[sbe-eas] CAP usage - Question on why the delay?

[Bob Reite]

CAP is going to be messages in the form of XML, which can be quite 
detailed.  My understanding is that CAP messages will go to a character 
generator for display on TV screens (with XML it can even be formatted 
to "look pretty" and maybe even include still photographs). At the same 
time the CAP XML formatted message will go to a text to speech converter 
for TV sound and radio.

On 6/22/11 12:08 PM, FRANK W BELL wrote:

> Dear Ken,

>

> While I agree that your points are quite valid, someone once said that

> politics is the art of the possible. So while I encourage your to make

> such a submission, I don't expect much progress until after the CAP

> deployment and the National Activation test are done. Unfortunately this

> means that some vendors may be selling equipment that is incapable of

> running the sort of software that such solutions require. So Caveat

> Emptor applies, and I have been unable to improve the situation. That is

> how life and project management is sometimes.

>

> Sincerely,

>

> Frank W. Bell

>

> frank.w.bell at usa.net <mailto:frank.w.bell at usa.net>

>

>

> ------ Original Message ------

> *Received: *Tue, 21 Jun 2011 09:40:44 PM EDT

> *From: *evansken.delmarva47 at verizon.net

> *To: *sbe-eas at sbe.org

> *Subject: *[sbe-eas] CAP usage - Question on why the delay?

>

>

>

>

> I want to file a comment on how the FCC is failing big time in providing

> Emergency messages which fully utilize the capabilities of CAP.

>

> The problem with PART 11 is it is it works good for Radio which uses

> just audio, but leaves TV and video providers with a real problem,

> because it does not carry through to provide the full emergency message

> in a visual form. Given the attitude of the discussion found in the

> third notice of proposed rule making and to be fully fair to those who

> are audibly challenged, maybe the entire Part 11 rule should ONLY allow

> the EAS header codes and NO VOCAL message at all. That way everyone gets

> exactly the same vague message. It would provide warning just as

> ineffectually that way for everyone.

>

>

> If we did it that way then FCC Part 11 would not violate the FCC's own

> rules concerning equal access to emergency information. And as they are

> requiring CAP with these rules, I think it is time they realized the

> value that CAP contains, including the vocal text message. So I would

> like to begin a discussion of what CAP can do! And why they should not

> shy away from giving it a purpose beginning with this Part 11 revision.

>

> The way I see CAP is that it is an extension of the tools in our warning

> tool box. It provides real answers to a lot of the short comings of the

> SAME method of EAS messages, in fact it will highly enhance the warnings

> people receive because it is a very flexible format that can be used in

> many ways.

>

> One of the short comings of EAS transmission is that first it takes 2

> minutes to receive it, then it takes two minutes to send it, and if any

> other messages come along too soon, it can cut the first one off before

> it finishes its emergency message. But CAP is a message that can be sent

> to a database, a large number of messages can be received by this

> database and pooled there for the people who distribute those messages

> to get. These messages in text form of data might take only seconds to

> retrieve with a good high speed connection. A broadcast station does not

> have to send out any messages not a part of their area. But when they

> find a message for their audience they can take that message, broadcast

> it, create a crawl using the text it includes, and even put the message

> onto their station web page as news for their audience to read. Not only

> can they get the message, but map images for the affected area, pictures

> of people involved (like a child who was abducted), even instructions to

> help those people survive in the effected area.

>

> Messages in CAP can be set up in a cue to air as needed. Not something

> we can do with regular SAME messages. CAP can even be repeated if

> desired throughout the active life of the event. The text in a CAP alert

> can be vocalized by automated delivery systems easily. We all know that

> the NWS uses these for NOAA Weather Radio. And for those who have a news

> department, having the text and other information that a CAP message can

> provide, the anchors will have something they can read on air as they

> begin covering the event. SAME messages are lost any time another EAS

> message is received. But CAP messages can be retained and used again if

> needed. A good CAP system can even send out emails and text messages

> about EAS events to those who would like to receive them.

>

> So why are we limiting it to just the SAME message header? Am I right?

> Is it possible for CAP to do that much? What do you think? Am I wrong

> about what CAP can do? Did I miss something?

>

> Ken Evans

>

>

>

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