§  11.33   EAS Decoder.

   (a) An EAS Decoder must at a minimum be capable of providing the EAS
   monitoring functions described in § 11.52, decoding EAS messages
   formatted in accordance with the EAS Protocol described in § 11.31, and
   converting Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)-formatted EAS messages into
   EAS alert messages that comply with the EAS Protocol, in accordance
   with § 11.56(a)(2), with the exception that the CAP-related monitoring
   and conversion requirements set forth in § § 11.52(d)(2) and 11.56(a)(2)
   can be satisfied via an Intermediary Device, as specified in § 11.56(b),
   provided that all other requirements set forth in this part are met. An
   EAS Decoder also must be capable of the following minimum
   specifications:

   (1) Inputs. Decoders must have the capability to receive at least two
   audio inputs from EAS monitoring assignments, and at least one data
   input. The data input(s) may be used to monitor other communications
   modes such as Radio Broadcast Data System (RBDS), NWR, satellite,
   public switched telephone network, or any other source that uses the
   EAS protocol.

   (2) Valid codes. There must be a means to determine if valid EAS header
   codes are received and to determine if preselected header codes are
   received.

   (3) Storage. Decoders must provide the means to:

   (i) Record and store, either internally or externally, at least two
   minutes of audio or text messages. A decoder manufactured without an
   internal means to record and store audio or text must be equipped with
   a means (such as an audio or digital jack connection) to couple to an
   external recording and storing device.

   (ii) Store at least ten preselected event and originator header codes,
   in addition to the seven mandatory event/originator codes for tests and
   national activations, and store any preselected location codes for
   comparison with incoming header codes. A non-preselected header code
   that is manually transmitted must be stored for comparison with later
   incoming header codes. The header codes of the last ten received valid
   messages which still have valid time periods must be stored for
   comparison with the incoming valid header codes for later messages.
   These last received header codes will be deleted from storage as their
   valid time periods expire.

   (4) Display and logging. For received alert messages formatted in both
   the EAS Protocol and Common Alerting Protocol, a visual message shall
   be developed from any valid header codes for tests and national
   activations and any preselected header codes received. The message
   shall at a minimum include the Originator, Event, Location, the valid
   time period of the message and the local time the message was
   transmitted. The message shall be in the primary language of the EAS
   Participant and be fully displayed on the decoder and readable in
   normal light and darkness. The visual message developed from received
   alert messages formatted in the Common Alerting Protocol must conform
   to the requirements in § § 11.51(d), (g)(3), (h)(3), and (j)(2) of this
   part. All existing and new models of EAS decoders manufactured after
   August 1, 2003 must provide a means to permit the selective display and
   logging of EAS messages containing header codes for state and local EAS
   events. Effective May 16, 2002, analog radio and television broadcast
   stations, analog cable systems and wireless cable systems may upgrade
   their decoders on an optional basis to include a selective display and
   logging capability for EAS messages containing header codes for state
   and local events. EAS Participants that install or replace their
   decoders after February 1, 2004 must install decoders that provide a
   means to permit the selective display and logging of EAS messages
   containing header codes for state and local EAS events.

   (5) Indicators. EAS decoders must have a distinct and separate aural or
   visible means to indicate when any of the following conditions occurs:

   (i) Any valid EAS header codes are received as specified in
   § 11.33(a)(10).

   (ii) Preprogrammed header codes, such as those selected in accordance
   with § 11.52(d)(2) are received.

   (iii) A signal is present at each audio input that is specified in
   § 11.33(a)(1).

   (6) Program Data Retention. The program data must be retained even with
   power removed.

   (7) Outputs. Decoders shall have at least one data port where received
   valid EAS header codes and received preselected header codes are
   available, at least one audio port that is capable of monitoring each
   decoder audio input, and an internal speaker to enable personnel to
   hear audio from each input.

   (8) Decoder Programming. Access to decoder programming shall be
   protected by a lock or other security measures and be configured so
   that authorized personnel can readily select and program the EAS
   Decoder with preselected Originator, Event and Location codes for
   either manual or automatic operation.

   (9) Reset. There shall be a method to automatically or manually reset
   the decoder to the normal monitoring condition. Operators shall be able
   to select a time interval, not less than two minutes, in which the
   decoder would automatically reset if it received an EAS header code but
   not an end-of-message (EOM) code. Messages received with the EAN Event
   codes shall disable the reset function so that lengthy audio messages
   can be handled. The last message received with valid header codes shall
   be displayed as required by paragraph (a)(4) of this section before the
   decoder is reset.

   (10) Message Validity. An EAS Decoder must provide error detection and
   validation of the header codes of each message to ascertain if the
   message is valid. Header code comparisons may be accomplished through
   the use of a bit-by-bit compare or any other error detection and
   validation protocol. A header code must only be considered valid when
   two of the three headers match exactly; the Origination Date/Time field
   (JJJHHMM) is not more than 15 minutes in the future and the expiration
   time (Origination Date/Time plus Valid Time TTTT) is in the future
   (i.e., current time at the EAS equipment when the alert is received is
   between origination time minus 15 minutes and expiration time).
   Duplicate messages must not be relayed automatically.

   (11) A header code with the EAN Event code specified in § 11.31(c) that
   is received through any of the audio or data inputs must override all
   other messages.

   (b) Decoders shall be capable of operation within the tolerances
   specified in this section as well as those in § 11.32 (b), (c) and (d).

   [ 59 FR 67092 , Dec. 28, 1994, as amended at  60 FR 55999 , Nov. 6, 1995;
    67 FR 18510 , Apr. 16, 2002;  70 FR 71033 , Nov. 25, 2005;  77 FR 16703 ,
   Mar. 22, 2012;  83 FR 39620 , Aug. 10, 2018]