• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

EAS test on HD2 stations

N

nd2023

Banned
Today I was listening to WWMX-HD2 online and I heard the EAS go off for a severe thunderstorm warning in Baltimore. The EAS interrupted the song with its annoying tones and the robot voice announced the entire text of the warning, and it then resumed in the middle of another song.

I didn't know that HD2 stations also have to relay EAS alerts. I assume the web stream was exactly what was going out over the air.

There's no point installing a separate EAS encoder for the 2 people listening on an HD radio and the hundreds of people listening online from all over the world who could care less that it's going to rain in Baltimore. It is kind of neat to hear the EAS go off when listening to the online stream of a station.
 
Yep, the HD has to relay RMTs and run RWTs from the EAS. (May Our Loving God help us all if the day comes anytime soon when the USA really needs a functioning Emergency Broadcast System. Man oh man, don't get me started on THAT one. EAS is a bigger train-wreck than HD, and that's saying something.)

HDs also have to run Legal IDs. HD streams are kind of like real radio stations, the notable difference being: they don't have any listeners or sponsors. ;) :D
 
This particular HD2 had ratings, now I heard proof that it's a 100% simulcast and the ratings came from the stream, since it streamed the EAS.

I know EAS encoders get pretty expensive, so it must cost a lot to get one for each HD subchannel.
 
If you want your web stream to be counted by Arbitron, then you have to rebroadcast 100% your off-air programming on the web. That means, you will hear EAS alerts and tests on streaming stations that are also over the air broadcasters.

I agree with Savage that EAS is so screwed up, it almost makes the HD Alliance look "organized," but I suppose that is another topic. It's too bad there isn't an EAS area on Radio-Info. I'll bet you'd hear some interesting stories.
 
Nick said:
I know EAS encoders get pretty expensive, so it must cost a lot to get one for each HD subchannel.
Click to expand...

As far as I know, stations can share the same EAS unit as long as all of them in a "cluster" belong to the same licensee. In the case of HD-2 channels, that would be certainly be the case. The only real cost would be the relay switching equipment, which could be home-brewed for about $50 in parts, or purchased from companies like TFT, or even Broadcast Tools. They are pretty reasonably priced, and simple to install.
 
Chuck said:
If you want your web stream to be counted by Arbitron, then you have to rebroadcast 100% your off-air programming on the web. That means, you will hear EAS alerts and tests on streaming stations that are also over the air broadcasters.

I agree with Savage that EAS is so screwed up, it almost makes the HD Alliance look "organized," but I suppose that is another topic. It's too bad there isn't an EAS area on Radio-Info. I'll bet you'd hear some interesting stories.
Click to expand...

Actually you don't want to do this unless you're a non-comm. There are issues with running ads on your internet stream. I agree that everything should be encoded though, and the way to do that with your stream requires a separate encoding box and monitor.
 
Chuck said:
I agree with Savage that EAS is so screwed up, it almost makes the HD Alliance look "organized," but I suppose that is another topic. It's too bad there isn't an EAS area on Radio-Info. I'll bet you'd hear some interesting stories.
Click to expand...

Amen. And like HD Radio side channels, EAS messages have to appear on all DTV subchannels which calls for a complex and expensive switching solution.

While the CAP system makes receiving messages and record keeping a little easier it's far from perfect. c5
 
RadeoEngineer said:
Actually you don't want to do this unless you're a non-comm. There are issues with running ads on your internet stream. I agree that everything should be encoded though, and the way to do that with your stream requires a separate encoding box and monitor.
Click to expand...

That depends on whether you are running national spots with AFTRA talent. If oyur programming is actually local, with local talent, there is no reason to break the web stream from the normal feed.
 
I am confused:
Is it a separate test on an individual HD channel or one that is run on analog, HD1, HD2, HD3, etc all together?
When XM (and I assume Sirius) runs a test, there is no escaping it. It is simulcast on all channels at one time.
 
I didn't check WWMX-HD1's stream. I wonder if they would interrupt the main channel programming for only a severe thunderstorm warning, which happens often in the summer.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom