Digital Alert Systems DASDEC-II MANUAL - Manual (Page 156)

150
Digital Alert Systems: DASDEC User Manual
Originating/Encoding an Alert
Originating and Encoding mean the same thing; it is the creation of an alert that can be forwarded over your own broadcast.
When this alert is forwarded over your broadcast, any station that is tuning into your station will receive and decode that alert
in that station’s own EAS device. Simply, any station that is listening to your station on their EAS device will receive and
decode the alert that you sent out, just like if you were to receive an alert from another station over your radio tuners. This is a
useful tool for making custom alerts and putting them on your own broadcast.
Here is the way to configure your Encoder in order to be able to send out an originated alert that is applicable to any situation:
1. Go to Setup > Encoder > General
2. Select your ORG Code, which is at the top of the page.
3. Type in the name of your station in the EAS Station ID text box (For example; WKDQ/FM)
4. Set your Non-national alert play scheduling to be what you want. For example, as soon as possible means if
there is another alert in process when you send out an originated alert, it will play as soon as possible after the
alert that is in process is done.
5. Set your Attention Signal Duration (8 seconds is fine, unless you want more)
6. Enable Weekly Test Audio if you want audio in your weekly test by clicking on the check box, putting a little
green check mark in the box. (If you are a radio broadcaster, you should enable this)
7. Jump down to the Configure Available EAS Types for Encoder Alert Origination Interfaces section. In order
for you alert to be whatever type of alert you want, I suggest selecting all of the EAS Types and adding them to
the pool on the right. This can be made easy but clicking and holding the top option, and then pulling your mouse
down to the bottom of the table until all of the options are selected.
8. Move down to the Configure Available FIPS for Encoder Alert Origination Interfaces. For this option, you may
want to select the counties that are around your county (including your own county) or you can select all of the
counties in your state for use in later originated alerts. NOTE: By selecting your entire State FIPS Code, it will
send to all of the counties in your state, where as if you choose every county individually, you can customize
your encoded alert to go to specific counties. It is recommended that you select all of the counties individually
and also include your entire State FIPS code.
Now that your general Originated/Encoded alerts is set up we can configure different types of alerts.
What type of alert am I sending out? Well, there are a couple different alerts you can send out, and a few different ways
to go about it. Here are a few options:
1. Required Weekly Test
One thing that is required by the FCC is that your station sends out a weekly test. The DASDEC makes this process
very easy, and in most cases “hands free” because it can be set to do it automatically within a specified time during
the day/night.
To configure the Automatic Weekly test, follow these steps:
1. Go to
Setup > Encoder > Required Tests
2. Enable Automatic Random Required Weekly Test Generation by clicking on the check box. It will say
ENABLED when it is enabled. Note: If you do not want an automatic weekly test generation, then do not check
this box. By not checking that box, it means that if you want to send out a weekly test, you will have to send one
out manually every week.
3. After that box has been checked, a new set of options will appear. These options apply to the timing of the
automatic random weekly test generator. You can set the alert to forward during whatever hours you want, and
on specific days that you want. Note: If you don’t want the random RWT to interrupt your daily broadcast
programming, set the test to forward between something like 2 A.M. and 4 A.M. This time option is based on a
24 hr. clock.
4. Jump down to Configure One-Button and Automatic Weekly Test, and take a look at the options. You can
select the FIPS codes you will forward to, select the audio that is associated with your originated alert, and
change the length of time that your originated alert will be. It is recommended that you at least include your own
county in your required weekly test FIPS selection. To do this, just select your county and then click on the Add
Selected FIPS button. Also, configure your pre-announcement, announcement and your post-announcement
(you don’t need a pre or post announcement or any announcement at all. But, if you have an announcement
uploaded, you can use it here.)