Implementation of Statewide Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) Delivery for EAS-Alabama Rolls Out New State Wide Satellite Network for EAS Distribution

摘要

During the transition from EBS to EAS in1996, the State of Alabama was still using the “daisychain” method of distributing EAS alerts. According toFCC rules, all broadcast stations and cable systems mustmonitor two sources capable of relaying messages fromthe White House. The key word here is “sources”. Thatcould mean radio stations, internet, sub channels,satellite, etc. The State used the services of two statewidenetworks already in place- the Alabama Public TelevisionNetwork (APT) and the Alabama Digital SatelliteNetwork (ADSN), a regional sports network, which hadover 60 downlinks across the state. A revision to the stateplan required all stations to monitor these two sources forEAS alerts and test. This distribution method worked verywell for a number of years. Recently, ADSN waspurchased and relocated (out of the state), leaving thestate with only one distribution network. The challengewas to replace the satellite distribution network; thispresentation and paper discuss the decision-making andtechnical considerations to implement a cost-effective,proven CAP EAS distribution network in Alabama.