Much work went into the Emergency Alert System test to make a reality
the first national test held November 9.

Between broadcasters and the government, this was one of the best
examples of public/private partnership.

On November 29, twenty days later, the Federal Emergency Management
Agency held a conference call attended by over 900 participants
nationwide. These notes are part of that call.

Calling it a learning experience for all, participants heard an
explanation of the cause of varying performance during the test.

For the most part, broadcasters received the message and rebroadcast it.
Technical difficulties were discussed as a reason the test did not
work but broadcasters were quick to report the test was over 70%
successful.

Hardware failures were the primary reason given for the
"failure" of the test. Those issues can be expected regardless of who
does the test. What worked Monday, may fail Tuesday.
Speaking of the next test, it was noted that the next test will reveal
a new set of problems.

One can read more about the Conference Call.

Did you hear the EAS Test? Are you happy that broadcasters and the
government is working together to "fix things"?

WX4NHC, National Hurricane Center Miami Florida, will be on at their usual time slot from past years and the remaining open time slot from 1400-1500 UTC has been filled by NWS Salt Lake City Utah, WX4SLC. For this year, WX7PHX, NWS Phoenix Arizona has relinguished their time slot.

EchoLink and IRLP are just a couple of modes people can utilize to contact NWS offices during SKYWARN Recognition Day. Many NWS offices will be on 2 Meters, 440 MHz, HF, Digital other VHF/UHF bands. Additional details on SKYWARN Recognition Day can be found via the following links:

http://hamradio.noaa.gov
http://www.arrl.org/news/the-13th-annual-skywarn-recognition-day-set-for-december-3

The December issue of the ARRL QST Magazine has a story on National Weather Service / ARRL SKYWARN Recognition Day on page 68 in their Public Service Column.

As in past years, the EchoLink *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system will be scheduling time for NWS offices in 1-2 hour time slots to act as a net control to make contacts with spotters that are on the system. If a NWS office runs out of contacts and there are other NWS offices on the system, the NWS office acting as net control can turn it over to a different NWS office to act as a net control on the system at their discretion.

We'd like to ask NWS offices to do their best to adhere to the schedule. Sometimes this is difficult due to the number of contacts received by NWS offices. We ask for everyone's patience and working cooperatively to respect the time slot schedule.

Below is the finalized SRD Schedule for 2011. See the list of NWS offices below:

Time in UTC NWS Office Call-Sign
0000-0100: WX0GLD (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0100-0200: WX1GYX (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0200-0300: WX4MLB (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0300-0400: W0ABR  (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0400-0500: WX1BOX (Confirmed to keep the time slot)  
0500-0600: WX9GRB (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0600-0700: WX4HUN (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0700-0800: N0NWS  (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0800-0900: KL7FWX (Confirmed to keep time slot. Will Show Up on Echolink as KL2GS - NWS Fairbanks AK)
0900-1000: KL7FWX (Confirmed to keep time slot. Will Show Up on Echolink as KL2GS - NWS Fairbanks AK)
1000-1100: KL7FWX (Confirmed to keep time slot. Will Show Up on Echolink as KL2GS - NWS Fairbanks AK)
1100-1200: WX4HUN (Taking WX7PHX Time Slot and relinguishing their 1400-1500 UTC time slot)  
1200-1300: W7NWS  (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
1300-1400: KL7FWX (Confirmed to keep time slot. Will Show Up on Echolink as KL2GS - NWS Fairbanks AK)  
1400-1500: WX4SLC (New NWS Office for SRD'2011)
1500-1600: WX1BOX (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
1600-1800: WX4NC  (Confirmed to keep the time slot, 2 hour time slot and time slot is from last year)
1800-1900: WX6MTR (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
1900-2000: K0MPX  (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
2000-2100: WX4MLB (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
2100-2300: WX4NHC (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
2300-2400: WX6NWS (Confirmed the NWS Sacramento California Office for this time slot)

There will be other conference systems utilized for SKYWARN Recognition Day. They are as follows:

The New England Reflector Gateway System will be utilized by the NWS Taunton, Mass. and NWS Gray, Maine offices from 0000-0500 UTC and 1200-2400 UTC. The New England Gateway system is on EchoLink Conference server *NEW-ENG* Node: 9123, IRLP reflector 9123. If other NWS offices would like to join the system, they are welcome to do so and participants in SKYWARN Recognition Day can also use that system to make contact with various NWS offices. This is a great place to move off the *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system after your scheduled time if other Amateurs or NWS offices whish to make contact with you.

Also, the Western Reflector will be having NWS offices calling CQ as in past years on reflector 9250 and have its gateway system on IRLP 9258/EchoLink Conference *NV-GATE* Node: 125266 open for NWS offices. Please contact Kent-W7AOR for additional information on the Western Reflector.

A few technical reminders for folks interested in making contacts with the NWS Forecast Offices on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 and New England Reflector Gateway IRLP 9123/*NEW-ENG* Echolink Node: 9123 systems:

-The system allows both EchoLink and IRLP connections. For EchoLink users, you connect to the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203 conference system. For IRLP users, you would connect to IRLP reflector 9219.

-If you are using EchoLink, the RF node or PC that you’re using must have EchoLink conferencing disabled. If it is not disabled, the system will automatically kick the node or PC off of the system.

The reason this occurs is to prevent unintentional interference from a conferencing station that may not know the node is connected somewhere else. This will keep traffic moving on the net and reduce interference considerably.

For more information on VoIP Technical Configuration Tips, please go to our web site at http://www.voipwx.net where we have a link to that information on the main menu of the web site. This announcement will also be on the web site.

We are looking forward to another fun SKYWARN Recognition Day on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system, New England Reflector Gateway system and Western Reflector system. Thanks to all for their support!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Taunton Massachusetts
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

FEMA IPAWS Special Event: What's Next for Improving the Emergency Alert System?
EAS Test Findings and Observations, Lessons Learned, and Way Forward
November 29th, 2011, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM ET

Join us on November 29th at 2:00 PM ET for a discussion with industry
experts and leaders on the Nationwide EAS Test findings, lessons
learned, observed technical challenges, and way forward for alert and
warning!

Event Details

What: What's Next for Improving the Emergency Alert System? EAS Test
Findings and Observations, Lessons Learned, and Way Forward
When: Tuesday, November 29th, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM (Eastern)
Where: Microsoft Live Meeting 2007 (This link will only be active the
morning of November 29th)

https://www323.livemeeting.com/cc/eiip/join?id=IPAWS&role=attend
Please note that if you have Live Meeting Client correctly installed,
you do not need a pass code or username (Live Meeting instructions
http://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/ipaws/livemtginstruct.pdf)

A first-ever Nationwide EAS Test was conducted on November 9th, 2011
to assess the readiness and effectiveness of the system as it
currently exists. A test message was sent at 2:00 PM Eastern to over
60 national primary stations across the country.

While early indicators show most radio and television stations
received and relayed the test message, many technical issues such as
audio quality and repeated messages were observed and immediately
reported. This web event will focus on a roundtable discussion with
industry leaders and experts to discuss further EAS improvements
needed across a variety of topics:

· Test Successes and Lessons Learned
· Top 5 Technical Challenges of the Test
· State and Local Field Observations and Reports
· Mitigation Strategies and Improvements
· Next Steps and the Future of Alert and Warning

We've added more topics for discussion on A National Dialogue on the
Emergency Alert System website! Want to contribute ideas for the next
version of the EAS Best Practices Guide? Go to A National Dialogue on
the Emergency Alert System
(https://nationaldialogue-emergencyalertsystem.ideascale.com/). For
official information on the EAS, please visit the FEMA IPAWS website:
http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm.

Hello to all..

The Skywarn Recognition Day event was confirmed with EchoLink and IRLP are just a couple of modes people can utilize to contact NWS offices during SKYWARN Recognition Day. Many NWS offices
will be on 2 Meters, 440 MHz, HF and other VHF/UHF bands. Additional
details on SKYWARN Recognition Day can be found via the following
link:
http://hamradio.noaa.gov

As in past years, the EchoLink *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector
9219 system will be scheduling time for NWS offices in 1-2 hour time
slots to act as a net control to make contacts with spotters that are
on the system. If a NWS office runs out of contacts and there are
other NWS offices on the system, the NWS office acting as net control
can turn it over to a different NWS office to act as a net control on
the system at their discretion.

We'd like to ask NWS offices to do their best to adhere to the
schedule. Sometimes this is difficult due to the number of contacts
received by NWS offices. We ask for everyone's patience and working
cooperatively to respect the time slot schedule.

Below is the SRD schedule from last year. We would like to know if NWS
offices would like to keep their time slot or change time slots. A
couple of NWS offices have already asked to keep their time slot. See
the list of NWS offices below:

Time in UTC NWS Office Call-Sign
0000-0100: WX0GLD (Time slot from last year)
0100-0200: WX1GYX (Time slot from last year)
0200-0300: WX4MLB (Time slot from last year)
0300-0400: W0ABR  (Time slot from last year)
0400-0500: WX1BOX (Confirmed to keep the time slot but can swap if needed)
0500-0600: WX9GRB (Time slot from last year)
0600-0700: WX4HUN (Time slot from last year)
0700-0800: N0NWS  (Time slot from last year)
0800-0900: KL7FWX (Time slot from last year. Will Show Up on Echolink
as KL2GS - NWS Fairbanks AL)
0900-1000: KL7FWX (Time slot from last year. Will Show Up on Echolink
as KL2GS - NWS Fairbanks AL)
1000-1100: KL7FWX (Time slot from last year. Will Show Up on Echolink
as KL2GS - NWS Fairbanks AL)
1100-1200: WX7PHX (Time slot from last year)
1200-1300: W7NWS  (Time slot from last year)
1300-1400: KL7FWX (Time slot from last year. Will Show Up on Echolink
as KL2GS - NWS Fairbanks AL)
1400-1500: WX4HUN (Time slot from last year)
1500-1600: WX1BOX (Confirmed to keep the time slot but can swap if needed)
1600-1800: WX4NC  (Confirmed to keep the time slot, 2 hour time slot
and time slot is from last year)
1800-1900: WX6MTR (Time slot from last year)
1900-2000: K0MPX  (Time slot from last year)
2000-2100: WX4MLB (Time slot from last year)
2100-2300: WX4NHC (Time slot from last year)
2300-2400: N6NWS  (Time slot from last year)

There will be other conference systems utilized for SKYWARN
Recognition Day. They are as follows:

The New England Reflector Gateway System will be utilized by the NWS
Taunton, Mass. and NWS Gray, Maine offices from 0000-0500 UTC and
1200-2400 UTC.
The New England Gateway system is on EchoLink Conference server *NEW-ENG* Node: 9123, IRLP reflector 9123.

If other NWS offices would like to join the system, they are welcome to do so
and participants in SKYWARN Recognition Day can also use that system
to make contact with various NWS offices. This is a great place to
move off the *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system after your
scheduled time if other Amateurs or NWS offices whish to make contact
with you.

Also, the Western Reflector will be having NWS offices calling CQ as
in past years on reflector 9250 and have its gateway system on IRLP
9258/EchoLink Conference *NV-GATE* Node: 125266 open for NWS offices.
Please contact Kent-W7AOR for additional information on the Western
Reflector.

A few technical reminders for folks interested in making contacts with
the NWS Forecast Offices on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 and New
England Reflector Gateway IRLP 9123/*NEW-ENG* Echolink Node: 9123
systems:

-The system allows both EchoLink and IRLP connections. For EchoLink
users, you connect to the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203 conference system. For
IRLP users, you would connect to IRLP reflector 9219.

-If you are using EchoLink, the RF node or PC that you're using must
have EchoLink conferencing disabled. If it is not disabled, the system
will automatically kick the node or PC off of the system.

The reason this occurs is to prevent unintentional interference from a
conferencing station that may not know the node is connected somewhere
else. This will keep traffic moving on the net and reduce interference
considerably.

For more information on VoIP Technical Configuration Tips, please go
to our web site at http://www.voipwx.net where we have a link to that
information on the main menu of the web site. This announcement will
also be on the web site.

We are looking forward to another fun SKYWARN Recognition Day on the
*WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system, New England Reflector
Gateway system and Western Reflector system. Thanks to all for their
support!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Taunton Massachusetts
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

What surprises await you? What will tomorrow bring? Was it something
you were expecting?

So many years ago, I had the privilege and pleasure of traveling to
Scandinavia. It was a nice trip. It was a trip I want to do again.

During that experience, I was giving a presentation to an English
class in Sweden.

There, the habit was to lock the door after the class started. Soon
after I had started the presentation, there was a knock at the door.

Not knowing what to do, I looked at the teacher who indicated I should
do what I thought was right.

Someone's in for a surprise ... was it going to be me?

As I opened the door, there was a Swedish teenage young lady.

In my Oklahoma accent in Swedish, I asked her to come in. She did.

Again, in Swedish, what's your name? She told me.

How are you today? ... still in Swedish ... she said she was fine.

OH, I just remembered, so, in Swedish, I asked her if she spoke English. Yes
Good ... then since this is English class, we will use that language.
"Please put your books down and help me."

The teacher, at the end of class, said she bets that student would
NEVER be late for class.

The TEACHER says: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock."

Will you be surprised or will He?

Really?

Are you sure about that?

After all, are there really any absolutes?

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The national test will occur on Wednesday, November 9 at 9 a.m. (HAST) will last 30 seconds.

The EAS is a national alert and warning system established to enable the President of the United States to address the American public during emergencies.  NOAA's National Weather Service, governors and state and local emergency authorities also use parts of the system to issue more localized emergency alerts. 

Similar to local EAS tests that are already conducted frequently, the nationwide test will involve broadcast radio and television stations, cable television, satellite radio and television services and wireline video service providers across all states and the territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa.

On November 9, the public will hear a message indicating that "This is a test." The audio message will be the same for both radio and television. Under the FCC's rules, radio and television broadcasters, cable operators, satellite digital audio radio service providers, direct broadcast satellite service providers and wireline video service providers are required to receive and transmit presidential EAS messages to the public. A national test will help the federal partners and EAS participants determine the reliability of the system and its effectiveness in notifying the public of emergencies and potential dangers nationally and regionally.

"A national test of our Emergency Alert System, with the vital communications support and involvement of participants, is a step towards ensuring that the alert and warning community is prepared to deliver critical information that can help save lives and protect property," said Damon Penn, FEMA's Assistant Administrator of National Continuity Programs. "Because there has never been an activation of the Emergency Alert System on a national level, FEMA views this test as an excellent opportunity to assess the readiness and effectiveness of the current system.  It is important to remember that this is not a pass or fail test, but a chance to establish a baseline for making incremental improvements to the Emergency Alert System with ongoing and future testing.  It is also important to remember that the Emergency Alert System is one of many tools in our communications toolbox, and we will continue to work on additional channels that can be a lifeline of information for people during an emergency."

"The upcoming national test is critical to ensuring that the EAS works as designed," said Jamie Barnett, Chief of the FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.  "As recent disasters here at home and in Japan have reminded us, a reliable and effective emergency alert and warning system is key to ensuring the public's safety during times of emergency.  We look forward to working with FEMA in preparation for this important test."

Over the past two years and as part of ongoing national preparedness planning efforts, FEMA, the FCC and other federal partners, state, local, tribal and territorial governments, Emergency Alert System participants and other stakeholders have been working toward making this test a reality. 

As the federal, state, tribal, territorial and local governments prepare for and test their capabilities, this event serves as a reminder that everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves, their families, communities, and businesses.  Anyone can visitwww.Ready.gov for more information about how to prepare for and stay informed about what to do in the event of an actual emergency.

For more information on this test visit: http://www.fema.gov/eastest/