[EAS] EAS monitoring sources

[Sean Donelan]

On Thu, 25 Aug 2016, Dan Peek wrote:
> Each state would have at least two uplinks at widely differing 
> locations and the Federal as well.

Several states use satellite technology for emergency alerts.  The
downlink may be nearly "cheap," but the challenge is satellite uplinks
and transponders cost $100,000 to over $700,000 for even a shared service. 
The other challenge with satellites is getting state and local alert 
messages to the uplink stations, although VSAT helps.  There are 500 
local EAS areas and over 70,000 potential state and local government 
originators (although in practice its probably less than 5,000 likely 
government originators).

EMnet by ComLabs is a well known state/local emergency distribution 
system via satellite.

Other satellite distribution networks only relay national alerts.

NPR volunteered to act as a Primary Entry Point and relays national alerts 
through the NPR squawk channel as a service for NPR affiliates.

Premier Radio Networks also acts as a Primary Entry Point for its 
satellite affiliates.

I've never figured out exactly how XM Sirius Radio relays national alerts 
(i.e. only to PEP stations or on an open channel to everyone?)

XM Sirus, DISH TV and DirecTV carry national alerts on their subscription 
satellite channels.