ALERT AM Radio Station Specifications

ALERT AM Technical Specifications

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The ALERT AM System operates according to Federal Communications Commission Rules, Part 90.242. It achieves a maximum FCC signal of 2.0 mV/m at 0.93 mile and operates within the 530-1700 kHz AM frequency range.

Overall system capabilities include . . .

Predetermined message playlists that key by external tone-alert receiver or relay closure.

Internal capability for 1,000 dynamic recorded messages and up to 80 minutes of recordable time.

Live broadcast by microphone or external source.

Touchtone telephone control via landline or optional cell phone, on site or from remote locations.

Automatic broadcast of Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Weather Service (NWS) alerts specific to targeted counties and event codes. When alerts are over, the system can be set to automatically return to normal programming.

Continuous broadcasting during programming changes.

Effective range of 3 to 5 miles.

Components include . . .

Transmitter

Federal Communications Commission certified for Travelers Information Service in the United States under Part 90.242. Certification Number: B7MTR-6000TIS-WB.

0-10-watt operation, Class D, high efficiency output; internal components rated to 3 times operating wattage, utilizing 2 output devices.

Integral LED wattmeter and VU meter.

Synthesized frequency selection, compander-style audio processing.

Single-board design with all RF, power and audio circuitry.

Remote broadcast monitoring control.

FCC type accepted for travelers information service in the United States; type acceptance year: 1999.

Mean Time Between Failure = in excess of 60 years.

Estimated product life = in excess of 30 years.

NX8R Digital Message Player

Voicemail-style natural voice operation with 800-word/phrase capability; voice prompts and status report on available recording time, sequences, security codes, programming parameters and complete status of current audio program, relay states, power.
Identical remote and local control codes.
High quality (16-bit sampling rate) recording process, yielding 5500-Hz dynamic range.
One thousand independent broadcast messages that may be of any length. Each message may be independently monitored and later erased, as desired.
Automatic message scheduling by time, day, date. Internal time clock never requires setting, keeping time even with total loss of power.
Fifty message playlists that may contain hundreds of broadcast messages, up to three live sources (each with independent timing control), command for up to four external relays, other (nested) playlists and differing output levels for each audio output. Playlists may be created, recreated or appended locally or remotely.
Selection of active playlist locally or remotely.
Eighty minutes of recordable time in dynamic flash memory.
Three audio inputs for separate and independent live program feeds, each with independent audio level controls.
Three audio outputs with audio levels settable locally, remotely or programmed to change automatically.
One- to nine-digit security access code, defeatable phone prompting, programmable locally or remotely. User-settable number of retries and timeout period for maximum security.
Five-second and full-message survey monitoring of all stored messages and playlists.
Eight prioritized control closures to trigger message sequences remotely.
Control closure prioritization allows automatic interrupts for emergency messages and automatic National Weather Service all-hazard radio notifications (weather and EAS).
Includes prerecorded messages by professional announcer for emergency advisory radio application -- ready for broadcast immediately.
Station identification message broadcasts every half-hour.
Rack mountable, slim design, 1 RU in height.

National Weather Service all-hazards alert Receiver

Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) decoder for your selected counties, 2,000-county capability.

Receives all 7-channel, VHF, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) weather frequencies and all Emergency Alert System (EAS) codes.

Field programmable and upgradeable.

Front-panel diagnostics and audio test port that accepts recorded .wav files.

Detects up to 16 programmed SAME county codes; user-adjustable; triggers program changes based on NOAA-EAS/weather-encoded messages.

Stores most recent alert for local speaker replay.

600-ohm continuous output, manual and autoscan tuning; integral speaker/volume control.

Steel chassis; rack mountable.

External antenna, cut for the EAS/weather radio frequencies and mount with threaded UHF connector, balun and weatherproof gasket.

Antenna and Groundplane System

Yard or isolated antenna-installation style options. See also Vertical Profile Antenna option (below) for use in tight spaces.

Aluminum construction, black finish color to discourage ice buildup; UV resistant finish; architectural anodization process #801.

Whip-style 15-25’ long; maximum 2.0" OD, tapering to 0.5"; stainless-steel tuning tip.

All hardware and mounts.

Patented, factory-assembled groundplane with 1,250’ of wire, 10-20’ radius.

Wind rating: Antennas 1230 kHz and above 100 mph; 80 mph with 1/4 radial ice; antennas 1220 kHz and below 80 mph; 50 mph with 1/4 radial ice.

Lightning Arrestor System, Enclosure and Groundbus

Provided in a weatherproof NEMA4 cabinet, arrestor bonded to an aluminum panel that supports the lightning grounding and groundplane connection clamps.
Capacity of 18,000 amps surge.
Clamping speed of less than 4 nS.
2 UHF connectors.
Aluminum flange ground connection.

Standard Indoor Security Cabinet for Yard Antenna-Mount Styles (See also optional Outdoor Security Cabinet, below.)

Freestanding cabinet with window-doors, front and back, and keyed locks.
Footprint with 4-day battery backup: 75.5" high by 25.5" deep by 22" wide; 19" dual doors open 90 degrees front and back, window on front door; 496 pounds, including rack-mounted components.
Footprint without battery backup and for satellite station locations: 48" high by 24" deep by 22.75" wide; 19" dual doors open 90 degrees front and back, window on front door; 170 pounds, including rack-mounted components.
Steel construction with black textured powder-coat finish, NEMA1 style.
Rack mounts, shelves, wiring harness and fixtures.
AC terminal block, high capacity AC surge arrestor, GFCI outlet.
High capacity telephone line surge arrestor.

Test Equipment

Wattmeter and dummy load for antenna tuning and system diagnosis.

All Necessary Wiring, Cabling, Connectors, Mounts and Hardware

Optional Two-Way Redundant Control

Allows full control of ALERT AM's NX8R Digital Message Player via appropriate push-to-talk style two-way radio transceivers (not included) parallel to and with priority over telephone control. The two-way redundant control option uses the same commands and protocols as telephone control, providing the same voice prompts and control options.

optional DC Integrated Power System and 4-day Battery Backup

22A/24V DC regulated power supply/battery charger.

- LED charge indicators.
- Digital voltmeter/ammeter.
- Operational status indicators.
- Breakers for AC input, battery output.
- Automatic low-voltage battery and load disconnect, thermal shutdown and recovery, current-limiting and over-voltage protection.
- 110 or 220 volts AC.
- Accommodates redundant parallel module for auto switchover if main unit fails.
- Chassis size: rack mount, 2 rack units height.
4 sealed AGM batteries, 158 AH @ 24VDC, yielding 4 days of operating time, fully recharges in 7 hours.

optional AC Uninterruptible power supply

1,000VA
640W battery backup.
6 outlets.
Interactive UPS offers voltage regulation and battery support plus complete AC surge suppression.
1U rack mount.
Max load of 1,000VA for 10 minutes and a half-load of 500VA for 24 minutes.
Full-time sine wave output.
Maintains regulated 120V nominal output during brownouts and overvoltages from 83 to 147V.
Includes 6 UPS supported outlets.
Multi-function audible alarms and set of 5 front panel LEDs.

Optional Flashing ALERT Sign System

Optional Outdoor Security Cabinet for Isolated Antenna-Mount Style

NEMA-3R grade, gasketed, with dual doors, aluminum frame and sheeting. Removable rack cage.
Cabinet footprint: 66.5 inches high by 24.125 inches wide by 33 inches deep; 23-inch doors open 90 degrees, front and back.
332/334 signal cabinet style.
Dual internal locks and locking handles on dual doors.
Fan/vent/filter, thermostatically controlled.
AC power service panel and ground bus.
Cabinet lights activate/deactivate with door opening/closure.

Optional Power Loss Notification Module

5 programmable notification delay periods.
Instantaneous to 24 hours.
Internal battery backup.
Automatically dials up to 4 telephone numbers, including cell phones and pagers.

Optional RealTIME Synchronization for Multi-Station Groupings

Optional VP9000 Vertical Profile Antenna Syste

Optional Workstation Audio Control

Optional SignalcastIP Broadcast Management Software Package

The system operates on these utilities

110/220-volt AC, single phase/50/60 Hz, less than 1 amp AC operating current, 4-amp maximum AC charging current (20-amp breaker, nonGFI circuit).

Standard business telephone line (“central office” type, shielded).

This page was last updated on May 05, 2008.