When we moved REC Networks/J1 Radio to the east coast, we were well aware of the possibility of tropical conditions that could result in power outages over multiple days. The current event, Hurricane Sandy is being called a "Frankenstorm" by national news media here in the USA as it exhibits characteristics unlike other storms. The specific area of concern is that in addition to this storm, there is a front moving from the west. Forecasters are stating that the hurricane can "attract" itself to the front resulting in an increase in intensity. Most of the forecast models put the Delmarva peninsula, where J1 is located, either right in the middle or elsewhere in the path.
If we lose power at J1:
- J1's main feed will go to a basic mode. This will be music that we uploaded to Live365. We will try to get some updated music into this feed before we lose power. Otherwise, there is an older playlist there.
UPDATE: The Basic Mode playlist has been updated with new releases from May~October, 2012.
- J1-HD will also go to basic mode but due to the type of service that it is, it has a much smaller playlist. Pretty much, J1-HD will be rendered useless.
- J1's main feed will go to a 60 listener free capacity. At the same time, for non-VIP listeners, J1 will have commercials inserted by Live365. (Same with J1-HD)
- There will be no scheduled programming (Countdown Show, Memory Box, NHK News, Michiasa Music, etc.)
- There will be no travel and weather reports.
- The Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) system will be offline.
- There will be no live Twitter updates of the station playlist.
- The J1 Travel twitter site will go offline and there will be limited travel updates on the J1 Radio website.
- The J1 website will remain online with most functions except the playlist and the travel reports being updated.
- When J1 goes to Basic mode, you may continue to use the same URLs and bookmarks to listen.
- Mobile devices will still work.
As soon as internet service and power is stable, we will start to bring systems back up. We will make announcements on our staff Twitter site (@J1_Staff) and our Facebook (http://facebook.com/j1radio) as services come back up.
For those in the northeastern USA who will be riding out this storm with us, hang in there. がんばれ、ね！ We'll see you on the other side!
Michiko