[EAS] FEMA/Ad Council PSA issue

[Kenyon, Alfred]

The intent of the FEMA WEA PSA is to familiarize the public with the alert signal associated with Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). The audio in the PSA conforms to the specification for the Wireless Emergency Alert common audio attention signal as described in CFR 47 Part §10.520:

Common audio attention signal.
A Participating CMS Provider and equipment manufacturers may only market devices for public use under part 10 that include an audio attention signal that meets the requirements of this section.
(a) The audio attention signal must have a temporal pattern of one long tone of two (2) seconds, followed by two short tones of one (1) second each, with a half (0.5) second interval between each tone. The entire sequence must be repeated twice with a half (0.5) second interval between each repetition.
(b) For devices that have polyphonic capabilities, the audio attention signal must consist of the fundamental frequencies of 853 Hz and 960 Hz transmitted simultaneously.
(c) For devices with only a monophonic capability, the audio attention signal must be 960 Hz.
(d) The audio attention signal must be restricted to use for Alert Messages under part 10.
(e) A device may include the capability to mute the audio attention signal.

The argument is that the WEA Common Audio Attention signal as defined in Part 10 is distinct and separate from the 8 to 25 second EAS Attention signal described in CFR 47, Part § 11.31   

Also note in CFR 47, Part § 11.52   EAS code and Attention Signal Monitoring requirements.
Note to paragraph ( a ): The two-tone Attention Signal will not be used to actuate two-tone decoders but will be used as an aural alert signal.

Al Kenyon