[SBE] Fwd: NAB FM chip proposal

[Edwin Bukont]

Steve

 

Direct to cell fones is the rule as of 2010, its the CMAS system.

Edwin Bukont CSRE, DRB, CBNT 
Comm-Struction and Services LLC 
Baltimore/Washington DC
V- 410.879.5567 F- 240.368.1265 C- 240.417.2475 

A Harris Broadcast Channel Partner 
 




 

> Date: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 08:44:10 -0400

> From: Steve.Fluker at CoxRadio.com

> To: sbe at sbe.org

> Subject: Re: [SBE] Fwd: NAB FM chip proposal

> 

> While as a radio broadcaster, I like anything that presents a need for

> radio to continue to thrive, however, in this day of technology, doesn't

> it seem more appropriate to have a system that would simply send

> emergency text messages to cell phones (Make sure these messages are

> exempt from text fees). Texting is how people communicate today. I can

> hear it now, an EAS message going off on 1000 cell phones in the middle

> of a prayer in a church service to tell us that there's a severe

> thunderstorm 20 miles away. Yes, in Florida we get daily storm alerts

> in certain times of the year. We had three sent in Orlando yesterday

> alone. 

> 

> I have to agree with several of the previous comments that I've read.

> First about the poor FM reception ability in a device such as a cell

> phone unless headphones are plugged in. Again, in today's technology,

> the wired earpiece is becoming a thing of the past with Bluetooth

> devices. The other issue is battery life. With all of the new features

> in cell phones, on a busy day it can be a struggle for me to keep my

> battery alive for a full day. What good is the EAS built into a phone

> if it drains the battery by 2 PM?

> 

> That's my two-cents.

> 

> Steve

> 

> 

> Steve Fluker

> Director of Engineering

> Cox Radio, Orlando

> 4192 N. John Young Parkway

> Orlando, FL 32804

> PH (321) 281-2037

> Fax (407) 291-6803

> 

> 

> 

> -----Original Message-----

> From: sbe-bounces at sbe.org [mailto:sbe-bounces at sbe.org] On Behalf Of

> Dennis C. Brown

> Sent: Wednesday, April 01, 2009 8:21 AM

> To: sbe member discussion mail list

> Subject: Re: [SBE] Fwd: NAB FM chip proposal

> 

> Couldn't agree with you more, but no politician or bureaucrat is going 

> to pass up the opportunity to show that he's done something to protect 

> the public safety.

> 

> Curt Yengst wrote:

> > At the risk of sounding cruel and heartless.....

> > Do we really need a system that overrides every single communication

> device within five feet of a person to tell them there's an emergency?

> Has it really gotten to the point where we have to send alert tones and

> offical messages to tell the average person TO GET IN OUT OF THE

> @#$%#@!! RAIN???

> >

> > EAS is already the system radio people love to hate, and our listeners

> are right behind us. I've got an idea! Let's put it on everyone's cell

> phone! I can hardly wait to hear the stream of profanity from my dad

> (dragged kicking and screaming into the 20th century) when his

> conversation is interrupted by a RWT. (I'm exaggerating of course, but

> you get the drift...)

> >

> > Here's my $0.02, and you probably have change coming....

> > After reading some of your responses, I get the feeling some of you

> might agree with me. Let's not go back to the old CONELRAD, or EBS, or

> whatever system. Let's go back to PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. If we at

> the radio station have some urgent information, we'll get it on the air

> pronto. If you're not paying attention, oh well! It sucks to be you!

> The military calls it "Situational Awareness." Get some!

> >

> > Here endeth the rant. Thanks be to God.

> >

> >

> >

> > -----Original Message-----

> > From: sbe-bounces at sbe.org on behalf of Richard Rudman

> > Sent: Tue 3/31/2009 5:31 PM

> > To: GRC GRC; EAS Committee SBE

> > Cc: Chris Imlay; Poray John

> > Subject: [SBE] Fwd: NAB FM chip proposal

> > 

> > Greetings from Washington:

> >

> > NAB has launched a major initiative to mandate FM radio chips in all 

> > cellphones.

> >

> > Attached is an Adobe Reader presentation given by NAB at the EAS 

> > Summit yesterday.

> >

> > They are marketing this idea as an enhancement to EAS. Obviously 

> > there are other benefits that would accrue to FM broadcasters. The EAS

> 

> > benefits may not be as clear cut as they think at this point.

> >

> > Obviously NAB is looking for other industry entities to back their 

> > proposal. I recommend talking to NAB about this if the Board thinks 

> > the idea has SBE member benefits. One could say that anything that 

> > gets more radios in the hands of audience is a good thing for SBE 

> > members. I think SBE could make some constructive suggestions to NAB 

> > to make it more likely their proposal would have merit for emergency 

> > public information and EAS.

> >

> > Here's my take on what they presented. Clay and Gary and Art were 

> > there and can chime in with their takes.

> >

> > Advantages:

> > 1. Users can tune to an FM station after getting a CMAS warning 

> > (coming to you cellphone no sooner than 2010-2012 by some accounts)

> > 2. FM is added universally to cellphones as an option

> > 3. FM/RDS can display warning messages

> > 4. Value added for cell phone users

> > 5. Cost to add the chip is low - some phones already have them

> >

> > Disadvantages:

> > 1. AM is left out in the cold

> > 2. No recognition in existing cell FM chipsets for either SAME or CAP.

> > 3. Not as many FM stations have news departments as AM stations and/or

> 

> > have prepared for severe emergency operations.

> > 4. RDS data rate is only 1187.5 bit per second and has other uses now

> 

> > at RDS-capable stations.

> > 5. Cellphone displays of RDS date would be restricted so EAS CAP 

> > messages would require a lot of scrolling to read.

> >

> >

> > FYI, the CTIA representative on the panel, Brian Joseph, Dir. of 

> > Public Affairs for CTIA, was cool to the idea -- possibly icy.

> >

> > Regards,

> >

> > Richard

> > 

> >

> >

> > 

> >

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> >

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