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November 2021 Issue |
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Newsletter Index |
Publisher:
Information Station Specialists |
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Lightfest Adds
Soundtrack |
Wayne County,
Michigan, employs radio to direct thousands through mega
light display. |
WAYNE COUNTY, MI:
The amazing light display that greater Detroit area
residents enjoy each year is adding sound. “LightFest,”
the wattage wonderland that features 50 animated
displays and more than 100,000 lights, in 2021 will include
a radio station as well. The
RadioSTAT system the County Park Department obtained for the
task will transmit the special broadcast on 1640 AM to
car radios in a 3-mile radius from the event entrance,
so people who are lined up can receive recorded and live
updates. The Department plans to employ the radio system
for other big events around the year, as well.
The “Lightfest” event begins November 18th and runs 6-10
PM nightly Wednesdays through Sundays – except Christmas
– to the end of the year.
Parks Department spokesman Steve Winkelman tells The
Source that the pandemic has pumped up the
popularity of the event, which attracts thousands of
cheery attendees annually. The radio service directs
drivers to the entrance and through a 5-mile course that
snakes along through various Wayne County parks down
Hines Drive in suburban Westland, Michigan. Due to
increased wait times plus the 30-minute time required to
see all the displays, motorists need to be apprised of
details – especially the current wait time. Helpful info
includes where to find restrooms, concessions and other
services.
Churches, nonprofits, park departments and a variety of
venues and events employ a rental version of the radio
system “EventCAST.”
or the shorter range
InfOspot for similar applications. |
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Santa
characters "bike thru the lights" in advance of
Lightfest's official opening on November 18. |
Then there is the
location of that special mailbox where you can drop off
your letter for Santa. Perhaps the big guy will even
make an appearance on the broadcast this year, if he is
having a light night. |
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PO Box 51, Zeeland, Michigan, USA, 49464-0051, Phone
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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, wattmeter, 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. |