National

Sage ENDEC Updating Firmware & Software

In mid-July, Sage Alerting Systems announced a firmware update for its popular ENDEC model 3644.

Sage says on its website:

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 determining the valid time frame. The update will have no adverse effect on the reception and relay of valid alerts. All users must install this update to keep your ENDEC compliant. The update also adds the BLU alert to the list of valid alerts if you have not previously installed version 89-32.

NOTE: This release does not affect the ENDEC’s reception and relay of the scheduled August 7, 2019 National Periodic Test. Whether your ENDEC is running version 89-30, 89-32, or this new version 89-34, your ENDEC will relay the NPT.

A software “major release” is planned for September 2019 to address changes in the distribution of CAP messages from IPAWS. This update will cost users $349 per unit, sold through distributors. The major distribution is available for free for units purchased new after March 1, 2018. Sage says registered users will be notified by email when the update is available.

Local News

July 2019 Meeting – Entercom Studio Tour

JR Rogers addresses Chapter 36 at the new Entercom

Last year, newly consolidated CBS and Entercom broadcast teams moved to a new facility on Granite Ridge Drive, across from the iHeart and NBCUniversal studios, forming a new media row. On July 29, 2019, JR Rogers and his staff allowed Chapter 36 to peek at the new studios recently and we can report they’re gorgeous. The new digs incorporate a modern Audio Over IP (AoIP) architecture by SAS, so fewer wires were used in building the system out. Al Salci of SAS gave us a rundown of the system architecture and some of its options. Many thanks for lunch, Al!

Al Salci from SAS, Chapter Chair Tony McDaid, and Vice-Chair Mike Curran chat in the hallway at the new Entercom facility during the July 2019 Chapter 36 Meeting and tour.
Local News

KVIB-LP FM Granted License to Cover

On June 27, 2019, the FCC granted low power FM broadcaster KVIB-LP a license to operate on 101.1 MHz from its facility at the World Beat Cultural Center in Balboa Park, San Diego. However, as of the first week in July, no signal was heard when in the vicinity, and no new transmit antenna is in place there. KRTH-FM has a dominant 50 kW signal on 101.1 from Mt. Wilson, easily receivable throughout most of the San Diego area. World Beat can’t build a tower above tree level due to its location in the flight path for the San Diego Lindbergh Field airport.

Local News

Family Radio Wins FM Auction

KECR 910 kHz El Cajon won the latest FCC auction to get an AM “cross-service” 10 watt translator on 100.1 MHz at Mt. San Miguel. According to the July 3, 2019 FCC announcement, Family Radio prepaid $35,000 for their bid.

The new translator assignment is part of the FCC’s AM Revitalization program in which AM stations, where possible, have been granted FM translator channels to retransmit their primary signals.

Many AM stations in San Diego now have an FM translator in place in San Diego County.

National

2019 EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS) Update

June 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.

Society of Broadcast Engineers