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July 11, 2011
TV Tech Check

FEMA Holds EAS National Test Webinar

On Thursday July 7, the FEMA IPAWS program office held a webinar to outline and discuss EAS best practices that broadcasters and other EAS participants should employ in order to be ready for the first-ever National EAS Test. The national test will occur on November 9, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time.

The participants on the webinar were Manny Centeno, EAS test program manager with the FEMA IPAWS office, Kelly Williams, senior director, engineering and technology policy with NAB's Science and Technology Department and Chris Brandt, a head-end engineer from Alaska. There were over 400 on-line attendees.

FEMA announced during the webinar that they will be producing a Best Practices and Test Procedure document that will be released in late September. The best practices guide will include information and ideas proposed on the IdeaScale website and discussed during the virtual roundtables and EAS Test Update webinars. The dates and topics for the future on-line events are:

  • August 15 - EAS Participant Virtual Roundtable - First Draft of the Best Practices Guide
  • September 1 - Nationwide EAS Test Update Webinar - EAS Equipment Operation and Maintenance
  • September 30 - EAS Participant Virtual Roundtable - Best Practices Guide Final Recap Discussion & Release
  • October 13 - Nationwide EAS Test Update Webinar - Test Preparations and Procedures

    Slides from the July 7 webinar are available on the IdeaScale website. While there you can also submit your thoughts about the National Test.

    • Radio Show Engineering Program Overview
    September 14 - 16, 2011 Chicago, IL

    The Radio Show Engineering Program begins on September 14 with Studio/Production Day. The modern multiplatform radio station is the focus. A variety of perspectives from industry experts will show how technology is offering stations new options for studio flexibility and air personality comfort. Techniques for modern remote broadcasts, streaming and social media activities will be covered. Presenters include: Brian Janes, ESPN Radio; Gary Kline, Cumulus; Jim Roberts; BE; Paul Shulins; Greater Media and Glynn Walden, CBS Radio.

    On September 15, Transmission/Distribution Day, the focus turns to operational efficiency beginning with the radio transmitter plant and associated hardware. A key topic will be energy savings brought about by creative design and new developments in broadcast transmitters. Moving into the distribution area, experts will cover complementary practices that break from traditional broadcasting and show some of the new opportunities available with digital broadcasting. Presenters include: Gary Cavell, Cavell/Mertz Consultants; Steve Lockwood, Hatfield & Dawson Consultants; Paul Brenner, Emmis Communications; Jeff Littlejohn, Clear Channel; Nick Piggott, RadioDNS and John Ousby, IMDA.

    Management issues related to broadcast towers are addressed on September 16 during Tower Day. A team of experts will explain maintenance and safety concerns relevant to all broadcasters. The demand for tower space is creating incentive for broadcasters to examine their towers to determine if they can become a source of new revenue. You will learn about the requirements of cellular operators, the challenges they face and the possible opportunities for you as a tower owner. Rich Biby, CEO, AGL Publications will lead this interactive session.

    The Radio Show is jointly produced by NAB and the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB). The Radio Show will include an enhanced schedule and expanded Radio Show Marketplace featuring exhibitor booths.






    The July 11, 2011 Radio TechCheck is also available in an Adobe Acrobat file. Please click here to read the Adobe Acrobat version of Radio TechCheck.

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