I just would like to know how often and when does the FCC does their weekly test on the cable and or sat during the week for everyone. Also for how long, is it on all channels at the same time or not. What I mean by how long, is how long each time they do it, and how many times that night or day it's done.

This one time a few weeks ago, it was done longer than it was supposed to be done. It was said that the FCC is doing a weekly test between 1159pm to 159am. Well 159 came and went, and they were still doing it every 15 minutes or so for at least another hour or more.

I know that it's a great thing to have, but it does get very annoying when problems like this comes up. I dont know how it works, nor do I understand why someone can't be at the site that broadcasts this all the time. Like have the equpiment at a tv station or cable company or something.

Well anyways, put down how often you receive the test, how long do they last. Is it on every channel, like it is here for me including digital but in a different manor. Also, how many times for how long of a time peroid.

Rob

Test? What does it do?

Your telling me that Canada doesn't have a test for some type of emergency thing on the tv or radio? It's just in case something happens, the gov will be able to broadcast instructions or whatever over the radio or tv any time and on any channel they want to.

Im sure you've seen Twister, well remember some sceans where there's an EBS on the tv. Or even on ID-4, where they annouced to start the EBS when the presidint and company walks out of the white house to look at the giant spaceship.

That is what I am talking about.

Oh, that. As far as I know, Canada does indeed not have one (only ever seen it on US stations). It's not like anything ever happens up here! :-)

Now, if something DID happen, they'd just use the CBC, since that's pretty much everywhere (both radio & TV).

Same here, Nothing really happens here. For the 25 years that I've been alive, I never seen the EBS in use. Not even during the 911 attacks, and I live the next state over from NY, which is Connecticut if you didn't know which state I was in.

But there again, every news channel that that covered, so basicaly there was no need for the EBS for us. Honestly, I am not even sure it is ever used. The only place that I could think of that really uses the system is in tornado valley. (Which by the way up in Canada as well, just not as bad of course). With a hurricane, what is the need? I mean you know about it days in advance. So I believe that we should stop this testing in areas where it's not needed. Or at least make it a monthly test, instead of weekly. And test during the off peak hours of viewing tv. What makes me poed about it, is the fact that when it comes on in my area, it takes over the whole cable system. There is NO point what so ever to change the channel. It's on every channel on my cable system. Which is Comcast by the way. I called them once for when the testing went way beyond the time that it was supposed to be on. The rep from Comcast told me that the FCC was having problems with their equipment. That right there tells me that Comcast has nothing to do with it. But there again Im just a little person in a multi $ a day business.


Rob

I have seen it used in the US, just curious are you sure it is centrally run and not by the stations (i.e. the FCC might force its existence and its testing, but I don't know if they actually decide what messages and stuff are shown) the reason I ask is that,like I said above, I have seen it, but if memory is right it is always the same US channels that tend to over use it. I also think that it exists here. I can't remember when was the last time it was used for weather, but I remember a few years ago it was used for an Amber alert It was displayed on all stations Canadian and US. Montreal is less then 1h drive to the US border.

"This is a test of the Emergency Broadcast System -- this is only a test...."

Of course in the case of a real emergency it's likely that all forms of electronic telecommunication will be blacked out by an EMP. We, on the other hand, with our tin cans and bits of string will be laughing.

Imagine that using strings, what if someone cuts them or they break for any other reason? That is why we use smoke signals as back up to EBS. Any day you can see people around their buildings taking breaks to practice their smoke signals

Fine, just so long as it's not a windy day.

Yeah. Where was the EBS during 911? As much as we all practice it (personally, I really pay attention concentrate and I am very focused when they announce the test) all the way until the end when they re-confirm that this HAS in fact been a test.

Hmmm, just think of the confusion if, for some reason, they forget to re-confirm that it has been a test. Don't get that with tin cans and string, but then we don't get much at all.

I bet AG Bells first telephone conversation must have been something like this- AG Bell "Well f***, it works!!!"