[EAS] New EAS NPRM now posted on the EAS Forum Website

[Clay Freinwald]

Allow me to respond some a couple of the comments from Robert M

1- Let's skip over the fact that the President can address the nation any
time he wants by conventional means and in many cases faster than within the
EAS structure

Important things to remember here - 

a.   This is NOT the primary means for the Prex to address the country, but
rather a backup system.
b.   The existing distribution system (Legacy/analog) will be augmented with
something new using the FEMA/IPAWS system in the future
c.   This system - MUST - be thought of separate from the rest of EAS in
that it has different parents (FCC and FEMA) that the rest of EAS.

2 - the TV networks, Direct and Dish TV along with Sirrius XM and PRSS could
all provide an Audio and Data path to every station without other middlemen

a.  Agreed- But who is going to purchase all the equipment?   There is no
budget for the Feds to do it and broadcasters would scream at the thought
they should do it.  This  
      is a classic case of 'If we just had the money we could
______________"

3 - Statewide and local networks are more complicated but I believe that the
daisy chain could be eliminated there as well

a.  We continue to use the daisy chain because too many people think it is
the only way to get the job done (Including the FCC).
b.  The secret is to 'time share existing systems'.  
c.   Most seem to think that you have to have your very own 24/7 dedicated
distribution system for something that consumes a few minutes per year ??

4 - The big problem here is the quality of the people actually doing
activations. I have seen so much crap come through EAS logs that a station
would be crazy to run it all. I think in the NYC area there has never been
an activation other than tests and that includes 911, the great blackout and
several major storms including Sandy.

a.  The solution to this problem is easy - This is what - EFFECTIVE - SECC's
and LECC's are for.   These are EAS steering committees that consist of all
the stakeholders in the  
      process that meet (on a regular basis) to determine how they want
their EAS system to operate.
b.  EAS, to be effective and not the subject of ridicule - must be a -
cooperative and collaborative - operation.   
c.  There is nothing about the quality/content etc of EAS messages that is
not fixable.
c.  Famous quote time  - 1) Where there is a will there is a way    2) Where
there is no-will, there is no way

5 - The situation does vary by location, though

a.  Gee, Robert, why do you think this is so?    
b.  Could it be because there are some that have woke up to the thought that
EAS can be improved - if you are willing to work to make it so and are not
inclined to sit on   
     your butt and wait for some government entity to do it for you?

6- If I were king, ( :-) ) I would tear up part 11 and start from scratch.

a.  Robert, Part 11 is not the problem - Peoples attitudes are.
b. Why is it we here in Washington State have been able to make significant
improvements to the way EAS works and do so without changing Part 11?
c.  We in WaState have a long way to go - but there is NOTHING standing in
front of us telling us we can't do it !

Clay Freinwald
SECC Chair, Washington State