[EAS] EAS and CMAS

[Clay Freinwald]

In response to the recent post by Adrienne - 

My fear is if all cellphones had an FM receiver....and thousands of people
suddenly received a CMAS message (like I received recently) they would still
be mystified as to what to do about it.    In this area (Seattle) we have
probably 25-30 FM stations. ...How is this person going to know where to
tune for additional information?    It's a certainty that not all FM
stations are going to suddenly stop what they are programming and air
follow-up information for the vague CMAS message.....In fact, I would doubt
that more than a couple of FM stations will agree to 'break-format' to do
anything in the way of public warning messages.  Our last hope for that
concept was dashed by the recent FCC action that tossed out GMC.    Until
such time as we have a major attitude change in the world of radio
broadcasting - Cellphones might just be better off if they included NWR
receivers.   At least the NWS does not turn their noses up at the mention of
the letters EAS

Clay Freinwald

You'd think the least we could do would be to create a public demand for
radio and TV on our cell phones...how hard can it be people? We've got to
start talking to the staff in our newsrooms.

Adrienne Abbott
Nevada EAS Chair