Founded in 1983, Information Station Specialists is the nation's sole domestically owned source for Information Radio Stations, Advisory Signs and associated power sources used to broadcast safety and service messages to motorists, and the only source providing a product entirely made in America.
 
 
 

 

         
  Self-contained, speedy and smart, RoadRunnR is the most wanted portable advisory radio station on the market today. Why? Because when speed and smarts are required in a portable advisory radio station, RoadRunnR responds.
 
Base System Overview

Powered by a robust array of 6 unbreakable solar panels and a 10-day operational battery backup, RoadRunnR can go anywhere, anytime. The exclusive tilt-able solar array allows multi-season operation; and amorphous solar panels tolerate partial shading, which makes finding a suitable broadcast location quick and easy. The solar array may be rotated to allow positioning for any roadway orientation. Via digital cell phone, RoadRunnR receives programming instructions remotely. (Available where appropriate cell phone service is available. check with ISS.) NOAA All-Hazard alerts are broadcast automatically. Even better, RoadRunnR's patented groundplane offers a signal range to match that of fixed Advisory Radio Stations. RoadRunnR provides the option for 2 transmitters - of the same or different frequencies - in the same cabinet, with single-switch changeover between transmitters. This allows the operator to change frequencies or change to a backup transmitter quickly, in the field. As many as 2 antennas may be stowed in weatherproof compartments on the same trailer. If AC power is available, RoadRunnR can operate on 120 volts, while it charges its high durability glass-mat battery pack – in just over 8 hours. Setup takes only 5 minutes. Portable, flexible FASTrack Portable Signs complement the overall package. (See online planning steps for setting up RoadRunnR or request free personal assistance.)

 

 
Equipment Array

RoadRunnR comes with 1 or 2 transmitters, an antenna/groundplane system, high quality digital message recorder, cell phone, NOAA All-Hazard receiver, wireless power, batteries, AC power and charging system, test equipment, mounts, hardware, cables, wiring, lightning arrestors, connectors and illustrated instructions. The RoadRunnR trailer includes a 5-jack leveling system, lockable equipment, battery and electronics cabinets and dual weatherproof antenna storage tubes. The trailer is high-durability construction with options for paint color, hitch and light connector type. Both horizontal and vertical solar array adjustments are standard. Solar panels are unbreakable and incorporate tamper-resistant hardware. Their 388-watt output is capable of powering RoadRunnR with as little as 3 daily sun-hours in all four seasons. No-maintenance absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries ride in easy-access cabinets and fully recharge in only 8.5 hours on the system's AC charger. AGM batteries provide superior performance in a hot environment and are uniquely tolerant of high-charging and short-circuit conditions. (For product details, see RoadRunnR Technical Specifications.)

 

 
Who Runs RoadRunnRs
 
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Transportation Agencies: departments of transportation, turnpikes and thruways, bridge authorities.

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Local Governments: states, cities, and counties and their departments of emergency management and law enforcement.

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The Military.

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Industrial plants whose HazMat operations might impact nearby residents.

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Events: air shows, fairs, parades, conventions, golf tournaments and other sports events.

Emmet County, Iowa, Example

In 2009, Emergency Coordinator Terry Reekers  reported, "My [RoadRunnR] Information Radio System...was used in Parkersburg after the tornado and in Cedar Rapids during flooding [and] got great reports on how well it worked. FEMA requested it [and] I delivered it.... At a meeting evaluating the Parkersburg tornado response, a gentleman stated that the biggest help they had was info received on the air from Information Radio on where to go and how to get there. It's a great asset for disaster response!," says Terry.

 

  • See the "ALERT Stations across America" webpage.

  • See Gallatin County, MT, story webpage.

 
Technical Services

Every RoadRunnR comes with free frequency-selection assistance and prepaid freight. RoadRunnR's digital message player comes stocked with prerecorded emergency management messages prepared by our professional announcers. In addition, you may take advantage of iss professional recording services. ISS offers continuing technical advice via phone and email for the life of the product at no extra charge. (See the Operators' Zone for continuing online advice, accessible under "Articles" at the top of each webpage.) Frequency monitoring, FCC licensing and preinstallation testing assistance are available as purchase options. (See below.)

 

 
Frequencies & Licensing

RoadRunnR is a portable advisory radio station, licensed by governmental entities on AM frequencies 530-1700 kHz in the AM band secondary to standard AM broadcast stations. Range is 3-5 miles (25-75 square miles) across average terrain. The FCC’s special “broad area” license (good for 10-years and renewable) affords operators a territory in which RoadRunnR may roam. RoadRunnR licenses may also specify a fixed operation point, as well, if desired. (See ISS Frequency/Licensing webpage where you may see prices and download a form to complete and return requesting this service.)

 

 
Broadcast Content

Advisory radio stations may broadcast content relating to public safety and travel, such as road conditions, weather, directions, emergency and other general interest topics to motorists. Broadcasts must be voice-only with no commercial content. See the What May Be Broadcast webpage for details. See ISS Professional recording services.

 

Above, ISS tests RoadRunnR for the Utah Department of Transportation before the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games; see an overview.
 
Message Transfer & Protection

Digital cell phone* and landline telephone operation are standard with 80 minutes of recording time,1,000 dynamic messages and 50 playlists operable remotely through an easy-to-learn, voice-prompt-style interface. NOAA All-Hazard emergency messages are broadcast live. *(The appropriate cell phone service format must be available. Check with ISS.)

 

Above, Fort Bend County, Texas', RoadRunnR fleet. In addition to the 2 RoadRunnRs, the County has 10 ALERT AM stations (synchronized, fixed emergency advisory radio stations) to completely cover the County and reach all motorists in the area. See the case study.
 
Speedy Setup

RoadRunnR is a "quick startup" and can be broadcasting in fewer than 5 minutes. After parking the trailer, the operator swings up the antenna, lays out the portable groundplane and flips on the power. RoadRunnR batteries are immediately online for operation. Once on the air, the operator has the option of deploying the solar array, plugging into 120-volt AC power, continuing to run (up to 10 days) on its battery pack.

 

 
Quote

Bill Baker (616.772.2300, extension 102) will help you plan your station, select options and will provide a formal quote. See our Funding Resources webpage for grant possibilities. Lease-to-own programs are available thru 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.

 

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This page was last updated on September 13, 2011.
   
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Copyright 1983-2012 Information Station Specialists, Inc All Rights Reserved
3368 88th Avenue, PO Box 51, Zeeland, Michigan, USA, 49464-0051
Phone 616.772.2300, Fax 2966,
Email
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US Patents: PowerPlane "Flex" Factory-Assembled Groundplane (#5,495,261), Vertical Profile Antenna System (#7,027,008)
US Pending Patent: RadioSTAT Portable Emergency Radio Station (#12/616,852)
Registered Trademarks: ALERT AM® Emergency Advisory Radio System & RoadRunnR® Portable Advisory Radio System

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