WBAP, KSCS and TSN All Get an "F"

[Andyf101]

I checked the log and I ran the test at 4:55 pm. So? That's when the network break came up. Are you familiar with the network clock? Engineering says to run it because we live in Texas, and there is no guarantee that the storms would generate EAS. By the time they got to Dallas, they were mostly spent.
I can only guess you got your nose out of joint was your Engineering Dept. runs the tests on Auto because they don't trust the operators. The Chief Engineer takes the hit if the operator fouls up the test. You might want to talk with your Chief about this.
Also, I might caution you against slams on blogs. It wouldn't be too hard to find out who you really are and where you work. Radio pros in this market are a pretty tight group, and you never know when you might need a job from someone you slammed, or one of his friends. They do check references!
This is my final word on the subject. Good luck in your broadcasting career!
Randy Williams

Lo and behold, he admits he was (gasp) WRONG!!!! Earlier he said "There's no way it could have run at that time, and it ran in the 3:00 PM hour". Wow! Thank you very much for finally admitting you were wrong. Bless you for that.

And I am all too familiar with the "be careful on the slams". Save that for someone who isn't, thanks.

And for your information, I didn't get my nose out of a joint. I was in the studio at my job, when the test came in. My first reaction was "My god, I can't believe this... Is someone not paying attention to radar, and what NOAA was saying?" I mean really...

Andy

 

[twidget]

Don't get the vapors, Scarlett, but we have another test very, very soon!!

 

[BBontheRadio]

Don't mess with my buddy Randy!

By the way, ever notice that the EAS tests say "This is a test?" If you're such an idiot that you can't tell that it's not an actual alert, then you really can't be helped. Your VCR at home is probably still flashing 12:00. The board op doesn't have the authority to cancel a scheduled test.

-Ben

 

[MikeShannon914]

We still love ya anyway, pal!

 

[Andyf101]

Don't mess with my buddy Randy!

By the way, ever notice that the EAS tests say "This is a test?" If you're such an idiot that you can't tell that it's not an actual alert, then you really can't be helped. Your VCR at home is probably still flashing 12:00. The board op doesn't have the authority to cancel a scheduled test.

-Ben

Oh Ben.... Ben, Ben, Ben...... Taking this thread into a whole different direction, and trying to make people look bad. I guess you're reading that book as well.

OK let me put this into perspective for you. If a station runs an EAS test, an hour or less away from the first EAS weather alert, it's not hard to picture the listener ignoring the second set of duck noises (you know, the EAS chirps), thinking that "Oh they're just running another test so I'll just ignore this".

But let's assume that second alert was a tornado warning, and the same listener is seriously hurt or killed...

You gotta think about what you're saying, from a public relations standpoint.

As far as my VCR flashing 12:00? Well how do you know I even HAVE a VCR? OK yeah I have one, but I haven't used it in almost 5 years. And that ain't because I don't know how to set the damn clock. I simply replaced my VCR with a stand alone DVD / Hard Drive recorder. My poor VCR is collecting dust every day.

As for board ops not being allowed to scrub tests, maybe you don't have that authority personally. But some jocks do.

The only reason I "messed" with your friend Randy, is because I didn't appreciate him calling me a liar. But we're past that now, in case you hadn't noticed.

I'll be waiting for your next set of clueless cheap shots, thanks.

Andy

 

[Holstead]

I think we are WAY off base here folks. I think some of you need to get back on track or just meet in the street.

And yes, I've known Randy for 20 years, and NO I am not picking sides.

 

[DoogieDown1]

twidget wrote:

You are misinformed. There is no way that EAS test was run at 4:55.

Then twidget wrote:

I checked the log and I ran the test at 4:55 pm. So?

From bad info to defiance. Nice.

But, to me, this sounds like an honest mistake. If you had to do it over again, though, wouldn't you choose not to run the test?

BenB wrote:

By the way, ever notice that the EAS tests say "This is a test?" If you're such an idiot that you can't tell that it's not an actual alert, then you really can't be helped.

In the Dallas suburb where I grew up, the civil defense sirens were tested every Wednesday around 10 a.m. But if there was any bad weather nearby, the tests were skipped. I've always thought this sort of caution was a good thing.

 

[Andyf101]

But if there was any bad weather nearby, the tests were skipped. I've always thought this sort of caution was a good thing.

Exactly...

Just like "NASA wouldn't go ahead with a shuttle launch if a storm was rolling in" etc...

When it comes to advising public safety issues, need I not remind everyone this is what the stations are licensed to do, you shouldn't screw around. Crying wolf before a major storm, was basically what happened. What a shame.

Andy

 

[BBontheRadio]

In the Dallas suburb where I grew up, the civil defense sirens were tested every Wednesday around 10 a.m. But if there was any bad weather nearby, the tests were skipped. I've always thought this sort of caution was a good thing.

That doesn't quite relate to this example, for two reasons. The sirens are not preceded by any verbal notice that is a test or not; they just blare. Also, the tests on the radio are not on the same day at the same time every week.

 

[Andyf101]

In the Dallas suburb where I grew up, the civil defense sirens were tested every Wednesday around 10 a.m. But if there was any bad weather nearby, the tests were skipped. I've always thought this sort of caution was a good thing.

That doesn't quite relate to this example, for two reasons. The sirens are not preceded by any verbal notice that is a test or not; they just blare. Also, the tests on the radio are not on the same day at the same time every week.

Your first argument is just wrong. Cities that test the civil sirens make it known what their test schedule usually is, and also state the test will be skipped in case of a real emergency.

Your second argument is irrelevant. It doesn't matter when the tests are scheduled. What matters is that the test should have been skipped due to the very obvious weather situation.

Andy