First off, the ‘annoying buzz’ is a digital signal that tells the encoder at the station what kind of alert it is. Whether a test or an actual emergency, what kind of emergency, and who is activating the system. All that is contained in those three buzzes. For an actual emergency (and for this test), they then activate the Attention Signal, that wonderful slap-in-the-ears we older folks all remember from the old EBS.
Secondly...the test is for THREE minutes at 2 o’clock PM(1400 for those who understand) on the 9th. I have no idea where the heck Drudge is getting his info, but it’s wrong.
Finally...NOTHING IS GOING DOWN. NOTHING IS BEING SHUT OFF. The test is simply interrupting the normal programming, as it was designed to do. No phone systems are being turned off, no network signals will drop, no satellite feeds will go down. Understand: there is no reason for excessive paranoia due to this test.
NO, I don’t work for the government. NO, I’m most certainly NOT an Obama supporter. As a former broadcaster, I can see the benefits of testing the system to see if the darn thing works like it’s supposed to. That being said...is the timing suspect (i.e.; “a demonstration”)? Yes. They could’ve done it at a less conspicuous time.
All I’m saying is...there is nothing to be afraid of with this test.
(And if I’m wrong, you can look me up in the concentration camp later and say “I told you so”. :) )
Hoagy62,
I won't be able to meet you in “Camp” for the “I told you so”. I'll be out slinging things made of c——r and l—d to the appropriate personnel. I'll go down hard before that happens. I know many others with the tools to do the same.
I appear to need to retract something....
I had said the test was to be for three minutes, and I explained why. It turns out the FCC and FEMA yesterday shortened the test to 30 seconds. According to an industry insider, the reasons for this are rather complex and he didn’t get into it.
Also, the cable industry has sent a letter to the FCC and FEMA begging them to postpone the test due to issues they’re having with getting to word out to people (especially the deaf community) that this is only a test. No word yet on whether that’s being considered.
So...it’s now JUST 30 SECONDS.
That's what the doctor said just before my last finger wave. [gloves snapping...]