[EAS] backhoe fade kills 911, cells, etc

[k7cr]

Tom- 

Some responses to your comments - 

 Wireless systems would be nice--but expensive. And states
 like WV are not going to build them.

The problem often boils down to money.   No one, government or 
private wants to spend it.   This is the way it is these days.

 The Feds want an emergency alert program.  But they don't
 want to pay for it. Even to pay for training the emergency
 center folks how to run the system.

The Feds are not the only ones that want one.  Here in Washington
State the State DOES want one and thats one of the reasons why 
they are now in the process of rolling out a CAP bases system.  
The State is funding the network and about 75 Sage-boxes and 
placing them in LP Stations as well as throughout the State 
Broadcast Network (Northwest Public Radio).    There is a pretty
steady stream of commercial stations that are buying this new 
gear and being connected.   This system will enable not only 
the state but local use.     We have an SBE Meeting coming 
up on Jan 13th in Seattle where this will be explained to all ...
You are welcome to attend and find out how 'others' are approaching
the issue.   Bottom line - This is NOT just a Federal thing.

So they force the broadcasters to do it for free...

No one is forcing anyone here.   However, I agree that many 
will not wish to upgrade their EAS system until they are forced 
to do so.   The same could be said about a lot of things.  Seatbelts
and cellphone use while driving come to mind.

then dump on us when it doesn't work precisely the way they think it
 should--and when the point of failure--is on the government  side.

This is where you and I differ - I like to think about EAS as being a 
cooperative venture.  Cooperation between industry and government.
There are many examples of where this does work...However it takes
a lot of work on behalf of private industry to make sure that it does.

 I am all for improving the system by having more options for
 relaying messages.
 So long as the FCC understands this is a matter of having a
 redundant system.

We are in agreement here.  There will be an NPRM coming out 
soon and EVERYONE needs to make this position known.  Tragically, 
the FCC typically receives very few comments while the majority sits 
on their hands and bitches.

I am not enthused about building their house of cards
 system, then risk getting fined when it collapses because of
 their design flaws.

Agreed.

 Just wait. Some Dutch teenager will figure out how to spoof
 an internet-based system to run an emergency message at 7 PM
 some evening when most of our stations are on auto-pilot. 
 The next day the Congress critters will be fuming, & the FCC
 will threaten fines,etc.

Now is the time to warn those that write the rules...NOT LATER.

Clay


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.radiolists.net/pipermail/eas/attachments/20101210/831c9cb7/attachment.html