[EAS] Time to make the LP daisy chain an option

[Sean Donelan]

On Sun, 1 Sep 2019, Phil Johnson wrote:
> Regardless of which technologies may be (or become) the best primary
> distribution systems for NPTs -- and state/local EAS Alerts --  backups are
> always a good idea.  These include PEPs, LP-1 and LP-2 stations, state SRNs,
> and local LRNs.  We seem to be ignoring the significantly degraded
> propagation of PEP and LP AM signals.

PEP stations were originally the tertiary distribution method for EANs 
(Presidential messages). Over the last 30 years, after the Cold War and 
many, many budget cuts, the primary and secondary distribution channels 
were eliminated to save money.  Now only PEP stations, plus a few 
satellite alternatives, are left.

The FCC and FEMA are primarily concerned about the national EAN, which is 
the mandatory part of EAS.  State and local emergencies are still 
voluntary. Except to the extent necessary to receive an EAN, broadcasters 
do not need to participate in state/local EAS plans. Local UHF/VHF relay 
networks or NOAA weather radio are rarely an official source of EAN 
messages, and therefore don't satisfy the requirement to monitor a 
mandatory two sources of federal EAN messages.

Monitoring a local VHF channel, such as the Los Angeles County Sheriff's 
office or the local NOAA Weather Radio transmitter, are good supplemental 
practices SECC/LECC may encourage.  But they don't satisfy the mandatory 
EAN source requirement. I undestand why some station owners don't want to 
spend money on extra radios for optional EAS messages.

A few states, such as Hawaii and Washington State, have worked to 
distribute mandatory EANs and voluntary state EAS messages through the 
same relay networks, so stations receive both through the same channels.

Satellite source such as NPR, SiriusXM and Premiere, help satisfy the 
federal mandatory EAN requirement; but don't support state/local 
emergencies.  PBS-WARN does include state/local CAP messages in its 
WEA backup over-the-air digital datacast feed.

Last cycle's FCC CSRIC included "Comprehensive Re-Imagining of Emergency 
Alerting."  The result was a hodgepodge of good ideas and covered several 
of the innovations by state & local officials, but didn't answer the 
basic question: What is the federal (White House) statement of 
requirements for 2018?