Broadcasters Release 2020 Emergency Alert System Required Monthly Test Schedule

posted on 12.02.2019

The Primary Entry Point (PEP) stations that originate the Texas EAS RMT have released the 2020 RMT schedule.  Stations can review and download the 2020 EAS RMT schedule on the TAB website.   

Download schedule here

TAB posts this information on its website so stations will know in advance when the tests will take place.

WBAP-AM Dallas-Fort Worth and KTRH-AM Houston set the schedule annually with input from the Texas State Networks (TSN).  In accordance with the Texas State EAS Plan, the PEP stations initiate the RMT on the Tuesday of the first full week of each month. 

Although it does not happen in 2020, if the RMT were to fall on a holiday, the Texas State EAS Plan dictates the test will take place on the following Wednesday.  While not a holiday, the November 2020 RMT does fall on Nov. 3, the general election date, as it generally does, pardon the pun.

The RMT occurs during a two-hour window for each month as set forth in the schedule.  In accordance with 47 CFR 11.61, the FCC’s Tests of EAS Procedures regulations, the RMT occurs during the daytime or nighttime depending on whether it is an even or odd month. 

Apart from the Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston EAS regions, other Texas EAS regions receive the RMT via either a daisy chain relay of broadcast stations or by the Texas State Networks’ satellite dissemination.

If a station doesn’t receive the RMT, the FCC requires station staff to make “a good faith effort” to determine why it was not received.  This is as simple as making an inquiry with either of the local primary stations for that EAS region and noting the inquiry details in the station’s EAS log.

The EAS RMTs are conducted by broadcasters, not TAB.  TAB does not receive EAS tests and cannot advise whether a local RMT was received and forwarded to stations in a Texas EAS region.  It is best, instead, for stations to contact their local primary stations directly for this information.

The final Texas EAS RMT of 2019 took take place this week on Tuesday, Dec. 3. 

Questions? Contact TAB’s Michael Schneider or call (512) 322-9944.

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