[Ucrn] [Fwd: Re: [CBI] New EAS equipment mandate?]

[Sandra Wasson]

Hello all,

I've been following the current discussions regarding the new FEMA CAP 
(Common Alerting Protocol). Basically FEMA is in the process of 
developing the next generation of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) 
called CAP. The FCC has provisionally endorsed CAP. All broadcast radio 
would have to comply with the new protocol. Of course this means we will 
have to spend some money down the road. Here is a nice e-mail from Will 
Robedee of KTRU, who tracked down some more information.

Sandra

>From The Collegiate Broadcasters, Inc. (CBI) Listserv>>

I communicated with TFT and SAGE.

TFT has a box that will work with existing equipment.

"TFT is providing a CAP-to-EAS Converter, the Model 2008, which is already
deployed in California and Hawaii. "

"This device is an add-on to existing TFT EAS911 encoder/decoders in much
the same way that a receiver is added to the system. The Model 2008 has an
ethernet connection to a CAP server and inputs and outputs to the
EAS911 EAS encoder/decoder. It has a list price of $2,195.00, plus shipping
and handling and is available today."

TFT said is has plans to "for an entirely new EAS Encoder/Decoder that will
have both CAP and EAS protocol inputs", but has not announced a delivery
date or price, citing a lack of information concerning what would be
required in such a device.

Sage will have a new box available on September 8.

"we do not see any sense putting a $2500 new CAP decoder in front of a 12
year old EAS box... and there is NO WAY to get the governor on with that
scheme.. Broadcasters will need to buy new boxes.  Ours will have an MSRP of
$2695."

Gorman Redlich was also contacted, but has not responded.

Some caveats...

There are still outstanding issues with respect to the addition to EAS.

This is part of the outcome of an executive order
(http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/06/20060626.html) "to have an
effective, reliable, integrated, flexible, and comprehensive system to alert
and warn the American people in situations of war, terrorist attack, natural
disaster, or other hazards to public safety and well-being (public alert and
warning system), taking appropriate account of the functions, capabilities,
and needs of the private sector and of all levels of government in our
Federal system, and to ensure that under all conditions the President can
communicate with the American people."

This order covers much more than broadcast stations and in total is referred
to as Integrated Public Alert and Warning System. (IPAWS).  Part of the
integration process requires a common language to communicate between the
various entities involved with IPAWS.  FEMA has announced that its intention
to formally adopt a protocol known as Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) in the
first quarter of 2009 (http://xml.coverpages.org/FEMA-CAP-200807.html) .

It is believed that this will start a mandated 180 day clock to deploy and
implement equipment.  One of the desired benefits of this system is to be
able to direct alerts at specific geographic areas.

It appears, however, that the infrastructure is not yet developed to deploy
the messages and that there is no agreement as to who will pay for the
development of the infrastructure.

There seems to be a lot of speculation in various discussion groups
concerning a need to change the implementation window for broadcasters and
perhaps other parts of IPAWS.  Based upon what we have seen so far, it would
be reasonable to assume that the earliest stations would need to have new
equipment would be July of 2009, but that seems rather unlikely.  For
budgetary purposes, I would recommend adding this expense to the 2009-10
academic year with an idea that you may need to defray the expense to the
following year simply due to problems with coordination and implementation
at higher levels.

Will R

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-- 
Sandra Wasson
General Manager
KALX 90.7 FM
UC Berkeley
510-642-1111