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Two Editions from
which to Choose
First
licensed by the Federal Communications Commission in 1977 as a
"travelers information station" (TIS), the Information Station
from ISS is now the most installed 10-watt AM station in the
United States with more than a thousand locations licensed to
date! Its popularity stems from its versatility and affordability
in a patented package that makes installation and operation
simple. Today the Information Station serves a broader array of
interests than originally envisioned in 1977. ISS has developed
two models to meet customer needs
— Classic and MP3 Editions
— and is the
sole provider in the United
States.
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Complete product overview with planning, pricing & technical
specs -
PDF download.
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See
also, the ALERT AM Emergency Advisory Radio System -
webpage.
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Classic Edition
The "Classic Edition" Information Station works well for operators
with a frequent need to update broadcast programs. It may be
controlled by a conventional telephone line or right from the
station’s location or from a computer workstation. The Classic
Edition features 1,000 variable-length messages that may be recorded, monitored or erased
independently. Choose which to broadcast and which to store for
future use. The Classic Edition allows you to create message
groupings
— playlists for quick and
convenient retrieval. Standard recording time is 80 minutes and up to
300 hours of recordings for stations with the
Workstation Audio Control option. |
MP3 Edition
The economical "MP3 Edition" Information Station is designed for operators
who require less frequent updates and who appreciate the advantages of
managing their audio programming via computer. Create and edit MP3 audio
files on a standard Windows-based PC and transfer them to your station for
airplay/repetition via USB flash drives. Program air time may be
up to an hour. Create hundreds of messages in your PC-based library and
broadcast as many of them as you wish. ISS can provide optional
audio-editing software and an optional PC microphone and headset. |
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We
can help you get started with professional
message-recording services.
ISS professionals create
high quality messages for you to approve and add to your station’s message
library. See the link, right. |
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Who operates Information
Stations?
The Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) licenses the Information Station to
federal, state and local governmental entities (see the list below) for broadcasting travel, safety, weather, traffic
directions/detours, touring, historical and event information. The
primary audience? Motorists in a 3-5-mile radius area from the
station's center point. Broadcasts
are voice-only, noncommercial, and are controlled locally by
telephone (analog audio transfers via phone for digital storage
and replay — see more about equipment below). Operators commonly
include... |
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Frequency & Licensing
Considerations
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,
secondary to standard broadcast stations.
Broadcast content must be noncommercial voice audio
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 (linked on right). 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. |
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Equipment Array
The Information Station
comes complete from ISS, ready to install. Included are the
transmitter, antenna, patented factory-assembled groundplane,
digital message player, lightning arrestors, batteries, all
cables, connectors, mounts, hardware and illustrated instructions.
The housing is a weatherproof cabinet, designed for pole or wall
mounting. Options include MP3 or Classic Editions, described above,
Vertical Profile Antenna Systems (described immediately below)
and Flashing ALERT
Signs (linked on the right) to notify motorists of your signal at key locations along
roadways within range of the station. The flashing signs are
triggered via your own 2-way radio system. See Technical Specifications (linked on the right). |
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Installation Styles
Pick the style of installation that fits
your situation: The Information Station may be installed at a building
with the equipment safely indoors and the antenna pole mounted in the
adjacent yard (yard style - recommended). At remote locations, the entire station may be installed on a pole
and provided with power and telephone service
(isolated style). An
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. |
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Services
As you would expect, ISS provides a full menu of technical
services to help put and keep your Information Station on the
air. This includes frequency and site selection, field surveys,
FCC licensing, installation and training, which can be quoted as
needed. Personal planning assistance is free.
Email or call us at 616.772.2300.
The
Source Advisory Radio Communiqué offers online case studies, news and technical
tips that will keep you abreast of issues that affect station
operation. See case studies, news briefs and technical tips there. |
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Budget
Equipment and services (including
licensing, installation and ground freight in the contiguous United
States)
typically total $11-17,000, depending on options chosen and
installation variables. At no charge, we will
help you brainstorm ideas for your particular application and
provide a formal quote. Just
email or call us with your request (616.772.2300).
Illustrated
instruction manuals come with every Information
Station.
ISS offers technical support for the life of the
product 24/7 at no extra charge. |
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Related
Links
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This page
was last updated on
November 12, 2009. |
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