[EAS] Handle SQW code

[Gregory Muir]

Granted it would take considerable time to push the US Government rope to get any change in rules to accommodate addition of a new alert code such as SQW.  From that it is better left alone unless someone wants to step up and occupy themselves over a period of months? Years? Millennia? to get the job done.  But there might be a shorter rope to push if the NWS were to substitute another already FCC authorized code to use.

 

If employment of EAS at a station is considered "voluntary" the FCC seems to take a differing view with their NALs and subsequent fines in the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars regarding same.  I'm sure that there would be some discussion when the man with the badge walks in the door and is presented with the erroneous beliefs of the station operators.  We all know who wins in that situation.

 

Back in August of last year the FCC issued a NPRM to look at the nations EAS system and possibly make changes.  But it appears that it is purely from a logistical and infrastructure standpoint regarding the present permission for cellular companies to utilize it in a voluntary manner and other ilk.   Has anybody heard of more progress on this item?

 

Greg