Now in its 30th year, Information Station Specialists is the nation's best known source for Information Radio Stations (TIS/HAR), Advisory Signs and the specialized services required to transmit spoken messages to citizens. ISS is the only such source providing products entirely made in America.
 
   
 

Operators' Zone . . .

 
   Last Updated: 04/09/2013
news
An Attractive Idea!

Jan 2013: Peabody, Massachusetts, uses refrigerator magnets to tout streamed and over-the-air broadcasts. See the story.


A Much-Needed Compliance appliance

Jan 2013: ISS introduces an inexpensive new device (the SMR Receiver) that operators can use to monitor and measure their radio stations' signals to ensure compliance with FCC rules. At $143, it costs much less than traditional scientific measurement devices and places operators more in control of stations. See the story.


OPERATORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ASK FCC TO UPDATE RULES FOR EMERGENCY BROADCASTS

See the story.


Join a Professional Association for Information Radio Station Operators

The American Association of Information Radio Operators founded in July 2008, invites your membership. Belonging is free and offers many professional benefits. See the group's mission; join and sign their petition to the FCC requesting clarity regarding types of emergency messages broadcasted.


Recording Services

ISS professional voices can help ensure that your broadcasts sound crisp, current and professional. Sign up for free or commissioned recording services described on this webpage.


How to Report NOAA Station Problems to the National Weather Service

Did you know the National Weather Services has a way to report NWS stations that are off the air or experiencing quality issues? If your system has an EAS/weather radio receiver and you discover the NWS station that sends audio to your area is either down or distorted, it's important to report the problem to the NWS immediately. Such issues affect your broadcasts directly. Click here to go to a spot on the National Weather Service website to efficiently report problems.


Idea Forum

Would you like to communicate with other station operators and owners? If so, let us know. We'll send contact info. ISS clients generally fall into this variety of categories:

  • Bridges, Port Authorities, Points of Entry
  • Colleges, Universities & Schools
  • Communities
  • Highway & Scenic Byways
  • Military Bases
  • Tourist Destinations, e.g., Historic Sites, National Parks, Visitor Centers

Interference Advisories

Interference Alert for 1690 Information Station Operators in Southern California
September 2010 - Broadcast station KBRT in Avalon, California, has received authorization to move their radio towers ashore from Catalina Island and is in the process of testing a new transmitter site in the mountains of Eastern Orange County. These ground conductivity tests will not be on the station's main operating frequency of 740 AM but instead will be on 1690 AM. The transmissions will be at 1000 watts and will last just a few days but will cause noticeable interference to Information Radio Stations operating on 1690 in Southern California. [FCC rules Part 90.242 state that Information Radio Stations (TIS) are secondary in status and must accept any interference from primary broadcast stations.] The good news is that the interference will be temporary.

KRKE AM 1600 Albuquerque Receives Green Light
July 2009 – KRKE receives FCC approval to move from 10,000 to 50,000 watts. This will increase interference to 1610 operations in Central New Mexico.

Canadian Station Asks to Move Down the Band
May 2009 – In Montreal, Canadian CPAM on 1610 applies to move down the band to 1410. If this occurs, it will ease night interference in the Northeast on the frequency and open 1610 for US licensing in Northern Vermont and New York State. Stay tuned.

Central Kentucky Frequency Change Could Cause Interference
May 2009 – Central Kentucky 1610 AM operators could experience new interference; because WRSL in Corbin, Kentucky, just moved from 1520 to 1600 kHz. This could cause significant daytime interference on South Central Kentucky 1610 channels.


Featuring You

Has your station been used during the past year for big events or emergencies? Has it been mentioned by external media? Do you have a successful station-management plan? If so, we'd love to produce a case study about your application to publish. Why not show off a little? It could help others tasked with communicating to travelers (so they don't have to reinvent the wheel). See the San Marcos Pass example then email us right away. We'll follow through.

 

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