The present system -- which replaced the two-tone EBS system, which replaced Conelrad -- has never, ever been tested at the national level. The old two-tone (annoying) system was tested all across the country in 1971, by accident, and it failed.*
So, a mere 40 years later -- and what, a quick 14 years after the current system was put in place -- the Feds think maybe it's time to test it all the way through.
Expect paranoid-sound speculation as the word gets out.
Cynics, however, know that this can only mean one thing: they've got a whole other Emergency On The Air Eeek! system ready to roll out. Sure enough, just a tiny bit of websearching finds it -- and this one may even call your cellphone. Oh, joy. Junk phone calls from the Feds. For my safety.
I'd better buy a carpet and stock up on jam.
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* One place where it didn't fail was at Indiana's own WOWO, in Ft. Wayne, where all-around good guy Bob Sievers, W9FJT, double-checked the authorization and went on the air with it, exactly by the book -- only there was very little info in the mistaken warning and no follow-up message until the "oops." The link goes to an MP3; if you want to hear how a pro handles TEOTWAWKI and an information vacuum, give it a listen. (WOWO history page).
8 comments:
The Gentleman was a pro and handled that well! I fired up the two tone EBS back in the day for a AOR station. I would think the stoners were not amused at my interrupting "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" by Pink Floyd.
I seem to recall a little thing called 9/11 where the officials just totally forgot to activate the EBS. I guess that makes a fine excuse in some people's minds to overhaul everything instead of scrapping the idea.
Your "voluntary cooperation" jab was a good one. I found this sung version of the test on youtube a few years ago.
Actually, I think not lighting off the system on 9/11 was a good idea -- TV networks had live coverage, actual images. EAS would be just scrolling text on a plain background and spoken words.
What year is it? Oh, never mind. I'll go get another cup of coffee that I'm obviously in need of.
Sounds to me as if a Federal Agency is scared that they'll be a massive reduction of the Hog Slop in the Public Trough, and they are trying to Justify their continued existence during this so-called "Budget Crisis".
Or Sarah Palin will be announcing her Candidacy that day. When is the Cutoff Day to file for the 2012 Election?
Sorry, I can't listen to the Bob Sievers broadcast right now. I'm busy listening to Shine on You Crazy Diamond. Really.
WOWO is one of my favorite old blowtorch stations. I used to listen to them in the middle of the night while driving on long trips. WSB and WSM are also way kewl.
Listening to the WOWO recording now; getting not-fun flashbacks and the urge to crawl under my desk. I remember that 2 of 3 local tv stations sent out the warning. Things were a bit tense for a while. The WOWO announcer done good. I'm gonna go drink heavily now.
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