"StayAlert - Orcas Island" is a public safety project serving the Pacific Northwest's
San Juan Islands

StayAlert has applied for an Eastsound radio station at 102.3 FM

Future plans include additional transmitters in key island locations.

The StayAlert Orcas Island Project Objectives

1) Collect and distribute Emergency Alert messages without dependence on local Internet connections

2) Broadcast Alert messages throughout communities using FM transmitters that are linked via their FM signals.

3) Provide community centers & citizens with StayAlert data receivers that relay the messages via an assortment of devices and displays, including car radios.

4) Develop additional features to assist the deaf & hard of hearing

StayAlert creates regional partnerships

We partner with a neighboring Class C station KWPZ (63,000 watts) to regionally extend the StayAlert data services beyond our Islands to the mainland including nearby Tribal lands.

Green dot the new 102.3 FM (Eastsound) - Yellow is StayAlert HQ - Red is KWPZ FM (63,000 watts)
Additional transmitters suggested for Olga, Doe Bay, Deer Harbor & the ferry terminal.

Note the directional pattern to keep our Canadian friends happy

Initial StayAlert Network

Technology to be Installed at the Radio Station(s)

At the heart of the StayAlert system is the StayAlert data processor installed at the radio station.

The StayAlert device collects, filters and broadcasts Alerts using RDS, the most popular, powerful and robust FM data carrier.

Within the processor is an eight channel FM RDS data receiver.

Dedicated FM receivers scan the FM band to lock on to other StayAlert stations

A StayAlert device is installed in one or more radio stations per market

Station #1 is unique in that it receives Alerts via Satellite.

Additional stations receive Alerts via the other station's FM RDS signal

A unique StayAlert beacon is broadcast, that additional station's StayAlert devices can identify and lock onto. The result is a network of FM signals broadcasting alerts to listeners while taking advantage of FM's "Always On" capabilities.