WSB out of EAS loop

[jal41]

http://www.gab.org/content/view/124/281/

Apparently, as of this April, WSB radio has been completly removed from the state EAS system. WSB-FM has been replaced by WAGA-TV (with WUBL remaining as the only LP radio station).

I understand with the new system being implemented by FEMA they are going to use digital TV transmitters. Given the issues reported with WSB-TV's digital signal, I could understand why WAGA was chosen (I believe after GPB gets their signals on the air, they will be the primary stations).

Does anyone know why WSB was removed from the EAS? Particularly after the Minot, ND 2002 train wreck, when there was no one at the Clear Channel cluster to answer the phone. I supect since GEMA has an encoder, that is no longer an issue.

Is it political? State Government and Clear Channel (and Fox's parent News Corp) leaning Republican, and Cox leaning Democrat?

Regardless, if you polled which radio station local emergency officals would call first with emergency info, I am sure WSB-AM would be at the top of their list (and WSB-TV on the TV side).

 

[taylorengineer]

They(WSB)probably did not want the hassle of dealing with EAS. The engineering staff has much more important stuff to deal with than babysitting this insipid system. I don't think the ClearChannel guys were leaping with delight at being choosen as the primary either.
WSB is still the station you tune to for news and info in an emergency. They(the gov-ment) can take the EAS system and stuff it somewhere as far as I'm concerned.

 

[The Beave]

Jal41,

If I remeber correctly a station can "opt-out" and become a non participating station. This means that they are not required to log or take/broadcast or re-broadcast local EAS tests, or log the local tests. They are however required to carry National alerts however.

My thought is on this, That being a nationally recognized broadcast leader,
as well as local, it is in WSB-AM's best interest to carry and participate in EAS programming ans alerts as a "News/Talk - Regional authority".

This is unless WSB-FM is simulcasting - OR - there is a policy in place that upon an alert they would break in and rebroadcast it immiadiately.

Still notification time is wasted.

Another sermen later, bullitins at once.

 

[taylorengineer]

Actually - you can not opt out of doing weekly tests, relaying the monthly test, or having the equipment.
Being a non participating station means simply going off the air if Putin and his fun factory gang ever nuke us. Participating stations stay on the air and relay information until facilities are crispy. Non participating stations go off the air and it's staff goes running, screaming down the hallway to the fallout shelter.
Participation on weather alerts IS optional - many stations only relay the required EAS alerts - some do weather alerts too.

 

[The Beave]

Actually - you can not opt out of doing weekly tests, relaying the monthly test, or having the equipment.
Being a non participating station means simply going off the air if Putin and his fun factory gang ever nuke us. Participating stations stay on the air and relay information until facilities are crispy. Non participating stations go off the air and it's staff goes running, screaming down the hallway to the fallout shelter.
Participation on weather alerts IS optional - many stations only relay the required EAS alerts - some do weather alerts too.

Taylor,

Thanks for clarifying and correcting my point - I was mostly referring about WX.