Stations: Confirm Your Station is Compliant with EAS Updates
By Larry Wilkins, Chair, SBE EAS Advisory Group
The FCC and FEMA are in the process of making changes in the EAS and CAP system. Most of these changes concern security issues. To aid stations in understanding these changes and what will be required to keep your EAS units compliant, we have put together the following information.
Continue reading EAS UpdateJune 5, 2019
Larry Wilkins, CPBE, CBNT, AMD
Chair, SBE EAS Advisory Group
The Federal Communications Commission has announced that all EAS participants must renew their identifying information in the EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS) Form One on or before July 3, 2019. This is in conjunction with the nationwide test of the EAS scheduled for Aug. 7, 2019, at 2:20 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
EAS participants must renew their identifying information required by ETRS Form One on a yearly basis. The ETRS site is online and available now at the FCC site:
https://www.fcc.gov/general/eas-test-reporting-system.
It can also be reach by going to fcc.gov and clicking on ETRS under the licensing and database tab.
All the information for logging in and completing the form is on the ETRS home page. Make sure you have the company Federal Registration Number (FRN), station Facility ID, along with correct login information from last year available before you visit the site.
Additional information is available in the Public Notice:
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-19-505A1.docx
Review all the information and make any corrections or changes before submitting the form. You will receive a confirmation email after it has been successfully submitted.
On or before 11:59 p.m. EDT, Aug. 7, 2019, EAS participants must file “day of test” information sought by ETRS Form Two. On or before Sept. 23, 2019, EAS participants must file the detailed post-test data sought by ETRS Form Three. ETRS Forms Two and Three will become available in the ETRS at the time of initiation of the 2019 nationwide test.
From the Southern California Broadcasters Association:
Two LA-based SCBA members have been robbed of all copper and copper connectors at their transmitter sites. Both crimes occurred within the past 30 days This was not the work of kids as all they were after was the copper, and knew to cut the video security cables.
L.A. police are not making this damage to a public service resource a priority, so we must.
If you have been robbed as well, please let us know ASAP.
If this is a ring targeting SoCal Radio station transmitter sites, none of our member sites are safe. If they are a ring, we want to escalate this crime to the FBI and the Mayor’s office. Having a number of break-ins makes our case for federal inspection, protection, and prosecution stronger.
The IEEE Broadcast Technology Society will be hosting the ATSC 3 Roadshow at locations throughout the United States. BTS will be hosting the one-day course on the new ATSC 3 digital television (DTV) transmission system, taught by expert Gary Sgrignoli of Meintel, Sgrignoli, and Wallace, the noted digital TV transmission consulting firm.
This course will develop a fundamental understanding of the ATSC 3 digital transmission system’s Physical Layer, provide attendees with practical application ideas and update them regarding the progress of the spectrum repack and ATSC 3 deployment. Attending the IEEE Broadcast Technology Society’s ATSC 3 Roadshow will earn attendees SBE credit towards re-certification and can facilitate preparation for the upcoming SBE ATSC 3 Specialist Certification exam.
March 7, 2019 Phoenix, AZ Arizona PBS Register Now
April 6, 2019 Las Vegas, NV Flamingo Hotel Register Now
(From SBE National Headquarters) We are deeply saddened by the passing of Barry Thomas, CPBE, DRB, CBNE, who died on Dec. 6, 2018. Barry devoted a great deal of his time and talents to the Society of Broadcast Engineers. He joined the SBE in 1986 and served the SBE with involvement in several local SBE chapters and on the national level. His national involvement included two terms on the SBE Board of Directors from 2002 to 2005, and two terms as treasurer from 2005 to 2007. He served as the society’s 25th president from 2007 to 2009 and immediate past president from 2009 to 2011. In 2017 he was elected to serve on the board again but decided to step down early in his term. In 2011, Barry was elevated to the membership grade of Fellow.
On Barry’s passing, SBE President Jim Leifer, CPBE, said, “Barry served the SBE in many capacities and has been a voice for many engineers in our industry for decades. After hearing this news, I remembered so many occasions where Barry spent time developing younger engineers and being that mentor so many of us talk about. He was a devoted father, son, brother and fellow engineer who will be sorely missed by all.”
Local note: Barry was Corporate Director of Engineering for Lincoln Financial Broadcasting when that company owned San Diego broadcasters KIFM 98.1, KBZT 94.9, and KSON 97.3 FM. Eric Schecter, local market DOE in the mid-2000s, remembers Barry. “I have a fond memory of driving the KSON signal with Barry and getting sushi. Barry loved good sushi. He gave us the resources to do our jobs and build out great studios, as well as permission to purchase new transmitters for Mt. Soledad.”