[EAS] : Fallout Over False Alert Continues

[Tim Stoffel]

I think the intent of the rule about ignoring the timestamp on an EAN is meant to ensure that the EAN gets propagated as rapidly as possible. I don't know how 'strict' that 'strict time' is, but an EAN (or any other alert) that is of by days, weeks or months (and probably hours) is not likely a valid EAS alert. Being off a few minutes is not good, but doesn't necessarily mean an event is invalid. So although setting 'strict time' may not be in the letter of the FCC rules, it is certainly in the spirit of the rules in the sense that false EAS alerts are anathema.