[EAS] Handle SQW code

[Gregory Muir]

The responsibility of not being able to forward a SQW warning falls directly on the FCC probably with help from the NWS.  My attempts to find a reasonable answer from either agency has fallen on deaf ears.  The NWS simply states in loose terms "that's just the way it is."

 

If I can recall the main purpose of EAS machines is to relay noteworthy alerts to the public via broadcasters.  And as part of this having the ability to forward a SQW warning helps prevent possible injury or loss of life.

 

I don't see the need to force engineers to kludge something together to accommodate SQW warnings to the public simply due to inadequate decisions of the federal government.  Simply add the SQW code to a ENDEC and save all of the extra effort provided it is added to the "accepted codes" table in 47 CFR 11.31.  If this cannot be done maybe the NWS should fold SQWs into  the BZW or SVS alerts to at least provide a workaround until someone gets the idea to add it to the EAS system.

 

Greg