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EAS Question

S

speakerman

Does anybody know if there is still a requirement the EAS unit to be installed directly in front of the transmitter input. I was in a discussion with someone that thought that was the literal interpretation. I did not believe that to be the case. He thought the unit must be able to automatically interrupt all other pieces in the audio chain when the primary takes control of the EAS box.
 
It needs to be the last thing in the audio chain after anything that would produce program content (board, automation, satellite feed, ect), but OK to be before the audio processing. The intent of course is to interrupt any programming and get it on the air. Ahead of the STL too as long as it is the proverbial invisible wire to your transmitter.

If I am in anyway wrong about this, someone please correct me before the FCC shows up because that is how mine is!
 
Yeah... That's where most everyone puts it in the chain. There are techinically some pretty specific levels within the rules of what the data and tones should be set at, but in practice before the processor is just fine, if not preferred. A big of skewing and eq'ing doesn't bother it a bit.
 
At one building with two stations I have Broadcast Tools 4X1 switchers flowing into a pair of 2X1 switchers controlled by the EAS box. (The 4X1 switchers are used for studio switching.) In normal use the EAS, when activated, takes control of both 2X1 switches to feed emergency traffic to both stations. For tests, I have a switch in the main control room which will allow separate tests to run on each station by disabling the opposite 2X1.

The outputs of the individual 2X1's feed the processor for each station.

At our other location, a single station, I use another 4X1 for studio switching, which feeds a new Broadcast Tools gadget, called an LR-5, merely a card with 4 latching spdt relays. EAS send latches it on, EOM kicks it off, the NC contacts feeding the processor.

Wouldn't ever feed audio through the EAS box, have had bad experience with flaky relays in a Gorman-Redlich.
 
TomT said:
At one building with two stations I have Broadcast Tools 4X1 switchers flowing into a pair of 2X1 switchers controlled by the EAS box. (The 4X1 switchers are used for studio switching.) In normal use the EAS, when activated, takes control of both 2X1 switches to feed emergency traffic to both stations. For tests, I have a switch in the main control room which will allow separate tests to run on each station by disabling the opposite 2X1.

The outputs of the individual 2X1's feed the processor for each station.

At our other location, a single station, I use another 4X1 for studio switching, which feeds a new Broadcast Tools gadget, called an LR-5, merely a card with 4 latching spdt relays. EAS send latches it on, EOM kicks it off, the NC contacts feeding the processor.

Wouldn't ever feed audio through the EAS box, have had bad experience with flaky relays in a Gorman-Redlich.
Click to expand...


I don't think one should use Gorman Redlich as the standard by which EAS boxes are judged, Tom. :D
 
speakerman said:
Does anybody know if there is still a requirement the EAS unit to be installed directly in front of the transmitter input. I was in a discussion with someone that thought that was the literal interpretation. I did not believe that to be the case. He thought the unit must be able to automatically interrupt all other pieces in the audio chain when the primary takes control of the EAS box.
Click to expand...
I think that connection point you refer to was intended for specific PEP station equipment, audio processor is considered part of transmitter. In other cases, as long as it is properly controlled, protected and can perform its *main* function automatically.
 
As a practical matter, the only value of the system 99% of the time --is to relay weather warnings from NWS.
Given the superb audio quality from the narrow-band FM transmitters NWS uses, a processor after the EAS is an absolute requirement.
 
Oh, on Gorman-Redlich: They are cheap, and they are made 45 miles from where I live.

Have better uses for my money than the stupid EAS boxes; as long as they work, I'll go the cheapest route.
 
boiseengineer said:
Given the superb audio quality from the narrow-band FM transmitters NWS uses...
Click to expand...
LMAO

Don't forget the clipper and AGC NWS uses to enhance the noise floor!
Click to expand...
I love having my show interrupted by a robot voice announcing a severe thunderstorm warning.

The only use of the local religious station is that it relays every single alert in its coverage area. I think the religious station has more EAS receivers tuned to it than actual humans tuned to it.
 
Yes, seen the box, even had a discussion with Jim Gorman about cooling.

It's a 1RU box with a CPU inside; internet (or other digital feed) goes in, the box then connects to a regular G/R EAS decoder box.

Of course, now awaits the finalization of CAP codes by FEMA. Sometime this century.
 
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