Sec. 11.11 The Emergency Alert System (EAS).
(a) The EAS is composed of broadcast networks; cable networks and
program suppliers; AM, FM and TV broadcast stations; Low Power TV (LPTV)
stations; cable systems; and other entities and industries operating on
an organized basis during emergencies at the National, State, or local
levels. It requires that at a minimum all participants use a common EAS
protocol, as defined in Sec. 11.31, to send and receive emergency alerts
in accordance with
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the effective dates in the following tables:
Timetable--Broadcast Stations
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
Requirement Until 7/1/95 7/1/95
1/1/97 1/1/98
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---------------------------------
Two-tone/encoder timing......... 20-25 seconds..... 8-25 seconds...... 8-25
seconds...... 8-25 seconds.\1\
Two-tone decode timing.......... 8-16 seconds All decoders at 3- 3-4 s
econds....... Two-tone decoder
required. 4 seconds.
no longer used.
3-4 seconds
optional.
Digital decoder and encoder..... Use is optional... Use is optional... Use i
s required... Use is required.
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---------------------------------
Cable Systems
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Requirement Until 7/1/97 7/1/97 \2\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two-tone signal from storage Use is optional, 8- Use is required, 8-
device.\1\. 25 seconds. 25 seconds.
Digital decoder and encoder..... Use is optional... Use is
required.\2\
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\1\ Two-tone signal used only to provide audio alert to audience before
EAS emergency messages and required monthly test.
\2\ On this date, subject cable systems shall provide: (1) a video
message on all channels or other alerting techniques to hearing
impaired and deaf subscribers, (2) an audio message and video
interruption on all channels, and (3) a video message on at least one
channel to all subscribers.
Note: Class D FM and low power TV stations are not required to have two-
tone or digital encoders. LPTV stations that operate as television
broadcast translator stations are exempt from the requirement to have
EAS equipment. FM translator stations are exempt from the requirement
to have EAS equipment.
EAS Timetable and Requirements Broadcast Statio
ns
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
FM Class
Requirement AM FM
D TV LPTV \1\
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---------------------------------
Two-tone decoder (until 1/1/98).......................... Y Y
Y Y Y
Two-tone encoder......................................... Y Y
N Y N
Digital decoder (1/1/97)................................. Y Y
Y Y Y
Digital encoder (1/1/97)................................. Y Y
N Y N
Audio message (1/1/97)................................... Y
Y Y YY
Video message (1/1/97)...................................
YY
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---------------------------------
Cable Systems
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Requirement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two-tone decoder............................................. N
Two-tone encoder............................................. N
Digital decoder (7/1/97)..................................... Y
Digital encoder (7/1/97)..................................... Y
Audio message on all channels (7/1/97)....................... Y \2\
Video interruption on all channels, video message on one
channel (7/1/97)............................................ Y \3\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ LPTV stations that operate as television broadcast translator
stations are exempt from the requirement to have EAS equipment.
\2\ Shall transmit two-tone signal, but it may be from a storage device.
\3\ Shall provide video on all channels or other alerting techniques to
certified hearing impaired and deaf subscribers.
(b) Class D non-commercial educational FM stations as defined in
Sec. 73.506 of this chapter and LPTV stations as defined in
Sec. 74.701(f) of this chapter are not required to have or operate EAS
encoders as defined in Sec. 11.32. LPTV stations that operate as
television broadcast translator stations, as defined in Sec. 74.701(b)
of this chapter are not required to comply with the requirements of this
part. FM broadcast booster stations as defined in Sec. 74.1201(f) of
this chapter and FM translator stations as defined in Sec. 74.1201(a) of
this chapter which entirely rebroadcast the programming of other local
FM broadcast stations are not required to comply with the requirements
of this part.
(c) Organizations using other communications systems or technologies
such as, Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS), low earth orbit satellite
systems, paging, computer networks, etc. may join the EAS on a voluntary
basis by contacting the FCC. Organizations that choose to voluntarily
participate must
[[Page 586]]
comply with the requirements of this part.
Note: Compliance by Cable Systems with the July 1, 1997 date
specified in this section is extended until a date to be specified by
the Commission and published in the Federal Register.
[ 59 FR 67092 , Dec. 28, 1994, as amended at 60 FR 55998 , Nov. 6, 1995; 62 FR 33753 , June 23, 1997]
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