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Step 1: Order a
frequency search.
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Contact ISS to order a frequency search.
Provide the general area where the radio station might be located. This
service includes the license application work (Step 6, below), as well, once you decide to move forward. |
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Step 2: Survey listening
areas.
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Survey the streets and roadways where listening is required with an automobile digital AM radio tuned to your candidate frequencies. Monitor all of the candidate frequencies throughout the listening area at least once during daylight hours and at least once after dark (see
why nighttime monitoring is
important). Select the frequency that is best for your needs. |
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Step 3: Choose a general
location for optimal coverage.
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Use a map to select a general antenna location such that a
3-mile-radius circle fully encompasses the
roadway(s) and streets that require coverage. The signal will usually carry
3 to 5 miles and be heard much farther away on some radios; but the strongest part of the signal will always be in this area. If a certain street, highway or intersection is critically important to cover, consider locations within a half-mile. Mark the map to show the area within which the antenna should be located to meet your coverage goals. (See also
the Signal Penetration page, regarding in-home/in-vehicle listening.) Consider where signs will be placed to
alert motorists entering the area that the signal is available.
(See "Useful tips for placing road
signs." See also ISS
Flashing
ALERT Sign Systems.) |
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Step 4: Determine the
site for antenna installation.
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For best coverage, the immediate area near the antenna should be free of objects that exceed 25 feet (about
2 stories.) This includes tall buildings, trees, terrain features, power and communication poles and towers.
ISS does not
recommend installing antennas on rooftops or within 50 feet of
buildings that contain electronics because of the potential for
interference and equipment damage. This does not apply to
non-building oriented situations such as isolated-style
installations in which a cabinet with the electronic equipment is
attached to the antenna support pole. |
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Step 5: Choose an
antenna mounting style.
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If your site has a building that
would host the radio station, choose yard style. If there is no
host building at the site, choose isolated style.
Yard Style Installation (recommended)
Equipment in a building with the antenna/groundplane system
in an adjacent yard. Advantage: high security.
Isolated Style Installation
Equipment and antenna/groundplane system on a pole where there
is no building. Advantage: high flexibility of location.
Requirements for yard and isolated styles: There should be no
underground obstacles or structures taller than 25 feet in the
immediate vicinity of the antenna and at least a 40x40-foot area
of open ground for pole and groundplane installation. Make
certain 120 volts of AC power and telephone service or, if
remote control via a network is desired, that network service is
also available. (Note: although the Information StationIP
can operate via Ethernet connection, it may also be programmed
locally through its USB port. In that case, no network lines
would be required at the site.)
Optional Vertical Profile Antenna System - VP9000 (an option
for either yard or isolated style)
If ground space is at a premium, choose the optional
Vertical Profile
Antenna System
(VP9000). Because no groundplane is required, only one square
foot of open-ground area is needed. All wiring is inside the
pole. The VP9000 is aesthetically pleasing, highly secure, and
is the only antenna solution that meets hurricane wind standards
in all parts of the United States. |
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Step 6: complete a FCC
license application questionnaire.
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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 7: Consider equipment,
options and services.
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Contact
Bill Baker
to brainstorm the best setup for your application and to receive a
quote.
Checklist for Receiving a Quotation
Provide to Bill the following details, so a precise quotation can be supplied:
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Step 8: Prepare the
transmitter site.
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You can get ready for installation by
preparing your transmitter location. This preparation is detailed in
the instruction manual provided with the system and includes 3
primary activities:
Antenna Support System Preparation
For yard and isolated-style stations, this includes setting the
antenna support pole, burying the coaxial cable and groundplane in
the earth beneath.
Equipment Cabinet Installation
For building-oriented stations, this means locating the
equipment cabinet inside the building with the antenna support pole
in the yard next to the building. For isolated style stations, it
means installing the equipment cabinet on the pole at the antenna
site.
Power, Telephone and Network Services Installation
For building-oriented stations, this means making sure the
120VAC power and a shielded-line telephone or network service are
present/installed at the equipment operating location in the
building. For isolated-style stations: installing power and shielded
telephone or network lines into the equipment cabinet. (Note:
telephone lines are required only for Classic stations. Although the
Information StationIP can operate via Ethernet
connection, it may also be programmed locally through its USB port.
In that case, no network lines would be required at the site.)
Contact
Bill Bakerif you would like an advance copy of your
station’s illustrated instruction manual, which details the exact
site preparation procedures. Just tell ISS whether you are
interested in the Classic or IP Version Information Station and
which installation style, frequency and options you have selected.
ISS offers installation services and can provide a quote for your
project. |
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Step 9: Plan the broadcast.
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The Information Station package can, if you choose, include
professional recordings, ready to broadcast. See the link, right. |
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Message Recording Services -
Webpage.
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What May Be Broadcast per the
FCC -
webpage.
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Related
Links |
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