TAB Posts 2024 Texas EAS Required Monthly Test Schedule

posted on 11.20.2023

-    Final 2023 Texas EAS RMT Set for Dec. 5

The Primary Entry Point (PEP) stations that originate the Texas Emergency Alert System (EAS) Required Monthly Test (RMT) have released the 2024 Texas EAS RMT schedule. 

View download the 2024 EAS RMT schedule.

TAB posts this information on our 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 (Texas State EAS Plan, page 20).
If the RMT falls on a holiday, the RMT is scheduled for the next day per the Texas State EAS Plan.

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.

The RMT occurs during a two-hour window for each month as set forth in the schedule.

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 does not 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 2023 will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 5, between 4:45-6:45 AM.

REMINDER: Update EAS ENDEC Software by Dec. 12

Stations are required to install software updates to their EAS encoding/decoding devices by Dec. 12 to effectuate various operational changes adopted by the FCC.

The changes include prioritized Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) polling, changes in the text for the Presidential alert event code, and a new script for the National Periodic Test.

These updates may come with additional charges, depending on a station’s particular subscription, and stations should be vigilant in seeking and activating those updates.

Manufacturers include Sage Alerting Systems, Gorman-Redlich and Digital Alert Systems.

The importance of keeping ENDEC software updated was underscored by the experience of some stations across the country that failed to receive the Oct. 4 test.

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

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