Last week’s National Periodic Test (NPT) of the Emergency Alert System drew mixed results from around the country. This was the first test that completely relied on the daisy-chain approach and not IPAWS/Internet delivery of the test. Barry Mishkind’s BDR Newsletter reported: 1. The test did not reach some areas and states. Florida generally missed… read more
By: Larry Wilkins, CPBE, CBNT, AMD Chair, SBE EAS Advisory Group As the 2019 National EAS Test, commonly called the National Periodic Test (NPT), approaches, there are several steps broadcasters should take to ensure they are prepared on August 7. FEMA will transmit the test via the Primary Entry Point (PEP) system. It will not… read more
Although the MAB has advised its members in Michigan, FEMA and the FCC issued a joint release on July 24, regarding the nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at 2:20 p.m. Eastern Time. The nationwide test will be sent to radio and television stations through FEMA’s Integrated Public… read more
Sage has released firmware version 89-34 for its line of ENDECs. This free update addresses a changed requirement in the FCC EAS rules, Part 11.33(a)(10), which affects how the valid time frame of an alert is determined. This rule change takes effect on August 12, 2019. The ENDEC currently employs a slightly different method of… read more
With the Nationwide EAS Test scheduled for August 7, 2019, State EAS/SECC Chairman Gary Blievernicht has announced that all scheduled regional Required Monthly Tests (RMTs) scheduled for the month of August should be cancelled. 47 CFR 11.61(3)(ii) states, “A national test shall replace the required weekly and monthly tests for all EAS participants … in… read more
As you may know, FEMA has scheduled a nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) test for Wednesday, August 7, at 2:20 p.m. EDT. To prepare for that test, the FCC and FEMA will host a meeting for EAS stakeholders (including EAS participants, EAS equipment vendors, and public safety organizations) to discuss topics such as goals, technical… read more
The FCC has announced that it will present a free webinar on July 11 from 1 to 1:45 p.m. EDT for low power broadcasters. The webinar will include an overview of the EAS and instructions on how low powered radio and television stations can register and file in the EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS). No pre-registration is… read more
With the next national EAS test announced for August 7 at 2:20 p.m. Eastern (with a backup date of August 21), the FCC has opened up the EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS) for stations to enter their information. All EAS participants are required to renew their identifying information annually with ETRS Form One, and required to submit… read more
FEMA has submitted a filing to the FCC indicating that the next national EAS test will be on Wednesday, August 7, at 2:20 p.m. Eastern. As in the past, the test will use the NPT (National Periodic Test) code and will be issued through the Primary Entry Point network. Note that there is a typo… read more
Following last week’s news regarding St. Clair County, EAS improvements continue in Michigan. At this past January’s State Emergency Communications Committee Meeting (SECC), a longtime problem in the state’s lower-peninsula Northwest EAS region was addressed. Over the years, some EAS participants reported difficulties in receiving the region’s LP-2 station, licensed to Indian River, Michigan. WMKC-FM’s… read more
