Upon initial installation and then annually we must check the installation, controls and signal strength of the ELT. Without $5000 worth of shields, receivers and antenna dummy loads the only way to test properly (not by initiating a false alarm) is to either apply to NOAA for permission to do a live test or pay a service to watch for your self test at a scheduled time.

Use of the service prevents the emergency system from being overloaded with false emergencies.

Just doing a self test and listening on your radio is insufficient to test signal strength properly.

Look at the NOAA ELT testing policy for this data.

Dave, I am at Turners Falls. You?

Jon