Alan,
Yes, it means that you will hear nothing unless the
sending station is using the tone. Specifically how the
thing will work, single channel or all of them, depends
on how elaborate the 'tone board' is, how much you want
to spend on it, and how you set it up. Normally, it's
"all or nothing", either "on, or off". Unless you have a
definite reason for remotely controling some function
it's just an extra cost option that serves no purpose.
'Doc

"Calex meus inibrians"