[EAS] State Plan Mapbooks

[Clay Freinwald]

Responding to Richards comments - 

To elaborate, plotting the coverage of existing or proposed LP-1's, PEP
stations, and NOAA Weather Radio transmitters may be a useful tool for local
and state committees.

I hope that in all of the attention to this we do not forget that we should
be heading toward an EAS distribution model that is less dependent on what
is still essentially a daisy chain built around LP stations. A short daisy
chain, but one with links that can fail and prevent propagation of EAS
warnings.

The Washington State Local Relay Network should be a model we all should
strive for in my opinion. We also should think about wired and wireless
reinforcement for EAS-CAP messaging that does not depend on the public
internet. 

Some of the criteria we used to determine what area and political divisions
should be within a Local EAS Area, and the corresponding LECC that
administrates that area are - 

>  The Primary coverage of the higher powered AM, FM and TV Stations within
that area.
	AM's - .5 or 1.0 Mv/M Contour
	FM's -  60 dbu Contour
	TV;s -  Grade B ( admittedly from the NTSC days) 

>   Coverage of the NWR transmitters.

If you plot these on a map you are, pretty easily able to see what area is
clearly - within - the average of these contours.     THEN you look at the
counties that are substantially within a proposed area.

Another useful tool is to determine the counties that are within the Radio
Arbitron Market area.   

There are, of course, exceptions.  For Example some counties on the fringe
of a larger Local EAS Area may be better served by local administration
...even though they are part of the adjacent larger areas ARB area or SMA.

Another important issue involves Local EAS Areas that go beyond state lines.
Here in Washington we have a couple of examples - 

Portland Oregons Local EAS Area includes all of Clark County Washington
(Across the Columbina River).   Even though Clark County is in Washington,
it is deemed to be part of the Portland area and is handled by their LECC.

Spokane Washington's Local EAS Area includes all the counties of the Idaho
Panhandle as well as certain counties in Montana.   In this case, Idaho and
Montana agreed and EAS issues for those counties are handled by the Spokane
LECC in what they call the 'Inland Local EAS Area'.

It is VITAL that these Local EAS Areas be determined by the SECC and not be
influenced by local political types.   In short, you draw the lines then you
integrate the political entities.   There are many of these political
entities that are unable to understand the bigger picture.

Hope this is helpful - Questions are invited.

Clay Freinwald 
WaState SECC