That Was Only A (National EAS) Test

It Came ... It Played With Tones ...

U.S. radio and television stations paused at 2:01p (ET) for the national Emergency Alert System test.

The test used the WASHINGTON, DC FIPS code (but no Common Alerting Protocol message) and lasted about 30 seconds.  A message explaining the national test was played with the tones.

A statement from the agencies this afternoon read, "The nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System test was administered and the FCC and FEMA are currently collecting data about the results. This initial test was the first time we have tested the reach and scope of this technology and what additional improvements that should be made to the system as we move forward.   Only through comprehensively testing, analyzing, and improving these technologies can we ensure an effective and reliable national emergency alert and warning system.  We thank all of our partners who made this test possible and look forward to working with all our stakeholders to improve this current technology and build a robust, resilient, and fully accessible next generation alerting system that can provide timely and accurate alerts to the American people."

NAB EVP/Communications DENNIS WHARTON issued a comment stating, "Our initial feedback is that most radio and television stations ran the Nationwide EAS test successfully, although some isolated glitches may have occurred. We look forward to continuing to work with our federal partners to diagnose and improve the EAS system."

About Those Glitches....

ALL ACCESS is hearing that the test did not go as smoothly as hoped in some areas, with some stations not receiving the test at all.  Many stations heard additional tones after the initial tones, with the second set airing behind the message and rendering the message difficult to understand. 

Post your stations' experiences with the test in the comments below.

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