Re: What happened to Amber Alert?

[SteveOrdinetz <steveord@bit-net.com>]

Aaron 'Bishop' Read wrote:


>Anyways, since updates to all EAS co/decs are supposedly going to be 
>available by the end of the year, and I believe all stations are expected 
>to update ASAP...although I don't know if there's a rule about being 
>required to install updates.  You'd think there is but who knows for 
>sure?   I do know that most stations WANT to update as this update also 
>includes provisions for delaying the forwarding of a weekly or monthly 
>test (RWT and RMT) from only 15 minutes to a full 60 minutes...so it 
>behooves a lot of stations who've been griping about the small time window 
>to legally forward tests and alerts.


Stations are not required to upgrade.  I think the only requirement is that 
starting in 2003 and new codecs sold must incorporate the new codes.  There 
is a software upgrade for Sage units available at no cost from Harris.  It 
includes the Amber codes, but not some of the other new codes (most of 
which are irrelevant here in New England).  I don't know about other 
manufacturers...all I have is Sage units in my stations.  RWTs are not 
required to be forwarded, only logged, delay time on Sage units can be 
extended to 59 min for RMTs even without the upgrade.

Ed Brouder is chairman of the EAS committee in N.H., maybe he can add more.