I started looking into EAS decoders, even though as a part 15 station and web stream it isn't required, I still think it may be an important part of our college radio station for at least two reasons.
#1 is our students will need to deal with this when they graduate and get a job in the radio or TV world.
#2 is simply to pass important information to our student population.
(#3 It will look really good if/when we have an inspection.)
I started looking into EAS decoders, even though as a part 15 station and web stream it isn't required, I still think it may be an important part of our college radio station for at least two reasons.
#1 is our students will need to deal with this when they graduate and get a job in the radio or TV world.
#2 is simply to pass important information to our student population.
(#3 It will look really good if/when we have an inspection.)
And last is if we can ever grab a channel, I'll have everything in place and won't need to worry about integrating it, and can worry more about the important things involved in starting a licensed LP station.
Looks like they have they cost down to about $2000 (or less) for an FCC certified decoder only device, and I believe that this also includes the "Amber Alert" updates. There is a list of manufacturers on the FCC web site towards the bottom of this page:
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/eas/
I'll spend some time this week to track down some pricing so that I can throw one into next year's budget.
Be careful not to set yourself up for an unintentional fall. Remember, if the FCC comes calling on a Part 15 station, they are not there on a goodwill visit. They are there because of a complaint...or to find something wrong. If you have an EAS receiver and decoder (they come with the encoder), you may be asked for the weekly and monthly EAS log. You would be wise to produce it. In other words, if you have the ability to decde/encode messages, has your station been running weekly and monthly (overnight) EAS tests FROM your station. It would be good to read the EAS regs before you jump into that arena. Frankly, I would leave the EAS alone, until you are required to have one. LPFM stations discovered what I am saying the hard way. You see, in the event of an emergency, your station, and all LPFM stations, may be required to leave the air until the emergency has passed. And if your off the air, you're out of business; no listeners.
It would be better to set up a cable tv receiver with a tone decoder only to get EAS messages from the system "primary" warning station....and spend your money so that more students will listen everyday.
Rev. Marshall Johnson, Sr.
Senior Pastor, President
Rhema Christian Fellowship, Inc.
Rhema Radio - The Word In Worship
AM 1660 - FM 93.5
http://www.rhemaradio.org
The FCC approved decoder only EAS boxes for use with LPFM stations, and mandates their use with those stations. I wouldn't put a full out encoder/decoder at a college station. All you would need is the correct password and the correct emergency code, and you could tell all your listeners that world is about to end.
The decoder only option is really just a message relay box for the monitored stations in your area. I do still need to read up on this topic a little more. But there is also the thought that if you want to be seen as a community resource, you need to look out for that community. A little extra paperwork seems like a small price. And again, they will have to learn about EAS tests somewhere, might as well be where it is decode only.