[BC] EAS calling the sailing vessel Kirstin, please call Channel16

[Darryl Parker]

The information that I have shows that the message originator, not the Coast Guard, erred in coding the message with the Event Code "CEM" and listing 23 locations. Some stations in New York City, including WABC, automatically forward "CEM" EAS messages for their areas. The equipment worked as it should. Investigations continue. Meetings tomorrow will discuss.

Darryl E. Parker
TFT, Inc.

-----Original Message-----
From: broadcast-bounces at radiolists.net
[mailto:broadcast-bounces at radiolists.net]On Behalf Of Alan Alsobrook
Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2006 4:15 PM
To: Broadcasters' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [BC] EAS calling the sailing vessel Kirstin, please call
Channel16


To me that alert was a bit out of bounds for EAS usage, I'm sure emails 
and phone calls are flying up in that area.

First of all we all know that if the alert is not received on the media 
you are tuned to you will not be made aware of the emergency. This is 
the reason that broadcasters are a very important and integral part of 
the EAS system.

As for a separate channel for EAS alerts, That is a very important idea, 
and has been pushed for by many of us who do work on EAS. The push is to 
get background channels so that emergency information can be passed to 
broadcast stations without having to put it on air. Once the information 
arrives then the stations can make a responsible decision as how to pass 
on the information. Options include, regular EAS alert, news flash, 
operator mentions, or nothing at all.

Errors will happen from time to time, and it's important that we learn 
from them, to help prevent future false/improper activation's. Hopefully 
the Coast Guard will know which buttons to not push when looking for a 
missing vessel in the future.

Bailey, Scott wrote:
> Yep, and before you know it, missing dogs and cats will become an EAS
> Alert. The day that happens, I'm pulling the plug on that thing! Down
> here in TN, the Amber Alerts have gotten out of hand.  Persons or
> whatever missing that is nowhere near who the real "Amber"(is or was)
> becomes an all out Amber Alert.
> 
> Maybe the commission should create one frequency for all these alerts.

-- 
Alan Alsobrook CSRE AMD CBNT
St. Augustine Fl. 32086 904-829-8885
aalso at Bellsouth.net


_______________________________________________
This is the BROADCAST mailing list
To send to the list, email: broadcast at radiolists.net
For sub changes, archives and info on this other lists: http://www.radiolists.net/