[BC] DST, EAS, Automation

[Phil Alexander]

On 3 Mar 2007 at 11:29, Johannes G. Rietschel wrote:

> Reason: we have been asked by a radio station in Germany to provide 
> them with an NTP synchronised, configurable scheduled "switcher"
> to allow accurate time-based switching from a main feed to a "local" 
> studio at several of their transmitters for a couple of hours per day
> (weekly schedule). Is that somewhat along the lines of what the EAS 
> equipment does ?

EAS is an acronym for Emergency Activation System which is the 
successor to the old Emergency Broadcast System where over the 
air relays of critical messages generated by the National 
Command Structure (White House) are automatically forwarded (in 
theory) to every broadcast station in the US.

The receivers follow specific protocols described in the FCC rules.
Time is a component because outdated messages may be discarded,
but this is not a time based switcher, rather a device with a
critical reliance (in some cases) on accurate time maintenance
within the system. EAS is a holdover from the nuclear threat/cold
war days that now, as a result of the terrorist threat has new
emphasis. I believe it is unique to the US market.


---------------------------------------------
Phil Alexander, CSRE, AMD
Broadcast Engineering Services and Technology 
(a Div. of Advanced Parts Corporation) 
Ph. (317) 335-2065   FAX (317) 335-9037