| CUSTOMER REVIEWS |
| “We have already
gotten many positive and enthusiastic responses. We are very
happy we decided to do this!" |
Lauren Fenstermacher,
Manager
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area Visitor Center
Pennsylvania Game Commission |
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| “The signal quality
is amazing, far better than I thought, with no static. I am
very pleased. Thank you, this is an amazing tool!” |
Alexander Watson, Regional Naturalist
Minnesota DNR Parks and Trails |
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First National Network of Info Stations
Customs &
Border Protection |
CBP
installed Information Stations at key land border ports of
entry, providing information to approaching motorists with
the intention of expediting their passage across the border,
i.e., El Paso, Laredo, TX; San Luis, AZ; and Calexico
(East), CA. Additional sites are planned.
The stations broadcast time-sensitive messages developed at
the local ports of entry, in addition to messages developed
at the national level by CBP Headquarters.
Project manager Daniel Piscopo states that the broadcast
messages include “how to use high-tech travel cards,
information about CBP's Trusted Traveler Programs, basic
border crossing rules and regulations, emergency travel
information and updates, and border wait times.”
CBP will be able to communicate directly to travelers about
how to expedite their border crossing, for example, by
broadcasting information about CBP programs such as the
Ready Lane — an expedited travel lane for people with radio
frequency identification technology enabled cards -- and
Trusted Traveler lanes for pre-approved, low-risk travelers.
Radio broadcasts can be heard for several miles around the
port. |
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Your information. Your station. Our
dedication.
Introduced by the Federal Communications Commission in 1977 as a
Travelers' Information Station, The Information Station is now the
most installed system of its kind in the United States, with more
than a thousand stations licensed to date. Its popularity stems from
its versatility and affordability in a package that makes
installation and operation simple and seamless.
Today government agencies broadcast information to the public about
emergencies, public health, airport security and border control – in
addition to conventional traffic, travel and visitor information
content.
Information Station Specialists is the sole provider of
The
Information Station in the United States and offers 24/7 remote
technical support for the life of the product.
Below we describe the two styles of Information Stations, who
commonly operates the stations, licensing, antenna setup methods,
what comes standard, options and last but not least ways to acquire
a station. At the bottom of the left column, you will find links to
technical specifications, planning steps and more. |
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IP Edition |
USB Edition
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Manage the broadcast program via an network or locally using the
station’s front-panel controls. In an emergency, message files can
be loaded physically via SD card with a USB adapter. The Information
Station IP affords full 5000 Hz audio quality plus the convenience
of a network-accessible message library.
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Update the broadcast program from a simple flash drive through the
station’s USB port. The USB Edition of The Information Station
combines high quality 5000 Hz bandwidth with the convenience and
flexibility of flash drive control. The length of the program is
only limited by the flash drive size, so virtually any length and
number of messages is feasible.
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For both editions, we provide audio creation software to allow you
to create, edit and process natural voice messages for broadcast.
Archive the messages on the PC, laptop or device of your choice for
quick call-up. Our Hybrid Package option allows for both IP and USB
methodologies, providing additional convenience and redundancy plus
the addition of a program mixer for live mic / live feed
applications.
See free or commissioned
recording services.
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| Standard Package |
Options |
|
Transmitter and
digital message player in indoor electronics
enclosure, containing all broadcast control
electronics. |
| Complete Antenna
System with
lightning arrestor and weather enclosures, mounts,
coaxial cable and feedlline. |
| Audio Recording
Software. |
| Accessories,
including all hardware, wiring harnesses, etc. and
illustrated instructions. |
| Array of
Services that
includes system plannning and engineering. |
| Remote Technical
Support for the
life of the station. |
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University of Kentucky listeners
tune to broadcasts managed via network audio control. |
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| Vertical Profile Antenna Support and Grounding System,
an efficient hurricane-rated, ANSI / TIA-compliant antenna
solution that saves space and installation time and is secure
and attractive.
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| Hybrid Package
to provide USB / flash drive
redundancy and multichannel program mixer for live mic / live
feed operation.
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| Signal Measurement Radio Receiver
to verify FCC
radio signal compliance regularly.
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| UPS
uninterruptible two-hour power supply.
Extended runtime available. |
| Outdoor
Electronics Enclosure
for isolated settings.
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Broadcast quality audio processor
for enhanced
audio intelligibility.
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| StreamCAST Network
Audio Interface
that allows streaming of
broadcast program directly to smartphones, tablets,
laptops and PCs. Listeners scan a QR tag or click a
unique link on your a special HearMoreInfo website.
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| Message Recording
Services
See a
description of the signs here. |
|
Flashing ALERT Signs
to instruct motorists to
tune to emergency stations when beacons flash.
See a
description of the signs here.
|
View
technical specifications for Standard and Optional
components.
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Who Operates The Information Station?
Federal, state and local governmental
entities are able to license The Information Station to broadcast
noncommercial voice-programming related to travel, public safety,
visitor / tourism historical / interpretive or emergencies. The
primary audience? Motorists in a 3-5-mile radius area. Operators
commonly include . . .
- Municipalities for
example, cities, counties, townships, boroughs, towns and villages
departments of public safety, emergency management, public health
and public information.
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Other Government Agencies
for example, departments of transportation, bridge authorities,
emergency management and public health departments.
-
Recreation Areas and Historic
Sites commonly use these systems for visitors. The National
Park Service is among the first proponents of information station
technology and is the largest nationwide user of these systems for
orientation and interpretive applications.
Listen to
what interpreters across the country say about how and why they
operate Information Stations by requesting a free
Making Waves
program on CD produced by Oregon State University.
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Points of Entry for
example, airports, border protection, port authorities.
-
Universities and Colleges
for parking, security and venue information.
See a state-by-state list of
alert stations across America.
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Frequency & Licensing
The FCC grants licenses to governmental agencies on available AM
frequencies on a first-come-first-served basis, secondary to
commercial broadcast stations. The Commission has opened all
frequencies in the 530-1700 band, subject to separation
requirements. We can help identify the optimal frequency at your
location and will help you apply for your FCC license. |
Antenna Styles
The most common formats are described below.
Click images to enlarge them. |
 Yard Style: The Information Station antenna may be installed at
a building with the electronics securely indoors and the antenna
pole and groundplane located in the adjacent yard, connected by a
coaxial cable. This style is a
recommended first choice, because it is most economical and affords
the greatest security for equipment. A 50’ separation from buildings
is recommended. We can even provide the mounting pole for yard areas
with limited room grounding.
Flat-Roof Style: If no earth surface location is
available, a flat building roof may be your best choice for antenna
installation. We can provide an installation package which requires
no roof penetrations.
Isolated
Style: At remote locations where there is no building, a
weatherproof cabinet containing the electronics is attached to the
antenna support pole. The location must have electrical power and,
if equipment is to be remotely controlled, telephone or network
service. |
| The Information Station can be installed by you, your agent or as a service
by us. Included in the package is the FCC type-accepted transmitter,
digital message system, cabinets, antenna, preassembled groundplane,
lightning arrestors, cables, connectors, mounts, hardware and
illustrated instructions. |
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Planning & Purchasing Your System
We provide a full menu of technical services to help you put and
keep your station(s) on the air. We will help plan and
implement your station, including frequency and site selection, FCC
licensing, installation, staff training and the FCC-required field
survey and documentation. Even professionally recorded audio
messages are available, so your broadcast is ready to put on the air
as soon as the station is turned on. Best of all, each system comes
with remote technical support for the life of the station.
See
typical planning steps and/or
contact Bill Baker for a
recommendation on the best setup for your intended application. Bill
can also supply related pricing.
See Purchasing
Methods here.
Note: Because FCC processing time is unpredictable, we recommend
that you request licensing and other FCC documentation services from
us as soon as you know for sure you will have a station – definitely
no later than when you place your radio equipment order.
For more features see the
ALERT AM Emergency Advisory Radio System. For extended range emergency broadcasting, see
RadioSAFE Wide Area
Emergency Broadcast Radio Systems, which offer coverage areas of
a 5 to 20+ mile radius.
For lower cost alternatives and less range, see
our License-Free
Offering. |
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RELATED LINKS |
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Brochure |
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System Specs |
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Planning Guide |
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Technical Services |
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Fireman Erik Olson poses
near a new visitor center antenna system he helped install
for the Bureau of Land Management's Red Rock Canyon National
Conservation Area near Las Vegas, Nevada. We are told that the
system works better than advertised. |
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