(1) Maritime radio beacons operate during specific intervals as published in Coast Guard Light Lists. For station identification, simple characteristics consisting of combinations of dots and dashes are used. The transmitted power of maritime radio beacons is adjusted to provide a usable signal at the service range which meets the operational requirement.

(2) Carrier type operation. Radio beacons superimpose the characteristic code on a carrier frequency which is on continuously during the period of transmission. This extends the usefulness of maritime radio beacons to aircraft and ships employing automatic direction finders

(3) Special calibration radio beacons, as listed in the current editions of the Coast Guard Light Lists, will broadcast continuously for the purpose of enabling vessels to calibrate their direction finders upon request either to the cognizant district commander, or, if time does not permit, directly to the calibration station.

(4) Caution: A vessel steering a course for a radio beacon should observe the same precautions that apply when steering for a light or any other mark.

(5) Distance cannot be accurately determined by radio beacon signal. Mariners must exercise extreme caution when the aid to navigation which supports the radio beacon is not visible, and no other means of determining its distance is available.

(6) If the radio beacon is aboard a large navigational buoy (LNB) or on any marine site, particular care should be exercised to avoid the possibility of collision. In addition, caution should be exercised in using radio beacons aboard floating aids, because of the possibility that the aid could be off station.