[SBE16-Seattle] FW: [EAS-WA] FCC reminder about Accessible Emergency Alerts

[K7CR]

In the event you missed it - Clay

 

From: EAS-WA [mailto:eas-wa-bounces at sea.sbe16.org] On Behalf Of K7CR via
EAS-WA
Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2019 6:20 PM
To: EAS Washington State
Subject: [EAS-WA] FCC reminder about Accessible Emergency Alerts

 

I am forwarding this to the EAS-Wa Remailer as it applies to 

All Licensed EAS Participants.    

 

If you are not involved with the technical operation of EAS at 

Your facility - Please forward this to those that are.

 

Thanks 

 

Clay Freinwald

 

-----Original Message-----
From: EAS [mailto:eas-bounces at radiolists.net] On Behalf Of Sean Donelan
Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2019 1:14 PM
To: The EAS Forum
Subject: [EAS] FCC reminder about Accessible Emergency Alerts

 

 

The FCC issued a Public Notice reminding video providers to issue 

accessible emergency alerts.  However, the issue is not limited to video 

providers.

 

https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-reminds-video-providers-issue-accessible-em
ergency-alerts

 

 

Although framed as an accessibility issue, there are several problems that 

radio, tv and cable systems regularly have with EAS messages.

 

1. Timing issues- Cutting off the beginning or ending EAS data bursts. 

With all-digital studios, radio and TV broadcasters no longer have the EAS 

equipment in-line.  Instead, digital switches are used. The switching 

isn't instaneous, and EAS equipment may need a 1 to 3 second delay to 

prevent cutting off the starting or ending data bursts.

 

2. Ducking and multi-channel audio.  The EAS message must replace *ALL* 

audio channels, not just duck the program audio. Sometimes with 5.1 audio, 

the EAS message is heard only on the center or left/right channels while 

the original program audio continues on the other 5.1 audio channels.  Or 

EAS replaces only the stereo mix but not the 5.1 mix.

 

Ideally, the digital mux has an emergency audio input which will replace 

the 5.1/stereo program audio with the mono emergency message and set the 

correct  audio transport bits.

 

For radio, make sure the EAS message is on both the left and right stereo 

or mono channels.  I've heard some radio stations with EAS on the left 

channel and program audio on the right channel at the same time.

 

Cable is more complicated, but same idea.

 

3. Video text crawls or slides. The entire text message must be visible

from the beginning to the end at least once.  Ensure the video crawl 

doesn't terminate early for short audio messages. Choose fonts, colors and 

crawl speed which are readable.

 

Because this National Periodic Test won't use IPAWS, only the default FCC 

header text will be available.

 

__________________________________________________________

The EAS Forum Discussion List is hosted by the BWWG (Broadcast Warning
Working Group). The Core members of the BWWG are Adrienne Abbott, Clay
Freinwald, Suzanne Goucher, Barry Mishkind, David Ostmo, Darryl Parker,
Richard Rudman, Gary Timm, and Sharon Tinsley. http://eas.radiolists.net

Please invite your friends to join our Forum! The sign up is at:
https://lists.radiolists.net/mailman/listinfo/eas

 

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