Q:Do you have any information on the upcoming EAN test? What should I do and how should I prepare? A:There are a number of resources available with information on the upcoming EAN test scheduled for November 9, 2011 at 2:00 PM EDT. Starting with our summary White Paper titled Preparing for the National EAS Test Information and Preparation for DASDEC™ Users Additional information is available from FEMA with their "Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test Informational Toolkit". This document helps readers understand the nature of the test and several considerations in preparing for the test. Additional resources are the sample scripts for voicing information to the public with FEMA prepared examples and actual voiced examples sample 1, sample 2 and Spanish. Click here for more information from FEMA regarding the National EAS Test.
Q:Do you have samples of the high-quality male and female voices in your Text-to-Speech option? A:Yes we have downloadable sample of both of the male voices “David”, "William" and a female voice “Allison”. Also a French male voice "Jean Pierre. Just click on the names to get the samples.
Q:How long is your warranty? A:Digital Alert Systems warrants it’s originally manufactured hardware products to be free from defects in material, workmanship and construction, except for batteries, which may be contained therein, and when used in accordance with this owner’s manual will perform to applicable specifications for a period of two years after original delivery.
Q: Can the DASDEC be configured for Centralcasting in a Remote/Host configuration? A: Yes it can. Each DASDEC can be configured either as a remote or a central host via the optional EAS-Net communications software. Up to 8 DASDEC’s can communicate with one host. The DASDEC-Intelligent Remote (DASDEC-IR) is packaged specifically for this application as a fully functioning EAS decoder, it can process alerts independent of the host if the connection is lost or broken. Moreover, the audio from the radios can be streamed over the network, back to the host or to any properly configured browser. In addition to forwarding the alerts to the host, the remote units can also trigger alerts at their locations.
Q: Can a single DASDEC control a standard Cable system along with an IPTV system? A: Yes it can. However, an additional license key for EAS-Net will be required. Also, in some applications, depending on the Middleware used, the optional MPEG encoder may be required, or an external encoder could be used.
Q: Do I need to setup anything in the DASDEC when connecting a 988 Override Interface to it? A: No you don’t. The DASDEC is defaulted to listen for an alert from the 988 when connected as shown in the 988 manual.
Q: Is there a way to listen to the radio sources? A: Yes. This can be done locally by selecting (HOW) to play through the front panel speaker or on any of the audio outputs. If the unit is at a remote location, you can listen to the audio for any of the radio as an MP3 stream. The easiest way to enable the radio output is by going to the Audio > Radio Tuners tab
Q: Can the DASDEC be configured in a Master/Slave configuration? A: Yes it can. Multiple Slave units can send alert information to the Master unit using our EAS-Net protocol. When units are configured in this way many radio sources be received by the Slave units, that can’t be received at the Master units location, and forward the to the Master unit for processing. In addition to forwarding the alerts to the Master, the Slave units can also trigger alerts at their locations.
Q: Is there a way to tell when my Automatic Random Required Weekly Test will be triggered? A: Yes there is, even though the tests must be random, it’s nice to know when it will be triggered in a given week. If the Automatic Random Required Weekly Test is turned then Sunday morning immediately after midnight the DASDEC randomly schedules the RWT for the week. If you go to either the Encoder or Decoder tab and select all alerts, the scheduled alert will be displayed in yellow. The exact time the alert will be displayed is shown in this box.
Q: Can the DASDEC generate its own random Required Weekly Test? A: Yes it can. The user can configure the dates and time range used for this under Setup >Encoder > Required Tests
Q: Does the DASDEC provide a way to back up its setup? A: Yes it does. This is done under Setup > Server> Configuration management. All of the setup, except for network settings, is backed up. This back up file can be downloaded to a remote PC or Server.
Q: Where can I find the software version of my DASDEC? A: This can be found on the front panel display, and on any of the Web pages in the upper right hand corner under the Digital Alert Systems logo.
Q: Where do I find the DASDEC’s S/N and Platform ID in the web interface? A: Both of these can be found on the login page, and the Server > Main license page if you have Software version 1.8-1 or later.
Q: How many R190A Network GPO controllers can communicate with a single DASDEC? A: Eight.
Q: Can the DASDEC be connected to more than one network? A: Yes, depending on your DASDEC model there are a few options for attaching to multiple networks. Note both DASDEC-I and DASDEC-II feature a single Ethernet 10/100 (RJ-45) port on the back as standard. For the original DASDEC-I units, a USB to Ethernet adapter (i.e. Belkin F5D5050) may be purchased at most computer/office supply stores (Digital Alert Systems does not sell this device) and simply connect to either of the USB ports on the back of the DASDEC. After attaching the adapter, log into the DASDEC to configure the additional port under Setup > Network. The setup is exactly the same and is displayed by placing a check mark in the Second Network Interface box.For DASDEC-II models the USB adapter mentioned above will add a second Ethernet port, or for greater flexibility purchase the EXP-NIC3 Triple Port Ethernet Expansion option. This FACTORY INSTALLED ONLY option adds three (3) additional 10/100 Ethernet ports for a total of four (4) unique Ethernet network links. Please contact the factory for information on adding Once installed EXP-NIC3 Triple Port Ethernet Expansion option to a currently installed unit.
Q: Can the DASDEC be configure to forward or disregard a duplicate alert that was received on more than one of the radio sources being monitored? A: Yes it can. The DASDEC is defaulted to forward duplicate alerts. To change the setting so that the duplicate alert will not be forwarded, go to Setup, click on the Decoder button and change it.
Q: Does the DASDEC support creating or customizing non-EAS messages? A: Yes it does. When purchased and installed the CMPlus option allows the user to type a custom message that can be sent out with a computer generated text to speech conversion. This option eliminates the need for a telephone call in device.
Q: How do I determine the DASDEC’s IP address if I’m using DHCP? A: The DASDEC’s current IP address can be viewed on the scrolling front panel display
Q: Can I trigger a test alert remotely through the Web interface? A: Yes you can. This is done by clicking on the Encoder tab, the Send EAS button, followed by either the General EAS tab or the One-Button EAS tab. The One-Button tab sends out a preconfigured Required weekly Test just like pressing the One-Button on the front of the unit.
Q: Does the DASDEC allow different levels of access into the device? A: Yes it does. The DASDEC allows the Administrator to create multiple user logins, each with their own password and access level, ranging from “View Only” to full “Administration” privileges.
Q: Can the DASDEC control my external character generator? A: Yes the DASDEC supports most external serial controlled CG’s. Programming for this is done under Setup > Video/CG
Q: Do I need to adjust the DASDEC clock during Daylight Savings Time (DST)? A: No you don’t. The DASDEC automatically adjusts the clock to compensate for changes between Daylight Savings and Standard Time
Q: Can the DASDEC be linked to a NTP, Network Time Protocol, server? A: Yes it can. This is set up under Setup > Time at the bottom of the page.
Q: How do I get the logs out of the DASDEC if there’s no built in printer? A: The first way is to program the DASDEC to email them either on a weekly or monthly basis. This is done under Setup > Email > Event Email. Simply print or store the logs from the email client.A: The second way is to log into the DASDEC using a remote PC and a browser and either print them from there or download them and save them as a .txt file. This can be done in either the Encoder, or Decoder tab followed by clicking on the All Alerts button so that all of the activity will be displayed. The date range that you want to view can also be selected on these pages
Q: What alerts types have to be forwarded according to the FCC guidelines? A: Required Monthly Test (RMT), Required Weekly Test (RWT) if not using the Automatic Required Weekly Test (Setup > Encoder > Required Tests), National Emergency Action Notification (EAN), and National Emergency Action Termination (EAT). This alert forwarding is programmed in Setup > Decoder
Q:I’m receiving my Required Monthly Tests from my LP1 and LP2. They show up in the log as being decoded. Why are they not being forwarded on to my system? A: The Required Monthly Test has not been added into Current Decoder Auto-Forwarded EAS Codes under Setup > Decoder OR A: The Required Monthly Test was originated for the entire state and that FIPS code was not added to the Current Decoder Auto-Forwarded FIPS under Setup > Decoder
Q:How does EAS work? A: All EAS systems are designed to monitor at least two radio stations, typically referred to as Local Primary One and Local Primary Two (LP1 & LP2 respectively) for EAS alerts as they are originated or propagated by federal, state, or local authorities. Optionally a NOAA radio input may be used as a 3rd source for weather alerts. Within the alert tone accompanying an EAS alert resides an AFSK data string containing key data about the alert, i.e. alert type, duration, FIPS (geographic location code), etc. The DASDEC Encoder/Decoder then processes the information, places an appropriate “canned” message and passes through the audio supplied by the radio source.In television or electronic signage applications a text message is displayed, either by a crawl overlay of the existing programming, or as a full-page message on a channel, at the same time the message audio is played. While the means of accomplishing this depends on whether it is analog, digital or IP, the viewer experiences these alerts in one of these two formats.For more information visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_Alert_System
Q: What are the FCC requirements? A: REQUIREMENTS- The FCC has outlined in their Part 11 document both the essential operational features of the EAS Encoder/Decoder and the responsibility of the participants. In short your Emergency Alert System must have a certified Encoder/Decoder (or optional Decoder only for systems under 5,000 suds), monitor a primary (LP1) and secondary (LP2) radio station, based on your locale and as assigned in your state EAS plan. It must respond to and pass through a required weekly test (RWT), required monthly test (RMT) and a national emergency (EAN). All other alert types, including weather, Amber, Local, etc., are not mandated by the FCC and are done as a company policy or as requirement of a particular franchise agreement. Events must be logged, either electronically or in print and be available for an FCC inspector. An EAS handbook is available from the FCC here. HISTORY- The current Emergency Alert System (EAS) is an outgrowth of the need to notify the public dating back to 1951, with the establishment of CONELRAD. In 1963 this was replaced by Emergency Broadcast System (EBS), which included the two-tone alert signal. In 1990 President George H.Bush directed that a system be put in place so that national emergencies could be quickly communicated with the public. This resulted in the current EAS, which brought in broadcasters (1997), large cable systems(1998), small cable systems(2002, with some waivers out to 2005) and finally satellite and IPTV providers (2007).For more information visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_Alert_System