Engineering, ABIP & EAS
Sage Issues Important Information About NPT Settings
After the issue Wednesday (10/7) surrounding an NPT issued for Alaska and a planned similar NPT to be issued October 15 for Puerto Rico we have the following information from Harold Price, president of Sage Alerting Systems:
Read MoreNational EAS Test Scheduled for November 17
The FCC just released a Public Notice announcing a National EAS Test will be held on November 17, 2026 and noting the deadlines for stations to file Forms One, Two and Three relating to that test.
Read MoreNew Security Obligations for Broadcasters Required by September 29 – Strong Passwords, Updated Software and Hardware, and Firewalls to Protect All Parts of the Program Chain
In early July, we wrote about the FCC’s decision to require that all broadcasters take measures to secure their EAS operations – and in the process secure their entire program chain – to make sure that malicious actors can’t hack into their systems and send false alerts. The FCC today published in the Federal Register the order making those changes, which will require broadcasters to meet these security requirements in 60 days – by September 29.
Read MoreFCC Adopts Order to Secure EAS System – Broadcasters’ Program Chain Must Be Behind Firewall Soon
The Order did adopt a mandatory three-point plan to secure not only EAS equipment at a station, but also to secure the entire program chain to ensure that bad actors can’t access station programming to insert false emergency information or other malicious content.
Read MoreFCC Issues Urgent Cyber-Security Alert to Broadcasters
Last Friday (1/30), the FCC issued a Public Notice strongly urging broadcasters to implement immediate cybersecurity protections after a rise in ransomware attacks on small and mid-size communications companies. This is not a routine advisory. The FCC is making clear that stations are expected to follow recognized cybersecurity best practices and that certain incidents may trigger mandatory reporting to federal authorities.
Read MoreKevin Trueblood Elected President of SBE; Michigan’s Geary Morrill Elected VP
The Society of Broadcast Engineers announces the results of the 2025 election for the national board of directors. Kevin Trueblood, CBRE, CBNT, of Chapter 90 Southwest FL, was elected for a one-year term. Kevin previously served as SBE vice president. His term begins September 25 at the SBE National Meeting in Columbus, OH.
Read MoreNAB Says The EAS Future Lies With Software, Not Hardware
Both RadioInk and InsideRadio reported this week on conversations between the National Association of Broadcasters and the FCC regarding the future of EAS equipment, an issue that is growing in importance with the recent announcement from Sage Alerting Systems that it will not longer manufacture its current version of its EAS hardware.
Read MoreTake Five: Five Takeaways from the Midwest Broadcast and Multimedia Technology Conference
Last week, broadcasters from Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Pennsylvania gathered in Columbus, Ohio for the Midwest Broadcast and Multimedia Technology Conference (MMBTC). Thanks to the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, engineers of member stations were able to attend the conference for free. For those who were not able to attend, here are a few takeaways from the conference and reasons why you should mark your calendars for next year’s event.
Read MoreFCC Releases October 2023 National EAS Test Report
The test message was received by 96.6% of EAS Participants (increase from 89.3% in 2021). The overall retransmission success rate was 93.6% (increase from 87.1% in 2021).
Read MoreFCC Proposes New EAS Event Code and Adding 13 Additional Languages to Alerts
In the past week, the FCC has proposed some updates to the current EAS system. On Wednesday (2/21), Radio World reported that FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel is proposing adding a new event code to the EAS system for missing and endangered persons. This would be those who would not qualify for an Amber Alert.
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