This part of IEC 61097 specifies the minimum requirements for shipborne receivers intended to be connected to an external installation, including a decoder for digital selective calling (DSC), and used as receivers for watchkeeping on DSC channels on board ships operating in the maritime mobile MF, MF/HF and VHF bands allocated in the Radio Regulations of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to the maritime mobile service, both in connection with distress and safety communication and in connection with general communication. These requirements include the relevant provisions of the Radio Regulations and recommendations ITU-R M.489, and ITU-R M.541, and relevant provisions of resolutions A.694, A.803, A.804 and A.806 of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This standard also specifies technical characteristics, methods of testing and required test results for dedicated watchkeeping receivers for use with radio installations in the GMDSS as required by chapter IV of the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974, as amended, and with which IEC 60945 is associated. When a requirement in this standard differs from IEC 60945, the requirement of this standard takes precedence. This standard covers receivers with analogue or with digital DSC signal output interfaces or with both. DSC watchkeeping receivers can be either fixed frequency receivers or, in MF/HF bands, scanning receivers. They may be a separate equipment or be integrated with a DSC or radiotelephone equipment. For integrated equipment this standard specifies the requirements and methods of testing of the DSC watchkeeping receivers only. The DSC equipment or radiotelephone shall comply with the requirements of the relevant standard, for example, IEC 61097-3 [3]*, IEC 61097-7 [4] and IEC 61097-9 [5] respectively. NOTE – All requirements of this standard resulting from the above referenced IMO resolutions or ITU recommendations are identified by quoting the number of the IMO resolution or ITU recommendation and relevant paragraph in brackets following the requirement.