EAS Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield EAS facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What must an EAS encoder/decoder do when it receives a Presidential-level EAN alert? → Automatically relay it without requiring manual intervention
2. What are EAS testing errors? → Instances of broadcasting unauthorized tests and omitting end-of-message tones
3. Regarding WEA opt-out policies, which alert type can users NOT opt out of receiving? → Presidential Alerts
4. What must an EAS participant do upon receiving an Emergency Action Notification (EAN)? → Immediately cease regular programming and broadcast the presidential alert
5. What device do broadcast stations use to receive and decode EAS alert messages? → EAS encoder/decoder
6. What EAS event code is used for an Earthquake Warning? → EQW
7. What is the consequence for a broadcast station that willfully transmits a false EAS message? → Criminal penalties under 47 USC 325 and significant FCC fines
8. In what year did the FCC first require EAS decoders to be capable of receiving CAP-formatted alerts via IPAWS? → 2012
9. In an EAS SAME header, what does the '+' character between the originator and event codes signify? → It is a field separator used in the SAME protocol string format
10. Which EAS event code is used for an Amber Alert (child abduction emergency)? → CAE
11. What information must be included in an EAS Participant's log for each Required Weekly Test? → Date, time, and whether the test was sent, received, or missed
12. How long is a Required Weekly Test (RWT) transmission typically? → Under 2 minutes including header tones and EOM
13. What major flaw did the 2011 Nationwide EAS Test reveal? → Many decoders failed to parse the message and produced garbled audio
14. What is the role of a Local Primary (LP) station in the EAS relay chain? → To serve as the first relay point for EAS messages within a local area
15. What does the EAS event code 'RWT' represent? → Required Weekly Test
16. What must an authorized alert originator obtain before sending WEA messages through IPAWS? → IPAWS credentials and a Collaborative Operating Group (COG) ID
17. Which EAS event code is associated with a Blizzard Warning? → BZW
18. Which type of EAS participant is required to comply with the most extensive EAS obligations under FCC rules? → National EAS Participants (NEPs), including networks and national cable programmers
19. What does the originator code 'NWS' indicate in an EAS SAME header? → The alert was originated by the National Weather Service
20. Can an EAS Participant delay a Required Monthly Test to avoid preempting breaking news? → No — RMTs must be relayed within 60 minutes regardless of programming
21. Which EAS event code is used for the Required Weekly Test? → RWT
22. What is the purpose of the EAS encoder in a broadcast station's alert system? → To generate and transmit EAS alert messages
23. What event code is used for a Flash Flood Warning in the EAS system? → FFW
24. Which EAS event code is used for an AMBER Alert (child abduction emergency)? → CAE
25. What was CONELRAD's primary communication method for reaching the public? → AM radio broadcasts on 640 or 1240 kHz only
26. What does 'CAP' stand for in the context of modern EAS technology? → Common Alerting Protocol
27. When did FEMA launch the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS)? → 2008
28. What was the key advantage of the SAME protocol introduced with EAS over the old EBS tone system? → SAME enabled geographic targeting so only affected areas receive specific alerts
29. What on-air announcement typically precedes a nationwide EAS test? → A voice disclaimer stating the following is only a test
30. Which event code is used when the EAS is activated for a Nuclear Power Plant Warning? → NPW