[EAS] EAS test reporting

[tpt at sevenrangesradio.com]

As I remember last year--you registered using the station's FRN and password, then they issued a log-in and simple numeric password that could be used to access form one etc. All GONE now.

The FCC has decided to make everything as confusing as possible.  Here's the notice I got yesterday:

"We are sending this e-mail to remind you that all EAS Participants must register an FCC Username to file in ETRS.  If you have not already created a FCC Username for use with ETRS or another FCC system, please visit the User Registration System at  https://apps2.fcc.gov/fccUserReg/pages/createAccount.htm.  Once you have created your Username, we recommend associating it to all FRNs for which you will file in 2017 by logging in at https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do.  Additional instructions regarding FCC Username creation and FRN association can be found in PSHSB's June 26 Public Notice, which can be viewed at https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-17-620A1.pdf."

Now--what does the "FCC Username" do? Once you wade your way through their absurd process (12 to 15 character password--who let the IT geeks out of their cage?) you get a user name (which is your e-mail address) and that obnoxious password which you then use to access CORES.  Once in that system you can associate the FRN's (you need the FRN, of course, and password for that FRN) with that username.  Having done so you now have "administer" status over those FRN's and can change, modify FRN password, etc. Presently have three FRN's associated with my username--my own company's FRN, a college and a school system I do filings for.  (separate issue of idiocy--I'm meeting with the financial head at the College to figure out who will get FRN's for all 26 trustees for this fall's ownership report. Drain that swamp!!) 

It's a system designed for the communication lawyers...

Now --once you have this log-in, I assume that once the ETRS system is up and running you would log in with this username and password --the system would then pop up a list of FRN's. Then you would select each FRN to get yet another log-in and password which is then used to get the form one and subsequent forms for each station under that FRN. 

I'll be in Austin for the radio show (my ops manager talked me into going this year--have to get to Pittsburgh airport by 5:00 AM for the flight down) Plan to raise hell, little good it will do.  Really expect response rate to go down this year.