[EAS] New EAS operating handbook...odd text...

[Sean Donelan]

On Tue, 23 Aug 2016, Mike McCarthy wrote:
> On page 11 under the RWT section, this statement is in the handbook.
>
> "Three data bursts and a tone indicate that the End of Message (EOM) code
> has been received, and that the test is over"
>
> My query is...what tone does this refer?  I've never heard of any static
> tone in a RWT.  Or for that matter, any EAS message's conclusion.

The FCC made several creative editing choices/additions between the 
version developed by CSRIC and the version published on the FCC web site.
The FCC did request comments from the public, but apparently did not 
include any outside review of the final handbook before publishing it.

You'll notice that the referenced "tone" is part of the operator steps, 
not the "sounds like" description.  I interpret FCC's attempt as 
describing what the operator does/sees/hears at the EAS encoder/decoder 
front-panel, not what is heard over the air.

There are EAS decoders/encoders that beep, click or open/close a relay 
for a flashing light or buzzer before, during or after processing an EAS 
message. I don't know which particular product the FCC tech writer was 
using.  For example, using a Sage ENDEC 3466 there is an audiable "click" 
of the program line relay switching back to the programming after the EOM.

The facility engineer needs customize the FCC EAS Handbook based on the 
what an operator should do, and what is the feedback of their specific 
hardware set-up.

Another odd FCC addition, I don't know of any EAS facility that uses a 
SMS-like system for RMT's:

  At this facility, the Required Monthly Test shall be run with a 
90-character or less freeform text Alert Message within ____minutes of 
being received by the EAS equipment.

I suspect the FCC was actually trying to add an option for EAS 
decoder-only facilities, which manually read (and visually alert) the RMT 
script on the air without using an EAS encoder.  Not a 90-character 
freeform text.

Again, if you use a EAS decoder-only, you'll need to customize the 
handbook for your local operationing procedure.