Apr 11, 2012 - Following the FCC's EAS rules update released in March 2012, one change that was enacted was to disallow text-to-speech on EAS equipment. This change takes effect on April 23, 2012. By default, EAS equipment is shipped with text-to-speech disabled, so unless it has been enabled, stations don't need to make any changes.

Following are instructions on how to disable text-to-speech (TTS) for certain EAS units.

Digital Alert Systems Dasdec
Go to Setup > Net Alerts > CAP Decoder > uncheck the box labeled "CAP Text Message to Speech when CAP alert audio not available." Then click "Accept Changes." TTS is now disabled.

The specific instructions are in this PDF: www.digitalalertsystems.com/pdf/apndas-0128.pdf

Sage Alerting Systems Endec
Sage has released firmware version 1.0h/74-2, which provides a way to turn TTS off and on.

TFT EAS3320
Firmware versions V.1.2.1 and V.1.2.2 do not have TTS available. Later versions have a check box in the set up menu.

Trilithic EasyCAP
Just log onto the system and uncheck the "Use Text-to-Speech" box under either General or Audio/Text Options, on either Windows or Linux versions, respectively.

On the Trilithic next-Gen EASyCAP integrated system, the uncheck box is prominently displayed.