The Virginia EAS Homepage

Virginia State Emergency Communications Committee

The Shenandoah Valley Local Area

LOCAL AREA PLAN

Appendix A- Monitoring Assignments

This plan specifies only the required two broadcast stations that each broadcaster is to monitor. Most EAS decoders have more than two inputs. It is encouraged that broadcasters add as many receivers and inputs as possible beyond the two required to serve the needs of their audience.

Stations in the Shenandoah Valley Local Area must monitor WQPO-FM (LP-1) at 100.7 mHz and WMRA-FM (LP-2) at 90.7 mHz. WSVA-AM (LP-3) at 550 kHz will repeat all LP-1 transmissions, and may be used as a non-mandatory third input. Stations with "fail-safe" transfer relays are encouraged to set up their equipment to monitor WSVA should WQPO's signal fail.

Any exceptions to this plan must be approved in writing by the local area chairman, with a copy filed with the SECC.

It is strongly recommended that all stations add a NOAA weather radio receiver as one of the inputs to their EAS decoder.

The NOAA Weather Radio signal is very poor in this region. However, the LP stations will attempt to rebroadcast all critical NOAA weather alerts.

Stations in the Shenandoah Valley Local Area who also serve audiences in other local areas may monitor other stations at their option, but they must monitor the two LP assignments above.