Founded in 1983, Information Station Specialists is the nation's sole domestically owned source for Information Radio Station and Advisory Sign systems that allow public agencies to broadcast safety and service messages to motorists.
 
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AM:FM Comparison
There are many differences to consider between AM frequencies and inaccessible Low-Power FM (LPFM) frequencies. Keep in mind that the filing windows for 100-watt stations have been closed, and there has been no word from the FCC about when 10-watt station filing windows will be established.

AM (LPAM)

FM (LPFM)
1 May be used only by a governmental entity. 1 May be used by more, i.e., nonprofit groups, educational institutions and government entities.
2 May not mention business names and must be voice only. 2 May be underwritten by a sponsor and named on the air; can play music.
3 May play a repeating loop of information. 3 May do that too but must also locally originate a significant amount of programming each week.
4 Applicants are almost assured of having requests for stations granted. Frequencies are plentiful in most areas except the large cities. Applications can be sent in anytime. 4 Frequencies are much more limited, and applying is not a guarantee of obtaining a grant. If others apply for the same frequency, grants will be made to the most qualified applicants; equally qualified applicants may have to share. Applications may be made in a 5-day filing window, determined by the FCC according to state — then the opportunity expires.
5 Applicants may apply for as many stations as they like and locate them where they like, within limits. 5 Applicants may only apply for 1 station for the first few years. FM applicants also must be locally owned and controlled.
6 Stations are all 0-10 watts, mono. 6 Stations are to be 0-10 watts and 0-100 watts, both stereo.
7 Stations are content-limited. 7 Stations may broadcast almost any kind of content of interest to the community.
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Copyright 1983-2010 • 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®, PowerPlane®, RoadRunnR®, StationMaster®, Stylized ®

Pending Trademarks: RadioSTAT™ and SignalcastIP ™

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