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Step 1: Order
a frequency search.
Contact ISS to order a
frequency search. Just provide the geographic area where the
system might be operated. ISS will develop a list of available AM frequencies and
send it to you with our suggestions and instructions on how to
monitor them. (See more on ISS
frequency-search/licensing services.) |
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Step 2:
Survey listening areas.
Survey the highways where
listening is required with an automobile digital AM radio tuned to
your candidate frequencies. Monitor all of the candidate
frequencies throughout the listening areas at least once during
daylight hours and at least once after dark (see
why
nighttime monitoring is important). Report your results to
ISS, using the short form provided. |
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Step 3:
Choose an operating location for optimum coverage.
Use a map to select a general
operating location for RoadRunnR such that a 3-mile-radius
circle fully encompasses the highways requiring coverage. The
signal will usually carry 3-5 miles and be heard much farther away
on some radios, but the strongest part of the signal will always
be in this radius. If a specific highway or intersection is
critically important to cover, consider locations immediately
adjacent to the roadway. Mark the map to show the area within
which the antenna should be located to meet your coverage goals.
Consider where signs will be placed to announce to motorists
entering the area that the signal is available. See these resources:
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Step 4:
Survey the intended site for your RoadRunnR station.
For best coverage, the
immediate location should be free of objects that exceed 25 feet
(about 2 stories.) This includes tall buildings, trees, terrain
features, lighting, power and communication poles and towers,
overpasses and highway signs. Make certain that there is a
20'-by-20' area of open ground to park the trailer and deploy the
portable groundplane. |
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Step 5:
Fill out the FCC License Application Questionnaire.
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. |
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Step 6:
Consider equipment, options and services.
Variables to consider:
- Number of transmitters.
- Paint color. Omaha orange is standard. Other
colors may be specified but could affect delivery time.
- Hitch style.
- Light connector type.
- Cellphone format.
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Weather/EAS frequency & active SAME codes.
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FASTrack portable signs.
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Recording
services.
Download the overview (right)
to see a product overview that includes general options and prices.
Provide ISS the following to request a specific quote:
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Your
name, agency, phone and fax numbers; email address, if
desired. |
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Product
name: RoadRunnR Portable Advisory Radio
Station. |
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Options desired,
including number of transmitters; desired
frequencies and trailer configuration options, such as paint
color, light connector and hitch style; portable signs.
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Specify optional services
desired (right) and include them,
for example, FCC licensing assistance, site choice & frequency
monitoring. |
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Step 7:
Cellular telephone service.
At the time of your equipment
order, ISS will ask for a contact name at your cellular telephone
provider. The appropriate cellular service format must be
available from your provider. Information from the provider will allow your RoadRunnR's
cellular telephone service to be set up and fully operational
upon delivery.
Contact Bill
Baker if you would like an advance copy of your RoadRunnR's
instruction manual, which details setup, operating and maintenance
procedures. |
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Step 8: System
configuration.
After you've made the
decision to buy RoadRunnR(s), please complete and fax to
ISS this programming
form, which ISS
uses to prepare the system for you. |
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This page was last updated:
May 25, 2010. |
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