The Information Station


3 Versions from which to Choose 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 three models to meet customer needs — Classic, USB and IP — and is the sole provider of this product in the United States.
			Download a complete overview with planning, pricing & technical specs PDF. See the Workstation Audio Control option Webpage. See also, the ALERT AM Emergency Advisory Radio System webpage.
Classic Information Station	USB Information Station	IP Information Station
Update the broadcast program by microphone, by telephone, by your own two-way radio transceiver or via your personal computer. The Classic version allows you to create up to 50 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.	Allows the broadcast program to be updated locally by simply inserting a flash drive into the station's USB port. Affords high quality programming made possible by software-based recording and audio processing. Ideal for station operators who do not require remote program changes but appreciate the convenience of message creation and management on their computers.	Update the broadcast program via a standard Ethernet network or via its USB port as a backup. As with the Information Station USB, this Information Station version affords the highest quality audio programming and the flexibility of keeping the library of messages on your computer.
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.			See Recording Services webpage.
Who operates Information Stations?
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... Airports. Attractions (concerts, ski areas, zoos in partnership with communities). Convention centers. Historic sites. See Crazy Horse Monument Example. Industries (in partnership with communities). Interpreters. See Pacific State Marine Fisheries Example. Municipalities (boroughs, cities, counties, towns, villages). Parks & other outdoor recreation areas (national, state & local). See Upper Delaware River example. Scenic byways. See Castle Country Example. Tourism departments (visitor bureaus & chambers of commerce. Universities & colleges. See SUNY Buffalo example. 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. See a partial list of National Parks with Information Stations.
Frequency & Licensing Considerations
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. See FCC rules regarding Permitted broadcast content. 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 webpage.
Equipment Array
The Information Station comes complete from ISS, ready to install. Included are the transmitter, antenna, patented factory-assembled groundplane, digital message player, lightning arrestors, batteries, all cables, connectors, mounts, hardware and illustrated instructions. The housing is a weatherproof cabinet, designed for pole or wall mounting. Options include Classic, USB and IP versions (described above), the Vertical Profile Antenna System and Flashing ALERT Signs (linked right) to notify motorists of your signal at key locations along roadways within range of the station. The flashing signs are triggered via your own two-way radio system. See Technical Specifications (linked right).			Flashing ALERT Signs webpage. Technical Specifications webpage.
Installation Styles
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 dWg. Isolated Style dWg. VP9000 in Yard dwg.
Services
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. Planning webpage.
Budget
Equipment and services (including licensing, installation and ground freight in the contiguous United States) typically total $11-17,000, depending on options chosen and installation variables. At no charge, we will help you brainstorm ideas for your particular application and provide a formal quote. Just email or call us with your request (616.772.2300). Illustrated instruction manuals come with every Information Station. ISS offers technical support for the life of the product 24/7 at no extra charge.
Related Links
Case Study weblinks . Complete Information Station Overview PDF download. Exclusive Features webpage. Interviews with Users across the Country webpage (free CD by Oregon State University). Planning webpage. Sole Source Letter PDF. Technical Specs webpage. What May Be Broadcast webpage.

This page was last updated on May 11, 2010.