The Coast Guard received a radio beacon alert around 10:40 a.m.

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Mr. RICHARDS: Well, we got on all the known radio stations and our weather alert systems.

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Japanese company Sohgo Security Services has developed the "Guardrobo D1, " a meter-tall robot that can patrol offices, homes or stores, watch for trouble using digital cameras and sensors, and alert human guards via radio if it detects a problem.

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More parts are coming with radio frequency ID (RFID) tags to automatically alert airlines and manufacturers of a problem.

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He was located with the help of a new nationwide alert system that makes intense use of radio and television announcements as well as public notices at train stations and on highways.

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Those more assertive efforts eventually led to the AMBER alert system, which broadcasts news about missing children on TV, radio, the Internet, mobile phones, lottery tickets and highway signs.

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Consumers can still expect the test to look and sound very similar to the local tests of the Emergency Alert System that are already conducted frequently in local markets on TV and radio.

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When a typhoon is expected to land in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Observatory is prepared with a comprehensive alert system that issues hourly summaries of weather warnings through the news and radio.

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According to Israel's army radio, army chief Lieutenant General Gaby Ashkenazi had ordered ground, air and naval forces to be on alert.

BBC: New security measures could remain in place for months