Information Station Specialists is the best known source of travelers information stations, highway advisory radio, advisory signs and services needed to reach motorists with public service information. Learn more about Information Station Specialists.
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RadioSTAT
Portable Emergency Advisory Radio Station
AEL/SEL Category 04AP-09-ALRT
Travelers Information Station / Highway Advisory Radio
Customer Reviews

 "Deployment went quickly and was completed in about 20 minutes. The coverage was phenomenal and absolutely unbelievable that a 10-watt station could be heard nearly 6 miles away in an urban environment with many tall buildings. Overall, the system was an excellent investment." 
John Black
Wireless Communications Manager
City of Long Beach, CA 
 
"We are using our info radio station [RadioSTAT] on 1640 kHz for the second year to broadcast information during the National High School Rodeo Finals (NHSRF). We use it with wonderful success to broadcast traffic information, emergency information and daily event schedules."
David Johnson
Emergency Manager
Sweetwater County | Rock Springs, WY
 
RadioSTAT being ported
 
RadioSTAT's portable antenna and groundplane at temporary installation on a building roof in Douglas County, NE. 
 






































































Capabilities . . . Download a RadioSTAT brochure pdf to print.       
During public health and safety emergencies, take a RadioSTAT Portable Emergency Advisory Radio Station into critical areas and speak directly to citizens via standard radio receivers. RadioSTAT can be a lifesaver, allowing the broadcast of critical instructions and information regarding, for example...
  • Disasters/Evacuations.
  • Medical Emergencies (hospital surge, points of distribution field information, quarantine isolation, decontamination).
  • Terrorist/Shooter Incidents.
  • HAZMAT and Traffic Information.
  • Critical Public Safety Instructions.
  • Road Construction/Infrastructure Failures.
  • AMBER Alerts.

Built for speed and portability, RadioSTAT electronics are housed in high-impact, weather-resistant cases. The quick-erect antenna system folds up, allowing the entire station to be set up in 10 minutes by one person.

RadioSTAT is FCC-licensed. The signal is typically announced to the public by FASTrack (pictured right) or other portable signs, positioned at the periphery of the coverage area. Motorists receive broadcasts on standard vehicle radios, over 25-75 square miles.

The stations are priced affordably so multiple units can be deployed simultaneously at different locations during an emergency as required.

Information Station Specialists is the sole provider of RadioSTAT in the United States and offers 24/7 remote technical support for the life of the product. State and local governmental entities may purchase our products without going to bid, if they join the HGACBuy purchasing cooperative as end users. Membership is free. Here's how easy it is to join.

Portability becomes an instant asset during emergencies, allowing re-establishment of the signal from a new location quickly.

Portability also makes RadioSTAT especially useful at large public gatherings for broadcasting key information, i.e., schedules, traffic, parking, safety and critical instructions for patrons approaching or exiting.

Programming may be controlled using flash drives through a USB port and may also be uploaded via Ethernet from a network or a laptop computer. If you operate RadioSTAT at a fixed location, when it is not required in the field, the network capability makes this asset all the more valuable.

During non-emergency times, officials often operate from a fixed location via the VP.9000 Vertical Profile Antenna (see Options below). This helps familiarize citizens with the frequency. Regular FCC-allowed messages may be broadcast during those times.

See more about permitted content.
Key Advantages . . .
  1. Third-party companies are not needed for continuing service, carrier or activation fees, and, therefore, do not need to be relied upon during emergencies.Third-party companies are not needed for continuing service, carrier or activation fees, and, therefore, do not need to be relied upon during emergencies.
  2. When the AC grid goes down, RadioSTAT still works if operated on a generator or battery pack; and receivers are in vehicles. AM radio methodology has been active for 80 years and is not likely to be supplanted anytime soon.
  3. Citizens do not need to purchase special devices to receive RadioSTAT messages.
  4. RadioSTAT stations allow public officials to speak directly to drivers without distracting text messages on portable devices.
  1. Radio messages vastly supersede text services in the sheer amount of information and level of detail that may be delivered efficiently.
  2. This aural medium also allows officials to speak to the public in a natural, person-to-person way that might be calming during an emergency.
  3. RadioSTAT comes in an easy-to-go format but may be used in a fixed location when not needed on the road.
  4. Its low price makes it accessiblew, so communities can afford more than one to cover their areas.


   See features exclusive to RadioSTAT in the marketplace.
Plan Your Station / Request a Quote . . .
Contact Bill Baker to help plan the best configuration for your setting and to get a quote. See Typical Planning Steps for planning a RadioSTAT Portable Emergency Advisory Radio Station.
Who Uses RadioSTAT . . .

(Radio stations for use by government agencies and emergency medical providers.)
RadioSTAT is increasingly a standard communication tool for public health and safety agencies across the nation. Examples are given below with funding ideas highlighted.
County Public Health Examples: Los Angeles County has a roaming station, deployable anywhere within this populous area on a moment's notice to inform motorists queuing at vaccine distribution points. Bucks County (PA), Williamson County (TX) and Worcester County (MA )have multiple units. Comments Allen County (IN) emergency preparedness director Brad Witte: "We will use the RadioSTAT radio to provide the citizens of Allen County with public health information in conjunction with field clinics that we might need to set up in response to public health emergencies, such as the recent pandemic. These instructions will include directions to our field clinics, information on how to proceed through the clinics and what to expect once they arrive, as well as medical information about the public health emergency and where to obtain further information." Allen County used an H1N1 grant to fund purchase of their equipment.

Emergency Medical Service Examples: Various hospitals such as Porter Health in Indiana and STRAC (Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council) have RadioSTAT units at the ready to communicate with the public in an emergency.

County Emergency Management Examples: In Sweetwater County, an 11,000 square-mile district, there are three RadioSTAT units to get emergency messages "to the public who miss receiving information from other sources," according to Sweetwater's coordinator of emergency management Judy Valentine. "We provide updated information using these systems; and, in addition, we deploy them when we activate our mobile command post or CERT animal rescue, shelter or other volunteer teams. We also plan to use them for civic and public health events, disaster exercises and a multitude of other activities. We're fairly certain we will find more uses for them than [first] imagined possible." Sweetwater County funded their RadioSTAT purchase through an Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) and County funds on a 50/50 split.

 State Agency Examples: North Dakota Emergency Management owns three RadioSTAT units that it can deploy anywhere in the state on a moment’s notice, whenever public safety is at risk. In other states, such as Indiana and West Virginia, various county-owned RadioSTAT units are licensed with a statewide operating territory with the intent of sharing the resource with other counties as required. In West Virginia, counties comprising Homeland Security Region 4 employ 8 independent RadioSTAT systems. Each has a fixed antenna allowing it to operate at a specific site in each county and a portable FCC license, so it can roam anywhere in West Virginia. Says Marvin Hill of Randolph County Emergency Management: "During emergency and or disastrous situations, we provide information on the event and safety rules to follow to protect the lives and property of our residents and/or visitors. During non-life threatening events, [to inform and educate the public and develop an on-air presence] we provide information on general conditions throughout the County [that might affect travel in the areas served]."

Community Examples: such as Portola Valley (CA), Mantoloking (NJ) and Burien (WA) operate RadioSTAT units with fixed antennas − with the expectation that it might need to move out on a moment’s notice. The RadioSTAT is unplugged from the fixed antenna and paired with its portable antenna system when deployment to another location is required or the system must be evacuated.

Fire District Examples: Yosemite National Park and the USDA use RadioSTAT for fire applications in Utah. Also, when emergencies occur in communities surrounding Lake Tahoe, motorists tend to line up end-to-end, sandwiched between steep cliffs and the lakeshore, unable to turn around or exit the line. The District keeps 3 RadioSTAT stations on their Public Information Trailers for quick deployment when and where needed. States Chris Stulik, assistant to the Lake Tahoe District's public information officer: “These [RadioSTAT] transmitters will broadcast where the treatment centers are as well as our local ‘emergency number'.... The RadioSTATs are an excellent source when coupled with the electronic changeable signs we have, to let the public know where to receive vaccinations in the event of an outbreak.”
See a state-by-state list of emergency advisory radio stations across America. See also the "RadioSTAT Offers Lost Piece of Interoperability," Fire Chief Magazine article.
Basic Equipment Package . . . Options . . .
  • TR.6000 HQ5.0 Transmitter / Message Player in portable shock case, containing broadcast control electronics.
  • PowerPlane Portable Antenna System and stand with coaxial cable and stabilizing sand bags.
  • Six Flash Drives in carrying case.
  • Live Microphone and Cable.
  • Equipment Pouches and Stowing Bags for mics, cables and antennas.
  • Customizable Equipment Management Tags.
  • Set-Up Tools.
  • Illustrated Instructions and training CD.
  • An Array of services that includes system planning/engineering,, 24/7 remote technical support and Potential Interference Notification Service (PINS))for the life of the station..

See Technical Specifications webpage for details.

See also the Limitations webpage for FCC-related implications.

RadioSTAT cases
  • Audio Management Software, Recording Headset and Mic (recommended).
  • Fixed VP.9000 Vertical Profile Antenna Support and Grounding System.
  • Antenna Height Extender for terrain / interference / obstruction-challenged areas.
  • 2X Signal Booster offers up to double the efficiency / range of the station’s antenna, allowing the transmitter to run at less wattage or allowing the signal to have twice the signal intensity at a given distance. It functions with upper-band (typ:1610-1700 kHz) antennas only and is recommended for federal government agencies that do not have a signal intensity limitation; also for any operator in a challenging environment that requires maximum signal intensity to cut through woods, buildings and obstructions. (Note: Local government licensees must seek a waiver of the FCC rules to allow a signal intensity above the standard 2.0 mV/m limitation.)
  • Signal Measurement Radio Receiver that allows the operator to measure the radio station’s signal intensity and verify compliance with FCC rules.
  • IP-Based Audio Control – network-based audio program control (with flash-drive backup) and an audio management software suite.
  • StreamCASTs – network audio interface and related components that allow streaming of broadcasts directly on smartphones, tablets, laptops and PCs. Listeners get to the stream by scanning a QR tag or clicking a unique link on your (and/or the HearMoreInfo) website.
  • FASTrack Quick-Erect Sign for Health InfoMessage Recording Services.
  • FCC Licensing Services.
  • Signs to Announce the Station:

- FASTrack Quick-Erect Sign.
- LIGHTNING LED Changeable Message Sign.
Planning & Pricing . . .
Email us or call 616.772.2300 x102 with questions. To plan your station, select options and can provide a formal quote. Each system is provided with Remote Technical Support and Potential Interference Notification Service (PINS) for the life of the station. Professionally recorded audio messages can be provided, so your broadcast is ready to put on the air as soon as the station is turned on.

Sole Source. We frequently are the only source for the products and services we offer and can send you support letters to affirm that for your purchasing documentation.

HGACBuy. If you are a state or local government agency anywhere in the US and you are a HGACBuy cooperative member - or want to join as an end user - you can purchase our products without the necessity of going out to bid. Membership is free to villages, towns, cities, townships, counties, state agencies, departments, authorities, districts, councils or nonprofits doing work for such entities. Here's how to join.

Competitive Process. If you must seek competitive bids or quotes, we can supply specifications (in text form) so you can easily integrate them into bid documents.

Purchases by governmental entities can be made by purchase order, agency order on letterhead, VISA/MC (up to $3,500) or simply by signing and returning our quote sheets. Standard terms are Net 30 days.

Lease-to-own terms are also available. Inquire for details.

For a trailer-mounted portable radio system with even more capability, see VoiceStar.
   
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©  1983-2019  • Information Station Specialists, Inc. •  All Rights Reserved
PO Box 51, Zeeland, Michigan, USA, 49464-0051, Phone 616.772.2300, Fax 616.772.2966, Email Form

The USA's best known source for Emergency Advisory Radio Stations, Travelers' Information Stations, Highway Advisory Radio & related products/services.
 Trademarks: 2X Signal Booster, ALERT AM Emergency Advisory Radio System, ANXX AM Radio Antenna, AP55 Digital Message Player, ENcast Emergency Notification Broadcast System, FAS6000 Flashing Beacons & Controller, FASTrack Quick-Erect Sign, Flashing ALERT Sign System, Free-Radiate On-Premise Radio Broadcast System, HearMoreInfo Internet Broadcasts, HPR0990 High Performance AM Radio Antenna, i.A.M. Radio Transmitter, Information Station Specialists, InfoRadio Format, Information Station Classic, Information Station IP, InfOSpot License-Free Radio Station, IP8 Digital Message Player, IP76 Digital Message Player, ITS6000 Highway Advisory Radio Network, LIGHTNING LED Portable Changeable Message Sign, NX8R Digital Message Player, Potential Interference Notification Services (PINS), PowerPlane Flex  Factory-Assembled Groundplane, EventCAST Portable Information Radio Service, RadioSAFE Wide-Area Emergency Broadcast System, RadioSTAT Portable Emergency Advisory Radio Station, Signal Measurement Radio Receiver, SpotCAST Internet Broadcast Service, Stealth Sign, StreamCAST Internet Broadcast Service, SS3000 Free-Standing AM Radio Antenna System with Tower, Stylized ISS Logo, SX200 Watt Meter, Talking House AM Radio Transmitter, TR6000 Transmitter Model HQ5.0, TR6000 Transmitter Model 15.73, VoiceStar Portable Highway Advisory Radio Station (with or without Changeable Message Sign), VP9000 Vertical Profile Antenna Support and Grounding System, Wireless Audio Link.

Information Radio Stations is a generic term synonymous with Travelers Information Stations (TIS), Highway Advisory Radio Stations (HAR) / Highway Information Systems & Low Power Radio Stations (LPR). Operation of the stations is governed by FCC Part 90.242 Rules. A FCC license is required. Information Radio Stations may be fixed or portable. Subcomponents may include transmitter, antenna and ground system, digital voice player, wateter, cabinet with conventional or Corbin locks, lightning arrestors for RF, power and telephone lines, coaxial cable. Most stations employ black maximized antennas to discourage ice accumulation and security measures to prevent unauthorized program access. Options include synchronization, battery backup, solar power, remote programming by local, network or telco, multi-station audio distribution via RF or LAN / WAN or wireless network.