ALERT AM Emergency Advisory Radio System


	When seconds count, count on ALERT AM for . . . Weather Warnings "All Hazard" Bulletins Evacuation Directions Amber, Hazmat, Medical Alerts Motorist Advisories

Advisory radio has changed dramatically in the past decade, and Information Station Specialists has largely been the architect of that transformation, especially within the realm of emergency management. Hundreds of communities across America now operate their own Emergency Advisory Radio Stations specifically to tell area motorists what to do during Amber alerts, school incidents, flash floods, industrial accidents, terror threats, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados and other types of emergencies. Through public-safety-managed radio broadcasts, listeners can receive up-to-the-minute reports, alerts and instructions with the level of timeliness and detail that make these types of broadcasts invaluable, especially when disaster strikes. Messages must be non-commercial. During non-emergency times, communities may use the stations to inform motorists of street repairs, traffic hazards, public notices, travel advisories, city history and even visitor information.

Emergency managers trigger broadcast sequences (prerecorded for anticipated emergency scenarios) via telephone, pushbutton, siren system or other external control. Or they may record new messages immediately, locally, via telephone/cell phone or computer workstation. Up to three hours of audio and up to 1000 messages can be recorded in ALERT AM's expansive audio memory – the largest of any station available to date. Moreover, they can broadcast live on a moment's notice, as situations warrant.

Each standard ALERT AM station comes with an exclusive Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) system that not only recognizes all National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) event codes but has the unique ability to immediately rebroadcast only those targeted to certain counties, so extraneous NOAA broadcasts are excluded.

ALERT AM's exclusive Vertical Profile Antenna System option simplifies the installation process. When the antenna is installed in yard adjacent to a building, excavation for groundplanes and chemical groundrods is unnecessary, saving time and cost. The Vertical Profile Antenna System is the only antenna support of its kind that is hurricane rated and ANSI/TIA compliant for safe installation where failure is not an option. An optional four-day battery backup keeps ALERT AM on the air during AC power outages. The optional power loss notification module alerts operators if power drops at the transmitter location. Strategically located Flashing ALERT Signs, also from ISS, may be used to encourage motorists to tune to the station. Each of these options is modular and may be added to an ALERT AM system in future years (see more about options below).

Such capabilities establish ALERT AM as a communication tool that produces effective public response, 24/7. Download here or at the bottom of this webpage a complete ALERT AM overview with planning steps, specs and pricing.

Who operates ALERT AM Stations?

Frequency & Licensing Considerations

Local Governments: cities/counties and their departments of emergency management, fire, law enforcement and public works (many times in conjunction with offices of public information, local convention and visitors bureaus or chambers of commerce). Frequently the systems are used along with sirens to inform listeners of the nature of emergencies. See communities across America who operate Radio Stations. See also Case Studies.
Transportation Agencies: airports, highway departments, port authorities, ferry and train terminals.
Military: for visitor and emergency information.
Industry: in conjunction with a local governmental entity, industry can inform travelers, visitors and motorists of directions, hazards and travel advisories.
Points of Entry: US departments of immigration and naturalization, customs, border patrols, agriculture, state departments of tourism and law enforcement.
Colleges and Universities: for emergencies as well as visitor information.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) grants to government entities licenses for open frequencies (530 to 1700 kHz AM ) on a first-come-first-served basis and secondary to standard broadcast stations. Broadcast content must be noncommercial voice information relating to travel, services, weather, safety and points of interest. See FCC rules regarding Permitted broadcast content. ISS can help you find an available frequency and apply for a FCC license. Just complete and return the downloadable License Questionnaire to get started. See the ISS FCC Licensing Services webpage. Please note: You must have a FCC license in hand to operate. Your station must be on the air within 12 months of the license grant date, or this authorization will expire. ISS provides assistance with licensing and important FCC notifications at minimal cost.

Standard Package

Options

Basic ALERT AM emergency advisory radio stations include the following (Technical specifications are linked at the bottom of this webpage.)

Local and telephone control interfaces (see "Equipment Options" below for computer control methods).
Voice-prompter-style digital message player with up to 1,000 messages that may be arranged in 50 playlists (or message sequences) — 3 hours of recording time. ALERT AM can operate for days, even in the absence of AC power and telephone service. Dubbed NX8R, ALERT AM's digital message player allows continued broadcast updating even when cell/telephone systems go down. This phone-based audio control system can serve as a backup for computer-control options.
Two-way redundant control, standard with each station, uses push-to-talk style transceivers (transceivers not included) and the same, familiar broadcasting protocols and voice prompts as regular phones.
Live broadcasting (with local microphone, real time).
External-control triggering via siren, pushbutton or other alarm.
External audio interface for streaming ALERT AM audio to a website, or to override audio on a CATV access channel, or to produce program audio from cable TV studio and override it during emergencies.
Transmitter with synthesized frequency system. Utilizes efficient Class D amplifier, comprised of only two driver devices, for reliability. The only such unit type-accepted by the FCC for TIS applications in the United States.
Antenna and groundplane system.
Secure cabinets – dual-door, rack-style.
National Weather Service "all-hazards" capability that allows national warnings to broadcast to targeted counties automatically. Exclusive field-upgradeable receiver.
Diagnostic metering and test equipment for system setup and maintenance.
Mounts, connectors, cables, wiring, power supplies and lightning arrestors.

Illustrated instruction manual.

System engineering and planning.

ISS technical support via telephone or email at no extra charge for the life of the product.

Four-day, operational, rechargeable battery backup.
Uninterruptible power supply (recommended for systems without four-day battery backup).

Power loss notification module (instantaneous to 24 hours; automatically dials up to 4 telephone numbers including cell phones and pagers; has 5 programmable notification delay periods and internal battery backup).

Outdoor cabinets for isolated antenna mounting style installations. These NEMA3R rack-mount, aluminum enclosures are designed for outdoor and industrial applications with door-activated lights, a fan and 3-point locking doors.

Vertical Profile Antenna Systems — when space is at a premium and secure, aesthetically pleasing antenna support is a priority, VP9000 is the solution.

Workstation Audio Control — allows convenient screen-based, drag-and-drop control of broadcast messages from a single computer.

Signalcast^IP Broadcast Management Software Package — for stand-alone or network-based operations, offers high quality recording, processing and editing; message scheduling; two-voice text-to-speech; message importing; drag-and-drop message playlist and flashing sign control; 10-user license.

GPS Frequency Stabilization — for multi-station setups if satellite stations are fewer than 15 miles apart. Prevents inter-station (heterodyne) interference.

Flashing ALERT Sign Systems — strategically located Flashing ALERT Signs tell motorists to tune to your station during emergencies.

Message Control, Transfer & Protection

Broadcast Messages

Control broadcast recordings locally by landline phone or cell phone. The ALERT AM system transfers analog audio via telephone for digital storage and replay. Especially useful: the system has 3 hours of recording time and up to 50 customized playlists, i.e., broadcasts are easy to assemble for anticipated emergency scenarios. Broadcasts can be triggered by siren-system closures, toggle switches or other external sources. This allows the radio station to quickly switch from broadcasting general information to specific emergency information, when disaster strikes. Automatic NOAA alerts (EAS and weather) are integral; and an emergency message override feature allows operators to manually supersede recorded or automatic notifications to lock in critical, current recordings. Broadcasting "live" also is easy with the push of a button. See "SignalcastIP" and "Workstation Audio Control," bulleted in OPTIONS, listed above right.)

ALERT AM's digital message player comes stocked with prerecorded emergency management messages prepared by our professional announcers to illustrate what's possible within the system. In addition, you may take advantage of free or commissioned ISS recording services to create broadcasts. See What May Be Broadcast.

Installation Styles

Technical Services

When you are ready to start planning your emergency advisory radio station, know that location is everything. Choose the antenna mounting style that fits your situation. ALERT AM may be installed a variety of ways:

Yard Style (recommended): Put the antenna in the yard of a building and the equipment indoors. This style affords security and convenience and can be used with the Vertical Profile Antenna System. Consider yard style for virtually any kind of building with a large open yard that is immediately adjacent.

Isolated Style: Put the entire radio station virtually anywhere. This style affords maximum flexibility of location and can be used with Vertical Profile Antennas.

As you would expect, ISS also provides a full menu of services from which to choose to help you put your ALERT AM radio station on the air. This includes installation and training with online technical updates to help keep your station "state of the art." ISS also offers product-related technical support for the life of the product, 24/7, via phone or email at no extra charge! And ISS has a network of strategically located field representatives across the country to visit your site and consult as needed.

Budget

Typically one ALERT AM setup costs $24-30K for a single station, including licensing, installation and ground freight in the contiguous United States. A lease-to-own option is available. At no charge, Bill Baker (616.772.2300, extension 102) will help you brainstorm ideas for your particular application and provide a formal quote. See our Funding Resources webpage for grant possibilities.

Links below offer alternative emergency advisory radio systems. Portable stations, for example, have equal capability as ALERT AM with a few extra options. Information Stations, commonly known as Travelers Information Stations (TIS), are a lower cost alternative with many of the same messaging capabilities as ALERT AM but without the specialized all-hazard broadcast capability, four-day operational battery backup and GPS Frequency Stabilization options. Download a complete ALERT AM overview with planning, pricing and specs immediately below.