[EAS] EAS monitoring sources

[Phil Johnson]

Richard,

Let me clarify my point. 

"With all due respect Phil, the conclusion presented herein is at odds with
other opinions of learned communications counsel."  

No, Amateur Radio relay of EAS Alerts when other communication methods are
available is not permitted.  And for me to weigh in on that right now would
be premature.

However, it's not "all or nothing."  Testing ham radio RF links to
broadcasters under non-emergency conditions doesn't have to violate FCC
rules.  

Imagine a ham rig at "Doofus County EOC," with the ability to get audio
input or text from EOC equipment, but not connected at the moment.  Imagine
another ham rig at "KRUD Radio" (studio or transmitter) with its audio
output connected to an audio mixer capable of quickly being switched to air,
or text output connected to the newsroom computer system -- with test
messages slugged "TEST - DO NOT AIR."  

The hams and broadcast personnel at both ends can test this connection
nearly end to end without conducting any more than a ham QSO -- the
information is never broadcast.  Granted, connecting a text output to a
computer system wire-service input requires a wire-service-style header.
But that part is trivial (I know because I'm trivial and I've done it).

None of this is brain science or rocket surgery.  Let me also invite your
attention to this part of the Amateur Radio rules:

"§97.403 Safety of life and protection of property.
No provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur
station of any means of radio communication at its disposal to
provide essential communication needs in connection with the
immediate safety of human life and immediate protection of
property when normal communication systems are not available".

Are you really saying this requires learned communications counsel to
interpret when there's an emergency?  Sure looks crystal clear to me.

Cheers,
Phil