ALERT AM Emergency Advisory Radio System

ALERT AM Emergency Advisory Radio System
Travelers Information Station | Highway Advisory Radio | Emergency Advisory Radio
AEL/SEL FEMA Grant Category 04AP-09-ALRT

When it all goes down, the ALERT AM System stays up.

Hundreds of communities and transportation departments across America operate ALERT AM Emergency Advisory Radio Stations to tell citizens what to do during highway travel and incidents that threaten life and property.

No power? No internet? No problem. With the ALERT AM system, listeners receive up-to-the-minute reports and instructions across a 3-5 mile radius (25-75 square-mile area) with a level of detail that makes the broadcasts invaluable.

During non-emergency times, officials use the stations to inform motorists of street repairs, traffic constraints, travel advisories, city history and visitor information.

Information Station Specialists is the sole provider of ALERT AM in the United States and offers 24 / 7 remote technical support for the life of the product. The below capabilities establish the ALERT AM system as a unique communication tool that produces effective public response and appreciation, 24/7.

Fort Bend County Texas Operator Danny Jan

CUSTOMER REVIEWS

“Thank you for making this a very smooth experience. You guys are top notch!"

Rob Balbuena, IT Department, City of Saratoga, CA

“St. Charles Parish has had no issues with the AM Radio station your company installed. We've been at it for 8 years and the system never really had any complications. For that, we thank you!...We appreciate everything you guys have done for us."

Steve Sirmon, EM Coordinator, St. Charles Parish, LA

Standard Package

Options

Download an overview of the system that includes technical specs and planning aids.

Transmitter type accepted with 20-year proven track record, synthesized frequency design for agile operation with full 5000 Hz bandwidth audio.

Program mixer for live and multi-source live-feed integration and level management.

Network-based message control interfaces with local front-panel control redundancy and internal SD card.

National Weather Service EAS warnings automatically broadcast and reset.

Broadcast quality audio processor for enhanced audio intelligibility.

Antenna / groundplane system.

Secure indoor cabinet, dual-door rack style.

UPS uninterruptible two-hour power supply.

Diagnostic metering and test equipment.

Accessories, such as hardware, cables, power supplies and illustrated manuals.

An array of services that includes system engineering and planning.

Remote tech support for the life of the product.

Hybrid Package to provide USB / flash drive redundancy and multichannel program mixer for live mic / live feed operation.

Signal Measurement Radio Receiver to verify FCC radio signal compliance regularly.

Additional UPS time to keep the system on the air during power outages.

Outdoor security cabinet for isolated settings.

Commercially available audio recording software and services such as Audacity and Adobe Audition can be used to create the audio messages in mp3 format.

StreamCASTs to broadcast messages to smartphones, tablets and laptops that boosts indoor and out-of-area listening.

Vertical Profile Antenna Support and Grounding System, an efficient hurricane-rated, ANSI / TIA-compliant antenna solution that saves space and installation time and is secure and attractive.

GPS frequency stabilization that allows synch of multiple stations to effectively enlarge coverage.

Flashing ALERT Signs to instruct motorists to tune to emergency stations when beacons flash. See "Flashing ALERT Sign System."

Who Operates ALERT AM Systems?

Municipalities - emergency management, public safety, health and information departments.

State Agencies - transportation departments; bridge authorities; emergency management, public health & information agencies.

Military - Army, Air Force & Navy bases.

Points of Entry - airports, border protection, port authorities.

Recreation Areas - Army Corps of Engineers.

Universities and Colleges - for security and lockdowns.

See highlights from the field.

See also a state-by-state list of stations we have provided agencies across America.

Antenna Styles

The most common formats are described below. Click thumbnail images (right) to see a full view of each example.

Yard Style: ALERT AM's antenna may be installed at a building with the electronics securely indoors and the antenna pole and groundplane located in the adjacent yard, connected by a coaxial cable. This style is a recommended first choice, because it is most economical and affords the greatest security for equipment. A 50’ separation from buildings is recommended. We can even provide the mounting pole for yard areas with limited room grounding.
Flat-Roof Style: If no earth surface location is available, a flat building roof may be your best choice for antenna installation. We can provide an installation package which requires no roof penetrations.
Isolated Style: At remote locations where there is no building, a weatherproof cabinet containing the electronics is attached to the antenna support pole. The location must have electrical power and, if equipment is to be remotely controlled, telephone or network service.

ALERT AM can be installed by you, your agent or as a service by us. Included in the package are the FCC type-accepted transmitter, digital message system, cabinets, antenna, groundplane, lightning arrestors, cables, connectors, mounts, hardware and illustrated instructions.

See "Radio Antenna Siting" for more examples.

Planning & Purchasing Your System

We will help plan and implement your system, including frequency and site selection, FCC licensing, installation, staff training and the FCC-required field survey and documentation. Even professionally recorded audio messages are available, so your broadcast is ready to put on the air as soon as the station is turned on. Best of all, each system comes with remote technical support for the life of the station.

See our "Customer Services" page, which outlines a full menu of technical services designed to help put and keep your ALERT AM system on the air.

See also "Planning an Information Radio System" and / or contact us for a recommendation on the best setup for your intended application. We can supply related pricing.

And see "Purchasing Our Products & Services."

Note: Because FCC processing time is unpredictable, we recommend that you request licensing and other FCC documentation services from us as soon as you know for sure you will have a station – definitely no later than when you place your radio equipment order.

For extended range emergency broadcasting, see "RadioSAFE Wide Area Emergency Broadcast Radio Systems," which offer coverage areas of a 5 to 20+ mile radius. "The Information Station" is a lower cost alternative with many of the same messaging capabilities as ALERT AM but without the specialized 'all hazard' broadcast capability, the same operational battery backup and GPS frequency stabilization options described above.