What should you do if your ship's transmitter is operating off-frequency, overmodulating or distorting?

If your ship's transmitter is operating off-frequency, overmodulating, or distorting, stopping transmission is the most appropriate action to take. Transmitting in this condition can cause interference with other communications and disrupt the frequency spectrum, violating FCC regulations. It is imperative for operators to ensure that transmissions are clean and meet the technical standards established by the FCC, which includes being on the correct frequency and avoiding distortion. Halting transmission allows for an assessment of the equipment and correction of any issues before resuming operations, ensuring compliance with regulations and maintaining proper communication practices.

While reducing power or audio levels could be considered adjustments, they do not address the potential harm caused by continuing to transmit with faulty equipment. Notations in the operating log are important for record-keeping but would not mitigate the immediate issue of improper transmission. Thus, stopping transmission is essential to uphold communication integrity and regulatory compliance.