Back in the days the EBS was created to allow everyone to access their TV to allow them to see what the emergency is, nuked or terror. What will become of the EBS if Analog tv's can not pick up the warnings because the frequency is gone? Yeah sure every person will be seeing the Sports and movies but as I recall there used to be a FCC regulation that stated all people will be able to pick up the EBS on thier TV's in Analog. Now with the introduction of DTV (Which so far has made life miserable even for my enabled TV's in my Class A) Pixelated TV is not my idea of a clear uninterrupted signal. What will become of that clear EBS system if a foriegn entity decides to take out the signal which is easier that the direct line of site signal? I will feel like a Mushroom in the dark being fed on lies or worse.
My 2 cent's may not make a difference to you, but it will someday. Please comment, I'd like to here your thoughts and the fixes to the problem.
Thanks
The Alaskan Knight
* This post was
edited 06/29/08 10:34am by AlaskanKnight *
The current EBS system is in major trouble anyway as the general public is so splintered in the way information is received. Radio is now divided between ground and satellite service, television is split between satellite, cable, and off-the air reception. The broadcast industry estimates only about 15% of the population will use off-the air reception not long after the digital cutover next February.
Many cities are trying to pass taxes to cover the cost of reverse 911 systems to replace the aging and obsolete EBS system.
1: EBS applies to Digital signals as well.. I have seen EBS tests on 7-2 here in Detroit (NOTE: the only reason I've not seen it on other digital channels is I watch 7-2 and only 7-2)
One assumes that when the country goes 100% digital the broadcasters will do what they have to do to bring you a clear signal.
NOTE: that with analog not everyone can receive television now.
Page 2:
I have in my motor home a nice small pocket size device, mostly yellow, that says "ALL HAZARDS RADIO" on it.. It was made by midland and tunes (here in Detroit) 162.55 MHZ, digi-log In the event of a tornado, flood, freeze Fire, High winds or Thermonuclear war (Among other things),,, It will alarm, Far more effective than the television.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
I have a battery operated hand-held television, and I'm going to presume that something will be transmitted via analog, especially in an emergency. There's a reason they are clearing the airwaves, although I haven't heard exactly why yet. Presume it has to do with security and control of the signal - harder for hackers to play (so they think). Now if I could find a digital tube tv/radio combination that'd hold up the an EMP burst....
2000 Pace Arrow Vision, 36B, 2 slides, Ford V10 - Live in it full time
1976 Ford F250 Ranger XLT
2003 Indian Chief
Patriot Guard Rider
Bad assumption Lyman.. Once the transition to Digital is complete the TV stations will no longer have the ABILITY to transmit analog
Get a "Weather Radio" now properly called Weather/All Hazards, and then you will get the signal (at least in most of the country you will get the warning)
NOTE: at 162.55 Mhz) less than 2 meters wavelength) it is possible the radio may survive an EMP.. Analog Televisions go down to around 5 Meters wavelength if the antenna is full out the odds of them surviving an EMP are poor... Unless they are very old and all tube type. (The antenna is 1/4 the wave length and it's right around 2 feet of antenna that they tell me EMP can pop transistors.. They THINK... Of course if the EMP is close enough.. You won't care)
I wouldn't bet they won't have the ability - at least for a while - surely some will mothball the old equipment if they can afford it, while others will sell it to try to recoup some measure of depreciation they've been charging on the books.
As for weather, I look up. EMP can be quite close as long as it is not created by a blast. It can and almost monthy is created without a blast my the military and Sandia National Labs for testing purposes.
Now as for the signal, ABC has said it WILL broadcast analog for at least a year after the deadline. And since there was no deadline for translators, all Alaska based stations will be broadcasting analog. (Just a couple examples).
Also, per dtv.com, "Changing to a digital format will free up the analog signal capacity, some of which will be made available to first-responders such as local police and fire departments. This will enhance public safety across the country."
So it sounds like there will be some information available via analog.
The FCC is already taking (or has taken) bids on the VHF low band and the upper part of the UHF band. I don't know how much is going to go to Police/Fire/Public safety.. I very strongly suspect it's going to go to Pager and 2-way radio services
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