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2 Versions
from which to Choose |
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First
licensed by the Federal Communications Commission in
1977 as a "travelers information station" (TIS), the
Information Station from ISS is now the most
installed 10-watt AM station in the United States
with more than a thousand locations licensed to
date! Its popularity stems from its versatility and
affordability in a patented package that makes
installation and operation simple. Today the
Information Station serves a broader array of
interests than originally envisioned in 1977. ISS
has developed two models to meet customer needs —
Classic and IP — and is the sole provider of this
product in the United States. |
Printable Complete Product Overview |
Classic
Information Station |
IP
Information Station |
Update the broadcast
program by microphone, by telephone, by
your own two-way radio transceiver or
optionally via computer. (See
more about the
Workstation Audio Control option.)
The standard Classic allows you to
create up to 250 message playlists for
convenient retrieval as needed. Standard
recording time is 3 hours and may
contain up to 1,000 messages. Choose
which messages to broadcast and which to
store for future use.
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Update the broadcast
program via a standard Ethernet network
or via its USB port as a backup. This
Information Station version affords the
highest quality audio programming and
the flexibility of keeping the library
of messages on your computer.
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Distinguishing Sole-Source Product
Features |
We can help you get started with professional
message-recording services. ISS professionals
create high quality messages for you to approve
and add to your station’s message library. See
the link, right. |
Recording
Services |
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Who
operates Information Stations?
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The Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) licenses the
Information Station to federal, state and
local governmental entities (see the list
below) for broadcasting travel, safety,
weather, traffic directions/detours,
touring, historical and event information.
The primary audience? Motorists in a
3-5-mile radius area from the station's
center point. Broadcasts are voice-only,
noncommercial, and are controlled locally by
telephone (analog audio transfers via phone
for digital storage and replay — see more
about equipment below). Operators commonly
include...
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Airports.
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Attractions (concerts,
ski areas, zoos in partnership with communities).
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Convention centers.
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Historic sites.
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Industries (in
partnership with communities).
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Interpreters.
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Municipalities (boroughs, cities, counties, towns,
villages).
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Parks & other outdoor
recreation areas (national, state & local).
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Tourism departments (visitor bureaus & chambers of
commerce).
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Universities & colleges.
The National Park Service is among the first
proponents of Information Stations and is the largest
nationwide user of this technology for visitor
information, orientation and interpretive applications. |
Case
Studies
Other interpretive
Use Examples
Partial List of National Parks with
Information Stations
Interviews with Users across the Country |
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Frequency
and Licensing Considerations
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The
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) grants to
government entities licenses for open frequencies (530 to
1700 kHz AM ) on a first-come-first-served basis,
secondary to standard broadcast stations.
Broadcast content must be noncommercial voice audio
relating to travel, services, weather, safety and points
of interest. ISS can help you find an available frequency and apply for a FCC
license. Just complete and return the downloadable License
Questionnaire
to get started (linked on right). Note: You must have a FCC license in hand to operate. Your
station must be on the air within 12 months of the license grant
date, or this authorization will expire. ISS
provides assistance with licensing and important FCC
notifications at minimal cost. |
Licensing Services
FCC Rules for Broadcasts |
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Equipment
Array
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Information Stations
from ISS come complete and ready to install. Included are the
transmitter, antenna, factory-assembled groundplane, lightning
arrestors, batteries, all cables, connectors, mounts, hardware and
illustrated instructions. The housing is a weatherproof cabinet,
designed for pole or wall mounting. Two versions of the Information
Station are summarized above. An optional Vertical Profile Antenna
System
may be ordered for isolated or yard antenna/groundplane installation
styles. A Computer Workstation Audio Control option may be purchased for the Classic
Version.
Companion Flashing ALERT Signs
may be purchased for all versions to notify motorists of the
station’s signal at key locations along streets.
See Information Station technical specs. |
VP9000
Webpage
Workstation Audio
Control Webpage
Flashing ALERT Sign
Webpage |
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Antenna
Installation
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Pick the style of installation that fits
your situation: The Information Station may be installed at a building
with the equipment safely indoors and the antenna pole mounted in the
adjacent yard (yard style - recommended). At remote locations, the entire station may be installed on a pole
and provided with power and telephone service
(isolated style). An exclusive
Vertical Profile Antenna System
option
(VP9000) simplifies the installation process. When the antenna is installed in yard
adjacent to a building, excavation for groundplanes and chemical groundrods is unnecessary,
saving time and cost. The Vertical Profile Antenna System is the
only antenna support of its kind that is hurricane rated and ANSI/TIA
compliant for safe installation where failure is not an option. |
Yard Style
Isolated Style
VP9000 Yard Style
VP9000 Isolated Style |
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Technical
Services
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As you would expect, ISS provides a full menu of technical
services to help put and keep your Information Station on the
air. This includes frequency and site selection, field surveys,
FCC licensing, installation and training, which can be quoted as
needed. Personal planning assistance is free.
Email or call us at 616.772.2300.
See the "Resources" drop-down menu at the
top of each webpage for case studies, news and technical
tips to keep you abreast of issues that affect station
operation. |
Installation Services Webpage |
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Planning
and Purchasing a Station
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Bill Baker
(616.772.2300, extension 102) will help plan your
station, select options and provide a formal quote.
Lease-to-own programs are available through ISS as well. Illustrated
instruction manuals come with every station, and
ISS offers
technical support for the life of the
product 24/7 at no extra charge. |
Planning Steps Webpage |
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If you need a station with added features, see the
ALERT
AM Emergency Advisory Radio System
webpage. |
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North
Plainfield, NJ, Announces Free
H1N1 Vaccines with Information
Radio |
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Photo courtesy of
Somerset County, New Jersey. |
Declares borough
RMC Rich Phoenix, "...Our
Information Radio Station has
played an important role in
publicizing the free
county-sponsored H1N1 walk-in
clinics. The announcements ran
prior to and during the clinics
and was instrumental in getting
a good turnout despite
less-than-perfect winter weather
in our town.
"North Plainfield
Borough appreciates its warm
relationship with Somerset
County Health Officer John
Horensky as well as local and
county employees and volunteers
that made our free H1N1 clinics
so successful."
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