[BC] EAS question (Thinking oneself into a logical corner.)

[Keith Hammond]

Until now, we've always had our local EAS equipment set with "Washington,
DC" listed in the local area of operation as there was practically no chance
of an alert actually getting to us (in Alabama) with such an FIPS coding
unless it was designed to go nationwide. This was done so that there was no
chance of an EAN (originated in Washington) to go un-passed within the
system.  

Well... Now, we have CAP and, this morning, we received both the eastern
time zone as well as the central time zone test.

My question, in a nutshell is: Would a "real" EAN contain an "all FIPS
codes" signal or, do we actually need to have Washington, DC in the list of
areas for which we monitor? The more I think about it, the more my head
hurts because I am coming up with valid arguments for both lines of thinking
from both directions.

Thanks in advance for input into this.

Keith Hammond
MonsterFM.com / Broadcast Technical Services
LPFMRadio.com
830 Hillsdale Road
Jasper, Alabama 35504