Engineering, ABIP & EAS
Nationwide EAS Test Set for October 4 – Start Your Preparations Now
FEMA and the FCC announced that this year’s Nationwide EAS Test is scheduled for October 4, 2023 (with a back-up date of October 11 in case there is a real or threatened event that occurs around October 4). FEMA will transmit the nationwide test of the EAS at 2:20 pm EDT on October 4, 2023 using the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), the Internet-delivered warning system that has been required for broadcasters for about a dozen years.
Read MoreEAS Software Upgrade Update
As a reminder, the FCC has enacted new rules that affect the programming of EAS decoders. All stations are required to install the updated software by December 12th, 2023. Stations should not to wait until the last minute to secure and install the updated software.
Read MoreFCC Grants Waiver of Certain Accessible Emergency Information Requirements
On May 26, 2023, the FCC released an order to extend for 18 months an existing waiver of the requirement that television broadcasters aurally describe visual but non-textual emergency information, such as maps or other graphic displays.
Read MoreSBE & Ennes Educational Foundation Trust Offering Scholarship Opportunities
As an organization involved in the broadcast industry, you very likely know someone who would be interested in applying for one of these scholarships. You’re invited to share the information about the Ennes Scholarships with them.
Read MoreBroadcast Engineering Comes to Ferris this Fall
“We have identified a need for broadcast engineers in [Michigan],” MAB President and CEO Sam Klemet said. “We are looking to get a new pipeline of engineers, and we have been working with Ferris to bring those that are in the broadcast engineering industry to talk to students and provide sample curriculums.”
Read MoreApril 18 SMPTE Meeting Includes Tour of WWJ-TV/WKBD-TV
The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) Detroit Section will host a meeting this Tuesday Night (4/18) at the studios of WWJ-TV/WKBD-TV in Detroit. The meeting is free and open to guests and non-members and begins at 7:00 p.m.
Read MoreNew EAS Handbook Available/Form One Filing Deadline Approaching
Your MAB has learned that the FCC recently issued a new, 2023 edition of its EAS Operating Handbook. As noted in the FCC EAS rule Part 11.15: “A copy of the Handbook must be located at normal duty positions or EAS equipment locations when an operator is required to be on duty and be immediately available to staff responsible for authenticating messages and initiating actions.”
Read MoreBudget Now for EAS Upgrades
FCC-mandated changes to the Emergency Alert System are scheduled to go into effect on December 12. These changes may require software and/or hardware updates that broadcasters should budget for now.
Read MoreMAB & State Associations File Opposition to Proposed EAS Changes
The MAB, in combination with the state broadcasters associations of all 50 states filed Joint Comments on December 23 arguing against the FCC’s proposed imposition of new EAS cybersecurity monitoring and reporting obligations and harsh enforcement policies on EAS Participants like broadcasters until the FCC has at least undertaken a number of other steps to improve the safety and security of EAS.
Read MoreFCC Issues Alert on DASDEC EAS Equipment
On November 23, 2022, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued an Advisory on security vulnerabilities in DASDEC EAS encoder/decoder devices sold by Digital Alert Systems (formerly Monroe Electronics).
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