[EAS] CAP Converters

[Barry Mishkind]

>From: Edward Ford
>
>I realize the FCC has its hands full with the results of the National Test,
>but they need to make a ruling on CAP Converters.  If they aren't going to
>be approved for use by the FCC, then that decision needs to be made quickly.
>That would keep broadcasters from buying something they can't use.  Also it
>would be allow manufacturers to not use their resources on building devices
>that won't be type accepted. 

        Ed, you have noticed things that have been in the minds
        of many for some time.  The failure of the FCC to make  
        the Part 11 changes in a timely fashion - coupled with
        a resistance to listening to the broadcasters - has left
        the industry with few choices, some of them bad.

        I was initially inclined for the CAP convertors. All the
        work that went in to the BWWG efforts to comment
        on the Part 11 proceeding made me change my mind.
        While it does save a few dollars, it does leave a old
        foundation (the legacy machines).

        Some manufacturers did not wait for the FCC and 
        marketed the CAP/EAS boxes. Some are well 
        thought out while others suffer from all sorts of
        shortcuts in order to bring a product to market.
        That there was not enough testing of some units is
        clear. 

        However, broadcasters are still stuck in the mud, as
        the FCC has said little to nothing about where
        the Part 11 rewrite stands. And FEMA took the opportunity
        of the EAN test to contradict many of the FCC's 
        directions.

        We all could use a little clarity out of DC.