[hoagy62]

To be quite honest, this is a GOOD idea.

When the EAS was the good ol’ EBS, to the best of my knowledge it was NEVER tested on a national scale. If you worked at a radio station, you were supposed to be up on any situation the EBS could throw at you. (As a former deejay, I did happen to read the EBS Manual the FCC provided to all radio stations. I even played our station’s “end of the world” cart tape to hear what it sounded like. Chilled me to the bone.)

A national test of the EAS could show if there are any bugs in the system and to see if it actually works as planned. Yes, those who think this could be a way for Barry the Boob to issue ‘proclamations’ will think what they will, but I still think it’s a good idea.

[jusduat]

Do you remember what the EOTW message said? Can you tell us?

[Shalmaneser]

I, too, worked behind the mic during the Cold War years, and I also carefully reviewed the EBS bill. Scary stuff.

Aircheck, Bob Sievers, WOWO-AM 1190, Fort Wayne Ind., 20 February 1971:
One of the most frightening moments in broadcasting history

What happened and what it was like