Federal Signal Corporation
Informer Tone Alert Receiver Manual
SECTION II
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
2-1 General
Description
The Federal Signal Informer Tone Alert Receiver (TAR) is a significant innovation
in emergency alerting. The TAR is the first unit of its type available in all
commercial FM bands from 33 – 866 MHz. It is also the first TAR capable of
decoding multiple formats (single-tone, two-tone, DTMF and optionally EAS or
Federal Digital) at the same time. These features enable the Informer to be
easily integrated into virtually any new or existing warning system.
The TAR is a robust radio receiver with a loud speaker output designed
specifically for warning applications. The unit can be wall mounted or sit on a
desktop and comes with an attached antenna that can be removed for
connection to an outside antenna. The TAR has a built-in battery and charger to
provide reliable operation even in the event of an AC power failure.
The Informer can be pre-programmed with up to four separate warning tones
plus a channel monitor function for live PA announcements. Two optional
programmable relay outputs and a 600-ohm audio output are also available.
These outputs can be used to control other equipment such as an optional strobe
light for warning the hearing impaired and to tie into external PA systems
respectively.
Up to four separate RF channels may be programmed into the TAR. The
channels are easily selected from the built in membrane keypad. Each of the RF
frequencies must be within the allowable frequency spread for the RF band being
used (see specifications section above). The receiver must be re-tuned if the RF
frequency is changed outside of the allowable frequency spread range within the
respective band. Contact an authorized Federal Signal dealer or service center if
tuning is required.
The Informer is completely programmable over a built in RS232 port from an
easy to use Windows 95/98® based software program. All data is stored in non-
volatile FLASH and EE memory. Using this technology, both the application
software and the user specific configuration data can be updated over the serial
port without the need to disassemble the unit and burn IC chips.
The Informer series receivers meet all requirements defined by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency for the CSEPP programs.
2-1
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
