[EAS] Intermediate devices - CAP Converters

[Edward Ford]

>From the FCC

"While we do not decide today whether intermediary devices comply with these requirements, it is unclear whether any equipment that does not meet these current baseline requirements will be able to satisfy any CAP-related rules we may adopt in the
future.  Consequently, we urge EAS Participants that have purchased or are considering purchase of any type of EAS equipment to verify with manufacturers and/or vendors that the equipment complies with current FCC rules."

As Bill Ruck commented, "Which Rules, of course, do not exist yet"

But, the Gorman-Redlich CAP-DEC1 receives IPAWS-CA from FEMA?

So what does this all mean?  FEMA says it's OK, but the FCC may rule later that it doesn't meet the Commissions standards, making it a non-compliant device?  What happens to stations that bought them?

The first rule of comedy is never state the obvious, but did the FCC think and/or plan this all out before they got all excited about upgrading EAS?  Would it have been better to have rules and standards in place for type certification of the new EAS CAP equipment?

Then putting two government agencies (FEMA + FCC) in charge of this was a mistake.  It's hard enough for one to know what they're doing.

Edward Ford
KBPK/Fullerton College