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Flashing ALERT Sign System
For Streets and Roads with Speeds below 60 MPH 

AEL/SEL FEMA Grant Category 03OE-03-SIGN		  
Flashing ALERT Sign
One of Avalon NJ's Signs
* * * 

For McGuire AFB, above, 2 opposite-facing Flashing ALERT Signs have a custom military-gray / brown background with white lettering and feature optional beacon sun visors.
Wireless | Remote Controlled | Solar Powered 
Ultra-visible from more than 1000 feet – even in daytime – Flashing ALERT Signs grab attention with their bright embedded flashing LED beacons. Communities, military bases and industries often use the signs in conjunction with Information Radio Stations to announce urgent message broadcasts. But the signs may also be used independently, e.g., to announce detour routes and emergency actions when beacons activate.

Flashing ALERT Sign Systems may be custom designed for each application with varying power and control methods, sign text, colors and mounting styles and may be installed apart from electrical power services, which keeps installation costs low. 

System operators trigger beacons to flash via one of a number of wireless control methods, e.g. UHF, VHF, paging, SMS/cellular, wireless modem. Bright, amber LEDs command immediate attention when activated. When beacons are off, colored panels display 24/7. 

Flashing ALERT Signs store enough flash-power to run 4 to 10 days even with no sun. With as little as 1.5 average sun hours per day, each sign's backup battery system remains fully charged around the clock. 

Within each sign location, up to four Flashing ALERT Signs may be connected to and controlled by a single Remote Control Power Unit via wire line. For example, two Flashing ALERT Signs could be placed on a busy thoroughfare, one facing each traffic direction; another pair could be placed on two busy streets that intersect that thoroughfare.

Flash patterns and sign colors comply with the Department of Transportation/Federal Highway Administration Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (2004, Regulation 2A.08). (Check with street department and highway authorities to coordinate compliance with local/state regulations governing signs in your area.)
Technical Specifications
Sign Panel Remote Control & Power Unit Cabinet
Face Cabinet
  • Typical size: 44” high by 24” wide, customizable (price relates to size).
  • Composition: natural aluminum, standard 1/16” gauge reflective black/ yellow/blue, high intensity prismatic sheeting; customizable black/white, 2” and 3” high lettering.
  • Mount: universal L-bracket for banding, bolting to existing poles or posts.
  • Size: 20” high x 16" wide x 10" deep.
  • Construction: NEMA4X, natural aluminum, single-hinge door, hasp-lock-in closure; weatherproof external antenna connector, wiring, ports.
  • Mounts: external tabs for universal mounting to existing poles or posts.
Electrical Electrical
  • LED beacons: 2, amber, weatherproof.
  • LED beacons; 41 diodes each; 4.25” diameter embedded reflectors.
  • Current draw: 100 milliamps.
  • Flash controller: 8A, 50/60 fpm, waterproof.
  • Duty cycle: 50% flash.
  • Operation time: 2-4 day flash via solar power without sunlight.
  • Solar panel: typical 40-watt, 2.40-amp at 12-volt DC, 38.38"x12.13".
  • Solar panel mount: side-of-pole, band or bolt-on.
  • Solar controller: 6-amp current capacity, LED charge indications.
  • Low voltage disconnect circuitry.
  • Battery: 55AH, AGM, sealed type.
Example Controller

The potential for flooding is a common hazard near shorelines and rivers. Shoreline community Long Branch, NJ, uses several Flashing ALERT Signs (like the one pictured below) to alert motorists to danger as they approach low areas prone to rising water. Beacons are triggered via UHF/VHF.

Solar panel and electronics are behind the sign panel.

Traffic sees the sign panel with embedded LED Beacons.

  • Capacity: up to 4 flashing signs.
  • Control wiring: #14 AWG, each a maximum of 1000 feet from the controller.
  • Receive frequencies/ranges: 33-50 MHz (VHF low), 150-170 MHz (VHF high) and 450-470 MHz (UHF).
  • Frequencies monitored:  single frequency (1).
  • Control codes: up to 6 simultaneous codes.
  • Code formats: DTMF (up to 12 digits); 2-tone sequential, single-tone 0.3-3.0 kHz.
  • Programming output: SPDT relay with programmable timer; laptop programming via RS232 port and Windows-based software.
  • Indicators: “ALERT received” LED indicator.
  • Speaker: 4” integral.
  • Test diagnostics: built in with LED indicators.
  • External antenna: 50-ohm BNC connector.
Custom versions
Customized Flashing ALERT Signs may retrofit existing warning / evacuation signs to notify drivers when an event is imminent. Applications include weather emergencies and evacuations. Evacuation signs without flashers tend to blend into local environments, especially for residents and regular commuters but get noticed with flashers activate during crises.
Control Methods 
Method Third-Party Carrier Requires Existing Infrastructure Controls Signs in Subgroups Controls Signs via Web GUI Status Feedback Is Provided Added Hardware Cost
UHF/VHF
Using DTMF 2-Tone		 No Yes, Requires UHF/VHG Coverage at Sign Locations on Available Frequency Yes No No No
Commercial Paging Yes, Flat Monthly No Yes With Added Software No No
Cellular SMS Yes per Location No Yes Yes Yes No
Network LANNo or Wireless Yes only if Third-Party LAN or Wireless Provider Used Yes, Network Must Be Accessible at All Sign Locations Yes Yes Yes Yes if Wireless
Cellular DTMF Yes per Location No No No No Yes
Quote 
Email us for a formal quote based on your particular application. An illustrated instruction manual comes with the product. We offer technical support for the life of the product.  See available purchasing methods. 
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PO Box 51, Zeeland, Michigan, USA, 49464-0051, Phone 616.772.2300, Email Form
TRADEMARKS:  2X Signal Booster, ALERT AM Emergency Advisory Radio System, AMReady Broadcast Components, ANXX AM Radio Antenna, AP.55 Digital Message Player, ENcast Emergency Notification Broadcast System, EventCAST Portable Information Radio Service, FAS.6000 Flashing Beacons & Controller, FASTrack Quick-Erect Sign, FlashCAST Internet Broadcast Service, Flashing ALERT Sign System, FlexPlane Preassembled 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 Station, IP.8 Digital Message Player, IP.76 Digital Message Player, ITS.6000 Highway Advisory Radio Network, LIGHTNING LED Changeable Message Sign, Lowdown 630-Meter Band Amateur Radio Antenna, MGR.021 Digital Audio Management System, MXB.22 THEMATCHBOX Impedance Matching Transformer, NX8R Digital Message Player, PPFL PPFS PowerPlane Preassembled Groundplane, RadioSAFE Wide Area Emergency Broadcast System, RadioSTAT Portable Emergency Advisory Radio Station, RE 2.5 Range Extender Outdoor Antenna and Tuner, RESPONDER 1 Portable Highway Advisory Radio System, RoadRunnR Portable Highway Advisory Radio System, SSD.20 Severe Storm Detector, SMR Signal Measurement Radio Receiver, Stealth Sign, StreamCAST Internet Audio Delivery Service, SS.3000 Free-Standing AM Radio Antenna System with Tower, SX.200 Wattmeter, Talking House AM Radio Transmitter, TH.5 InfOspot Transmitter, TMS.020 Digital Audio Management System, TR.6000 Transmitter, TMS.020 Digital Audio Management System, TR.6000 Transmitter Model 15.73, VP.9000 Vertical Profile Antenna Support and Grounding System.

Information Radio Station is a generic term synonymous with Travelers Information Station (TIS), Highway Advisory Radio (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, wattmeter, 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.