[EAS] Is monitoring a translator cool

[Clay Freinwald]

Gary Timm recently wrote - 

Dale,
We had this discussion in Wisconsin when our PEP got an FM translator. We
decided in the end that anyone who could get a reliable signal from the
low-power FM translator could also get a reliable signal from the 50kW AM -
so in our case there was no point then in monitoring the FM translator.
Maybe your reception situation is different.

However, to my way of thinking rather than asking us, a bunch of random
people on the EAS list, you should be asking your SECC if monitoring the FM
translator is OK. In turn, I would think your SECC would then need to talk
to the PEP station owner with some pertinent questions:
- Is the FM translator fed by the off-air signal of the PEP, and thus would
be rebroadcasting the FEMA EAS unit located at the PEP transmitter site.
Remember that FM translators are not required to have their own EAS
equipment, because it is understood that they rebroadcast 100% of the
programming from the host station. But if the FM translator were to be fed
by a studio feed from the PEP, that feed would not have the FEMA EAS unit
audio on it (until much later when that audio circled back through the PEP
studio EAS unit).
- My next question would be, in a disaster how committed is the station
owner to getting the FM translator back on the air vs. getting the 50kW AM
back on the air.

SOME THOUGHTS FROM MY NECK OF THE WOODS - 

Here in Washington State we have ONE PEP - KIRO-AM-710 in Seattle.    The
FEMA endec is at the KIRO-AM Transmitter site.    The only thing 
'Down-stream' from that device is the KIRO-AM Translator.

Should a PEP AM elected to install a translator - you would have to inquire
as to where they are getting audio for their little FM.
If it's downstream from the FEMA endec...You are good to go.   If not, you
are not.

Keep in mind there are other sources you can monitor for EAN's, NPT's etc 

> Sirius/XM Barker Channel
> An NPR affiliate that has their Squawk Channel connected to their endec
> A Premier Satellite affiliate that has the FEMA channel connected to their
endec.

Also  other facilities that are monitoring these sources.

This would take into account those that monitor your regional PEP...

Examples -

1-  Here in Western Washington - NOAA Weather Radio monitors and relays the
output of the PEP

2- Here in Washington State the PEP is monitored and automatically forwarded
via our SRN which is a microwave backbone connecting a number of mountain
top VHF Radio transmitters.

Hope this is helpful

Clay Freinwald
WaState SECC Chair