[BC] EAS

[Robert Meuser]

I would agree with Jerry. Build out NWS which can dispatch emergency messages 
much more efficiently than broadcast OR let XM or Sirius do it. They already 
have the coverage. The broadcast model is SOOO out of date.  We all know that 
broadcasters independently will deliver better and more in depth info but the 
initial alerting could be done so much better without depending on broadcast relay.

R

Keith Hammond wrote:
> Jerry Mathis wrote:
> 
> 
>>I'm probably not the only one saying this, but I've come to 
>>the conclusion 
>>that EAS has no place on Broadcast Radio or TV. Why? Because 
>>it only reaches 
>>those who happen to be listening/watching at that given 
>>instant. If it's 
>>2:30 AM, very few people will get the warning.
> 
> 
> 
> 
>   This is true but, you're advocating leaving US (the broadcasters)
> completely out of the loop! This will only further add to the illusion
> that broadcast radio and TV is only a source of meaningless drivel and,
> in order to get "fast-breaking facts and information", the public simply
> MUST turn to another (the inference will be) "more responsible source".
> 
> 
> 
> 
>>There needs to be a dedicated frequency/frequencies set 
>>nationwide for EAS, 
>>and radios specifically made for that purpose need to be 
>>designed, built, 
>>and sold. NOAA weather radios could fit this bill, but the 
>>transmitter 
>>network needs to be beefed up considerably (too many holes in 
>>coverage 
>>presently).
> 
> 
> 
> 
>   Or, just do what we've both discussed in the past: Build a (mandatory)
> EAS decoder into each receiver that is always and forever (except in the
> case of battery operated walkmans and the such) monitoring a local
> broadcast outlet (who will hopefully be responsible enough to relay
> pertinent information) and will un-mute on receipt of a valid alert for
> the given area. THIS would hopefully impress upon the audience that
> broadcast outlets ARE as important and as intent on local service as
> ever! (It would also NOT require the addition of yet another RF
> front-end and all of the associated - extra cost - circuits in our
> receivers and don't forget about the costs of beefing up that VHF
> network of transmitters.)
> 
>   OK, call me "greedy" if you like. I just don't want people who listen
> to my stations to get the impression that "The music is good but, the
> government had to snatch my radio control away from me so I could listen
> to something serious while the radio station kept playing music..."
> 
>   Generally, we cover local news and information in much more detail
> that NOAA or any government agency would even begin to consider. I'd
> like for those listeners to keep listening! (Seriously, I've been
> personally caught - on the air - in the middle of reading a tornado
> warning for the *THIRD* TIME when the EAS will kick-in and broadcast
> it's version of the warning for the FIRST time. Since it gives almost 10
> seconds of warning before snatching audio from the local board, I
> usually just say something like "We'll be back with in-depth local
> coverage as soon as the weather service tells you what I've been telling
> you for the past several minutes...")
> 
>   My vote would be to add a decoder to the receivers that we already
> have. As I've stated before, I've demoed an EAS receiver here and the
> reaction is always the same, "OK. I'll buy one as soon as it's $29.95
> like the one at Radio Shack." (Never mind the fact that, although it
> MIGHT add $5.00 to the cost, the one at Radio Shack ONLY receives
> NOAA... Which is NOT available in our area and is not "in the works"
> anytime soon even though I've offered to provide tower space, the
> transmitter, the generator and the antenna!)
> 
> 
> Keith Hammond
> 
> KBKH-FM (Shamrock, Texas)
> 
> (806) 256-1221
> 
> 
> 
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