---
kind: "section"
citation: "47 C.F.R. § 80.97"
title: "47"
number: "80.97"
heading: "Radiotelegraph operating procedures."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/47/80.97"
---

# §80.97. Radiotelegraph 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.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 47 U.S.C. 151-155, 301-609; 3 U.S.T. 3450, 3 U.S.T. 4726, 12 U.S.T. 2377.

### Source

Source: 51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, unless otherwise noted.