P.S. -- I forgot to mention there are 2-meter repeaters on the island, so the guys here say it's relatively easy to find a spot, but sometimes you have to drive up a hill.
"What I do is I have a scanner plugged into my board tuned to the strongest NOAA station.
... Me as well. I run NOAA weather from my scanner locked on from Midnight to Noon (I'm a night shift driver). But even when I'm not in the studio when playlists are running, I can reach my iMac studio computer from my Netbook wherever I have service (either 3G or 4G) with my Clearwire USB modem, and fade from iTunes to GarageBand which always has the board feed from the PresonusFire Studio fader turned up when I leave the studio.
I use LogMeIn to access the studio computer and crossfade to the scanner signal by that method, but there are only the two apps (iTunes and GB) available from the software. Holy crap!! What am I thinking?? (see Ken slapping forehead ;)) There's no reason I can't remotely switch GB to get the 2-meter receiver signal.
Sheesh! My own stupidity amazes myself ... the answer is already in use!! I just forgot I can just change GB tracks to get another channel from the board, i.e., one with the 2-meter rig audio plugged in. Problem solved!
"What I do is I have a scanner plugged into my board tuned to the strongest NOAA station.
... Me as well. I run NOAA weather from my scanner locked on from Midnight to Noon (I'm a night shift driver). But even when I'm not in the studio when playlists are running, I can reach my iMac studio computer from my Netbook wherever I have service (either 3G or 4G) with my Clearwire USB modem, and fade from iTunes to GarageBand which always has the board feed from the PresonusFire Studio fader turned up when I leave the studio.
I use LogMeIn to access the studio computer and crossfade to the scanner signal by that method, but there are only the two apps (iTunes and GB) available from the software. Holy crap!! What am I thinking?? (see Ken slapping forehead ;)) There's no reason I can't remotely switch GB to get the 2-meter receiver signal.
Sheesh! My own stupidity amazes myself ... the answer is already in use!! I just forgot I can just change GB tracks to get another channel from the board, i.e., one with the 2-meter rig audio plugged in. Problem solved!
I would re-think this loose as a goose attitude about fooling with official emergency communications networks intended for licensed stations. The FCC takes the EAS/CAP extremely seriously. You dont just go slapping stuff and code together just to get the jollies of sending out the buzz saw data noise and tones to feel "big" like the big boys.
Now lets consider something else..to which a member did raise yet seems to have been ignored.
EAS/CAP is, and was designed and implemented into the broadcast radio service for alerting the public to both local and national emergencies. These stations are assigned designations and listed in each state's EAS Plan. There are primary and secondary stations PLUS the NOAA station monitoring. Each are set up with a specific identifier within that data burst that is also specific for each station. The system allows for triggering a chain of stations in specific patterns per given situation, or all of them, or just one at any given time.
The EAS/CAP system is also highly regulated in which requires assigned chief operators/loggers. This means you will want to do exactly what the big boys do, and that is to monitor, track and log these events that come down the pipe. Oh.....the EAS data that is sent down the pipe is specific and triggers EAS boxes specific to area/scenario/purpose/station......that means YOUR home brew EAS box, which does NOT have an assigned EAS data code on the line, wont get triggered AT ALL for a specific warning for a specific area (yours).....unless you bootleg those identifiers that is assigned for their LICENSED station.
I think the intent is admirable to help spread emergency information when emergencies arise. However folks...lets get real here and practical. Your talking about flea powered signal that barely reaches 1 mile on a perfect condition situation while the flamethrowers are reaching miles and miles. Your wanting to participate in official emergency communications set up and intended for licensed radio service to which Part 15 is NOT a part of.....and begging for regulation into this "hobby" than you are going to want around.
The best way to participate in spreading emergency information is to do what some are doing now...using wx radios and simply listening or monitoring them for warnings. All consumer wx radios come with an alert feature, which does not require nuclear science degrees or Ph.D's to figure out how to interlink that into a switch matrix which can in effect give the same function as a real EAS system by interrupting programming to air the emergency information.
And that would be connected just like how the REAL EAS boxes are...at the tail end of the audio chain before it hits the TX and not through the mixing console. The way some of you are running your so called home brew EAS mock-ups...if they were actual setups called for by the FCC...you would be facing NAL's left and right!
You cant just pick and choose what emergency information to transmit if your intention is to send out crucial emergency information specific to your location ya know. This is why the EAS system is set up like it is...so that specific emergency information for specific areas/stations are properly aired at their proper designated EAS points! (duh).
How about focusing on the "hobby" and not try to put on bigger pants that wont fit. More service from the Part 15'ers can be uniquely provided with a little bit of creativity and imagination.
RFB
When the asteroid is in sight headed for Nebraska I will do what Emperor Nero did: play violin music.
The proper response to "The Big One" would be to wait for it to pass and then turn the transmitter back on and do the responsible thing and transmit helpful information, like the weather, "A bright flash with a ball of fire and a column of smoke with Highs in the 4000's. More at eleven." The appropriate Part 15 response would be (prior to the event) to separate ones knees, putting your head between the knees and kiss your posterior, Goodbye. LOL. RF Burns' comments are right on. But, will you listen and take heed.
Hi guys,
I'm new, so please don't flame me. I have started down the part 15 road after trying the lpfm road and finding it closed. As an amateur radio extra class operator, I want to do the "right thing" and provide eas and weather alerts for my local listeners. You see, I am in a unique position, I live in a campground, where there are a lot of people within 200 feet of me. Lets say always at least 100. They love my music programs (I am using Zararadio, thank you zara). I also do a lot of free announcements for the people in the campground. For the owners of the campground, etc. As a responsible operator, I want to provide myself and my listeners with weather and eas alerts.
You know, you would think that a successful and appropriate system would want all the transmitters it could have to relay the information it is broadcasting. If it is really important information, then who cares who is sending the message.
Maybe we need to talk to congressmen. Radio as we know it is dead. It was killed by the mp3 player. As a taxpayer, I want my money's worth from the FCC and from EAS. They OWE US, WE PAY for them. We might have to remind them of that fact.
I am more than happy to take a course, add some software, spend a little time to make sure that I am a part of the whole system designed to help protect us, that we pay for.
I think the powers that be need to be reminded that not only is their current methodology for creating income going away, but also that they have stopped serving the community that pays them.
Just my two cents worth. I am always trying to go above and beyond the call.... Why should people who listen to my part 15 station be cheated out of important information? What will the FCC and EAS -CAP do when no one is listening to the radio, but listening to mp3 players. A little late don't you think?
Jerry Nokes, Jr.
WY8S
Riverside Ranch Radio
90.5 FM
110% Part 15 compliant, monitored 24 hours a day
Hi Jerry, and welcome ...
Well, if you can receive a signal from a commercial station broadcasting EAS/CAP information, you could simply relay the important stuff to your listeners. Of course, if you can receive it, there's a good chance they can too, so maybe the best approach, and the one I will use here, is to direct them to the best-heard station in the real system.
I have no desire whatsoever to participate in the EAS/CAP system ... lots of responsibilities, purchase of latest equipment (or mods to old equipment, which won't work on all models), testing, responsibilities for logging and reporting, etc., etc. You will spend lots of moolah and lots of time trying to deal with it.
For me, I can't justify it, it would take all the fun out of it ... no thanks ... I'll let the big boys with the big money handle it.
With the new changes in LPFM there may yet be a frequency you can use in your area with directional antenna. Further, the FCC may be more willing to approve CPs for 10 watt LPFM than before, if you can tolerate interference.
Also, my latest exploration is into IP-based internet radio. I think I could raise enough capital to install WiFi services locally. With the cost of portable IP-based radios down to $80, it looks more and more like an inexpensive method for establishing local community radio than LPFM, but traditional FM is still waaay more popular, so if it catches on, it may be awhile.
So, I guess the question is: Will LAN WiFi radio services be required to participate in EAS/CAP?
Jerry,
Welcome to the fray. I notice you might be a licensed radio amateur (WY8S). If so, do you have any experience with ARES or RACES? If you are certified with either of these volunteer services, how is emergency message traffic handled? Who is the "control operator" for each emergency event? Is there such a person? And, who is legally responsible when the information is outdated or plainly incorrect and property is damaged or people are hurt?
I think for the most part, broadcast stations try to do the best they can to be good neighbors in their communities of license. The FCC rules are capable in forcing the hands of the stations who play fast and loose. The FCC violation log contains entries, that are famous, of stations that had no one at the switch when it hit the fan. The ensuing fines have been in the tens of thousands of dollars.
The ultimate question becomes, are you willing to do as good a job at disseminating emergency information as the licensed participants, or not. Do you possess the legal protection from liability when whatever you do goes terribly wrong? Will the authorities responsible for the emergency event communications come to your defense?
If not, then there is wisdom in what other folks have suggested previously on this post. Help where you can, however you can, when you can, in concert with the folks responsible for getting the hard work done. The rules and the laws are on their side.
Everyone will not be listening to MP3 players for one major reason:
... Live anything, such as ... sports, talk shows, interviews, newscasts, special events, theatre events, ... the list goes on and on. In fact, AM radio is still the mainstay for many of those things.
Hi guys,
Thanks for all of the great reply's. Let me touch on a few points. Yes, I have been active with RACES and ARES for many years. Liability does not come into play. Amateur Radio is a volunteer "best effort" service and as of 20 years of volunteering, I have yet to see the first case of legal action. There are "good samaritan" laws in every state for all kinds of things from stopping for an accident, to citizen's arrest. I cannot see how a failed attempt to disseminate important information could be used for legal action. There is no requirement that anyone utilize a part 15 station exclusively for EBS/NWS. I just don't see the down side there.
Could the equipment be expensive, sure. However, I believe that I have fixed this problem with my purchase of a Sangean CL-100, at least for the most part. I think it is worth $80.00 to have NWS and it appears that I will receive EBS info with this unit as well. So, I am now a better provider of information than I was. No guarantees, no promises, and my listeners will be surprised when they hear an alert.
As for "live"/talk shows/newscasts.....Arbitron and Neilson have already burst that bubble. Data shows that AM and FM listeners are less than 50% of what they were 10 years ago. Besides, I don't need radio, everything is available real time as a podcast for my iphone/android/ipod/ipad. CNN, PBS, BBC, NPR, FSN, all have feeds updated at least hourly that I currently use. Open a web browser to anywhere and you can catch the 5 minute old video from "Ralph's" cell phone, much less the audio. We won't even begin to get into the number of non-commercial streaming stations on the internet with millions of listeners.
Well, that's my two cents worth. Now I am on to other projects, like getting a software ducker program to work with Zararadio....
73's
Jerry -WY8S