[EAS] EAS monitoring sources

[Sean Donelan]

On Sat, 27 Aug 2016, Mike McCarthy wrote:
> Let's face it, EAS needs another vehicle to reach the public.  Problem is,
> even with that 2nd path to the public for non-NWS related messages, there
> are no decoders.

There is a second way.  Its called Wireless Emergency Alerts.  The EMA's 
which have WEA, seem to really, really, really like it.  And want it to do 
more (longer messages, more specific targetting, etc.)  EMA's seem to like 
WEA so much, they sometimes forget there is anything else.

Likewise, there are multiple other tools for broadcasters, cable systems, 
IPTV and social media.

If you have $50,000 superweather splicer which automatically inserts 
weather alerts, maps, etc. into your programming, 24x7 meterologists and 
24x7 newsroom, then the EAS box becomes a tertiary backup to the backup. 
Configure the EAS box with the longest delays possible for the most 
critical events, just in case you have to abandon the studios. Otherwise, 
as long as your 24x7 coverage is going, override any alerts or use it as 
another news source.  If something happens that needs EAS, your newsstaff 
will want to cover it.

At the other extreme, if you operate an unstaffed facility, with no news, 
no weather, no nothing but automation or a satellite feed from far, far, 
far away; and want to spend the absolute minimum amount (legally) 
possible ... but don't want to be a complete assxxxxx .... I mean want to 
provide some public service.  Configure the EAS box with the legally 
required, plus some of the optional critical event codes such as CAE, 
CEM, EVI, SPW, CDW and appropriate weather events for your area TOR, TSW, 
HUR, etc. (those may vary).  Think of it as a cheap newswire service.

Cable, IPTV, etc may want different choices critical event codes.  For 
example, in tornado country where everyone knows to watch a specific 
local TV channel, the cable system may not consider TOR critical because 
the public know when the sky turns green, tune to channel X.  Let's not 
re-open the NAB/NCTA selective override battle.