[EAS] National Test

[Darryl Parker]

Mike,

I do not think Harold can speak for TFT, nor can I speak for Sage. I can, however, speak for TFT.

The TFT EAS911 has two modes of operation, "AUTO" and "MAN". In "MAN" mode, the unit assumes that an operator is present. The TFT EAS911 will attempt to decode every message it
Receives but will take no action until directed to do so by an operator.

In "AUTO" mode, only received messages that meet the criteria for forwarding (EAS protocol validity, not expired, not duplicate, correct Event code, at least one FIPS code match, and ORG Code match) will be forwarded.

The TFT EAS911 will not automatically forward an incoming message with the Event code EAN if it is in "MAN" mode. Operation in "MAN" mode tells the unit that an operator is present. It then becomes the responsibility of the operator to forward an incoming message. In the case of an incoming message with the Event code EAN, he must do so immediately.

The TFT EAS911 has a maximum record time of a little over two minutes. If the unit is in "AUTO" mode and receives a valid EAS message with the Event code EAN, then the unit will immediately forward the message and connect the input channel on which the message was received to the output, provided that the message is valid and meets the criteria of autoforwarding. The audio is not recorded. The end of the EAS message with an EAN Event code is then ended with receipt of EOM or with receipt of another EAS message with the Event code EAT on one of the other inputs of the EAS911. If the unit is in "MAN" mode and receives a valid EAS message with the Event code EAN, then the unit will take no action until the operator directs it to do so. When the operator forwards this EAN message, the EAS911 will generate the appropriate header bursts, send the Two-Tone Attention Signal, and connect the input on which the EAN message was received to the output.

The last valid received message is always stored in a forwardable message queue, even if it was or was not forwarded automatically. Received messages that were not forwarded automatically can still be forwarded manually by an operator.

Darryl

-----Original Message-----
From: eas-bounces at radiolists.net [mailto:eas-bounces at radiolists.net] On Behalf Of Kluger, Michael

Harold,

Are you certain that this is true on the TFT units?  When I had spoken to TFT about my concern that the national test was going to exceed the two minute limit,  they suggested that I increase the maximum record time for a message (which can be changed in the setup menu).  This led me to believe that at least on the TFT, the EAN is subject to the time limit.

To give a little context, I had originally asked TFT whether it was possible to configure the EAS-911 so that EANs would immediately auto-forward, even if the unit was in manual mode.  (My goal was to be able to have EANs forward immediately upon receipt while retaining the ability to control exactly when we forward other messages, such as RMTs).  TFT's reply was that the auto-forward was a global setting, and that there is no way to have some message types auto forward while others manual forward.  This led me to ask them if I was correct that this would cause a problem if an operator waited more than two minutes to forward an EAN, since that would result in only the first two minutes of the EAN being stored for retransmission.  The reply was to suggest that I increase the message time limit, which can be set to be up to 15 minutes long.  I am assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that I would not have gotten this reply if EAN messages were not subject to the programmed time limit!
  on the EAS-911.

Mike

Michael Kluger

Director of Broadcast Operations & Information Technology, WNYE-TV & FM

718 250 5808

mkluger at media.nyc.gov

NYC Media Group

NYC TV - Radio New York, 91.5 FM - Online www.nyc.gov/tv

-----Original Message-----
From: eas-bounces at radiolists.net [mailto:eas-bounces at radiolists.net] On Behalf Of Harold Price

The EAN is a special case, it does not have a two minute limit.  It

has no limit at all.

Harold

At 09:18 PM 6/9/2011, Randall Miller wrote:

>Our TFT EAS911 units have 2 minute (maximum) alert message windows. If 
>they

>don't receive the EOM, they'll automatically terminate recording the 
>message

>at 2 minutes. Unless other makes of EAS decoders don't have a similar

>feature, I'm not sure a RWT 5 minutes later would help.

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