[EAS] Handle SQW code

[Harold Price]

Greg is correct, we used to allow ENDEC users to add new codes on their own. The concept of adding new codes at the state and local levels was part of the original FCC rules, where the FCC merely cataloged event codes.  Here is a quote from FCC 94-288, December 9, 1994, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making:

" Additional emergency specific codes can be developed to interface with the EAS equipment.  All codes will be cataloged by the FCC.  The FCC and NWS will keep records of all of the codes in use.  This will prevent the same Event code from being used for different emergencies and aid manufacturers and the public in programming their equipment."

In a 2002 R&O the FCC continued to contemplate  "Additional state and local event codes and location codes could be developed directly by state and local officials, broadcasters and cable operators, equipment manufacturers and other interested parties".  However, the FCC decided "... commenters overwhelmingly oppose our alternative suggestion to leave the development of state and local event codes and location codes to state and local authorities. Commenters fear that this approach would result in great variations in EAS equipment throughout the country, which could threaten the reliability of the EAS system and jeopardize public safety. Commenters are also concerned that equipment manufacturers may be reluctant to insert new codes into their equipment unless the codes are specified in the Commission's rules and that the cost of purchasing customized equipment might be prohibitive and result in decreased voluntary participation in EAS. We believe that these are valid concerns and therefore will not adopt our alternative suggestion to leave the development of event codes and location codes to state and local authorities."

Subsequent R&Os from the commission for new weather alerts, and the BLU and MEP codes, made it clear that only the FCC can add new codes to the EAS event table.  Sage removed the ability for users to add new event codes on their own, as the ENDEC is a Part 11 device, and the use of EAS codes must follow the Part 11 rules.   Pedantic, perhaps, but Postel's Law: ""Be conservative in what you do, be liberal in what you accept from others". i.e., for a software developer, ensure that the data you send strictly follows the established protocols and standards.It is clear that a non-FCC code in an EAS message violates the rules.  

Harold

On Fri, Jan 30, 2026 at 2:42 PM Gregory Muir engineering at mt.net> wrote:

>Recently when a SQW was issued I went into the code menu in the Sage units and tried to enter the code.  I was denied.  I contacted Sage and inquired about doing so.  It turns out that they took a backwards direction whereby they used to allow entry of non-FCC authorized codes but changed over to a fixed table of only the authorized ones I their firmware.