American Family Radio, a non-profit organization that
owns and operates nearly 200 radio stations across the country, has selected Ka
You Communications and VSAT Systems to help them become EAS CAP compliant.
Ka You and VSAT will provide the necessary IP (Internet
Protocol) link to 156 of AFR’s transmitter sites.
The FCC has established a deadline of September 30, 2011
for radio operators to have all of their transmitter sites reliably connected
to the Internet and able to receive and relay EAS (Emergency Alert System)
messages under the new CAP (Common Alerting Protocol).
All EAS CAP messages sent to the IPAWS (Integrated Public
Alert and Warning System) database by government agencies will be retrieved via
the Internet. The new protocol allows for the sending of voice, video, text,
and graphic messages. The September deadline is in preparation for the
national EAS test scheduled for November 9th, 2011.
The Ka You/VSAT solution, named IPReady, provides an
Internet link at even the most remote transmitter locations. Because the
connection is satellite-based, it can be established independent of terrestrial
lines.
The IPReady solution includes a static (routable) IP
address, reliable Internet connectivity and professional support.
Customers receive a satellite antenna, modem, BUC, and feed assembly. Ka
You Communications provides installation services, and VSAT Systems offers 24/7
network monitoring.
Ka You and VSAT Systems say that, most of the time,
operators can use the same satellite dish they are already using to receive
program content. This eliminates the need for an additional tower lease.
However, if a new dish is needed, Ka You satellite
specialists can perform the installation, with Ka You and VSAT Systems
providing around-the-clock technical support and customer service.
IPReady utilizes the iDirect
satellite platform to link all transmitters to the network. From an iDirect 5IF
satellite hub at its Akron, Ohio-based teleport, VSAT Systems is able to
provide secure, reliable two-way IP satellite communications to AFR’s
transmitter sites.
At the remote transmitter site, an iDirect satellite
router connects to a remote control unit that enables the AFR to monitor
critical transmitter and antenna functions from a central location.
“IPReady does so much more than simply allow us to
connect with IPAWS for EAS CAP compliance. It also provides easy monitoring of
all our transmitters from our headquarters, and that has real value,” said
Joey Moody, chief engineer of American Family Radio.
By Telecomlead.com Team
editor@telecomlead.com
