If a test is a measurement of knowledge, then you will need something bigger than a yardstick to measure the results of Nevada's mini-National Emergency Alert System Test conducted last Monday, Sept. 26th. In terms of pure mechanics the test was a rousing success...an EAS activation with the Event Code RMT (Required Monthly Test) was sent from FEMA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. directly to Nevada's two Primary Entry Point stations, KKOH in Reno and KDWN in Las Vegas. This was the first time that FEMA had ever sent such a message to specific stations in the continental US.

Both stations received the test and rebroadcast it to the Local Primary stations in their operational areas. From the Local Primary stations it propagated into stations across the state, from Gerlach to Ely, Stateline to Pahrump, and even into Eastern California where it was received by stations from Bishop to Susanville. What we learned from this exercise was invaluable in terms of preparing for the upcoming National EAS Test in November, especially when you consider the FCC requirement that stations self report their National EAS test activities.

For the most part, the stations that are already active and reliable EAS participants received and rebroadcasted the test. The publicity about this test as well as FEMA's involvement gave those who haven't been as active in EAS an incentive for paying attention to the test and the response from their equipment. After analyzing the test and the response from our stations, we have been able to identify five areas where there were unmet challenges that prevented stations from receiving and rebroadcasting the mini-Test. 

            1. MONITORING ASSIGNMENTS--are you monitoring the proper stations?

Even after years of work and publicity about Monitoring Assignments, some stations were not monitoring their assigned stations or had problems receiving their monitoring assignments. The FCC Mapbook lists station monitoring assignments and is available on the NBA website atwww.nevadabroadcasters.org. If the FCC inspects your station, these are the stations they will expect to find on your EAS equipment. Many reception problems can be resolved with the use of a good quality, well grounded receiver and an outdoor, tuned antenna. Unfortunately, this aspect of EAS has been overlooked for years. Now is the time to deal with these problems. If you cannot reliably receive your Monitoring Assignments, contact me so we can resolve your situation.

            2. PROGRAMMING--is your new or legacy equipment going to surprise you by delaying or not rebroadcasting the test? Do you have the proper Event and Locator codes? Is your equipment in Auto Forward or Manual?

There were also cases of stations that received the test but did not rebroadcast it as required by the FCC rules. Talking with the staff at these stations revealed a number of problems, mostly related to the way the equipment was programmed. In some cases, this was one of the first tests stations had received since installing their new CAP equipment and the Auto Forward functions weren't properly set. Because no one was at the equipment when the test was sent they missed rebroadcasting it within the 15-minute time limit. One station was unaware of the requirement to rebroadcast the RMT and so they didn't send it, and stated that they had not be rebroadcasting any RMT's. Other stations were unaware of rebroadcast delays programmed into their new equipment until this test. And if you have new EAS equipment, check with the manufacturer to be sure you also have the latest upgrades and that the equipment is properly programmed. And remember that if you operate in an unattended mode, even for part of the broadcast day, your EAS equipment must be set to Auto Forward tests and activations. 

            3. TIME--is your equipment set to the proper time?

Time was another element at risk in the mini-test. One station received the test but did not rebroadcast it because their equipment was an hour off and viewed the test as "Expired". That's a reminder that you should check your equipment weekly to be sure that it displays the proper time. Check the manufacturer's website for more information on proper time settings. In the case of some TFT equipment, the front panel clock can display the proper time but the internal clock will have the incorrect time. If you have legacy equipment that you did not upgrade for the Daylight Saving Time change several years ago, you may have problems of which you are not aware. Again, check your manufacturer's website for more information on time settings. And check your logs against the EAS Activity Report to see whether you might have a time problem.

            4. EQUIPMENT FAILURE--most of the equipment is more than 15 years old.

Equipment type was one of the common threads in cases where the test was not received or not rebroadcast. At least three stations with Gorman Redlich equipment did not receive or did not rebroadcast the test. Stations with Gorman Redlich equipment should contact the manufacturer for the latest information on upgrades and programming changes prior to the National EAS Test on November 9.  

            5. COMMUNICATION--Nothing beats being there...don't walk away and depend on the equipment to perform properly.

Yes, this equipment is supposed to function without human intervention, but tests like the Nevada mini-Test and the National Test are designed to show how well the equipment performs and whether you can rely on it in an emergency. As a broadcaster serving your community, you should care enough to be there to see that the test comes in and that the test goes out. You should know what to expect from the test and when to expect it. During the mini-Test, the Nevada Broadcasters Association provided a conference line for engineers to monitor the progress of the test. The instant communication and feedback on the progress of the RMT was very valuable in analyzing the ability of stations to serve their communities. The use of a conference bridge will become a part of future RMT routines. We also send out weekly EAS reports to help you with your log review and any questions you might have. If you aren't receiving the EAS Activity Reports, please contact me and I will add you to the list.

We have barely a month left between now and the National EAS Test. There are scheduled RMT's for all three Operational Areas, but the FCC designates October as a month when the test should run between sundown and sunrise, when most of us are at home. Several engineers have requested that we send a second RMT this month at a time when stations are normally staffed. We will do this in each Operational Area to give everyone an extra opportunity to see if the changes they made as a result of what they learned from the mini-National EAS Test will mean they'll be able to receive and rebroadcast the FEMA test. The FCC rules do allow us to send these extra tests as a way of making sure we are ready to serve our communities with warnings and disaster information. We will let you know what date we set for the extra tests.

Adrienne Abbott

nevadaeas@charter.net

775-750-5987  

GOVERNOR BRIAN SANDOVAL PSA TO AIR DURING THE FIRST NINE DAYS OF NOVEMBER ON STATEWIDE RADIO AND TELEVISION