Last chance to prep for Texas IPAWS/EAS test Feb. 24

posted on 2.16.2016

Texas broadcasters have a few more days to prepare for FEMA’s next regional IPAWS/EAS test on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 1:20 PM CT. The test message will use the National Periodic Test (NPT) event code with an audio message that sounds very much like a typical Required Monthly Test text.

FEMA posted online its recent webinar explaining IPAWS for the layman and which also provides background on Feb. 24 test. 

Station management, program directors and news personnel can view this 48-minute non-technical webinar here.

Texas is one of 22 states slated for the test. The test message will use the National Periodic Test (NPT) event code with an audio message that sounds very much like a typical Required Monthly Test text.  

This test does NOT take the place of that week’s Required Weekly Test (RWT). 

Participation in the test is completely voluntary and FEMA assures the test will be conducted in a no-risk environment. 

The test will help participants confirm how their systems will respond to an NPT before the mandatory test scheduled for early December. 

Previous tests have revealed that many television operations face significant challenges when it comes to audio insertion, program muting or ducking, as well as scroll generation and placement on main and digital sub-channels.

Questions? Contact TAB's Oscar Rodriguez or call (512) 322-9944.

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