EAN

Messages from the Emergency Broadcast System on February 20, 1971
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A tech at the National Warning Center accidentally transmitted this message to 5000 radio and 800 TV stations. It included the code word "hatefulness" that meant it was the real deal. DJs and news people all over the country were told to broadcast an emergency message and shut of their transmitters. A small number did that because the message arrived at the scheduled time of a test.
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A tech at the National Warning Center accidentally transmitted this message to 5000 radio and 800 TV stations. It included the code word "hatefulness" that meant it was the real deal. DJs and news people all over the country were told to broadcast an emergency message and shut of their transmitters. A small number did that because the message arrived at the scheduled time of a test.

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  • A tech at the National Warning Center accidentally transmitted this message to 5000 radio and 800 TV stations. It included the code word "hatefulness" that meant it was the real deal. DJs and news people all over the country were told to broadcast an emergency message and shut of their transmitters. A small number did that because the message arrived at the scheduled time of a test.
  • UPI followed up with this message, but only messages from the National Warning Center could be official.
  • Then the National Warning Center said it was the wrong tape, but didn't include the code word to end the emergency.
  • They sent an "official" message but used the code word to declare an emergency, not the code word to stop it.
  • Finally, they sent a cancellation message with the word "impish" that made it officially a mistake.
  • Here is the UPI story that ran at the top of the next hour.
  • This is the list of code words for the first quarter of 1971. You can see the words for February 20. This paper was in a sealed envelope that was required to be posted in every station. Usually the envelope was hanging on the bulletin board closest to the DJ on duty. The teletype was outside but could always be heard when it dinged.
  • Not a great copy. This was the envelope that was in the booth.
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