[EAS] Overlay boxes

[Mike McCarthy]

While I appreciate the comments made against the two add-on/overlay 
boxes available as being not as flexible or argued as not even being 
compliant, I want to hear unbiased views from those who have looked at 
them, bought and installed them, have dealt with their issues, and 
whether there is buyer's remorse. So far, both manufacturers that I have 
seen advise the CAP add-on boxes can look at multiple IP addresses for 
retrieving CAP messages.  If there are other add-on/overlay boxes beyond 
TFT and GR's add-on boxes, I would also appreciate a referral and comment.

I have a client with a pair of combined studios housing a total of nine 
commonly owned stations and two associated outlying regulatory main 
studios. None are LP-1 or LP-2 stations. All but two stations are in the 
same state operating area, and the 8th is in the same state at the first 
7. With the future configuration of EAS something less than 100% 
certain,  they're looking hard at using a couple overlay boxes and an 
analog DA to extend the lifetimes of the existing pool of ENDEC's (of 
various manufacturers.)  That and a rather stiff number (>$30K) to 
simply procure replacement devices for  the group's 11 EAS boxes is 
playing highly into their decision.  They'd rather spend something 
around $8K total than >$30K along with adding another IP switch.

Then there is the reality that all the bugs are not yet worked out with 
the boxes designed to be drop-in-place replacements and any 
upgrades/updates will take a day+ to install across that platform every 
time.  At $1000 per rotation, that's not inexpensive either.

Thanks

Mike McCarthy
Chicago