EAS Answers
> What makes a station one that is monitored? We monitor 3
> stations and NOAA.
Where are you in Mass? You can monitor one of the LP1's and NOAA, as long as you notify the state EAS director and keep a copy of that letter to the office in your engineerin file.
> What is it that we are exactly required to forward (ie,
> there are many different types of weather alerts, etc).
As Sam Buca said, you must forward EAN (Emergency Activation Notification),
EAT (Emergency Activation Termination), NIC (National Information Center),
NPT (National Periodic Test), and RMT (Required Monthly Test).
The RMT MUST be forwarded within 60 minutes. In Massachusetts the RMT's come in on Tuesdays and are typically the first or second tuesday of the month.
> Also, is it true that the station we monitor should only
> issue 1 RWT, but we can issue more if necessary since no one
> is monitoring us?
No, thats false. You must transmit a message at least once a week (within 7 days). Thats the rule. If you transmit a Amber Alert, Monthly Test, or any other activation, you do not need to perform a weekly test. However if no activiation is transmitted, a RWT , Required Weekly Test is REQUIRED to be transmitted, at a random time. As good practice, do a RWT once a week. All weeks. Reguardless of even RMT's. It covers your butt...
If your station is staffed at all times the transmitter is on the air, then you can run your EAS system in "manual mode". However, if at any time, you are running "automated" or the personnel running the board are not qualified to operate the EAS , then you run "Automatic mode". Manual Mode means you manually forward EAS events. Automatic Mode means the box does it automatically.
It's good practice to make sure the EAS box is also wired into your transmission path. Your EAS box MUST interrupt the audio on the air, thats the rule as well. Mixing the signal is not legal (although some stations do it).
You MUST have an EAS log. A paper log which has on it, information that shows you are in compliance with the EAS rules. Basically a log which an operator logs the reception and transmission of EAS events. On this log you MUST also log anytime you take the EAS unit out of service for any reason. If the unit is out of service for more than 60 days, you must notify the FCC so you can get a waiver of the EAS rules. However they will ask for detailed information as to the outage (if you have it sent for a repair, show the repair form AND shipper label). The operator who logs the event must indicate the date, time, and sign it legibly. The EAS box you have will have a thermal paper printer on it. Keep those papers. At the end of the week attach them to the log. If the FCC comes to visit, and asks to prove the box is functioning. You will need both the log AND those printouts...
Your EAS log must be checked once a week by someone desginated by the station as qualified to check the log. Usually a "chief operator". (All radio stations must designate a chief operator). The chief operator must designate someone, themselves or someone else, who is qualified to check the logs for compliance.
And must designate someone else who can do such duties in the absense of the chief operator or person designated as the person who checks the log.
All this is must be in writing and in the station's public file.
Hope this helps some...
