[EAS] EAS reporting

[Tom Taggart]

For the November 9th test, we are supposed to download a
special 23 page EAS handbook to be posted at each "EAS
equipment location" (at one of my stations that's the
laundry, err, engineering shop.  The control room is over in
the master bedroom..).  Then we are supposed to file three
forms electronically.  Form 1 is to tell the FCC that we are
filing a report electronically--which must be filed before
the test. Form two tells them the result of the test, and
form three is for "further inquiry."

These people are [obscenity] idiots.

1. The "November 9 handbook"  could have been printed on one
page. I double-sided this piece of garbage since I have two
locations and need two copies. 

2. In order to report electronically, you have to file form
1.

3. Form 1 has obviously designed by some demented FCC
lawyer.  It requires information that 99% of the GM's/Pd's
(and their secretaries) won't know nor know where to go to
find it.

For example: a. Facility number of the station. Yes, it's in
the database but most non-engineering types won't know where
to find this.

b. Coordinates of the transmitter site IN DECIMAL. Nowhere
on FCC.Gov is there a listing of transmitter site
coordinates in decimal--it's all degrees-minutes-seconds. 
There is a program to convert to decimal--but what's the
point? The equipment for most stations is at the studio.

Remember that you have to file form #1 for each station in
your group.  I just put down 39.000/-81.000 for all three of
my stations. To hell with them. 

c. Two contact numbers (office and cell).

The end result, of course, is most stations will ignore this
nonsense. Of course, watch "form 2" to be keyed somehow to
only allow you to file if you've filed "form 1."  With the
end result that most stations won't report back. Thus
requiring an army of bureaucrats to track down all the
stations to get replies.