Digital Alert Systems DASDEC-II MANUAL - Manual (Page 164)

158
Digital Alert Systems: DASDEC User Manual
alerts such as child abductions and disasters. The EAS system also runs test alerts on a weekly and monthly basis in
order to insure operability.
Operation
The EAS system digitally encodes data into audible audio to order to distribute messages. This information can be sent
out through a broadcast station and cable system. The EAS digital signal uses the same encoding employed by the
National Weather Service (NWS) for weather alerts broadcast over NOAA Weather Radio (NWR). Broadcasters and cable
operators can decode NWR alerts and then retransmit NWS weather warning messages almost immediately to their
audiences. With the proper equipment and setup, EAS alerts can be handled automatically, making EAS information
useful for unattended stations. Other specially equipped consumer products, built into some televisions, radios, pagers
and other devices, can decode user selectable EAS messages.
The DASDEC II is designed to facilitate the management side of encoding and decoding EAS alerts within cable and
broadcast facilities. It is especially easy to use since it is IP addressable and accessible over a LAN.
Management
The FCC designed the EAS system, working in cooperation with the broadcast, cable, emergency management, alerting
equipment industry, the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Federal Emergency Management Administration
(FEMA).
The FCC provides information to broadcasters, cable system operators, and other participants in the EAS regarding the
requirements of this emergency system. Additionally, the FCC ensures that EAS state and local plans developed by
industry conform to the FCC EAS rules and regulations and enhance the national level EAS structure.
NWS provides emergency weather information used to alert the public of dangerous conditions. Over seventy percent of
all EAS and EBS activations were a result of natural disasters and were weather related. Linking NOAA Weather Radio
digital signaling with the EAS digital signaling will help NWS save lives by reaching more people with timely, site-specific
weather warnings.
FEMA provides direction for state and local emergency planning officials to plan and implement their roles in the EAS.
What you need to do as a Broadcaster
Your DASDEC II encoder/decoder allows your facility to decode EAS alerts originated from alert sources in your area.
These sources can be radio, TV, and cable TV stations. These stations can be forwarding alerts received from a web of
broadcasters, or originating alerts if designated as a primary source. To meet minimum requirements of the FCC, you
must send randomized weekly tests, forward monthly tests, and forward National alerts. Your state and local EAS
plan may also impose other requirements.
A good source of information is the EAS website at
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/eas/ . The FCC provides handbooks in Adobe
PDF format for AM and FM radio, for TV and for Cable TV.
DASDEC II Peripherals
The DASDEC II supports many peripheral devices, from character generators to printers. As of this release, the DASDEC
II can replace most commercial EAS encoder/decoder units, depending upon the peripheral hardware to which they have
been connected.