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Planning
Steps |
System
Details
- Antenna system, conventional
webpage.
- Antenna system,
optional vertical profile
webpage.
- Computer audio
control software package
webpage.
- Phone-based audio
control
webpage.
- IP-based audio control
webpage.
- Power loss
notification module
webpage.
- Sample network
layout diagram
webpage.
- Sign flash
controller
webpage.
- Transmitter
webpage.
Related Links
- Download a complete ITS6000
overview with options, planning steps and technical specs
PDF
download.
- See ITS6000 exclusive
features
webpage.
- Plan stations
webpage.
- Familiarize yourself with FCC frequency-search
& licensing services
webpage.
- See installation
services
webpage.
- View a professional
recording services summary
webpage.
- See a portable HAR offering, VoiceStar, from American Signal
and ISS
webpage.
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Step 1:
Conduct a frequency search.
Contact ISS to order a
frequency search. Just provide the general area where the radio
station(s) might be located. The $790 per-location cost includes
the license-application work, as well, once you decide to move
forward. ISS will develop a list of AM frequencies that are
available and send them to you with our suggestions and
instructions on how to monitor them. |
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Step 2:
Survey onsite listening.
Survey the highways where
listening is required with an automobile digital AM radio tuned
to your candidate frequencies. Monitor all the candidate
frequencies throughout the listening areas at least once during
daylight hours and at least once after dark. Report your results
to ISS, using the
frequency-monitoring form. (See the
"Why
Nighttime Monitoring Is Important" webpage.) |
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Step 3:
Choose a general location for coverage.
On a local map, find the
approximate geographic center of the listening area you want to
cover. The HAR signal will propagate to a radius of 3-5 miles
from this point in all directions. If this coverage does not encompass
the highways that require coverage, consult with ISS regarding adding
satellite stations. If a
specific highway or intersection is critically important to cover,
consider locations within ˝ mile. Mark the map to show the area within
which the antenna should be located to meet your coverage goals.
Consider where signs will be placed to announce to motorists entering
the area that the signal is available. (Resource: Read ISS' TechTalk article
"Useful
tips for placing road signs.")
NOTE: 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 4:
Determine the
desired National Weather Service All-Hazards Alert system
notification coverage.
Verify reception of a
National Weather Service channel (162.400-162.550 MHz) at the
desired location. See coverage areas online at
this NOAA web
link. |
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Step 5:
Choose a specific
antenna location.
For best coverage, the
immediate location should be free of objects that exceed 25 feet
(about 2 stories.) This includes tall buildings, trees, terrain
features, lighting, power and communication poles and towers,
overpasses and highway signs. Make certain 120VAC power and
telephone service are available at the site and that there is a
40'-by-40' area of open ground for cabinet and antenna
installation. A conventional, vertical profile or super antenna
system may be used. Consult ISS for assistance. |
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Step 6:
Fill out the FCC license applications questionnaire.
Complete a FCC License
Questionnaire found on
this
webpage that gives ISS the information needed to prepare and
submit the 10-year FCC license application on your behalf. On
the questionnaire, you will be asked to provide information on
your antenna operating area, your frequency choice and required
names and addresses. The FCC typically takes 3 to 6 months to
process it and grant the authorization. While waiting for the
10-year license to be granted, you may procure the equipment and
build the station, if you wish. IMPORTANT: You must have a FCC
license in hand to operate; the station must be on the air
within 12 months of the license grant date, or the authorization
will expire. Special Temporary Licenses (STA) might also be
available from the FCC, if immediate operation is required.
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.
Many
options are available to customize the HAR for your
application(s):
Consider, for example, extra backup batteries so
the station(s) remains operational if AC power goes out. If the
station is in an unattended location, also consider getting a
Power Loss
Notification Module.
If you want to notify motorists that critical messages are being
broadcast, ask about the FAS6000 Flash Controllers for highway
signs that may be triggered via
pager
or
two-way radio.
If you want to control your station’s audio “drag and drop”
style via a computer on a workstation, consider
Workstation Audio Control.
Note: phone-based NX8R audio control is standard.
Planning assistance is free.
Email Bill Baker (phone 616.772.2300 x102). Bill can also
provide a formal quotation. Just let him know the following:
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Your name, agency, phone
and fax numbers, email address, if desired.
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Product
name: ITS6000 Highway Advisory Radio Network.
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Options desired.
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Step 8:
Prepare your transmitter site.
ISS offers
detailed, illustrated instructions on how to prepare your
transmitter site, based on the antenna system you choose. This
allows you to prepare the site yourself; subcontract the work;
or, if you prefer, have ISS quote installation services for your
configuration. |
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| This page
was last updated on
January 03, 2013. |
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