Thread: Temporarily Cut Off All TV and Radio Broadcasts on Nov. 9?

Did You Know Feds Will Temporarily Cut Off All TV and Radio Broadcasts on Nov. 9?
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 12:07pm by Buck Sexton

If you have ever wondered about the government’s ability to control the civilian airwaves, you will have your answer on November 9th.

On that day, federal authorities are going to shut off all television and radio communications simultaneously at 2:00PM EST to complete the first ever test of the national Emergency Alert System (EAS).

This isn’t a wild conspiracy theory. The upcoming test is posted on the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau website.

Only the President has the authority to activate EAS at the national level, and he has delegated that authority to the Director of FEMA. The test will be conducted jointly by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through FEMA, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS).

In essence, the authority to seize control of all television and civilian communication has been asserted by the executive branch and handed to a government agency.

The EAS has been around since 1994. Its precursor, the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS), started back in 1963. Television and radio broadcasters, satellite radio and satellite television providers, cable television and wireline video providers are all involved in the system.

So this begs the question: is the first ever national EAS test really a big deal?

Probably not. At least, not yet.

But there are some troubling factors all coming together right now that could conceivably trigger a real usage of the EAS system in the not too distant future. A European financial collapse could bring down U.S. markets. What is now the “Occupyâ€

This is NOT a big deal. Here on the East Coast we have regional tests periodically- usually just a scroll message on the bottom of the TV screen - occsaionally we get a whistle which overwrites the sound - last for a 1 minute.

I suspect on radio it is more intrusive.

Personally I think they should test it - it would be awful to wait till we actually needed it and then to find out it didn't work. After all this is a US government think and most government projects seldom work first time.

Originally Posted by judyweller

This is NOT a big deal. Here on the East Coast we have regional tests periodically- usually just a scroll message on the bottom of the TV screen - occsaionally we get a whistle which overwrites the sound - last for a 1 minute.

I suspect on radio it is more intrusive.

Personally I think they should test it - it would be awful to wait till we actually needed it and then to find out it didn't work. After all this is a US government think and most government projects seldom work first time.

We had the weekly, or montly?, test in San Diego this morning.

FEMA: Nationwide EAS Test

www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm

FEMA, the FCC, and NOAA's vision for improving the EAS is incremental, which means ... satellite and digital radio and television, cable television and wireline video ... The purpose of the November 9, 2011 Test is to assess the readiness and ....

Nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) Test Introduction

FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will conduct the first nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) Test on November 9, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern.

FEMA, the FCC, and NOAA’s vision for improving the EAS is incremental, which means testing the readiness and effectiveness of the EAS as it currently exists today is the first step. A more effective and functional EAS requires continual testing to identify necessary improvements so that all levels of the system can better serve our communities and deliver critical information that will save lives and property.

EAS Participants provide a critical public service to the nation as the resilient backbone of alert and warning when all other means of communication are unavailable. EAS Participants include all broadcasters, satellite and digital radio and television, cable television and wireline video providers who ensure the system is at a constant state of readiness.

The nationwide EAS Test is not a pass or fail measure, nor will it specifically test Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) compliant equipment (although CAP compliant equipment should pass the Emergency Action Notification [EAN] live-code in the same manner as legacy EAS equipment).

FEMA and its federal partners understand that improving the EAS is a process that takes time. IPAWS has compiled experiential lessons learned and best practices from the Alaska EAS Tests in 2010 & 2011 as well as through the EAS rebuilding effort and tsunami live-code test in the U.S. Virgin Islands (located in the EAS Tests and Demonstrations section). Laboratory research is also being conducted at IPAWS.

IPAWS, in coordination with the FCC, is continually engaging the EAS Community through many activities, including information updates, workshops, roundtables, webinars, and on-site State and local EAS demonstrations to continue a solutions-oriented dialogue. IPAWS has also developed an external idea sharing website, A National Dialogue on the Emergency Alert System to discuss best practices and lessons learned from the EAS Community on a variety of topics that will support discussions during webinar and roundtable events.

The alert and warning landscape is in an important state of transition; from the current system of radio, television, cable, satellite, and wireline broadcast media-based alerting to a future system that integrates new technologies for a more universal access to alert and warning messages. Future testing of the EAS will assess the effectiveness and reliability of other technologies to achieve the ultimate goal of timely alert and warning to American public in the preservation of life and property.

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Nationwide EAS Test Frequently Asked Questions

The national-level EAS leverages the communications support of all participating analog and digital radio, television, cable, satellite, and wireline providers (also known as EAS Participants) through specialized EAS equipment. A single, live-code alert, called the Emergency Action Notification, (EAN) is sent simultaneously to Primary Entry Point (PEP) stations across the country. PEP stations are designated to relay national alerts to the public and other stations in their coverage area. Local Primary (LP-1) EAS Participants monitor the PEP stations and other sources for an EAS message. Other EAS Participating stations also monitor at least two sources (in most cases the PEP and LP-1 stations) to receive the EAS message, and broadcast the message to the public in their area.

Has there ever been an activation of the national-level EAS?

Although the EAS is frequently used by State and local governments to send weather alerts and other emergencies, there has never been a national activation of the system. The purpose of the November 9, 2011 Test is to assess the readiness and effectiveness of the current system and identify incremental improvements to better serve our communities in the preservation of life and property.

Why test the national-level EAS?

FCC’s Part 11 Rules require EAS Participants to regularly test the system on a weekly and monthly basis, called required monthly and required weekly tests. Although the EAS has been in existence for over 15 years, a nationwide test of the system has never occurred. FEMA and federal partners are working with the EAS Community to assess if the national-level system will work as designed should officials ever need to send a national alert. A simultaneous test can provide an accurate picture of the current state of the system and the improvements necessary for a more reliable and resilient EAS.

Who will conduct a nationwide EAS Test?

The nationwide EAS Test will be conducted jointly by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS). The three federal partners have EAS management roles. FEMA is the lead agency in all operational and management functions of the EAS, developing national alert and warning capabilities, and integrating new technologies. The FCC is an independent agency that grants licenses, and presides over EAS rules and the rulemaking process, enforces rules, and handles test reporting data directly from EAS Participants. FCC rules regulate the transmission of EAS alerts. The NWS is a key player in the dissemination of local warnings via the EAS.

Will an Emergency Action Termination (EAT) message be used?

An EAT will not be used during the Test. An End of Message (EOM) will be sent to return the station to regular programming.

What FIPS code will be used during the Test?

For the Test, the Washington, D.C. FIPS code will be used. Most EAS devices forward the EAN with the DC FIPS code. FEMA only originates an EAN with the Washington, D.C. FIPS code.

Will FEMA and the FCC specifically test for Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) compliance?

The first nationwide EAS Test will not specifically test for CAP compliance, however CAP enabled EAS equipment should receive and relay the EAN in the same manner as legacy EAS equipment. Future tests of the EAS will incrementally integrate other technologies after we assess the current state of the system.

Will NOAA Weather Radio carry the Test?

NOAA Weather Radio will not transmit the EAS Test. There is currently no mechanism to transport this type of message to NWR transmitters. Additionally, the Test will use the EAN code where the audio message exceeds the two minute audio time limit allowed by Specific Area Messaging Encoding (SAME) and the EAS.

How can EAS Participants prepare for the Test?

FEMA and the FCC will work to provide equipment installation, operation, and configuration technical assistance, best practices, and a variety of other engagement activities with EAS participants to continue the dialogue of incremental improvements to the system. On June 9th, FEMA, the FCC and EAS Community Leaders and Experts participated in a virtual roundtable discussion on how to improve and prepare EAS Participants for the upcoming Test to support a best practice guide. FEMA and the FCC will continually improve the best practice guide in future roundtable and webinars and events (please see the Event Calendar for upcoming activities).

What will people hear and see during the Test?

During the test, listeners will hear a message indicating that “This is a test.â€

The EAS has been around since 1994. Its precursor, the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS), started back in 1963. Television and radio broadcasters, satellite radio and satellite television providers, cable television and wireline video providers are all involved in the system.

What is the source of FEMA’s and the FCC’s authority for conducting the Test?

FEMA administers the EAS and has the authority to ensure the conduct of training, tests, and exercises of the EAS by Executive Order 13407. FCC’s rules require that EAS Participants take part in nationwide tests of the EAS.

Executive Order 13407—Public Alert and Warning System June 26, 2006 ...
www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/WCPD.../WCPD-2006 ... Pg1226.pdf

Jun 26, 2006 – Executive Order 13407—Public. Alert and Warning System. June 26, 2006. By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and ...

Looks like Bush authorized this test.

Moved to other topics

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

The EAS has been around since 1994. Its precursor, the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS), started back in 1963. Television and radio broadcasters, satellite radio and satellite television providers, cable television and wireline video providers are all involved in the system.

[quote:1z490dhd]What is the source of FEMA’s and the FCC’s authority for conducting the Test?

FEMA administers the EAS and has the authority to ensure the conduct of training, tests, and exercises of the EAS by Executive Order 13407. FCC’s rules require that EAS Participants take part in nationwide tests of the EAS.

Executive Order 13407—Public Alert and Warning System June 26, 2006 ...
www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/WCPD.../WCPD-2006 ... Pg1226.pdf

Jun 26, 2006 – Executive Order 13407—Public. Alert and Warning System. June 26, 2006. By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and ...

Looks like Bush authorized this test. [/quote:1z490dhd]

I don't understand why some people are making such a big deal out of and labelling it some sort of conspiracy.

These test have been going on for a long time -- so now they have decided to find out if it works on a national level -- Good idea and about time too.