[EAS] Interpreting EAS Rules for Combined Stations

[Tom Taggart]

Section 11.32, referred to in this rule, contains the specs.
for encoder/decoders. The only things that **might** be an
issue using one unit for multiple stations would be
control/control lock-out (can each station send a test, for
example) and level issues (considering the amount of
compression used in most stations this wouldn't be an
issue).

I remember reading a discussion elsewhere where the argument
was made that having one decoder for a combined operation
where one station was in an LMA would not fly.  Don't
remember the complete reasoning.

We bought a station that was in a JSA & based at the studios
of a 5 station cluster--that station did not have a separate
EAS unit, just a remote start (which didn't work) for a
common EAS used for 2 of the stations in the cluster (2 were
licensed to one state, three to an adjoining state--we're
right on the state line). I think all the print-outs went
somewhere else, didn't get any with the files when we took
over. Given that the "compliance specialists" are only
interested in the paperwork that could have caused a problem
for the JSA station.

We had to move out of that studio building anyway, so I
bought a new unit for the new studio location. 

In my other studio site, for two stations, I have one unit.
Since the monitoring requirements under the state plan are
slightly different, I monitor two different relay stations
(one about 50 miles away, but it's a full B with a high
antenna) and two different NOAA weather stations. One is
adjacent to the local NOAA station, albeit in the opposite
direction, so reception is sometimes a problem. The actual
listening areas of my two stations overlap, so it kind of
makes sense to relay weather warnings for both operational
areas. All three of my stations are licensed to the same
state, so this simply gives us redundant capabilities to
receive the required monthly test. 

As I mentioned in another thread, I use the EAS to control a
pair of Broadcast Tools stereo switchers.  In the main
control I have a switch allowing tests to be sent on either
station separately (by disconnecting the control line for
the opposite program line switcher); while the normal
position switches tones & alert audio to both station
program lines. Those two stations are satellite fed.

Incidentally, if need arises, I can switch to a simulcast on
both these stations from the main control. In that case I
would feed audition from the main console (Auditronics 2500)
to the other station. The EAS feed is downstream from the
studio switching, so alerts would still override.