[Rfu-barnraising] (fwd) (fwd) the EAS question

[Doug Hoepker]

We certainly don't have much money to spend, so I'll
try to adress this issue tonight at the barnraising
meeting and see if anyone has a suggestion for a
donation. 

--- Andy Gunn <andy at prometheusradio.org> wrote:

> hey all, i sent out these questions last week, but
> haven't heard anything back about it.  these
> questions just need some thought, so let us know!
> thanks,
> -a
> 
> 
> ----- Forwarded message from Andy Gunn
> <andy at prometheusradio.org> -----
> 
> From: Andy Gunn <andy at prometheusradio.org>
> Subject: the EAS question
> To: leti <leti at lists.prometheusradio.org>,
> 	rfu barnraising
> <rfu-barnraising at lists.chambana.net>
> Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2005 19:09:14 -0700
> Organization: Prometheus Radio Project
> 
> hey all, i have been thinking a little bit about how
> the emergency alert system unit will be set up
> during the barnraising.  if i recall - you have a
> trilithic EASy decoder - which is great.  those have
> two built in radio receivers, and a built in audio
> interrupt switch.  the only things it doesn't come
> with is a line printer (think of an old dot-matrix
> printer, with continuous feed paper), and fm and am
> antennas.
> 
> the printer is technically optional - if you have a
> computer in close proximity to the eas unit, and it
> has a serial port - you are all set.  just use the
> software they include, download the logs and print
> them out on any printer.  i would recommend getting
> a dot matrix printer (or two) at a surplus place or
> garage sale - they are pretty much free these days. 
> use the serial / computer thing as a secondary
> backup or something.  the fcc will want those eas
> logs when (and if) they inspect, so good to have at
> least one copy hangin out.
> 
> the important thing is the receive antennas, and a
> place to hang them.  for the fm receive antenna, any
> big log-periodic antenna that you can get at
> radioshack for outdoor use will work well.  think
> big, crazy lookin rooftop antennas.  for an am
> antenna (if one of your local primary stations is an
> am station), a really long wire, a big loop or
> ferrite rod/bar antenna will work.  getting some
> receive antennas shouldn't be a big expensive deal,
> i hope.  maybe people with old rooftop receive
> antennas they don't use anymore would be willing to
> take them down and donate them.
> 
> the harder part is running cabling from wherever the
> receive antennas are located.  if the EAS unit is in
> the studio, then 75ohm coaxial cable or 300ohm
> ladder line will need to be run down from the roof
> or from some point outside, where ever the receive
> antennas are located.  the cabling should be cheap,
> if no one has extra they can donate or scrounge up. 
> start thinking about how the cabling can be run
> through or on the outside of the building.  if the
> EAS unit is in the rack with the transmitter the
> cable run could be shorter, and go along with the
> coax to the tower, where the antennas can be hung.
> 
> the better location for the EAS unit might be the
> rack upstairs with the transmitter and audio
> processor.  the cabling for the receive antennas is
> shorter, and it can be placed on full auto
> interrupt, so if there is ever a time when a dj is
> not there and the station is running on automation,
> then the EAS will still trigger if it recieves an
> alert or test.
> 
> the problem with having the EAS upstairs with the
> transmitter is that no one is watching it, so if
> there is a problem, it would only be noticed
> whenever someone went to check on it.  that would
> need to be a few times a day.  the weekly test does
> have to be triggered within a short amount of time
> (within an hour), so it would be good if it were in
> the studio where someone would be watching it.  it
> isn't the end of the world if a test gets messed up,
> so long as the problem is corrected for the next
> one.
> 
> some things to think about!
> -a
> 
> ----- End forwarded message -----
> 
> 
> --
> 
> --------------------------------------------------
> |  Andy Gunn - Technical and Training Organizer  |
> | Prometheus Radio Project - prometheusradio.org |
> |    andy at prometheusradio.org   215-727-9620     |
> --------------------------------------------------
> 
>
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