Customer Reviews
| “We have already gotten many
positive and enthusiastic responses. We are very happy
we decided to do this!” |
Lauren Fenstermacher,
Manager
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area Visitor Center
Pennsylvania Game Commission |
|
| |
| “The signal quality is amazing,
far better than I thought, with no static. I am very
pleased. Thank you, this is an amazing tool!” |
Alexander Watson,
Regional Naturalist
Minnesota DNR
Parks and Trails |
|
| On the Air |
First National Network
of Info Stations
Customs & Border
Protection |
CBP installed Information
Stations at key land border ports of entry, providing
information to approaching motorists with the intention
of expediting their passage across the border, i.e., El
Paso, Laredo, TX; San Luis, AZ; and Calexico (East), CA.
Additional sites are planned.
The stations broadcast time-sensitive messages developed
at the local ports of entry, in addition to messages
developed at the national level by CBP Headquarters.
Project manager Daniel Piscopo states that the broadcast
messages include “how to use high-tech travel cards,
information about CBP's Trusted Traveler Programs, basic
border crossing rules and regulations, emergency travel
information and updates, and border wait times.”
CBP will be able to communicate directly to travelers
about how to expedite their border crossing, for
example, by broadcasting information about CBP programs
such as the Ready Lane — an expedited travel lane for
people with radio frequency identification technology
enabled cards -- and Trusted Traveler lanes for
pre-approved, low-risk travelers.
Radio broadcasts can be heard for several miles around
the port. |
|
Related Links
Download a brochure.
Plan your station
Review technical specifications.
Compare the
Information Station to out other licensed
systems.
Learn more about this
type of radio station per the FCC. |
Introduced by the Federal Communications Commission in 1977 as a
Travelers' Information Station, the Information Station is now the
most installed system of its kind in the United States, with more than a
thousand stations licensed to date. Its popularity stems from its
versatility and affordability in a package that makes installation and
operation simple and seamless.
Today government agencies broadcast
information to the public about emergencies, public health, airport
security and border control – in addition to conventional traffic,
travel and visitor information content.
Information Station Specialists is the sole provider of
the Information Station 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.
Below we describe the two styles of Information Stations, who commonly
operates the stations, licensing, antenna setup methods, what comes
standard, options and last but not least ways to acquire a station. At
the bottom of the left column, you will find links to technical
specifications, planning steps and more. |
| Two Styles of Information Stations |
|
IP Edition |
USB Edition |
| Manage the broadcast program via an Ethernet network or locally using the station’s front-panel controls. In an emergency, message files can be loaded physically via SD card with a USB adapter. The Information Station IP affords full 5000 Hz audio quality plus the convenience of a network-accessible message library. |
Update the broadcast program from a simple flash drive through
the station’s USB port. The USB Edition of the Information
Station combines high quality 5000 Hz bandwidth with the
convenience and flexibility of flash drive control. The length
of the program is only limited by the flash drive size, so
virtually any length and number of messages is feasible. |
|
| For both editions, audio creation
software is provided to allow you to create, edit and process
natural voice messages for broadcast. Archive the messages on
the PC, laptop or device of your choice for quick call-up. |
| Who Operates Information Stations |
Federal,
state and local governmental entities can
license Information Stations to broadcast noncommercial voice
programming related to travel, public safety, visitor/tourism
historical/interpretive or emergencies.(Click
here
to learn more about permitted broadcast content.)
 |
|
Manzanar National Historic Site Operataors -
Independence, CA
The primary audience? Motorists in a 3-5-mile radius
area. Operators commonly include . . .
-
Federal, state and local agencies, e.g., cities and counties
use Information Stations for public affairs, public health
and emergency management.
-
Recreation areas and
historic sites commonly uses these systems for
visitors. The National Park Service is among the first
proponents of Information Station technology and
is the largest nationwide user of these systems
fororientation and
interpretive applications.
(Listen to what interpreters across the country
say about how and why they operate Information
Stations. Request a free
Making Waves program on CD produced by
Oregon State University. See
a list of National
Parks that have used Information Stations
over the years.)
-
Points of entry (airports, borders ports).
-
Universities and colleges for parking, security and venue
information.
See user case studies.
|
| Frequency and Licensing |
| The FCC grants to government entities
licenses on available AM frequencies on a
first-come-first-served basis, secondary to
commercial broadcast stations. In 1991, the
Commission opened to Information Stations all
frequencies in the 530-1700 band, subject to
separation requirements. Information Station
Specialists can help identify the optimal
frequency at your location and will apply for
your station’s FCC license. |
| Antenna Styles
|
|
The most common formats are described below. Click the
thumbnail images on the right to see an example of each.
 Yard Style:
The Information Station 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.
See a Yard-Style Illustration 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.
 Roof
Style (flat):
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.
An Information Station can be installed by the
buyer, his agent or as a service of Information
Station Specialists. Included in the package is
the FCC type-accepted
transmitter, digital
message system, cabinets, antenna,
PowerPlane preassembled groundplane, lightning
arrestors, cables, connectors, mounts, hardware
and illustrated instructions.
|
| Standard Package |
Options |
- Transmitter
and digital message player in indoor or outdoor cabinet,
containing all broadcast control electronics.
- Complete
antenna system with lightning arrestor and weather
enclosures, mounts, coaxial cable and feedlline.
- Audio recording software.
- All hardware, wiring harnesses and required accessories.
- Illustrated instructions.
- An
array of services that includes system planning,
engineering and 24/7 remote technical support for the life
of the station.
See details on our
Technical Specifications webpage.
|
- Flashing ALERT Signs
with remote-controlled
flashing beacons may be installed to notify
motorists of the station’s signal at key
locations along streets.
- StreamCASTnetwork audio interface
allows streaming of the broadcast program
directly to smartphones, tablets, laptops and
PCs. Listeners gain access to the stream by
merely scanning a QR tag or by clicking a unique
link on your (or a special HearMoreInfo)
website.
-
Broadcast
Quality Audio Processor
for increased audio quality, intelligibility
and range.
- Signal Measurement Radio Receiver allows you
to measure the Information Station’s signal
intensity and verify compliance with FCC signal
limits.
- Cell Modem for remote
system control, when a wired network is not
available.
- Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
for backup for momentary power interruption or
when generator starts in a power outage.
- Outdoor Electronics Enclosure of weatherproof, gasketed,
NEMA4 steel construction. It is pole or wall mountable
(includes wood pole mount). Can be used indoors or outdoors.
Its back panel has wiring harness, local test phone.
Includes AC-terminal block and power-surge arrestor.
Pad-lockable design.
- Hybrid option for both USB and network-based audio
control.
- Message
Recording Services.
|
|
| Planning & Purchasing |
See
Typical Planning
Steps for the Information Station and/or
contact Bill Baker for assistance in planning the best
configuration for your setup. Bill can then provide a formal
quote. See also
Purchasing Our Systems, Components and 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.
As you would expect,
Information Station
Specialists provides a
full menu of technical
services to help you put
and keep ALERT AM system on the
air. We are here to
help, even with professionally
recorded audio messages, so your
broadcasts are ready to
air as soon as your station is turned
on.
Best of all, each system
comes
with
Remote Technical Support
for the life of the
station. |
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