[EAS] The Daisy Chain

[Bill Ruck]

Clay,

I totally agree.

The fundamental problem with EAS, EBS, and even CONELRAD, as explained 
to me by my friend and colleague Philip M. Kane, PE, Esq., is that the 
Communications Act of 1934 forbids the federal government from 
censorship.  This works both ways: they may not tell a station what not 
to say (e.g. the "Seven Deadly Words") and they may not tell a station 
what to say (e.g. EAS).

The President signs a "finding" enabling FCC to require EAS testing and 
his use if necessary.  I've been advised that if somebody really wanted 
to fight this the finding could be declared unconstitutional.

So the feds know this and have to tap dance around this and that is the 
reason for "voluntary".

On the other hand, I believe that it is fundamentally necessary to have 
an efficient and reliable way to provide warning information to the 
public.  This is not just public service but IMHO a public necessity.

I've learned -- sometimes painfully -- that there are engineering 
problems and political problems and not to confuse them.

The state of EAS is a political problem.  And, as an engineer that 
prefers to twist wires together, it may be best for me to stay out of 
political problems and solutions.

Clearly the technology exists to have an efficient and reliable public 
warning system.  The political will to have this is what is in question.

Bill Ruck
Younger Curmudgeon
San Francisco

On 8/14/2021 10:04 PM, Clay Freinwald wrote:
 Bill - The FCC requires that all of it's - licensed - participants (Radio/T
 V/Cable etc) transmit weekly tests.
 
 NPR is very good about testing
 
 PREMIERE and SIRIS/XM  are not.
 
 Had Premiere been doing regular/periodic testing, the issue we had with
 multiple stations not receiving the voice portion of the NPT could have been
 prevented.
 
 As Sean pointed out - These systems - volunteered- to help out and we have
 to be careful to not come down too hard on them or they could reverse their
 decision
 
 To me there must be some middle ground here.    Hopefully the FCC and FEMA
 could work to find it
 
 Older than you in the PNW
 
 Clay