[EAS] Activity at the FCC

[Tom]

Um.

The existing EAS system already does point 1, I believe - and uses raw 
audio or PCM wav files - no MP3 compressed file can outperform wav or 
raw audio, and can play them back into the automation's external input, 
if desired - at least some endecs have this capability.  The "other 
languages" may be desirable - or moot, as states adopt "official 
language" statutes that prohibit using any language except English for 
official communications.  And yes, it's already happening.  It's being 
disguised as a cost-cutting measure in some cases - eliminating the cost 
of multi-lingual signage and brochures, for example -  but it's coming.

Point 2 a.) Why?  2 b) would be a better option, I'd think - and some 
NOAA radios already do this, as well as 2 c)... and the SAME encoding is 
supposed to be able to define locales; but hasn't been fully implemented 
- how would "GPS" improve that for my bedside radio?  Dashboard radios, 
maybe...  and the "FM Chip in the cell phone" might use such a feature, 
but that would be implemented in the receiver - select enhanced SAME 
based on locale.  No need for CAP there, either.

Point 3 goes back to TV vs Radio... And hearing impaired folks generally 
don't listen to radio very much in the first place.

Just to show I'm not being close-minded - the CAP text message, in 
addition to feeding normal character generators for TV, Cable, and 
"intelligent highway" signs could also feed the closed-caption 
generators - but again, that's the *visual*, not *aural* component.

The flaw in the system that *needs* to be addressed is the alerting 
transport, not the protocol. 

Richard Rudman wrote:
> There will be advantages for radio with CAP, but it will take time to get them up and running.
>
> 1. Attached MP3 audio files so we can:
> 	a. Air better audio
> 	b. In English and other languages
> 	c . Download attached audio files into automation systems or manually play them back
> 2. CAP information can be used by future radios and consumer devices with embedded radios to:
> 	a. Remember alerts for playback if your radio is turned off
> 	b. Wake you up if you so choose when an EAS event happens even if your radio is off
> 	c. Trigger flashing warnings for hearing impaired people
> 	d. Use GPS to automatically give you EAS events for where you are
> 3. Future radios and devices with embedded radios with screen displays can use CAP info to:
> 	a. View attached photos for AMBER Alerts
> 	b. Display enhanced warning information for hearing impaired people

-- 
Tom Spencer
PG-18-25453 (nee' P1-18-48841)
http://radioxtz.com/
"If you keep on dancin, and dancin, and dancin...
They're gonna turn the music back ON!" - D. Dragon AKA The Captain