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National EAS test

All broadcast stations across the country were supposed to comply and take part in the first ever national EAS test conducted in concert with FEMA. I've got video showing that only about half of the broadcast FM/AM stations in the area complied... oops.
 
Well looks like Clear Channel Sarasota stations had no issue with the test. I didn't have time to tune to other stations. Too bad the audio from FEMA was garbage. Just goes to show these jughead politicians should listen to us engineers before going off half cocked.

At least the FCC website has a form we can provide feedback on the whole sad affair. I wonder if they will actually use the feedback or have something else already planned.
 
Oh I almost forgot several states missed the whole stinking thing. So much for all the PEP station money the government spent.
 
They ran the test in Nevada earlier this year. Only about 70% of the stations were able to perform correctly.

It is the Krazies in the government thinking if it didn't work in one state, that it would work flawlessly for the rest of the country.

Besides, the whole notion of an automatic system in the event of an emergency is nuts.

...hmm...

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!
 
badjef said:
Besides, the whole notion of an automatic system in the event of an emergency is nuts.

BINGO! It's useless. When I worked at Salem we always did our EAS tests as scheduled, and the equipment ran flawlessly during the tests... but every time there was severe weather/tornadoes/etc... there was no warning, and in fact, we were discouraged from breaking in on the regularly scheduled programming to give important local weather/news updates...

If stations were actually staffed with live bodies, or the live bodies there were allowed to crack the mic and give an update, there would be absolutely no need for this system... it obviously didn't work anyway. But it's likely that because of this colossal failure, there will be a call for a complete overhaul of the system... yay!
 
Cedric said:
badjef said:
Besides, the whole notion of an automatic system in the event of an emergency is nuts.

BINGO! It's useless. When I worked at Salem we always did our EAS tests as scheduled, and the equipment ran flawlessly during the tests... but every time there was severe weather/tornadoes/etc... there was no warning, and in fact, we were discouraged from breaking in on the regularly scheduled programming to give important local weather/news updates...

If stations were actually staffed with live bodies, or the live bodies there were allowed to crack the mic and give an update, there would be absolutely no need for this system... it obviously didn't work anyway. But it's likely that because of this colossal failure, there will be a call for a complete overhaul of the system... yay!
English for "Yep"

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!
 
I remember a really bad tornado that went near my house 2 years ago. My girlfriend and I were traveling on U.S 98 in Brooksville and had it on 101.5 The Point. Despite the fact that this weather outbreak was affecting the entire area no news was being broken. Until 30 minutes later when Corey Dylan mentioned a word or two about it before a commercial break. The weather was so bad we pulled over to a convenience store to seek shelter. Good thing too because the store had no power and the clerk didn't have a cell phone.

The only two stations on the dial covering the outbreak were WXCV 95.3 and WJQB 106.3. The rest were resuming normal programming. Despite the fact that they were tornado touchdowns in all 4 counties. (Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando.)
 
Cedric said:
All broadcast stations across the country were supposed to comply and take part in the first ever national EAS test conducted in concert with FEMA.
You mean all stations were supposed to volunteer, as in, "...voluntary cooperation with the FCC and other federal, state, and local authorities"?
 
ai4i said:
Cedric said:
All broadcast stations across the country were supposed to comply and take part in the first ever national EAS test conducted in concert with FEMA.
You mean all stations were supposed to volunteer, as in, "...voluntary cooperation with the FCC and other federal, state, and local authorities"?
Just as with any another government operation. They were "volunteered".

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!
 
Not to get off topic but do you know what the best EAS is. 24/7 Live DJs on the air. If a radio station had live DJ's at 2 in the morning if something really bad happened the Jock could warn the people. Or at the very least have a DJ that could be called in the middle of the nght if something happens. Alert systems do help. However in the case of Severe Weather event cannot give you the Live and Detailed information a DJ can. Anyone remember what happened in Minot, North Dakota when Clear Channel had 6 understaffed stations during a train derailment.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minot_Train_Derailment

The remark was especially drected at Cox. Two years ago despite a Tornado Outbreak none of their stations had live coverage. Especially considering the fact that it was 1:30 n the afternoon. Clear Channel stations at least had reports from 970 WFLA inbetween the musc. I'm also pretty sure CBS also had better coverage the event than Cox.
 
ai4i said:
Cedric said:
All broadcast stations across the country were supposed to comply and take part in the first ever national EAS test conducted in concert with FEMA.
You mean all stations were supposed to volunteer, as in, "...voluntary cooperation with the FCC and other federal, state, and local authorities"?

This was NOT a "voluntary" test. All broadcast outlets were required to take part. End of story. You don't just choose to ignore orders from the FCC.

BTW, regarding my previous comment about EAS tests being missed at Salem Tampa... I got a couple messages claiming that this never happened... well it did... however I did fail to mention that these events occurred a few years back, prior to the arrival of their current chief engineer (who is quite accomplished, and very professional) ok, i'm out.
 
As badjef pointed out. The stations *WERE* volunteered by the government.
 
ai4i said:
As badjef pointed out. The stations *WERE* volunteered by the government.
Thank you.

Glad to be of assistance. It was part of my Navy training to be able to interpret the U.S. government language.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!
 
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