New EAS / CAP Compatable?

[mbrg]

Regarding the March implementation of FEMA's new CAP rules;

We have both SAGE and Gorman Redlich boxes. Looks like SAGE offers a software download whereas Gorman is selling a separate unit.

Who has upgraded (on either units) and is it a fairly painless procedure? (i.e. CO$T in the case of G/R)?

tnx,
gw

 

[ChiefOperator]

FYI- The FCC extended the implementation deadline to September 30, 2011.

 

[ncradioeng]

Unless you have the new blue-colored Sage (Digital Endec), it won't be compatible. There will need to be an internet connection to the EAS unit to be CAP-compatible as I understand it. This begs the question - what if a station does not have broadband internet service?

 

[ChiefOperator]

mbrg-

From what I've seen, most manufacturers are selling an interface for the existing EAS decoder. Some of these interfaces are not model specific and thus are suppose to interface to a variety of manufacturers (Gorman is suppose to be one of them). This is off the top of my head, but perhaps you could use one CAPS interface for both EAS decoders (same building)? I believe these units basically interface to the audio input of the EAS decoders.

This begs the question - what if a station does not have broadband internet service?

Bingo! I've been asking the same question for some time now, especially after the owner of an AM without Internet access asked me. My understanding is that the FCC has not resolved this issue.

 

[TomT]

AS I understand it, the Gorman Redlich CAP box talks to the internet (or other incoming CAP source) and spits out computer generated audio & FSK which feeds into the regular G/R decoder through an audio input.

So, I suppose, it could really be used with any model EAS decoder so long as the audio levels were high enough to trigger the alert. For that matter, it could be mounted at the internet access point & audio sent by wire, or even dedicated RF link (subcarrier on an STL, I suppose) to the regular EAS decoder. Not the best set-up, but would overcome problems of limited internet access.

Note that the Commission has yet to even issue a NPRM for new Part 11 rules, or for any procedures for type approval or acceptance of the new CAP decoders (or if this will be required). So it would be best to wait until this is done, in order to know what they want from the equipment.

 

[necrat123]

TFT is listing a converter on their page, for those of us using the 911 boxes.

http://www.tftinc.com/easproducts.html#CAP

 

[Lazy J]

This begs the question - what if a station does not have broadband internet service?

I think we are going to see a resurgence of dial-up internet!

But seriously, buy the Blue Sage Endec. Anybody that has ever had to play "Chief Operator" will love the new box. No more little rolls of paper, just print to any printer on your network. It saves all the alerts, so you just select the begin and end dates and hit print. And anybody that has ever had to play "Engineer" will love how easy it is to setup and program the new box. I know they cost a lot more than a converter, but it's money well spent in the long run (since you will need less therapy and high blood pressure pills).

 

[mbrg]

thanks all, as always....esp the info on extending till September, and new Sage recommendation...


still digging out from The Blizzard and didn't need to worry about this,
gw

 

[ncradioeng]

The audio connectors on the digital Endec match the ones on the old one so there is minimum rewiring hassle. I had one station where the digital Endec had to be returned twice under warranty for a DSP boot error. This may have been caused by surges into the audio inputs from the LP (Local Primary) receivers from possible lightning strikes (never had a problem with the old EAS box from this, though). When the unit was returned the second time, it came back with a surge arrestor board that is installed between the LP audio input connector terminals and the LP receivers. I don't know if this board is optional or they all come with it now - but I would get one regardless.