V A - E A S . O R G Emergency Alert System

Please note that if you are using a SAGE ENDEC, and do not have version 6.2 software installed (March 07 update) you may have some DST issues. You may be seeing RWT's noted as "Expired Events".

There is a simple workaround:

SAGE USERS

1. Set the DST "switch" to off. The unit, with this enabled, will want to follow the OLD DST schedule.

2. Set the time zone offset to "-4" (Atlantic Time).

3. Set the time clock to the correct EDT time.

At the appropriate time this fall, set the offset back to -5.

Here is a good summary of other units. Link.

EAS Changes Announced

On February 22nd, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that it has adopted a Report and Order amending the Emergency Alert System (EAS) rules. The Commission adopted several new EAS event and location codes, which broadcast stations and cable systems may use to alert the public in the event of state and local emergencies, including a new Child Abduction Emergency (CAE) event code which may be used to activate AMBER Plans.

The revised EAS rules will permit, but do not require, broadcast stations and cable systems to modify their existing EAS equipment so that the equipment is capable of receiving and transmitting the new event and location codes. However, new EAS equipment installed by broadcast stations and cable systems after February 1, 2004 must be able to receive and transmit the new codes.

The Report and Order also increases the time period within which Required Monthly Tests of the EAS must be retransmitted from 15 to 60 minutes.

Further, it authorizes cable and wireless cable systems serving fewer than 5,000 subscribers to install an FCC- certified EAS decoder only, rather than both an encoder and decoder, if certified decoders become available by October 1, 2002. The order also exempts low power FM stations from the Commission requirement to install an FCC- certified decoder until one year after any such decoders are certified by the Commission. Meanwhile, broadcast satellite and repeater stations, which rebroadcast 100% of the programming of their hub station, will now be exempt from the requirement to install EAS equipment.

Download the Report & Order.

SAGE UNIT WARNING

Many broadcast stations throughout Virginia have had problems relaying RMT's originated by the NWS as part of the annual Tornado Drill. The next Tornado Drill is scheduled for March 2004.

What's the problem? Shouldn't the NWS be able to input an RMT and expect it to be relayed? It appears that SAGE users experienced the most problems.

The SAGE ENDEC, is set up (by Default) to relay ONLY "Broadcast or Cable" (EAS) and "Civil Authorities" (CIV). To make you equipment ready to relay ANY RMT, regardless or origin, you may deselect those items and select "ALL".

MAKE CERTAIN - AS YOU UPGRADE YOUR SAGE UNIT FOR THE AMBER CODE - THAT YOUR UNIT WILL FORWARD RMT'S GENERATED BY "WXR" (National Weather Service).

IT WILL NOT DO THIS BY DEFAULT

See Sage Manual Section 5.4

MENU : PRESETS : INCOMING : EDIT : REQUIRED RMT : ORIGINATORS

Use [PREV] to scroll through selections. Use [DEL] to delete displayed selection Punch [NEW] to add a new originator Use[NEXT] and [PREV] to scroll to "National Weather Service" Use[PICK] to select "National Weather Service"

To complete the procedure, keep selecting [DONE] until you get to "Save Required RMT", then Save.

If you need assistance, please contact Wayne Ward at Harris Tech Services, (513) 459-3503.

Your programming might look like this:

Incoming:
 
              name: REQUIRED RMT
        originator: National Weather Service
        originator: Civil Authorities 
        originator: Broadcast or Cable 
             event: RMT,Required Monthly Test 
             event: EAN,Emergency Action Notification 
(-00002)  location: Local Area
          priority: 60 
            action: Timed Relay
     ATTN Duration: 8     
         Hold Time: 15    
        NV lead in: N  
        crawl only: N

Perfect Paul set to retire

Well, it looks like that lovable (but hard to understand) announcer "Perfect Paul" is slated for the silicon heap in the very near future. The National Weather Service has initiated a voice improvement program for NOAA Weather Radio. An improved voice will enable the NWS to deliver all-hazard information, especially emergency weather messages, more quickly and accurately to you.

VENDOR LINKS

Burk Technology

Printer Ribbons

Sage ticker-tape supplies

TFT INC.
Ribbon Epsom ERC-09 Nukote NK267P
Cable TV Equipment

Consumer / experimental Equipment

MTS EAR See EAR Watch
Weatherradios.Com

Notice: Listing of equipment info links does not constitute any endorsement of any manufacturer or vendor by the Virginia S.E.C.C. or the Commonweath of Virginia.