Information Station Specialists is the best known source of travelers information stations, highway advisory radio, advisory signs and services needed to reach motorists with public service information. Learn more about Information Station Specialists.
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ITS.6000
Highway Advisory Radio Network

FCC-Licensed AM Highway Advisory Radio Station

Highway Traffic 


Related Links

Brochure to Print - pdf

Planning Guide

Portable HAR with Changeable Message Sign

Sample Network Layout

Technical Specifications

FCC Limitations
For Intelligent Transportation Systems 
Our ITS.6000 Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) Systems provide new and efficient ways to integrate real-time radio into 21st century ITS projects. Radio is as relevant as its content is current. ITS.6000 HAR Stations are designed to make broadcast content match current conditions to maximize utility to motorists.

Conventional Highway Advisory Radio design, kicked up a notch, ITS.6000 offers operators the ability to record 3 hours of recordings, 1,000 high quality messages in 50 playlists and, if desired, automatic 'All Hazard' alerts from the National Weather Service, targeted to areas served (e.g., hurricane updates and AMBER alerts). 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. Computer audio control is an option.   
Other Standard Features 
Options 
  • IP.76 Digital Message Player: Update the broadcast program via a standard Ethernet network or via its USB port as a backup. This option affords the highest quality audio programming and the flexibility of keeping the library of messages on your computer. An optional Software Suite is available for creation (including text to speech), editing, processing, playlist generation and archival of broadcast messages in standard MP3 file format.
  • The VP.9000 Vertical Profile Antenna Support and Grounding System requires no buried groundplanes or groundrods. Only one square foot of ground is needed for installation. The system comes with an aluminum antenna support pole that has internal wiring to discourage vandalism.
  • The Free-Standing AM Radio Antenna System with Tower produces a signal intensity, which, with FCC allowance, is higher than possible using the standard ANXX AM Radio Antenna. At 10 watts, the signal intensity may be 2.0 mV/m at 2.25 miles, producing a sign-able range of 8 to 12 miles. (Note:  Special FCC allowance for increased signal intensity is required.) The Free-Standing Antenna System's 49-foot antenna/tower, antenna tuner and 30-foot groundplane are designed to be ground-mounted in an unobstructed area approximately 100 feet in radius for maximum propagation. A concrete pad supports the antenna, tower and tuner.
  • 2X Signal Booster with a 16’ black, anodized aluminum extension that doubles the efficiency/range of the station’s existing antenna system, allowing the transmitter to run at less wattage or allowing the signal to have twice the intensity at a given distance. Functions with upper-band (typ:1610-1700) antennas only. This option is recommended for federal government agencies that do not have a signal intensity limitation; for any operator in a challenging environment that requires maximum signal intensity to cut through woods, buildings and obstructions. Note: local government licensees must seek a waiver of FCC rules to allow a signal intensity above the standard 2.0 mV/m limitation.
  • GPS Frequency Stabilization minimizes interference among satellite stations.
  • Power Loss Notification Module informs technicians that AC power has been lost at the HAR location. It has 5 programmable notification delay periods, internal battery backup, is instantaneous to 24 hours and automatically dials up to 4 telephone numbers.
  • StreamCAST Broadcast-Streaming to the Internet.
  • ENcast Emergency Notification Broadcast System to automatically broadcast text-based system alerts.
  • FAS.6000 Flashing Beacons and Flash Controller for notifying motorists.
  • Signal Measurement Radio Receiver for ensuring FCC compliance.
Plan Your HAR Network / Request a Quote

Contact Bill Baker to help plan the best configuration for your setting and to get a quote. See Typical Planning Steps for planning an ITS.6000 Highway Advisory Radio Network.
Services 
In addition to staff training and system certification, we offer the following optional services.
Exclusive Features in the Marketplace  
1. System components manufactured in the United States.  
2. Only our transmitter (TR.6000 HQ 5.0) features full 5000 Hz audio bandwidth to comply with new FCC rules that allow for high quality broadcasting. The transmitter employs a modern synthesized frequency system, so that if a frequency change ever is necessary, it can be easily done without component changes or board-level work. The TR.6000 Transmitter also utilizes an efficient Class D amplifier, comprised of only two driver devices for highest reliability. Moreover, TR.6000 is the only such unit manufactured and type-accepted for Travelers Information Station (TIS) applications in the United States, and it is approved for military use on 510-530 kHz, 1610-1700 kHz - Certification: J/F 12/07677. (An optional HQ 5.1 broadcast quality audio processor incorporates tight peak control, adaptive pre-emphasis and low-pass filtering. Meets new FCC audio filtering standards for expanded bandwidth Travelers Information Radio Stations [TIS]. Certified by the FCC on 2-18-2016 for exclusive use with the TR.6000 Transmitter.) 
3. Ability to  change to new message patterns, when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) All-Hazard Radio System sends warnings related to specific hazards and/or geographic areas.  
4. Field-programmable/upgradeable 'All Hazard' Receiver to remain current with changes in NOAA Emergency Alert System/weather hazards.  
5. An ENcast option to allow for instant broadcast of text-based alerts issued by your Emergency Notification System (check for compliance) and/or National Weather Service SAME/'All Hazard' system. 
6. Ability to capture the most recent warning activation for replay by system operators.  
7. Ten prerecorded touchtone bursts and burst sequences to program into broadcasts to gain attention for important messages.  
8. Optional ability to distribute audio to satellite stations without relying on vulnerable dial-up telephone links. (See the GPS Frequency Stabilization webpage.)  
9. Black antenna to discourage ice build-up, finished with a special UV-resistant architectural-anodization process to prevent color fading.
10. An option requiring that only a support pole be set. Not required are large, buried, copper-wire groundplane installations or chemical-emitting ground-pipe (hollow rods) burial. (See Vertical Profile Antenna Support and Grounding System webpage.) 
11. Battery backup system capable of keeping the station on the air for a full 4 days. The pack recharges full in only 7 hours.  
12. Nonproprietary electronic designs. All equipment uses standard 19" rack-mount hardware for ease of substitution and service. This means that, in the future, you may change components as needed without the requirement to return to us; i.e., simple wiring diagrams are provided, so you can service equipment yourself, if you choose, or have a third party assist – all with our full support.
13.  A supplier that offers technical assistance for the life of the product. We support today radio stations that first went on the air in the 1980s when the company first started. Our staff of engineers has more than 60 years of combined experience specifically in the kind of radio technology under which ITS.6000 operates (FCC Rules, Part 90.242).
14.  Free professional recording service option.
Planning & Pricing
As you would expect, Information Station Specialists provides a full menu of technical services to help you put and keep ITS.6000 HAR station 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 can be provided, so your broadcast is ready to place on the air as soon as the station is turned on. Each system is provided with Remote Technical Support for the life of the station.

Sole Source. We frequently are the only source for the products and services we offer and can send you support letters to affirm that for your purchasing documentation.

HGACBuy. If you are a state or local government agency anywhere in the US and you are a HGACBuy cooperative member - or want to join as an end user - you can purchase our products without the necessity of going out to bid. Membership is free to villages, towns, cities, townships, counties, state agencies, departments, authorities, districts, councils or nonprofits doing work for such entities. Here's how to join.

Competitive Process. If you must seek competitive bids or quotes, we can supply specifications (in text form) so you can easily integrate them into bid documents.

Purchases by governmental entities can be made by purchase order, agency order on letterhead, VISA/MC (up to $3,500) or simply by signing and returning our quote sheets. Standard terms are Net 30 days.

Lease-to-own terms are also available. Inquire for details

See also our portable VoiceStar HAR system.
   
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PO Box 51, Zeeland, Michigan, USA, 49464-0051, Phone 616.772.2300, Fax 616.772.2966, Email Form

The USA's best known source for information radio station equipment, related products and technical services.

 Trademarks: 2X Signal Booster, ALERT AM Emergency Advisory Radio System, ANXX AM Radio Antenna, AP55 Digital Message Player, ENcast Emergency Notification Broadcast System, FAS.6000 Flashing Beacons & Controller, FASTrack Quick-Erect Sign, FlashCAST Internet Broadcast Service, Flashing ALERT Sign System, FlexPlane Factory-Assembled Groundplane, Free-Radiate On-Premise Radio Broadcast System, HearMoreInfo Internet Broadcasts, HPR.0990 High Performance Antenna, i A.M. Radio Transmitter, Information Station Specialists, InfoRadio Format, Information Station Classic, Information Station IP, Information Station USB, InfOSpot AM Radio Transmitter System, IP8 Digital Message Player, IP.76 Digital Message Player, ITS.6000 Highway Advisory Radio Network, LIGHTNING LED Portable Changeable Message Sign, MGR.021 Digital Audio Management System, NX8R Digital Message Player, EventCAST Portable Information Radio Service, RadioSAFE Wide Area Emergency Broadcast System, RadioSTAT Portable Emergency Advisory Radio Station, RE 2.5 Range Extender Outdoor Antenna and Tuner, Severe Storm Detector, Signal Measurement Radio Receiver, Stealth Sign, StreamCAST Internet Broadcast Service, SS.3000 Free-Standing AM Radio Antenna System with Tower, Stylized ISS Logo, SX.200 Wattmeter, Talking House AM Radio Transmitter, TH.5 InfOspot Transmitter, TR.6000 Transmitter Model HQ 5.0, TMS.020 Digital Audio Management System, TR.6000 Transmitter Model 15.73, VoiceStar Portable Highway Advisory Radio Station (with or without Changeable Message Sign), VP.9000 Vertical Profile Antenna Support and Grounding System, Wireless Audio Link..

Information Radio Stations is a generic term synonymous with Travelers Information Stations (TIS), Highway Advisory Radio Stations (HAR) / Highway Information Systems & Low Power Radio Stations (LPR). Operation of the stations is governed by FCC Part 90.242 Rules. A FCC license is required. Information Radio Stations may be fixed or portable. Subcomponents may include transmitter, antenna and ground system, digital voice player, wateter, cabinet with conventional or Corbin locks, lightning arrestors for RF, power and telephone lines, coaxial cable. Most stations employ black maximized antennas to discourage ice accumulation and security measures to prevent unauthorized program access. Options include synchronization, battery backup, solar power, remote programming by local, network or telco, multi-station audio distribution via RF or LAN / WAN or wireless network.