I had considered that too. It would probably be a more reliable solution. But, I think I will go ahead with my project. I finished ordering parts for the build a little bit ago.
How does the EAS equipment hook into the system? I am not familiar with that part.
The main output from the board goes into the EAS box then goes out of the EAS Box to the processing gear.
I wondered if it could be that easy, but figured it wouldn't be. I see old ones on ebay occasionally, I may snag one!
Does those EAS units have RCA jacks or XLR cable? If RCA that is super easy. Even connecting it to a Whole House 3.0 or Talking House AM transmitter should be no sweat.
EAS will be balanced audio with either screw terminals or XLR.
SAGE EAS ENDEC 1822 is the model I have. These are outdated and not legal or capable of what the FCC requires for a licensed station. Originally sold for a couple thousand bucks, you can usually find one for around $100 on ebay, etc.
There are others, both by Sage and other companies. this particular one will let you monitor up to 6 sources. Most stations have to monitor two assigned stations based on their states EAS plan, as well as the NWS. This assures any emergencies will be received as well as weather. The input wiring is done on a terminal strip that plugs into the back (be sure you get the connector with the unit, they're not easy to come by).
The audio from your source programming (computer, control board, etc) goes in the in connectors, which are XLR, and come out the output side which are also XLR. If you're mono you just use the left side, stereo use both of course.
Your audio plays straight through until an alert comes in, then it switches over, broadcasts the alert, and switches back.
In addition to the unit itself you will need receivers for what you are monitoring. In most cases around here, that's two FM receivers (one for each required station you monitor) and one for a weather radio.
Programming these is a real exercise in patience. You choose counties and/or areas, and which types of alerts you want to receive, which you just want to log, which you want to broadcast, and you can even record your own internal announcements to keep "on file" that can play accordingly.
Once set up corrrectly they work swell. We've used the SAGE units at the full powers I work for so I'm used to programming them. This particular model has a little roll of paper inside and it generates a printout of alerts received, tests sent, etc. So you can tell it's working without happening to hear an alert come in.
I paid something like $75 for a pair of them, one was a parts missing, non-working parts unit. Be sure you get the power supply and the strip connector plug for the inputs, etc.
It has a lot of other features built in as well but these are all I use. They're not legal as they don't receive some of the new special alerts, and also cannot connect to the internet, which is another way that some emergencies can now be sent.
The programming is the tough part. Not so much for the emergency stations you monitor, but the weather, as you have to program the weather radio to receive and alarm for the warnings you choose, then program the SAGE to respond to those alerts as well.
If you google the name and model # above you can find pictures, manuals, all sorts of info.
If you want to see what the little test printout tapes look like send me your email and I'll send a quick photo of one to ya. Not handy to upload one right now.
TIB
The SAGE should decode anything the weather radio spits out, ours at the full power is fed with a scanner tuned to the NOAA frequency. You'll also want the EndecSetD software if you get the newer blue faced models, I think the old Grey boxes have software you can use as well that makes programming a snap. Tim is correct in that you will have to program the sage to relay messages.
"Is that one of those Radio's where you can program for your county? And does it auto silence after a bit"
Yes and No.
Yes it is programmable by county, state and even zip code,
no it won't shut off after the alert/warning/watch message has finished.
Barry of BBR World Wide