Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. RAVEN has experience with this specifically on its firehouse automation products. However, each entity is different in regard to what they qualify for and someone at the customer location has insight into grants, funding eligibility etc...
Up to 1 quarter mile.
Yes, it is suitable for outdoor installation.
Yes. The RAVENAlert works on the American Messaging Flex network just like existing personal pagers. The device can be thought of as a large pager that is designed to notify locations as opposed to individuals.
In almost all cases you will be sending alphanumeric text messages to the device. This will require the use of onsite software or the American Messaging website. The paging software is the same as that used for personal pagers. If you already own paging software, you can use it to page the RAVENAlert.
Yes. The RAVENAlert can share the same capcode as your personal pager as well as have its own unique capcode. In fact, the device can hold up to 16 different capcodes allowing for vast grouping capability.
The RAVENAlert should be placed anywhere you want to alert people. The product was designed on the premise that the most assured way to notify people of an event is to notify their location. The RAVENAlert can be permanently mounted to any wall surface or can be simply set on any flat surface such as a desk, shelf, or countertop.
This is actually easier than it sounds and will be done for you by American Messaging and RAVEN Systems. The devices will ship to your location fully programmed and ready to deploy.
Yes. All of the primary functions of the RAVENAlert can be adjusted at the time of programming to deliver the type of alert you desire. The time of the tone can be set to whatever is desired. After the tone stops, the unit will automatically speak the message. The devices can be set up to have no tone at all. In that case, the message will display and the voice will speak the text. The voice can also be eliminated if just a message on the screen is all that is desired.
Absolutely. Every device has its own internal programming and will alert according to that program. You can have any number of devices that are programmed to any number of options and they will all respond to the same alphanumeric message.
The RAVENAlert is manufactured using long life components including an impact resistant ABS plastic shell. The unit has a design life of 10 years or more.
Yes. The factory can add words into the library and correct the pronunciation. This can be done for 20 to 30 words. This helps with common words used locally or foreign names that may not have easy English conversions.
Yes. The RAVENAlert has a programming port on the side of the unit that allows a technician to easily program the device while it remains wall-mounted.
The RAVEN 500 is the big brother of the RAVENAlert. It functions in the same manner as the RAVENAlert, but can deliver tone, text, and voice alerts over a very large area both indoors and outdoors. The tone and speech are delivered through high volume speakers while the text is illuminated on a LED sign. The RAVEN 500 activates from the same alphanumeric page sent to the RAVENAlert. This way you can have effective indoor and outdoor alerting at the exact same time. The different units can also be separated by capcode allowing for separate control of just the outdoor devices.
Yes. When the RAVENAlert is powered from AC, the battery acts as a backup.
If the device is AC powered using the factory supplied power supply, the battery will last up to 5 years. If the device is battery powered only, the life of the battery will depend on the amount of messages received. With moderate use, the battery should last at least six months. With low to very infrequent use, the battery can last up to one year.
If there are no batteries, the unit will lose information in a matter of seconds. It only holds the last page briefly. We highly recommend the use of batteries. With batteries, the unit is good for many months without power. When plugged in, the batteries are good for 4 to 5 years. On battery only, the unit will last from 6 months to one year, depending upon the amount of alerts received.
Yes.
This is our programming port. It also allows serial information to be delivered to a rip and run printer or digital sign.
This is adjustable by firmware to meet customer preferences.
This is adjustable by firmware to meet customer preferences.
This functionality is coming in early 2009!
The innovative wall mount uses a plastic strip that slides down along the back channel of the device locking it to the mounting screws.
12 months.
Unlimited, but for practical purposes not more than 20 due to the fact that you would not want to read through them all in an emergency situation.
If it is in the system, we will not deliver it. If it is a typo in the dispatch text, then yes it will deliver it.
No, but it can for an additional up charge.
The standard configuration is no limit.
4 lines of 20 or 80 characters on 1 screen. Now, the American Messaging system maximum is 240 characters, but we recommend in an emergency situation you limit the text to 1 screen or the text will “wrap” to the next message.
There are 2 different volume settings. The volume is highest when plugged into the wall. When on battery, it is a power saving feature and the voice is softer.
We will be adding voice files to our website so customers can click on the 8 different types to hear a sample before they make their order.
Yes, but it becomes less intelligible. We would not recommend it. In fact, we are commonly asked to slow it down.
The acknowledgement back software or “ACK BACK” is when any of the devices get a page, it will email a pre-set email address that it has received its page. The RAVENAlert does not have this function - it is done through an FAC type product. Cost is about $700.00, available late February 2009.
No, however, if the unit is being run off power, the standard primary battery will last up to 4+ years. A rechargeable battery does not last any longer and is much more expensive to replace.
The RAVENAlert is FCC and CSA approved. CSA is a testing lab like UL and has tested the RAVENAlert to UL specifications. They are not intrinsically safe, which means they are not certified to class 1 division 1 or class 1 division 2 explosion prone locations.
Intrinsically safe means that the device cannot ever cause a spark.
Class 1 - explosive gasses ARE present
Class 2 - explosive gasses MAY be present.
Yes. The units perform at or extremely close to that of a standard pager. The RAVENALert, as programmed, will discard duplicate messages delivered within one minute of the original message. American Messaging also blocks duplicates in the terminal.
Yes. It is an 8 port relay that can control and activate (turn on/off) up to 8 devices which can be programmed with individual time functions.
Yes. It is called "rip and run."
Yes, but the text to speech is not perfect. Precanned messages are great, but anything with abbreviations or strange pronunciations can be tricky.
Yes.
The RAVENAlert can hold eight long capcodes or sixteen 7 digit capcodes for traditional grouping by capcode.
The RAVEN 500 series is the standard unit and is perfect for large indoor areas, outdoor corridors, and spaces that are up to 150 yards in length.
The RAVEN 502 is a double horn version which covers a wider area.
The RAVEN 520 and 522 both use a much louder horn that can cover 300 - 400 yards in outdoor areas. The louder horn is only used indoors when the background noise is extreme, such as in a factory.
Yes. The RAVENAlert can be permanently mounted in a vehicle. The mount looks the same except it is attached from the back, so it cannot be pulled out.
Yes, it can be done. However, since the unit only has one button, it can be hard to use. It is recommmended that the device be programmed to store only a limited amount of messages.
Yes, that is all completely customizable.
It is for programming.
Not at this time, but it is in development.
No. The brains of the RAVENAlert are in the box on the horn systems. Text can be output to a large sign board, if needed. A monthly airtime paging line is required for it to work.
Yes, but it has to be internally programmed for the printer. RAVEN has a Rip and Run kit that includes a properly programmed RAVENAlert, OkiData Microline 420 printer (set up and tested), custom cable, and instructions. All the customer has to do is plug it in.
Yes. Converters are available to power the RAVENAlert directly from the vehicle battery, if needed.
It is for most models of POS printers. Even if it is a model that is not currently compatible, there is a good chance the firmware can be tweaked to make it compatible.
The FAC-4 has four switches that can be wired into the Simplex box to allow remote activation of alarms that originate from the Simplex system. The FAC-4 can also play pre-recorded messages in the Simplex box over the existing installed speakers.
No.
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