of modulation could affect
the
computed
location
of
an EPIRB
or
EL T, and the Rules require frequency
stability
during
changes in modulation.
13
ld. at 6-7.
14
NASA
comments
at
2.
15
USCG
Comments
at
l.
16 ld.
17
ld. at
2.
18
The
WAYWARD WIND capsized
in
the
Gulf
of Alaska.
NTSB stated
in
its safety recommendation to
the
Commission
that
it believes
that
the
EPIRB
transmitted
effectively
and
that
its use saved two lives.
The
NTSB found, however,
that
the
EPIRB battery was installed improperly
and
caused
the
EPIRB
to float
on
its side.
19
Class S EPIRBs, which are designed to attach to a life raft
or
survival craft,
and
Class 8 EPIRBs do not have to float. See
respectively, Sections 80.1059(c)
and
80.1055(a)(3) of
the
Rules,
47
C.F.R.
§§
80.1059(c) and 80.1055(a)(3).
20
The
Commission's Office of Engineering
and
Technology
currently
administers
an
equipment
authorization program
that
tests individual models of EPIRBs for compliance
with
FCC
rules and, additionally, conducts a program
of
post-grant sam-
pling of type accepted EPIRBs.
21
See, generally Section 80.1061 of the Commission's Rules,
47
C.F.R. § 80.1061.
22
RTCM Recommended Standards for
406
MHz Satellite
Emergency Position-Indicating Radiobeacons
(EPIRBs), 2-4.
