Emergency Alert System Test

[jasper933]

I was listening to the Pulse and they did an Emergency Alert System Test. I did not know satellite had to run this test. What would they use the Alert system for?

 

[FightingIrish]

Do they do Amber Alerts?

 

[jegrant]

All satellite providers must now maintain EAS equipment, but are only required to pass national level alerts. XM has even been designated a level 3 entry point for EAS and is directly connected with FEMA, as a backup system to issue national alerts.

XM also delivers various weather alerts and Amber alerts on it's Traffic & Weather channels, as well as XM Emergency Alert 24/7 (XM 247). I am not sure, but I would guess Sirius at least passes local alerts during local weathercasts, but I don't think they usually play alerts on Sirius Weather & Emergency // 184 unless a very severe situation (Katrina and/or 9/11 level of severity) is happening.

 

[zman]

I have heard Sirius do EAS tests for New York City on various channels.

 

[jasper933]

Thank for the information. Just curious, does DirecTV and Dish have to maintain EAS equipment?

 

[jegrant]

Yes, Satellite TV providers Dish Network & DirecTV fall under the same requirement to pass national level EAS.

 

[Tony_Ramirez]

EAS tests are a total waste. If I want to hear fax machine modem sounds interrupting my program for a useless test I will pick up my phone and call a fax machine. Same thing.

 

[Robert Bass]

EAS tests are a total waste. If I want to hear fax machine modem sounds interrupting my program for a useless test I will pick up my phone and call a fax machine. Same thing.

FAX machine tones might be the accurate description, but some of us in the broadcasting industry use the term "duck farts"

;D

R