---
kind: "section"
citation: "47 U.S.C. § 320"
title: "47"
title_heading: "Telecommunications"
number: "320"
heading: "Stations liable to interfere with distress signals; designation and regulation"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/47/320"
units:
  - "Chapter 5 — Wire or Radio Communication"
  - "Subchapter III — Special Provisions Relating to Radio"
  - "Part I — General Provisions"
---

# §320. Stations liable to interfere with distress signals; designation and regulation


The Commission is authorized to designate from time to time [radio stations](/usc/47/153.md?p=42) the communications or signals of which, in its opinion, are liable to interfere with the transmission or reception of distress signals of [ships](/usc/47/153.md?p=46-A). Such [stations](/usc/47/153.md?p=42) are required to keep a licensed radio [operator](/usc/47/153.md?p=38-A) listening in on the frequencies designated for signals of distress and [radio communications](/usc/47/153.md?p=40) relating thereto during the entire period the transmitter of such [station](/usc/47/153.md?p=42) is in operation.


## Source credit

(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title III, § 320, 48 Stat. 1090.)