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CAP-EAS Extension is here!!

L

Lazy J

I just got word that an extension was approved for the CAP-EAS conversion. The new deadline is June 30th, 2012.

Personally, I think they needed the extension more than we did. I still haven't gotten any CAP server or IPAWS server info.

Maybe in 9 months we'll be a little farther along... :-\
 
Lazy J said:
I just got word that an extension was approved for the CAP-EAS conversion. The new deadline is June 30th, 2012.

Personally, I think they needed the extension more than we did. I still haven't gotten any CAP server or IPAWS server info.

Maybe in 9 months we'll be a little farther along... :-\
Click to expand...

I have no server information either. Our station doesn't even exist in the regional EAS plan. The last time it was updated was a year before we signed on.
 
This is a waste of financial resources,regardless of the spin put on it.Don't wait on FEMA to save you.They should pay for this.Seems the govt can whiz away over 500 mil for a bankrupt solar co.but broadcasters get no help..Just pitiful!!
 
ChiefOperator said:
I wish they would have granted the extension earlier, before the small market stations without money ran out and made purchases.
Click to expand...

Those stations knew about this change for a LONG time. We've already gotten one extension, this makes a second. If you don't make a deadline some stations would never upgrade. If a station can't budget this in over the course of 2 years, then CAP-EAS is the least of their problems.

I think most of the stations took the last deadline seriously and upgraded. Now they can focus on getting the states and FEMA upgraded. Most States haven't updated their EAS plans in 10 years.
 
Lazy J said:
ChiefOperator said:
I wish they would have granted the extension earlier, before the small market stations without money ran out and made purchases.
Click to expand...

Those stations knew about this change for a LONG time. We've already gotten one extension, this makes a second. If you don't make a deadline some stations would never upgrade. If a station can't budget this in over the course of 2 years, then CAP-EAS is the least of their problems.

I think most of the stations took the last deadline seriously and upgraded. Now they can focus on getting the states and FEMA upgraded. Most States haven't updated their EAS plans in 10 years.
Click to expand...


True. But that's the point, isn't it? The smaller stations did take the deadline seriously, followed the rules, and upgraded. Now, they are being told, again, that the govt still isn't ready and thus the date is now pushed out until June. Regardless of how a small station budgets, $2,500 is a huge hit, especially when that expense could have been delayed until June 2012 and directed toward other pressing problems.

Broadcasters didn't ask for an extension because they were unwilling to pay for upgrades; instead, they asked because the gov't still hadn't resolved many questions. The FCC knew months ago that many of the basic technical issues still hadn't been resolved and probably wouldn't be resolved by the Sept. 30 deadline (the reason for the extension). I just wish they would have acted sooner than the "11th hour."
 
Post WWII; I thought highly of NASA as an example of how federal funding can bring positive results.

And now I cry.
 
Pull up the notice and read paragraph 22.

Raises question whether the new units that folks have purchased are in compliance with the existing rules.

Presumably they are...if not put those who tried to comply with the deadline in an interesting position.
 
I'm not sure whether the fcc has even ok'd the use of add on converters and there is talk of phasing out the legacy units.Of the new units,i think Digital Alert was the only system fully compliant with current rules.But who knows what will develop,i still think Easy Crap is a good name for all this crap...Stay tuned!!No one can comply with section 11.56 yet, because the commission has not finalized all the key technical specifics necessary for receiving CAP-formatted alerts,” it continued. “Without having these specifics, no EAS participant can claim that it is currently capable of receiving CAP-formatted alerts, even if it has equipment that could receive such alerts under one or more of the technical specifications being considered by the commission.”

PS Time for a good stiff drink!!
 
Once again the fed gov't proves how inept they really are. This is why I don't have much use for them and their damn mandates. "Regardless of how a small station budgets, $2,500 is a huge hit, especially when that expense could have been delayed until June 2012 and directed toward other pressing problems."
One of my contract stations got the real shaft. Not only did they get to buy a pair of the damn new EAS boxes but they got to pay the FCC ransom, uh.. reg. fees. Would it have made sense for the damn gov't to put their finacial rapeing on hold so people could buy their mandated equipment? Sure. Did they do it? HELL no. Now the true kick in the teeth is that we get the 11th hour stay. Thanks feds. You jerks in the fed system aught to go into the vaccum biz. Appearently you've got the sucking part down really, really good.
 
Not to beat a dead horse, but one of my stations delayed buying new remote gear so that they could comply. Now, they don't have their remote gear, but they do have a new EAS box that they don't need until June. Great...
 
I know what you mean, ChiefOperator.

Too bad we're not too big to fail... cuz we could go to 0bama's stash and get some cash.
 
Update:

The new (blue-front) Sage is certified under the old rules
Monroe electronics (DASDEC) says their unit also meets the requirements of the old rules.

Add-on boxes (if you have one) would not be an issue yet since they are--duh--add-on. Since they just export the decoded CAP message to the legacy unit they are just another source.

All these units are basically computers, so when the Commission finally issues rules it should be just a simple download to up-date them (if changes are required) to meet any specific requirements in the rules. The only problem would be the 2 minute time-out on legacy boxes if you are using an add-on CAP converter.
 
I'm glad so far I've been able to keep people away from the add-on boxes. It's just not a very good option in the long-run. One huge benifit of not going with an add-on is that the older units have their issues from time to time and just replacing them totally eliminates the expense of repair. I've had two so far that actually failed just before replacing them with the new version. I, like others, could have used the money however for better things if we would have known the deadline was extended. The real problem with the feds is that they don't live in the real world of business. There's a asumption that all broadcasters are nothing but money generating machines bore on the licenses they "got for free". 10 owners ago or whatever it was free. The current owners have debt, regulatory fees, and LEACHES (ASCRAP, BMI, RIAA, the FCC, etc.) sucking them dry. In small market especially there isn't the extra reserve to make poor timing decisions on purchases.
 
The EAN overrides the 2 minute limit, so all current equipment (and new equipment) will relay the complete 3 minute feed. It will be terminated by an EOM.

The problem with the 2 minute limit and the add-on boxes is that they generate an audio EAS message chain (header--message-eom) from the internet CAP text and send it into the legacy box as audio. Hence, to the legacy box, it's just another audio source, same as NWS or primary relay audio, and anything but an EAN will be clipped after 2 minutes.
 
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