[EAS] The Message Continued

[Marlin Jackson]

I understand that radio program directors and managers don't like interruption to the flow of their music or talk show or whatever. It would be good if the FCC etc. didn't need to require carriage of alerts but they must for the safety of the public, otherwise why bother. At our broadcast group I'm the engineer that is responsible for programing and operation of the EAS system. One of our 7 stations is the area LP-1. In taking on that responsibility we agreed to carry all alerts. Our other 6 radio stations and our TV with HD and 2 SD channels are programmed the same as the LP-1. Our view is we want our listeners to be the first to know if there is any safety issue. In fact all but two of our radio stations are in an automatic mode 24/7. Those 2 exceptions are usually only in manual during the live morning shows.
 
I guess I'm not understanding why stations wouldn't want to carry all message. In our case any rules adding what we must carry won't effect us as we carry them already.
 
My thoughts,
 
Marlin Jackson, CSTE
Assistant Chief Engineer
RF Systems
KXLY Broadcast Group
500 W Boone
Spokane, WA 99201
 
marlinj at kxly.com
509-329-4908

>>> "Wayne R. Miller" <wrm at jmpradio.com> 3/15/2011 10:26 AM >>>

I am neither pleased nor displeased with the "improvements" being made to the system. As a broadcaster I will do what it required by regulation.

I am just asking what will the message be?  What will be so important that we can't be trusted to deliver it?

I am thinking this is much more a control issue that concern about public warnings.

Wayne

Message: 4
From: Clay Freinwald <k7cr at blarg.net>
<eas at radiolists.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original

Wayne -

I highly recommend that you read the FCC R&O regarding EAS (04-296) this is
the the document that has pretty much taken us to where we are now.

Yes, the present rules only require that broadcasters run EAN's and the rest
of voluntary.

As for forcing stations to run Amber Alerts - I'm not sure where you got
this information, I know of no such proposal.

The R&O deals with the matter of what's commonly called GMC or Governor Must
Carry.  This would elevate the role of EAS to a more valuable tool for
public warnings.  At this point, no one is sure how this will actually be
carried out.

>From your tone I gather you are not to pleased with the improvements being
made and/or proposed to EAS?

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