Founded in 1983, Information Station Specialists is the nation's sole domestically owned source for Information Radio Stations, Advisory Signs and associated power sources used to broadcast safety and service messages to motorists, and the only source providing a product entirely made in America.
 
 
   
 
ALERT AM Emergency Advisory Radio System

Exclusive Features

ISS is the only company in the United States offering these exclusive features, making ALERT AM a particularly useful communication tool for reaching motorists during emergencies.

 

 
  1. Only Information Station Specialists, Inc., (ISS) provides strictly radio system components manufactur3ed in the United States.

  2. Only ALERT AM features a field-programmable/upgradeable National Weather Service NOAA All-Hazard Receiver to remain current with changes in national all-hazard protocols. Only ALERT AM captures the most recent warning activation for replay by system operators. Only ALERT AM can change to new message patterns, when NOAA sends All-Hazards (weather and Emergency Alert System) warnings.

  3. Only ALERT AM allows special broadcast messages to air automatically in conjunction with NOAA All-Hazards Specific-Area Message Encoding (SAME) notifications targeted to specific counties, outdoor warning system activations or Emergency Operations Center control panel switches.

  4. Only ALERT AM allows an operator to run the station by computer (Workstation Audio Control while also retaining the ability to record messages and control station operations via telephone if AC power goes out.

  5. Only ALERT AM offers 3 hours of message recording time and has full control of the digital message player via push-to-talk transceivers (customers' own transceivers) parallel to and with priority over telephone control, using the same commands, protocols and voice prompts. See the "NX8R Digital Message Player" webpage.

  6. Only ISS offers free professional Broadcast Recording Services

  7. Only the ALERT AM system distributes audio to satellite stations (optional) without relying on vulnerable dialed-up telephone links. See the "ALERT AM GPS Frequency Stabilization" webpage. Optional ALERT AM wireless audio links make audio connections for high reliability with no monthly operating charges; i.e., do not rely on tele/cell phone lines during emergencies, preventing satellite AM stations from becoming disconnected, broadcasting the wrong messages. Additionally, Wireless Audio Links operate on the same battery backup system as ALERT AM, so when power goes down, they stay up. See the "Wireless Audio Links" webpage.

  8. Only the ALERT AM's antenna is black in color to discourage ice build-up and is finished with a special UV-resistant architectural-anodization process to prevent color fading. If installed in adjacent building yards, ALERT AM requires only that a support pole be set. Not required are large, buried, copper-wire groundplane installation or chemical-emitting ground-pipe (hollow rods) burial. Only the ALERT AM Emergency Advisory Radio System can include a Vertical Profile Antenna System that does not require a groundplane. Major site disturbances such as surface trenching or drilling for the installation of deep ground rods is not required. The Vertical Profile Antenna System also means: 1) the antenna's cables and arrestors are inside the pole for safety and security; 2) theft of copper ground wire is impossible; 3) it is possible to move the system if required; and 4) the aluminum pole is attractive in conjunction with public buildings and may be painted as needed.

  9. Only ALERT AM works in conjunction with solar-powered flashing advisory signs via communities’ UHF/VHF Radio Systems to turn on/off beacons remotely. These signs are the key to notification of the community that an emergency message is being broadcast. See the "Flashing ALERT Signs" webpage.

  10. Only ALERT AM offers a battery backup system capable of keeping the station on the air for a full 4 days. The pack fully recharges in just 7 hours.

  11. Only ISS systems employ nonproprietary electronic designs, using standard 19" rack-mount hardware for ease of substitution and service. This means that, in the future, you may change components as needed without the requirement to return to ISS; i.e., simple wiring diagrams are provided, so you can service equipment yourself, if you choose, or have a third party assist – all with full ISS support.

  12. Only ISS transmitter frequencies are synthesized, not crystal controlled, allowing simple frequency changes in the future, if necessary. ISS; TR6100 Transmitter utilizes an efficient Class D amplifier, comprised of only two driver devices for highest reliability. Moreover, it is the only such unit manufactured and type-accepted by the FCC for Travelers Information Station (TIS) applications in the United States.

  13. Additionally, only Information Station Specialists offers technical assistance for the life of the (ALERT AM) product. ISS supports today radio stations that first went on the air in the 1980s. ISS’ staff of engineers has more than 60 years of combined experience specifically in the kind of radio technology under which ALERT AM operates (FCC Rules, Part 90.242).

 
  This page was last updated on November 03, 2011.
   
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Copyright 1983-2012 Information Station Specialists, Inc All Rights Reserved
3368 88th Avenue, PO Box 51, Zeeland, Michigan, USA, 49464-0051
Phone 616.772.2300, Fax 2966,
Email
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US Patents: PowerPlane "Flex" Factory-Assembled Groundplane (#5,495,261), Vertical Profile Antenna System (#7,027,008)
US Pending Patent: RadioSTAT Portable Emergency Radio Station (#12/616,852)
Registered Trademarks: ALERT AM® Emergency Advisory Radio System & RoadRunnR® Portable Advisory Radio System

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