FEMA test sched 11/09/11

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screenersam

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FEMA will be conducting a "first-ever national test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS)."

FCC releases details of procedures for nationwide EAS test

the test will last three minutes.

"The FCC says that during the test, FEMA will originate a “live” Emergency Action Notification code to all EAS participants, including radio and TV stations, cable systems, Sirius XM, satellite TV providers and wireline video service providers. As part of the test, the public will be told the EAS has been activated for a national emergency, along with an audible notice that “this is a test.” "

http://www.radioworld.com/article/nationwide-eas-test-to-last-about--minutes/24188

might be some practice testing first; "FEMA is presently working with selected states, EAS participants and equipment manufacturers to conduct statewide tests of emergency equipment and procedures in advance of the nationwide test.”
http://www.radio-info.com/news/uncl...atewide-eas-tests-before-the-nov-9-national-t


get your scanners and popcorn ready, guys...
 
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RadioGuy1951

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This is only a test...

Ok...out of all the millions of people in the USA, how many will not understand that "It's only a test"...???

They tested the tsunami sirens along the San Mateo County coast yesterday...not everybody understood what it (the siren noise) was...the siren's electronic sound is unique, not your mechanical Air Raid siren of the 1950's, and not the electronic police or fire siren heard these days...this was the first test at FULL VOLUME...
 

drdispatch

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"This is only a test......"

Ok...out of all the millions of people in the USA, how many will not understand that "It's only a test"...???

You would be amazed at how many people in our county call 9-1-1 on the first Saturday of the month at 1:00 when the sirens go off, as they have for over 50 years, and ask "What are the sirens for?". It's so tempting to tell them "THE RUSSIAN MISSILES ARE COMING! HEAD FOR THE BASEMENT!!!!!". But we don't do that, obviously.

"If this had been an actual emergency, you would have heard a loud, annoying, honking noise -- followed by an official-sounding voice telling you to place your head between your legs and kiss your a$$ goodbye.". :twisted:

"This is the part where we usually tell you that this is only a test, but unfortunately, it's not. This is the real thing. Run. Panic. Hide under the house. Do whatever it is you do when you think the world is about to end. Thank you very much. You're on your own. Good night." :roll:
 

wiz4769

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So what frequencies would be best to hear this? For some reason anytime FEMA is asked about its like your not suppose to talk about it or something...people get all weird and wont give specific answers usually. Heck maybe there arent any specifics...I live in the Dallas area, I have all the local FD/PDs , the 700mhz interop and all that, but never have gotten the answer for what I might want to add for FEMA. It would be nice to hear some tests to know we have the right stuff loaded up. I understand some or alot might be encrypted, but some will not be Im sure , especially when they are dealing with other state/county/city folks. Going to have to add this date to my phone so I can remember to try to listen.
 

WV8VFD

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From what I understand, this isnt a nationwide test of FEMA's radio capabilities, but it is a nationwide test of the EAS system, just like you hear across your AM/FM car radio whenever there is a severe weather alert, but rather than coming from the local NWS office it is coming from FEMA and is nationwide.

So as for a frequency, I'd try your favorite radio station :p
 

MtnBiker2005

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Handbook for November 9,2011 Nationwide EAS Test.
http://transition.fcc.gov/pshs/eas/EAS Handbook - National Test.pdf
http://cryptome.org/0005/eas-test.pdf

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

http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/emergency-alert-system-nationwide-test


Emergency Action Notification Audio Message (sample)
This is a test of the Emergency Alert System. [PAUSE] This is only a Test. The message you are
hearing is part of a nationwide live code Test of Emergency Alert System capabilities. This Test
message has been initiated by national alert and warning authorities in coordination with Emergency
Alert System Participants, including broadcast, cable, satellite, and wireline participants in your area.
Had this been an actual emergency, the attention signal you just heard would have been followed by
emergency information, news, or instructions. Remember, this is only a Test. The EAS is also used
by State, Territorial, Tribal, and local authorities to alert and warn the public and provide important
emergency response information. Remember, this is only a Test. Please stay with this Test
message as it will be repeated… [PAUSE]


Remember: National Weather Radio is not a source of the Emergency Action Notification (EAN).
 

reedeb

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OH NO!! they're gonna control my tv and radio!!!! No one will be able to communicate!!! [just joking folks]
I think it's a good thing to test for a nationa emergency BUT I think tha Weather Monitors [or as they have been called for a while now ALL Hazards monitors] should be included as such as well
 

gewecke

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Yep and right after the EAS test, you'll probably see "blobama" plastered on every channel with some more b.s. :lol:

73,
n9zas
 

rdale

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Makes me wonder what we're being set up for now........

EAS used to be called the EBS. It's a system used to send emergency messages via radio and TV. You can do a search online, this isn't a "new thing" and the test is simply because one has never been done.

I'm not sure what your experience level in mass communications is - but if you never test it, you can't make sure it works. So it's not a "setup" but an "evaluation".
 

Radioman1993

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EAS used to be called the EBS. It's a system used to send emergency messages via radio and TV. You can do a search online, this isn't a "new thing" and the test is simply because one has never been done.

I'm not sure what your experience level in mass communications is - but if you never test it, you can't make sure it works. So it's not a "setup" but an "evaluation".

Well at least on the station I was listening to it was not a good test. Very over modulated almost to the point of being unintelligable. And it sounded like the recording started over about 15 seconds in because under the first message were the tones again. I could hear that better over the internet link for the station I was listening to. Hopefully they get it fixed or I am goin g to have to just assume its one of the messages that drdispatch suggested.

Radioman
 

MtnBiker2005

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Some more info on this topic:lol:

National EAS Test Failures - See this forum area.
Audio files posted on this thread.
http://boards.radio-info.com/smf/index.php?topic=201117.0
http://boards.radio-info.com/smf/index.php?board=270.0

This is a test to test a feature that won't be tested.....
http://boards.radio-info.com/smf/index.php?topic=201097.0

WRFN-LP National EAS Test Relay - Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmMODKFi8-c

Here is the Los Angeles version of the SNAFU: .wav file
http://www.davidgleason.com/radio/R1_1243_2011_11_09_13_00_16_audio.wav

Emergency Broadcast Test tone is Lady Gaga. - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNVp0fG1sQU
 

drdispatch

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Some random thoughts:

Two terms that best describe this (both coined in federal government arenas):
SNAFU (Situation Normal, All F{oule}d Up)
FUBAR (F{oule}d Up Beyond All Recognition)

But seriously, if you don't test it, how do ya know it's gonna work when you REALLY need it?

So back to the drawing board, I guess, and try it again in another 50 years or so.......

Almost makes me miss the "CONELRAD" days. ;)
 

MtnBiker2005

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11/10/11 THE ANSWER to the audio mess!
After analyzing the EAN audio, it has been confirmed that a hardware failure related to a PEP station - WCCO - was the cause of the audio loop back to the FEMA sending source - a conference bridge. That affected most everyone who got their test via a path from the FEMA PEP bridge and explains why the audio from sample points around the country are very similar. (see link)
http://www.thebdr.net/articles/fcc/eas/eas.html
 
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