No subject

=20
they're off-air. =20

A REAL radio system would have some kind of "the carrier disappeared!"=20
alarm and maybe even a "hey, there's a carrier but no mod" alarm.  And mayb=
e=20
even a technician with a big red "RESET" button. =20

But it's just a warning system.  Their S.A.M.E. system is supposed to warn =
us about=20
any "hazardous              event (nuclear power plant problem, a chemical =
or biological=20
accident,              etc.)" but ... oh well ...  If it's important, the G=
overnment will announce it
on MSNBC.

Yes, I might be a bit critical of folks who are probably trying to do a goo=
d job and=20
hope for promotions, but I know that the system could be better.  NOAA coul=
d=20
contract with a ham radio club (or MARS radio) to run the area transmission=
=20
system and I'm sure it would be more reliable.  And probably a lot cheaper.=
 =20
And reliable.  In the Capital area, it seems like that would be considered =
an=20
"important thing."