Other than doing the monthly tests, the Emergency Alert System (EAS – formerly known as the EBS “Had this been an actual emergency…”) is voluntary. Radio stations can let the EAS take immediate control of their station, record the alert and play it when and if they want, or completely ignore the alert – with one exception.
The EAS was largely designed with one goal in mind. After World War II and the Russians had “The Bomb”, the Federal Government needed to stoke the fear of the public that a nuclear attack on the United States could happen at any time (“Duck and Cover!”). The first version of this notification system was created in 1951, but the more thorough EBS that most of us remember was created in 1963 after the Cuban Missile Crisis
In 1951, FM radio and TVs were not yet in use by the public in any significant way – AM radio still ruled the world and at night the 50 kW “clear channel” stations owned the country. My first car (a 1962 Plymouth Valiant) had a peculiar radio – it was AM only (not peculiar for the time) and had two little discrete triangles on the tuning dial.
In the event of an actual emergency, all radio stations would immediately be turned off, and government selected “official government news” stations would suddenly appear on 640 kHz and 1240 kHz. Having “unofficial” communications that might panic the public was not acceptable in a “free” country. Even Ham radio operators are required to turn off their transmitters.
Over the years, this technology for the Federal Government taking over control of every broadcast outlet in America has never been tested, although it was accidentally activated in 1971, creating awareness that few people knew what to do or did it. The national EBS alert is the only thing hardwired into the system. The only way to test it is to use it.
When the button is pressed in the White House, every radio and TV station in America surrenders control to the White House. Testing that capability would mean the test itself could create panic (and possibly political blow back) since most people don’t know that power exists.
November 9th 2011, at 2 PM Eastern Time, this national capability will be tested. The FCC and Homeland Security will oversee a test – to make sure that in the event President Obama has issued an Executive Order to dissolve the government of the United States and the country is now under martial law (hypothetically of course) – that every radio and TV station complies with his lawful order. The system also applies to cable TV systems, and the FCC would like to require Cell Phones to also be unilaterally controllable by the National EAS alerts.
So assuming that Glenn Beck doesn’t provoke the end of the world today, at least by November 9th, we’ll be sure we are prepared. You can never be too prepared or too safe.
This will be interesting. 2 PM Eastern time. That gives Rush Limbaugh a full two hours to prep his listeners. More than enough time to influence public opinion regarding the real motives of the Manchurian candidate in the White House who is interrupting his broadcast. Will radio stations in Hawaii also be preempted? 2 pm Eastern is 9 am in Hawaii. I recall from when I was in 2nd grade in the early 60’s the civil defense sirens went off at noon sharp every Wednesday. Duck and cover indeed.
You know in the age of Satellite TV and Twitter, this whole thing is pretty silly, but the government has no self restraint.
EBS for TV up until now is audio only. The latest mandate from the FCC requires a new device to carry a TV video signal so that a person can communicate the message in sign language to the hearing impaired for those hearing impaired people who never bothered to learn English. So that implies we will be paying someone 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week to sit near a TV camera – just in case they need to “sign” President Obama’s message and there isn’t time to put it into closed captions.
You can never be too safe, and nuclear power plants can’t have too much water.
With Obonzo at the wheel, they would probably have a teleprompter instructing a “sign” inturpetur to relay his message to a crowd of blind people sitting in front of a 52″ plasma HD television, thats how the government works
Yeah that Happened in the movie, ‘Live Free, Die Hard’. The bad guy took over the EBS and broadcast his own message, then blew up the whitehouse.
This ought to be good, especially for the ‘Sheeple’ that watch Bravo and never get the message. LOL
Git – R – Done !
Newest news to be brodcast by EAS : Obonzo states ” Thanks to my policy’s The Borders are being Closed ” we interupt this EAS broadcast, with an important message,, He meant Borders book store’s. More important news to follow Novermber 9th.
Sorry but I am the only one who seems to think this is a bad thing on several levels?
The danger in it being tested?
The Timing of it’s being tested?
The administration that is testing it?
etc, etc, etc…
Not a good thing
Hmm. You know. This testing thing can be a good thing. Because since we are on high allert system for the idiot terrorists out there who want to keep attacking us. Such as illegal computer hacking and crap like that. Maybe it will be a wake up call to get more Radio Stations online too. The idiots at the Whitehouse need to create more jobs so this does not happen again. I hope this test all goes well. Just think about this on the positive side. Such as the Airport Security now. Stuff like that. These things are a good thing sometimes. Those terrorists dumb asses want to keep attacking us. Think about it. It’s just a security thing. Ever since 9/11/01!!!!!!!! Remember that. Hopefully more positive things in future. I don’t think we need President Obama re ellected though. Because of constant testing. Hopefully this will be the last test of this year 2011. No more tests!!!!! We just need more job creations. This thing will be a good thing so the world will NOT ever end.