TALKING SIGNS (FM TRANSMITTERS)

 

What are Talking Signs?

 

Talking Signs are miniature radio stations (FM Transmitters) that broadcast pre-recorded messages from a Vehicle, Storefront, Tourist Attraction or Real Estate Property site. Broadcast your message 24-7-365. Never miss the opportunity to promote your business and inform visitors and customers. 

  • Simply post a sign or decal at your business location or on your vehicle directing people to tune their radio to a designated FM frequency to hear your message.

  • ACE Audio can supply FM transmitters that reach up to 25km radius. Email us for a quote on larger transmitters and accessories.

How They Work

  • Your audio message is recorded onto a CD or MP3 player.

  • The player device is plugged into the transmitter and the transmitter broadcasts your message.

  • Several transmitter models offer a live-broadcast option.

  • Signage instructs visitors to tune their radio dial to the correct FM frequency.

  • Messages can vary in length from 30 seconds to 80 minutes.

  • Special sound effects, music, or character voices can be integrated into the presentation for effectiveness.

  • FM Transmitters broadcast your message 24 hours a day and can operate from a business site or vehicle.

Customer Benefits:

  • Customers hear the messages through their vehicle FM radio.

  • Customer receives a warm and friendly voice welcome.

  • Listeners keep informed about upcoming events, current promotions and services available.

  • Customers can avoid having to read brochures and sign boards.

Corporate Benefits:

  • Transmitters are low cost to purchase and economical to operate. 

  • Broadcast 24/7. FM transmitters are not affected by weather conditions and temperature.

  • Messages can be changed for after hours, weekends & holidays or seasonally to provide appropriate and current information.

  • FM transmitters may be used to talk to large groups indoors or outdoors.

  • Broadcast pre-recorded messages and live play-by-play action events.

  • Transmitters are excellent for outdoor rallies and festivals, and for speaking to groups in motorcades.

  • FM Transmitters are very portable and easy to operate.

  • They are powered by D/C voltage and can operate from a vehicle or household current by using an A/C adapter. They may also be powered with a portable power pack or solar kits for rural deployments.

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FM Transmitter Uses & Applications

 

FM Transmitters can provide information about accommodations, local attractions, historic sites, directions to emergency services, warnings about restricted or hazardous areas, and construction sites. Use it as a sales tool at real estate show homes and development sites, outdoor sales lots, agricultural inspection sites, and promote upcoming events. Here are more examples where FM Transmitters are providing information to customers and visitors.

 

 

Hundreds of Uses:

 

Accommodations: Bed and Breakfasts, Dude Ranches, Resorts, Special Features and Experiences

Agriculture: Agra-tours, Eco-tours, Game Preserves, Field Test Plots, and Demonstration Crops

Airports: Long Term/Short Term Parking, General Information, Express Pick-Up, Special Handling  

Attractions: Cultural Events, Demonstrations, Roadside Attractions, Unique Buildings, Haunted Houses

Auctioneers: Welcomes, Featured Items, Up-coming Sales, Today’s selling Agenda, Live Broadcasting

Audio Billboards: Talking Signs, Talking Vehicles, Construction Sites, Visitor Information

Border Entry Points: Welcomes, Regulations, Inspection Points and Parking Instructions

Campgrounds: Parking/Registration Directions; Points of Interest, Rules & Restrictions

Car Rental Agencies: Return Instructions, Emergency Information and Directions  

Children’s Play Grounds: Rules, Schedules, Programs, Safety, Hours of Supervision, Lost & Found

Christmas Light Tour: City Tours, Parks, schedules, Fundraising Projects

Churches:  Simulcasts for Hearing Impaired, Over-sized Funerals, Social Events, Outdoors Sermons

Convenience Stores / Gas Mart & Car Washes: In-Store Promotions, Specials, Hours of Service

Dealerships: Automobile, RV & Trailer Malls, Boats & Recreations Machines, Demonstrations & Events

Drive Through Service Centres: Directions; Services, Safety Issues, Additional Products and Services

Drive-In Bingos: Play from your Car, Truck or RV.  

Farms & Animal Shelters: Kennels, Stock & Breeding Farms, Petting, Exotic Animals & Corn Maze Farms 

Ferry Crossings: Schedules, Instructions, Historic Information

First Nations Ceremonies: Demonstrations, Explanations, Interpretations, Pow Wows, Up Coming Events

Fishing Derbies: Welcomes, Parking, Registration, Advisories, Results and Presentations

Government Buildings: Instructions and Directions for Parking. Directions to Specific Departments.

Grain Depots: Unloading Instructions, Docking & Parking

Highway Information: Construction and Detour Information, Fire Hazard Index or Warning

Live Broadcasting: Out-door Events, Air Shows, Sports Days, Track Meets, Update Results 

Museums: Indoor& Outdoor Artifacts, Demonstrations, Upcoming Events, Tourist Information

Real Estate: Residential, Commercial, Acreage's, New Developments, Resorts  

Restaurants: Menu, Hours of Operation, Catering Information

Restricted Area: Hunting Permissions and Directions, Overnight Parking, Camping, Noise Restrictions

Retail / Big Box Dealerships & Shopping Centres: Rental Agents, Events, Unadvertised Specials

Reunions: Welcome, Schedules of Activities, Programs, Events, Directions, Instructions

Road Side Food and Produce Venues: Fresh Picked Produce; U-Pick Instructions, Specials

Schools and Institutions: Student and Parent Information while dropping off or picking up children

Senior Homes: Program Schedules, Menus, Announcements, Broadcasting Entertainment Events

Simulcasts and Re-broadcasting: For Disabled or Hearing Impaired, Tutoring, Lectures, Speeches

Stadiums and Arenas: Live Broadcasting, Up-coming Events, Dates for Ticket Sales

Theatres: Drive-In Movies and Live Theatre, Schedules, Upcoming Features, Hearing Impaired.      

Tourist Information: Interpretive Centres, Parks, Attractions, Picnic & Rest Areas,

Trade Shows: Parking Instructions, Security Issues, Traffic & Pedestrian Directions      

Travel Caravans: Motorcades, Instructions, Special Announcements, Directions, Boating Tours e plots or demonstrations in remote areas.

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

1.     Why have an FM Transmitter broadcasting a message?

FM Transmitters promote your business to visitors and potential clients continuously 24 hours a day 7 days a week whether your business is open or closed.   People prefer to hear a message rather than reading pamphlets and signboards.  Customers get information without leaving their vehicle.

Visitors feel less intimidated when they can listen to an audio presentation rather than face a sales person.  FM Transmitters deliver consistent information time after time.

   

2.     May clients record the messages themselves?

Yes, you may record the message and create your own CD or MP3 or wav file. We can edit, mix and produce the message using your material. Note: the use of professional announcers and proper studio equipment is essential for producing the best quality sound.

   

3.     What happens if we wish to add or eliminate an item on the message? 

Each interest point or item is usually recorded as a separate sound track. If an item is no longer appropriate, we can usually eliminate it or create a new item without having to re-voice the entire message.

   

4.     Can we acquire customized sounds for our message?

Yes, you may want to record a particular sound such as a bell tower, animal call or bird sounds, or use a recorded interview with an historian, artist or curator. These sound tracks can be incorporated into the message.  

   

5.     Can ACE Audio Productions create a character voice?

Yes, we have voice specialists that can impersonate several prominent people as well as create character voices for mascots or special images.

   

6.     Can sound clips from other sources be used?

Yes, however some productions have copyrights and may require permissions or fees when used.  

   

7.     What is the cost to produce a message for an FM transmitter or self-guided tour?

The length of the final audio message primarily determines the costs. Other factors such as gathering the information and using copyright material will play a factor. The cost for a 10-minute message could range between $50 and $150 per minute. A closer cost can be determined when we know all the factors.

   

8.     How can local businesses help to sponsor the costs?

Businesses can buy advertising on the maps and packaging.

    

9.     Can advertising be sold on the sound track?

Yes, however the advertising must be general in nature and tourist related. Example: name of attraction, show times, dates, locations, admissions prices, and special features.

 

10.    How can we update our message if there are changes from season to season?

It is best to create and record all the various messages at the time of the initial recording session, otherwise a separate recording session will be necessary.

   

11.    Are FM radio receivers available from ACE Audio Productions?

Yes, we can supply walkman-type FM radio receivers in quantities of 10.

  

12.    How much information can we put onto a message?

Messages range from 30 seconds to 75 minutes but the average is 4 to 12 minutes. A rough guide is to estimate one minute for each 125 words of written script.  

   

13.    Is a CRTC license or Industry Canada permit required for an FM transmitter?

It depends on the strength of the broadcast signal and the location of the transmitter and antenna. ACE Audio has two transmitter models (MS-100 and LX-75) that do not require licenses in Canada. These are often used for Talking Signs and at tourist information centres. Stronger transmitters for reaching longer distances will require a licence and certificate.

 

14.   How is a license obtained?

Ace Audio can assist with the application process. Licenses for low power radio transmitters can take several months before getting approval. Most applications for transmitters to broadcast Tourism and Visitor information are approved.

   

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What You'll Need

 

1. FM Transmitter

2. Audio player (MP3 or CD player or designated computer)

3. Antenna & cable

4. Power supply (standard 110v A/C supply or vehicle D/C supply)

5. Your recorded message

6. Signage

 

 

 

Request a Quote

The more details you can provide, the easier it will be to provide you with a more accurate quote.

(Copy & paste these details into an email to info@acetours.com )

 

Type of Business?

Broadcast Distance?

Is there on-site power?

Length of message?

Is your broadcast live? Previously recorded? On mp3?

Do you need signage?

Other Details

 

Name

Title

Organization

Country

Phone

Email

Website

 

Automobile & Cycling Entertainment
ACE Audio Tours & FM Transmitters is a subsidiary of Audio Tours International Inc.
© 2007 ACE AUDIO TOURS & FM TRANSMITTERS
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