[EAS] False Alert Sent

[Tom Taggart]

On Wed, 12 Feb 2014 10:15:28 -0600, Dave Kline wrote
> S*%T Happens!
> If you did accidentally air an unauthorized alert call your nearest FCC office 
> and explain what happened. Maybe even call DC. Throw yourself on their mercy 
> and beg forgiveness. Follow up the calls with emails so you have a "paper" trail.
> Attach all written correspondence to the station log that contains an entry 
> explaining what happened. If it was an accidental activation then you 
> shouldn't get in too much hot water, if any at all. Own up to it, don't try to 
> hide it or cover it up. If it was an honest mistake, then treat it like one.

Bunk!

If you are monitoring one of the assigned sources under the state plan, and that
source--especially if it is the state emergency center--originates the wrong type of
message, then there is no way that it is the station's fault.

After all, if they send a "TOR" and it turns out to be a routine test--or even if they
send a canned emergency warning message (through CAP as opposed to audio, for example)
you and your decoder have no way of knowing what it is until it starts to air.  Your
only control and defense against such error is in the initial programming of the EAS
decoder.  For example, as discussed on the broadcast list, to exclude AMBER messages or
put them on log only status. But if you exclude everything, what is the point of the
system? 

The whole concept of EAS is the automatic relay of emergency messages.

Now, you will want make note on your printed EAS log describing the incident, and any
results of an investigation as to what went wrong.  I print my EAS log monthly. This
month one of the relay stations I monitor missed the RMT--their assigned off-air relay
faded out, and the secondary state network feed was missed when the satellite receiver
locked up. So I typed a note on the form cover sheet I use and saved it for this month's
collection.

But if the FCC then comes back jumping up and down then it is your turn to scream bloody
murder, and threaten to just drop all emergency message relay besides the EAN & RMT (all
you are required to do).  Remember the attempt to fine that California relay station for
one test that didn't have an EOM--they back off very quickly when the state emergency
people and the radio trade journals jumped up and down.