Travelers Information Station Planning Steps

Planning Steps

How to plan your AM radio station setup.

Step 1: Order a frequency search.

ISS will develop a list of AM frequencies that are open in your area and send them to you with our suggestions and instructions on how to monitor them. Contact ISS to order a frequency search. Provide the general area where the radio station might be located. This service includes the license application work (Step 6, below), as well, once you decide to move forward.

Step 2: Survey listening areas.

Survey the streets and roadways where listening is required with an automobile digital AM radio tuned to your candidate frequencies. Monitor all of the candidate frequencies throughout the listening area at least once during daylight hours and at least once after dark (see why nighttime monitoring is important). Select the frequency that is best for your needs.

Step 3: Choose a general location for optimal coverage.

Use a map to select a general antenna location such that a 3-mile-radius circle fully encompasses the roadway(s) and streets that require coverage. The signal will usually carry 3 to 5 miles and be heard much farther away on some radios; but the strongest part of the signal will always be in this area. If a certain street, highway or intersection is critically important to cover, consider locations within a half-mile. Mark the map to show the area within which the antenna should be located to meet your coverage goals. (See also the Signal Penetration page, regarding in-home/in-vehicle listening.) Consider where signs will be placed to alert motorists entering the area that the signal is available. (See "Useful tips for placing road signs." See also ISS Flashing ALERT Sign Systems.)

Step 4: Determine the site for antenna installation.

For best coverage, the immediate area near the antenna should be free of objects that exceed 25 feet (about 2 stories.) This includes tall buildings, trees, terrain features, power and communication poles and towers. ISS does not recommend installing antennas on rooftops or within 50 feet of buildings that contain electronics because of the potential for interference and equipment damage. This does not apply to non-building oriented situations such as isolated-style installations in which a cabinet with the electronic equipment is attached to the antenna support pole.

Step 5: Choose an antenna mounting style.

If your site has a building that would host the radio station, choose yard style. If there is no host building at the site, choose isolated style.

Isolated Style Installation - drawing.

Vertical Profile Antenna - webpage.

Yard Style Installation - drawing.

Yard Style with Vertical Profile Installation - drawing.

Yard Style	Isolated Style
Description Equipment in building with antenna system in adjacent yard. (See illustration right.)	Description Equipment and antenna are installed on a pole. (See illustration right.)
Advantages Low cost, high security.	Advantages High flexibility of location.
Requirements An area within 50 feet of the building; no underground obstacles or structures taller than 25 feet in the immediate vicinity.	Requirements No building required. Make certain 120 volts of AC power and telephone service are available at the site and that there is a 40x40-foot area of open ground for pole and groundplane installation.

Step 6: complete a FCC license application questionnaire.

FCC Licensing Services Overview - webpage.

FCC License Questionnaire - PDF d ownload.

Complete and return to ISS this simple License Application Questionnaire, so we may secure your operating license from the FCC in a timely manner. The questionnaire requests basic contact information and details about the proposed antenna location and frequency chosen for broadcast, with which ISS can also assist you. When we receive your completed questionnaire, we will prepare the necessary engineering work and submit your application to the FCC for approval, which often takes a few months. As part of an overall license package, ISS will handle any additional filings you may require to get up and running, such as temporary licenses, minor adjustments and the required FCC notification that your station has been built.

NOTE 1: Because FCC processing time is unpredictable, we recommend you request licensing and other FCC documentation services as soon as you know for sure you will have a station -- definitely no later than when you place your radio equipment order.

NOTE 2: The FCC considers 10-year, renewable licenses for information radio stations secondary to full-power broadcast stations. This means, that in a rare situation in which a full-power station might move into a given area, an advisory radio station already in that vicinity might need to change frequency. ISS can assist.

Step 7: Consider equipment, options and services.

Contact Bill Baker to obtain price sheets, which list product options and services, or to submit the following information to obtain a quotation.

Checklist for Receiving a Quotation
Provide to ISS the following details, so a precise quotation can be supplied:

Your name, agency, phone and fax numbers; email address, if desired.
Product name (the Information Station).
Installation style: yard or isolated with or without VP9000 option.
Review options on the price sheets and include them, as desired.

Exclusive Features - webpage.

Flashing ALERT Signs - webpage.

Workstation Audio Control Option - webpage.

Step 8: Prepare the transmitter site.

You can get ready for installation by preparing your transmitter location. This preparation is detailed in the Installation Instruction Manual and includes 3 steps:

Preparation of the Antenna Support System: For Yard and isolated-style stations, this includes setting the antenna support pole, burying the coaxial cable and groundplane in the earth beneath.
Installation of the Equipment Cabinet: For building-oriented stations, this means locating the equipment cabinet on the antenna support pole at the equipment-operating location in the building. For isolated style stations: installing the equipment cabinet at the transmitter site
Installation of Power and Telephone Services: For building-oriented stations, this means making sure the 120VAC power and a shielded-line telephone service are present/installed at the equipment operating location in the building. For isolated-style stations: installing power and shielded telephone line into the equipment cabinet. NOTE: Telephone lines are required only for Classic version stations.

Contact Bill Baker if you would like an advance copy of your station's Instruction Manual, which details the exact site preparation procedures. Just tell Bill whether you are purchasing the Classic, USB or IP version Information Station and which installation style, frequency and options you have selected. ISS offers installation services and can provide a quote for your project.

Isolated Style Installation - drawing.

Vertical Profile Antenna - webpage.

Yard Style Installation - drawing.

Yard Style with Vertical Profile Installation - drawing.

Step 9: Plan the broadcast.

The Information Station package can, if you choose, include professional recordings, ready to broadcast. See the link, right.

Message Recording Services - Webpage.

What May Be Broadcast per the FCC - webpage.

Antenna

Whip-style antenna, between 15 and 25 feet long.
Wind rating: Antennas 1230 kHz and above 100 mph; 80 mph with 1/4 radial ice; antennas 1220 kHz and below 80 mph; 50 mph with 1/4 radial ice.
Max 2.0” OD, tapering to 0.5".
Aluminum construction, black finish color to discourage ice buildup; UV resistant finish; architectural anodization process #801.
Stainless-steel tuning tip.
Includes all hardware, mounts, lightning arrestor and ground terminals in enclosure.
Includes PowerPlane patented, factory-assembled antenna groundplane. (For illustrated installation tips, see "TechTalk.")