DFW EAS: FAIL

[w9wi]

To me it is unsettling that the government can "take over" local transmitters for any reason. We made it many years through many emergencies with out Washington clowns being able to do this. It sounds to me like something done in Cuba, Venezuela, etc..

I know conspiracy theorists will claim Obama is out to take over conservative radio stations, but...

the ability of the government to interrupt broadcasts for emergency information has existed since at least the creation of the EBS in 1963.

(and the technology is such that if such a interruption turned out to be grossly unjustified, any competent engineer could easily & quickly "uninterrupt" the signal. It's not like a tyrannical government could lock broadcasters out of their own transmitters.)

 

[Texas Gentleman]

Government broadcast intervention goes back to the days of CONELRAD [ 640kc & 1240kc] in the 1950's. We would all switch frequency and take the network as I remember. Once again however, our federal government has displayed their ability to take a very good idea and mess up!

 

[mic_check]

To me it is unsettling that the government can "take over" local transmitters for any reason. We made it many years through many emergencies with out Washington clowns being able to do this. It sounds to me like something done in Cuba, Venezuela, etc..

Bingo. I'm amazed more people aren't disturbed by this ability also.

The cure for 1984 is 1776...

 

[KMRD]

This failure was brought to us by the Government - the same group attempting to take over health care in this country.

 

[bturner]

I don't think some people understand what the Emergency Alert System is and how it functions.

The Government, with input from engineers and manufacturers created a system to reach all of America in the event of an actual threat to life and property. The system requires radio stations to take this information and put it on the air. If the radio station does the right thing, the information gets out to the public.

Most of the time the system is to alert the public to extreme weather (tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.) and things like chemical accidents where people might be evacuated or required to shelter in place. The Amber alert worked in getting word out about abducted children.

With such local activations, most stations simply take the information and put it on the air without activating the Emergency Alert System itself.

The national test was conducted for the very first time. States have tested but never the whole country.

We cannot really cannot call this a failure of government. The problem was in the execution of the test. Certainly the plan has some huge problems. We need (as broadcasters...radio...tv...cable...satellite) to figure out how to fix it and make it work. The Government won't do this but the broadcasters will. In essense, we tell the Government what will happen and how. It's about like this: the Government sees the Emergency Alert System much like a car. Broadcasters are the mechanics. The Government could care less how it (the car or EAS) works as long as it does.

You know this was to be 3 to 3.5 minutes but I bet a few group owners and groups like the NAB went to the governmen with that vein bulging in their collective foreheads and made them understand 3 to 3.5 minutes would not be tollerated. Thus, the test dropped to 30 seconds. So, when it comes to things like the EAS, there is a real give and take between the Government and the Broadcasters.

 

[OKCRadioGuy]

Too bad we the broadcasters are always giving and they are the ones taking. "If the radio station does the right thing, the information gets out to the public." The funny thing is we the broadcasters DID for the most part get things sent out right nationwide. PEPs took all the time and put up with all the crap and heat tests like this generate for them to protect the public. It's not a cake-walk by any stretch. Thank you PEPs nationwide for bothering to do the right thing for the rest of us. It's much easier to simply step back when they want volunteers you know.

"We cannot really cannot call this a failure of government."

Oh, I sure can. They failed to get qualified people's input on how to build a robust system to distribute their audio. They didn't have appearently people involved that knew how to set audio levels and test them through the system. And, they relied on a freaking bi-directional conference bridge from the phone company to send audio out. Clueless gov't idiots would be a understatement when describing their work. Who builds a system that one station in MN's EAS unit could backfeed to all the rest of the PEPs around the country? Who? Would someone that has been a broadcast engineer for five years or more build something like this? I sure enjoy their initial glowing report that the test worked. Really? It did from a broadcaster standpoint, for the most part. The audio was a cruel joke on the American public. If my life depended on FEMA, I think I'll fend for myself instead. So many of us have other great methods of getting the President on the air faster and better than this mess. At a national level I find the whole concept laughable anyway. If FEMA is the one that's supposed to make sure it's going to be sent, I'd rather rely on other channels anyway.

 

[bturner]

I do agree with your comments that the government did not seek our advice.

My personal opinion is the attack on the World Trade Center PROVED the EAS is not needed and inadequate. In the event of a real emergency, I believe our media outlets would be more effective than any government planned alert system. Best of all, any seconds lost would result in speech that would be easily understood by the masses.

Just how ineffective is the EAS? Let's see, I'm in my car listening to my ipod or CD. How do you inform me? I'm at home or the mall. How do you reach me if if don't have the TV or radio on? If I'm checking my email or posting something here?

I suggested long ago that the EAS be based on existing technology. Certainly an EAS National Alert must be able to reach as many people as possible. The National Weather Service has the ability to turn on Weather Radios...an old technology. If I'm on my ipod or CD in the car, might this simple system be utilized to turn the radio on, overriding my listening device? Same with radios and TVs. How about ISPs and mobile phones with a text or call. Hmmm, the police department and school district have the bulk call units that can alert everyone in minutes by making automated phone calls. Why is this not included? The EAS is an antique as it is. To focus only on radio, TV, cable and satellite broadcasters would have been effective not so many years back but certainly not these days. Is the World Time Frequency on shortwave utilized? If not, why not? I have a clock at home that sets with WWV automatically. Can't that SW frequency be heard throughout North America?

I suggested a system that would reach almost everyone via devices they have and activate those devices if they were not being used. I guess we could get a chip under the skin so we receive alerts through our fillings but then again, a few just simply have perfect teeth. The idea is not out of bounds compared to the antiquated thinking that EAS is going to get the job done with only TV radio and satellite radio/tv.

While I'm griping, the Government needs to realize airing weekly and monthly tests makes a real emergency just as well received as that car alarm going off in the parking lot. It is so commonplace it certainly cannot be the real thing in the listener's mind, just another annoyance. Possibly a quarterly test on air or an annual test. Off air we can test on a regular basis. Certainly once we have the message, the chance of failure to get it on the air is more minimal. Chances are if we can receive it, the units will be more likely continue the process. Not so many years back technology was not as stable, requiring a first class licensee to be on duty at directional AMs but now we've learned how to build stable and relaible equipment. Also, require 'Automatic' setting as part of the rules when a statiion is not manned.

 

[texasstooge]

Here's what happened:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mYi7VFTJVc

Here's what happened on the FM frequency to make a comparison.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJq3V8pGW0A

 

[OHTBGH]

As the PD for WBAP...allow me to clarify:

1- All staff had been fully briefed. Background information was provided to studio and on-air personnel, and a handbook summarizing the planned procedure was with the studio operator. Meetings were held, staff was ready.
2 - Programming management and engineering staffs were fully in place throughout the test, both at the studio and at the transmitter site where the control point for Primary Entry Point resides. WBAP is one of the PEP stations across the country.
3 - Once EAS tones are fired from Washington, our studio facilities are shut off from the audio chain. Therefore, we were unable to come on-air to comment, provide information or fill the silence.

It is our understanding that the audio message DID get to other PEP stations across the country. Immediately after the test, a FEMA representative acknowledged that WBAP did not receive audio. And if WBAP did not receive audio, other stations monitoring WBAP for EAS activations also received no audio.

So did the system fail? You could argue that it did. But then, that's why you run tests....to find failure points BEFORE it has to (hopefully never) be put into place.

Tyler Cox
Program Manager
WBAP NewsTalk 820AM / 96.7FM
TalkRadio 570 KLIF

Amen to that Tyler. And lets all remember WHY this was done. We always have to use EAS for regional areas. NEVER on a national scale. Did it fail? Yea it did. But that's why we did it. So now all of us from the DOHS on down to the local engineers will confab and tweak it. And it will get better. And expect more of these to come as we do. This too will be like a nuclear arsenal: You feel comfortable having it and making sure it works. But you still hope and pray you never have to launch it!

-BGH

 

[OHTBGH]

To me it is unsettling that the government can "take over" local transmitters for any reason. We made it many years through many emergencies with out Washington clowns being able to do this. It sounds to me like something done in Cuba, Venezuela, etc..

I know conspiracy theorists will claim Obama is out to take over conservative radio stations, but...

the ability of the government to interrupt broadcasts for emergency information has existed since at least the creation of the EBS in 1963.

(and the technology is such that if such a interruption turned out to be grossly unjustified, any competent engineer could easily & quickly "uninterrupt" the signal. It's not like a tyrannical government could lock broadcasters out of their own transmitters.)

And if the Government *DID* take over the transmitters you bet your sweet bippy that the peasants would storm the towers and hijack them. Radioavenger would not be far behind I'm sure.

Meanwhile, this will create a great diversion as the rest of run to the Gulag and free Tyler! ;D

-BGH

 

[jondavidvox]

Since no one else can see the elephant in the room....

This test proves definitively that Radio's headlong rush to unmanned, network-syndicated, automated stations is a recipe for real civil disaster...

The fix:

• Licensed Operators per License, 24/7-365
• Broadcasters in Charge of the FCC
• Operate in the Public Interest, as a Public Trustee...That means spilling a little on your way to the bank as an investment in saving your Listener's lives in the Post 9-11 World.

If this wrecks your Business Model....Trying developing a Service Model instead. It sure works for Salem.

Jon-David Wells
The Wells Report

 

[bturner]

Jon-David, you have my vote to head the FCC. I have to ponder just how difficult it would be for stations to survive with those requirements.

Back when I began in radio in a small market, we had to be manned. We played records and carts. Our AP and NWS tickers were connected to long distance phone lines just like our network feed. For the price of a triple-decker cart machine I could buy a new car and pay sticker price. We not only had jocks for every shift but account executives, a secretary, a traffic person and staff engineer even in a small market. The monthly 'nut' had to be exceptional compared to the $2 spot rate for a 30. Even so, that station was financially successful.

Now there are many more options for advertisers and listeners but I realize those options are based on choice. We keep saying those 'good old days' are gone, a glaring fact, but might it be because we as an industry gave these competing options a leg to stand on? Nobody seems to consider the psychological effect radio had on listeners and ignores the fact this has not gone away.

While I'm in Houston, I have family in DFW and have heard you on your previous home as well as KSKY. The one thing that strikes me in the rise of talk radio over the yeas is the fact people tune in because they like you, the fact you say what they are thinking and the fact the listener feels they know you. Radio used to win ratings wars for those very reasons. Is not Talk Radio the 'personality radio' of the 1960s and 70s? If you took away the personality and listener interaction would talk radio survive (as if that was possible)?

Listeners want to feel their world is safe and radio used to serve this basic human need. Radio was a friend and listeners connected to their friends just as they do with tweets today. There were people I knew who thought stations such as KVIL in the 1970s were too easy or too Top 40 that listened not because of the music but the emotional connection.

I wonder if someone made that long-term investment if we might begin to recover what we lost. It would take a special investor, but I have a hunch that live, community oriented radio might win back some of those who today find radio irrevelant.

I think folks need to understand that being #1 12+ in the PPM and hitting your targeted demos is exceptional, but you don't have to score the biggest numbers to have a successful and appreciated station with good overall awareness that hits revenue targets. Of all the stations, there is only on at the top of the heap.

Licensed Operators is a good idea. I remember taking the 3rd class with broadcast endorsement. There were some questions that did not pertain to AM and FM radio at the time, but you knew the rules. I've worked under PDs that did not even know what a legal ID consisted of.

 

[jondavidvox]

Mr. Turner...

Thanks for your kind words on this very important topic. I have long admired your stances on the future of our industry, and hope that at some point, "Radio as a Stock Option" devolves into "Radio for Listeners" again.

For those who believe that this era of "lowest common denominator programming/squeeze every dime/who needs qualified programmers & talent anyway" Radio, please do note that as I write this, one of the most successful Coast-to-Coast Network Radio broadcasts is the half-hour infomercial for Purity Products Ultimate Prostate Formula.

(When I think of the withering criticism I got for using even one extra word on a break, or missing the boat on a relatable topic when everything I said in a 4-hour airshow telescoped into less than 10 minutes, only to listen to 2 men discussing excretory processes for 30 minutes straight, on 6 different stations 2-3 times per weekend per market...It's a wonder we have an industry at all.)

Now we have an Emergency Alert System in place, that can on a President's political whim, take over the National Radio Airwaves....THAT DOESN'T WORK. It didn't work on 9-11, it won't on the next 9-11 either....or the one after that....

Licensed Operators....Receiving Authenticated Alerts....making the decision to interrupt local broadcasts, "....In the event of a National Emergency..." is Radio for Listeners. Radio for your Neighbors. Radio as a Public Trustee.

Unfortunately, and soon to be tragically, it is not Radio for this quarter's arbitrary budget number.

There will be Radio Corporations what would have to adjust their business plans. They might have to sell a few stations...At some point, there may even be more than 6 Radio Corporations.

But if we do this, we may save a few (million) lives....

....OK, have it your way. A few million ways to reduce the cost per point a little.

J-D
TWR

 

[Sgt. Hans G. Schultz]

Now there are many more options for advertisers and listeners but I realize those options are based on choice. We keep saying those 'good old days' are gone, a glaring fact, but might it be because we as an industry gave these competing options a leg to stand on?

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When ipods were new, they were the newest, hippest, hottest thing around.
So radio stations said:

"Let's do what we've always done. We'll give away the newest, hippest, hottest thing around as prizes to our listeners! They will listen to us more so they can win this neat, new gizmo!"

What the geniuses who thought this was a good idea DIDN'T do, was THINK about what their listeners would do after they won one of these neat, new gizmos.


I could NOT understand why, why, WHY a radio station would give away something that a listener could win and use to NOT LISTEN TO THEIR STATION ANYMORE!!!


THIS kind of "THINKING" is only ONE of the reasons the radio industry is where it is right now!

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[OHTBGH]

Now there are many more options for advertisers and listeners but I realize those options are based on choice. We keep saying those 'good old days' are gone, a glaring fact, but might it be because we as an industry gave these competing options a leg to stand on?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When ipods were new, they were the newest, hippest, hottest thing around.
So radio stations said:

"Let's do what we've always done. We'll give away the newest, hippest, hottest thing around as prizes to our listeners! They will listen to us more so they can win this neat, new gizmo!"

What the geniuses who thought this was a good idea DIDN'T do, was THINK about what their listeners would do after they won one of these neat, new gizmos.


I could NOT understand why, why, WHY a radio station would give away something that a listener could win and use to NOT LISTEN TO THEIR STATION ANYMORE!!!


THIS kind of "THINKING" is only ONE of the reasons the radio industry is where it is right now!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AMEN!

And how many times did they bitch about how Sirius and XM eating would eat away at their listeners and bottom line? So what do they do? The sales guys get fat taking Sirius AND XM money for ads!

And these are the Diode Brain Trust?! ;D

But hey why change it when you can get ad revenue from two guys talking about poop for 30 minutes at 5am in the morning? And they used to gripe about Stern and his potty jokes?

At least the two guys talking about freeze dried meals for 30 minutes should have enough fiber to counteract the poop guys!

-BGH

 

[jondavidvox]

"That's En-Ter-Tain-Meeeent!!!!

J-D
TWR

 

[radi0avenger]

Not to mention they're giving away HD radios now. Granted, yes, the listener would in theory be listening to their 2nd or 3rd stream, but most of those consist entirely of music (or they did last time I checked, anyway). No ads, no jocks, natta. "Here, win one of these fancy new radios so you can go listen to the money-pit-piss-poor-sounding-stream-that-is-IBOC."

Idiots Bought Our Company.

 

[mic_check]

Since no one else can see the elephant in the room....

This test proves definitively that Radio's headlong rush to unmanned, network-syndicated, automated stations is a recipe for real civil disaster...

The fix:

• Licensed Operators per License, 24/7-365
• Broadcasters in Charge of the FCC
• Operate in the Public Interest, as a Public Trustee...That means spilling a little on your way to the bank as an investment in saving your Listener's lives in the Post 9-11 World.

If this wrecks your Business Model....Trying developing a Service Model instead. It sure works for Salem.

Jon-David Wells
The Wells Report

Funny KSKY is automated over night and KWRD is automated during the day. Not sure how much automation KVCE has, but it doesnt work for Salem. Not to mention the automation on the weekends. JD Salem is the last refuge for radio folks, if they can tolerate the programming. To be honest, a majority of the spots that run during ALL the shows on KSKY and KWRD are free rotators. Including your show. Same for the network(SRN), which you will never broadcast from. No matter how much you hang out up there kissing up. The money that's made mainly comes from the pay for play on the weekends and once the religious nuts figure out its cheaper to post their services on their own website instead of paying Salem, it's all over. Why do you think all the downstairs stations are under one manager? A former fbi agent at that. Which no one respects. Well, the people who do all the work at least.

 

[jondavidvox]

Hey Mic....

Look, I get your annoyance with Salem. Sorry you, or your friends had a bad experience. That being said, you have a few things dead wrong. To wit:

• The Salem Service Model...Radio, regardless of what the current (crepuscular) thinking inside the boardrooms of the C "Radio" Corporations may tell you, is local. Radio is also a Service, not a Business. Salem leads the league in serving their communities. While you freely discuss the current embryonic phase at KSKY, you ignore the amazing public service record of KLTY...Name any other DFW Radio Station that does as much in this community. For that matter, name another DFW Talk Station that does as much for its community.
  
• Salem the last Refuge...Perhaps it is. When real Broadcasters get tired of coke heads getting paid 500K, spectacular ratings successes getting ignored, employee furloughs this week and 7-million dollar CEO bonuses paid out the next, and on and on...Yeah, we find a refuge.
  Also, believe it or not...Crazily enough, I had/have other Radio Employment options...including an opportunity this year to triple my salary. All I had to do was sign another ridiculous one-sided contract, move my family...again, give up full creative control of my own broadcast, be ready to get canned at any moment after I got them to #1, and turn my back on a company that created a position for me. Pass. Again, say what you want, but for me, Salem is the only Radio Corporation in America still worth working for.
  
• Free Rotators...I won't discuss business specifics with anyone, however, I personally have made more in endorsement income at KSKY than at any other point in my career. Further, the Sponsors of The Wells Report get superb results for their money.
  
• Working for the Salem Radio Network...As far as my future Broadcasting career is concerned, syndication is a pipe dream. the Wells Report is for my neighbors, whether they care to listen or not. There is no scenario I can imagine where I could offer anything more to the Salem Radio Network than they have already. You just don't replace anyone on the Salem Radio Network with someone like me.
  
• Kissing up...Ask anyone I've ever worked for, or with if I have ever "kissed up". "Truth Spoken Here". If the Truth is complimentary, it gets told. If the Truth is uncomplimentary, and if it's necessary...It gets told....only because I'm out of the Malfunctioning Radio Manager Reclamation Business.
  
• Respect....Again, I'm truly sorry you had trouble at Salem. But Mic, there would be no more Broadcasts of The Wells Report without John Peroyea. He has shown me more respect and loyalty in the last year and a half than anyone in my career. (Except for one other guy....imagine that, 2 managers in 38 years. Unbelievable.) And further, if it all ended tomorrow...nothing would change. He would still have shown me more opportunity and respect than (nearly) anyone else in my career. You're wrong, my friend.*
  He is both Respected, and Respectable...You should think that over, and so should those you refer to who "do all the work". In my view, both they (and you) need a crash course in counting their blessings.

*I sincerely hope we're friends...For me, this is a reasonable difference of opinion.

J-D
TWR

 

[bturner]

Great response.

I'm sitting under the radar of the big dogs in Houston in a stable position and with a company that has employed me for more than half my 33 years in the radio business. I have virtually no stress. Sure, I could get in the dog fight for the top but I prefer a better quality of life and health. I don't work for Salem.

I am familiar with Salem. I've known some folks who have worked for them. In each instance the folks I knew saw their position as the 'sky's the limit'. They were afforded an atmosphere to be creative and strive for excellence. It seems to me the things that are really important to radio people are still important within the walls of Salem.

In addition, it seems the business model they utilize is multi-faceted where no one segment must be 100% all the time. Their programming distribution and other segments of the Salem offerings help to insure the long term financial health of this group broadcaster.

Sometimes we have bad experiences at various companies. Usually we are just a bad match. Sometimes there was a jerk managing us. All of that does not make a whole company bad or wrong.

I also notice how we gauge success differs person to person. Some might want to be the biggest fish in the Pacific Ocean. Others want to be the big fish in one of the Great Lakes, for example, so big that Great Lake is more like a bathtub. Some just are weary of having their talent muted and dealing with so much stress and uncertainty that it is nice to be able to find a place where you can blossom even if you're not on the #1 station because you can reach a loyal and caring listener base.

As for me, I prefer being at a station that remains somewhat overlooked versus the big station trying to reach the coveted number one spot. At least I know I make my company money, the ownership is happy, my job is secure, my owners respect and trust me and my paycheck will always be there. Best of all I get to remain employed in the business I'm passionate about.

Between you and me, I'm in the #1 top of the heap position for me and I'm happy to be there. May you also experience this. I am very fortunate to say I look forward to work each day.

I think I could say with some degree of certainty Jon is at the top of his game and in a near perfect situation. He has won. He's there at the top for himself.