From the various web presentations that have followed, a number of questions were answered, and we present the information you need to know here:

Q. When will this EAS happen? What test code will be used?
A. November 9, 2011 at 2:00 PM, EST. That is a Wednesday. It will be an EAN.

Q. Why 2PM on November 9th?
A. The date is a compromise, trying to wedge between the hurricane season in the Southeast and the severe Winter weather that starts in many places in November. The time was chosen to be during working hours in most of the US, but avoiding Morning and Afternoon Drive as much as possible.

Q. How long will the test last?
A. Most likely just over 3 minutes. The goal is to go past the two-minute timeout for most all other tests and alerts, and prove the receiver will stay "open."

Q. Will the test be read by the President?
A. No. The President's voice will not be heard.

Q. Will the test follow the format in the EAS Handbook every station is required to have?
Q. Will the test end with an EAT code?
A. No. The test will consist of an EAN, the audio message, and an EOM (End of Message). There will be no EAT code used.

Q. Do I have to have a new EAS/CAP receiver installed prior to participate in the test?
A. No. This first test is to use what we call the "legacy" or current system. There is, at this moment, no consensus at the Commission as to another delay on the EAS/CAP receivers that are currently "required" as of September 30th, even if there is nothing to feed them.

Q. How will the test get to our station?
A. The test will originate at the Federal Operations Center. It will them go through the PEP (Primary Entry Point) stations, as well as on the NPR satellite system. The test will not be on NOAA Weather Radio.

Q. Do I have to specially program anything into our EAS receiver?
A. No. The EAN is built into all receivers. According to the manufacturers, all receivers getting a proper input signal should respond properly. 

Q. What Codes should I see being used?
A. The Originator Code will be PEP. The Location Code will be for Washington, DC: 11001. Some receivers may also work with the "All U.S. Code," 00000, but the current plan is to use the Washington DC Code.

Q. How will the Public be informed of the test, to educate and reduce panic?
A. FEMA and the FCC plan a series of press releases and public service announcements. FEMA promises to get material out "early" and hopes to get broadcasters, cable operators, Emergency Managers and 911 Centers, state and local EAS committees, and local news media involved.

Q. I have heard there is some report that will be required. What is that?
A. After the test, each station will be required to report on the test reception, likely via an Internet web page.

Q. What happens if the test does not go well at my station? Will there be fine?
A. The FCC has been unclear, stating their goal is learn how successful the test is. While they cannot waive enforcement, they do seem to realize it is test and educational situation, and do not envision that any fines will be assessed unless it is clear that a station has purposely refused to cooperate with the test procedure.

Here is the FEMA News Release.

Here is the FCC FAQ on the National EAS test.

The FEMA Best Practices Guide pdf is here.

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