[Scan-DC] first ever nationwide test of EAS 9 November

[michael rumberg]

The link I sent in my first message has some excellent information and is worth reading.  Jeff is correct - for this to be successful as a real test, it has to be run "live" as if it is the real thing, not as he says, a "modified" or "test" mode.  from the link:

What will people hear and see during the Test?During
 the test, listeners will hear a message indicating that “This is a 
test.” Although the EAS Test may resemble the periodic, monthly EAS 
tests that most Americans are already familiar with, there will be some 
differences in what viewers will see and hear. The audio message will be
 the same for all EAS Participants; however, due to limitations in the 
EAS, the video test message scroll may not be the same or indicate that 
“This is a test.” This is due to the use of the live EAN code – the same
 code that would be used in an actual emergency. The text at the top of 
the television screen may indicate that an “Emergency Action 
Notification has been issued.” This notification is used to disseminate a
 national alert and in this case, the test. In addition, the background 
image that appears on video screens during an alert may indicate that 
“This is a test,” but in some instances there might not be an image at 
all.There are several limitations to the current EAS for 
individuals with access and functional needs. FEMA and the FCC are 
committed to providing organizations and the EAS community with 
information well in advance of the Test. FEMA and the FCC will further 
engage the EAS community to better understand the wide range of 
information and access needs in preparation for the national EAS. IPAWS 
has been performing outreach to access and functional needs 
organizations in several different forums, including working groups and 
roundtables led by the FEMA Office of Disability Integration and 
Coordination, with representation from multiple FEMA program offices, 
other Department of Homeland Security components, and other Federal 
Departments and Agencies.
How long will the Test last?The test will last for approximately 30 seconds.
Why is the Test being conducted at this particular date and time?The
 November 9 date is near the end of hurricane season and before the 
severe winter weather season. The 2 p.m. Eastern broadcast time will 
minimize disruption during rush hours, while ensuring that the test can 
occur during normal business hours across several time zones.

> Date: Fri, 4 Nov 2011 20:56:09 -0400
> To: scan-dc at mailman.qth.net; scan-dc at mailman.qth.net
> From: jeff at krauss.ws
> Subject: [Scan-DC] first ever nationwide test of EAS 9 November
> 
> 
> >
> >Message: 3
> >Date: Thu, 3 Nov 2011 14:04:23 -0400
> >From: Doug Kitchener <oldsdoug at hotmail.com>
> >Subject: [Scan-DC] EAS test
> >To: <scan-dc at mailman.qth.net>
> >Message-ID: <COL122-W43D246B951EF998FEDE656C2D50 at phx.gbl>
> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> >
> >
> >Yeah, I heard something like this too somewhere, was just trying to 
> >find the reference that I'd seen...
> >
> >Rhetorical question... Why the F wouldn't they say it's a test?
> >
> >Sorry, I had to ask... if this is correct, I really believe that 
> >this country is in the hands of nincompoops... but then I believe that anyway.
> >
> >DK
> 
> Because that would require a change to the "nationwide alert" 
> capability of the emergency alert system, which is different from the 
> regional alerts that are tested monthly..  But then it would no 
> longer be a test of the real EAS, it would be a test of a modified 
> version of the EAS.
> It's something like Catch 22.
> 
> 
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