[labowski]

I know this has been mentioned before, but I have noticed a definite increase in the number of Emergency Broadcast test messages. I realize this is standard and mandatory, but what frequency is normal? The EBS messages also appear to be increasingly more complex, i.e. they seem to be testing longer messages. Is it just me?

[varina davis]

I noticed that too with the EBS, lately. They are also are different times of the day and evening than usual.

[Michael Barnes]

I know this has been mentioned before, but I have noticed a definite increase in the number of Emergency Broadcast test messages. I realize this is standard and mandatory, but what frequency is normal? The EBS messages also appear to be increasingly more complex, i.e. they seem to be testing longer messages. Is it just me?

I think your seeing that due to the Amber Alert's that are now being used across publicbroadcasting. Their testing more frequently in order to use it for the Amber's..We've had two amber alert's in PA now and more testing.

[Timesink]

I know this has been mentioned before, but I have noticed a definite increase in the number of Emergency Broadcast test messages. I realize this is standard and mandatory, but what frequency is normal?

Local TV and radio stations must have a short test once per week (just a few seconds), at random times, and one long test per month (with an actual "this is a test"-style announcement), again at random times. Due to the randomness, one "weekly" test could be the day after the last one, making them seem like they've increased. And there's no exceptions for the tests, so if you've had a lot of bad weather and flooding that caused 15 EAS alerts over the last few days, you're still going to get your weekly and monthly tests even if they only hours after a legitimate alert.

On top of that, every local cable company is also now required to air weekly and monthly tests of their own. It's all completely normal.

The EBS messages also appear to be increasingly more complex, i.e. they seem to be testing longer messages. Is it just me?

No, it's not just you. It's all been computerized over the last few years, so there's lots of nasty beeps and computer tones inserted. But none of this has anything to do with Homeland Security. Most of the changes date back to 1997-98.