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

[Clay Freinwald]

Dave Kline wrote - 

"Stay on the box Clay there are others out there listening."

Hi Dave - 

Thanks for the support - There are times I feel that I am a lone-wolf out
here.

In reading all the critical comments about the EAS Posted here and elsewhere
I am always struck with the thought 100%  of this is not fixable.   
One of the most common problem is  a matter of finger-pointing.   A high
percentage of comments are from those that love to point the finger
elsewhere and blame 'THEM' for the problems they see with the system.
Those of you that have heard me preach on this topic have heard me suggest
that the first place you should look for a solution is the closest mirror.
Generally the focus of critical comments are directed toward some branch of
government or to some poor soul that is trying to, single-handedly, trying
to make EAS work.   

This all comes back to the great truth that the EAS can be - whatever we
collectively want it to be !   

Some of the comments recently posted are critical of the EAS Product -
Broadcasters in particular have got this one really screwed up.    Picking
on radio  for a minute...the sound of a radio stations - sounders, image
production, logo's, signs, banners, bill-boards  etc are constantly under
review by the stations program director and/or general manager for the
simple reason that these are facets of a stations overall image or
presentation...These are highly important to that 'product'.     

These same people are the ones that determine that the EAS should be the
responsibility of the Engineering Department !!!     And then the criticize
the way an EAS message looks or sounds and don't want to put it on their
air.     (They would never let Engineers deal with any other facet of their
products)
This is one of the reasons why I have, of late, been campaigning on getting
program and management types involved with the SECC's and LECC's.     

EAS is not rocket science.   It is a public warning system whose goal is to
Save Lives (READ PAGE 26 OF THE LATEST FCC EAS NPRM).   Broadcasters should
want to be a part of this effort, not because the FCC says they should, but
because it's the morally correct thing to do.

EAS is NOT an Engineering Function !!!....It is a service to our society.
Those that question being involved to iron out the wrinkles need to look in
that mirror and ask themselves some more serious questions.

My $.02

Clay Freinwald