[EAS] NWS CAP server

[Clay Freinwald]

Sean suggested - 

 

If NOAA/NWS was going to do something for EAS broadcasters, I'd suggest a
subset its CAP feed, e.g. creating specially formatted WEA weather warning
messages for EAS broadcasters rather than the full CAP NWS feed.  99% of the
CAP NWS feed doesn't make sense for EAS broadcast.

 

 

For those of you that know me, this is something I have advocated for a very
long time.

 

Looking back a bit......

 

> > When EAS came along, it was a no-brainer to connect NWR to a monitor
input on your EAS Equipment.  If for no other reason than the fact that,
perhaps, 95% of warnings are weather related.

 

>> Back in those days, the volume of information carried by NWR was much
less than you find today.

 

>> Early on, there were humans reading into microphones- Soon to be replaced
by 'Perfect Paul' and a few other 'test to voice' systems.

 

>> The incorporation of Event Codes augmented the old 1050 Tone 

 

>> Now we have a system that's full of information....

 

>> Geo targeting, oodles of messages  etc etc.  (Do I dare say message
flooding?)

 

>> NWR has become a 'fire-hose' ....When broadcasters only want/need a
'sip'.

 

>> IMHO, the problem is that NWS overlooked the EAS-Box connection and the
needs of Broadcasters  in their quest to enhance their system.

 

>> In some cases, the results have not been pretty - With broadcasters
electing to pull the plug and disconnect this vital, potentially life-saving
service.

 

In a number of meetings on this topic I submitted what, to me, appears to be
a simple solution - 

 

>> Have NWS meet with the Broadcast Industry to determine what would be the
most useful in terms of - 

 

> Message types (Life impacting)

> Duration (Shorter the better) 

> Frequency of repeats or updates  (in the process, stopping message
flooding)  

> Come up with a broadcast specific message to be broadcast via NWR.

> etc

 

IMPORTANT - Pick an Event Code that would be used with this message service.

 

Broadcasters would then program their EAS Equipment for this new Event Code,
providing them want they want/need  and let the rest of the information get
enhanced and/or repeated as much as NWS wants.

 

 

BEFORE I QUIT - A WORD ABOUT RECEIVERS - 

 

In my experience the major of the issues with poor audio quality can be
traced to the lack of good engineering practice - on the receiving end.

 

>> Many use cheap receivers (Scanners etc) 

 

>> Many do not install - outside/elevated/directional antennas

 

Audio from NWS does not need to be, wide bandwidth, 'Broadcast Quality'
.What it needs is - 

 

>> Lack of background noise

 

>> Low in distortion 

 

These things are achievable !!!

 

AND FINALLY - 

 

We are, perhaps, spoiled with the Audio Quality that comes from an MP3 File
shipped to all via the Internet.

However, the internet is a fragile thing.   Life Saving Messages should be
delivered via 'Point-Multi-Point' wireless systems.

 

 

Soap Box Off - 

 

 

Thoughts anyone ?

 

Clay Freinwald

Past Chair of the Washington State SECC