Your window of opportunity to reach more customers. The Alpha Big Dot offers message clarity from a 125 foot distance. Its unique, built-in louver system eliminates glare to accentuate your message. Designed for outstanding visual impact, the Alpha Big Dot combines ultra bright LED's and 4 inch tall characters with dazzling, moving colors they'll notice.

The Alpha Big Dot is one of the brightest and sharpest indoor displays available. The Alpha Big Dot displays text and graphics in eight colors and three rainbow color combinations.

Messages are enhanced by 26 built-in display modes, multiple colors, multiple text sizes and fonts, preprogrammed animations, user-designed graphics, day, date, time of day and many other special features.

Messages can be entered using a remote control keyboard that is as easy to understand and use as an ordinary calculator. Unique Automode and Autocolor programming features eliminate the need to learn complicated programming procedures. Within seconds, anyone can create attractive visual messages with attention-getting impact.

Messages may also be entered using a computer and special messaging software.

For applications that require multiple LED message centers, any number of Alpha Big Dot displays can be connected together to form an integrated system, along with a computer, displaying important information instantly where it is needed.

• One Line – The Alpha Big Dot is a one-line model. It displays text and graphics on one line.
• Multicolor – Text and graphics may be displayed in colors chosen from a palette of eight colors – red, green, amber, yellow, light red, light green, brown and orange – or in three rainbow color combinations. Specifying the built-in Autocolor feature automatically and randomly changes the color of each screen of text.
• 13 Character Display – The Alpha Big Dot displays 13 characters in all modes except Condensed Rotate mode. In Condensed Rotate mode, it displays 27 characters.
• 28K Memory – The Alpha Big Dot will store up to 28,000 bytes of messages, programming instructions and graphics.
• 2 Character Sizes – Characters can be 2.9" (5 pixels) or 4" (7 pixels) high.
• 2 Character Fonts – Text can be displayed in two fonts – serif (fancy) or sans serif (block).
• 4 Character Widths – Text can be displayed in four widths – normal, wide, double-wide, and wide double-wide.
• Fixed or Proportional – Text can be displayed using fixed or proportional spacing.
• 11 Character Styles – The two fonts, two character heights, and four widths can be combined to produce eleven character styles:
  • 4" Sans Serif Normal
  • 4" Sans Serif Wide
  • 4" Sans Serif Double-Wide
  • 4" Sans Serif Wide Double-Wide
  • 4" Serif Normal
  • 4" Serif Wide
  • 4" Serif Double-Wide
  • 4" Serif Wide Double-Wide
  • 2.9" Sans Serif Normal
  • 2.9" Sans Serif Wide
  • 2.9" Sans Serif Wide Double-Wide
• Store 80 Messages – The Alpha Big Dot will hold up to 80 messages files at one time. Each message file can be any size. The Alpha Big Dot dynamically allocates memory to each message file as needed up to the total amount of memory available.
• Battery Backup – The Alpha Big Dot has battery backup for messages. Messages are retained in memory for up to two weeks when the Alpha Big Dot is unplugged.
• Sequence 128 Messages – Up to 128 messages files may be run in a sequence. Messages files may be listed more than once in the sequence.
• Message Scheduling – Each message can display on its own schedule, automatically turning on and turning off at specified times on specified days without human or computer intervention. Each message can be programmed with the day and time to start running and the day and time to stop running. Daily recurring messages, such as Lunch Time Specials and Coffee Break Specials or messages coordinated with public transportation arrival and departure schedules, can turn on and turn off at the appropriate times each day. Safety-oriented messages, such as "Lift With Your Legs, Not With Your Back" or "Don't Forget To Wear Your Safety Goggles" can be scheduled to display at different times, instead of at the same time, to achieve maximum effect and variety.
• Wireless Keyboard – The Alpha Big Dot comes with a remote control keyboard. The remote control keyboard emits infrared light that controls many Alpha Big Dot functions. The remote control keyboard can be used up to 30 feet away from the Alpha Big Dot. It can be used to:
  • turn the Alpha Big Dot on and off
  • turn off and on the programming keys beep feature
  • program messages
  • run messages
  • delete specific messages
  • insert display modes, special effects and features, and international characters into messages
  • compose dot graphic files and incorporate them into messages
  • set the message file run sequence
  • set the start and stop times and dates for each message file
  • set the time, day and date
  • clear display memory
  • password protect the messages
  • change the address of the Alpha Big Dot
  • run the built-in diagnostic tests
• Password Protection and Message Locking – These features are provided to prevent unauthorized messages or changes to messages in the Alpha Big Dot.
• International Character Set – Messages may contain all the upper and lower case letters (A - Z and a - z), the numbers 0 - 9, and the special characters:
  ! @ # $ % & * ( ) _ - + = | \ { } [ ] : ; ? ? < > , . ? / `

  The following international characters and symbols may also be displayed:

  

  These characters and symbols allow you to compose messages in more than one language, in English and in Spanish, for example, so you can display the messages in an alternating language message sequence.

• 26 Display Modes – The Alpha Big Dot has 26 display modes that control how the characters of each message enter, display and exit. Using a variety of display modes in a message gives "eye-appeal" to the message:
  • Automode – Characters enter, display and exit under control of randomly selected display modes.
  • Roll (Up, Down, Left, Right, In, Out) – Characters move onto the display down from the top (Roll Down), up from the bottom (Roll Up), from the right end to the left (Roll Left), from the left end to the right (Roll Right), from the right and left ends to the center (Roll In), and from the center of the display to the right and left ends (Roll Out).
  • Wipe (Up, Down, Left, Right, In, Out) – Characters are revealed as each horizontal row or vertical column of pixels is lighted row by row or column by column – from the top row of the character down (Wipe Down), from the bottom row of the character up (Wipe Up), from the left column of the message to the right (Wipe Right), from the right column of the message to the left (Wipe Left), from the center column of the message to the right and left columns (Wipe Out), or from the right and left columns of the message to the center column (Wipe In).
  • Scroll – Characters move up onto the display from the bottom, and any displayed characters move up and off the display.
  • Rotate – Characters travel from right to left across the display in the familiar stock market ticker display mode.
  • Condensed Rotate – Characters travel from right to left across the display in a horizontally-compressed font in the familiar stock market ticker display mode.
  • Hold – Characters display without effects or motion for a specified length of time. The length of time the message stays on the screen is determined by the Speed code.
  • Flash – All characters blink on and off simultaneously several times.
  • Twinkle – The pixels of the displayed characters oscillate their intensity.
  • Sparkle – New characters appear as their pixels turn on randomly and pixels in existing characters randomly turn off.
  • Snow – Lighted pixels sprinkle down from the top pixel row, building new characters from the bottom up, like accumulating snow.
  • Interlock – The 2nd, 4th, and 6th horizontal rows of pixels in the characters move rapidly from the left end to the right, while the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th horizontal rows of pixels move rapidly from the right end to the left, forming the message on the display.
  • Switch – Every other character, i.e., the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, etc., moves onto the display from the top down, as the remaining characters move onto the display from the bottom up, pausing momentarily to display the message.
  • Slide – Characters slide rapidly across the display, one at a time, from right to left, building the message from left to right.
  • Spray – The pixels of characters move across the display from right to left in a spray effect, forming the characters from left to right.
  • Starburst – Several star-patterns display randomly, then form new characters, replacing any previously displayed characters.
• 6 Speeds – The Alpha Big Dot has six Speed codes that control how long characters stay on the display in Hold mode, how long characters stay on the screen in the various Roll and Wipe modes, Interlock mode, Switch mode, etc. The fastest speed code is used with Hold mode to create user-designed animation effects.
• 9 Built-in Animations – The Alpha Big Dot has nine built-in animations that can be inserted into messages as special effects:
  • Cherry Bomb – The fuse on a cherry bomb burns down, and the bomb explodes with a beep. The beep is an attention-getting Audible Alert when it is incorporated into a message.
  • Don't Drink and Drive – A car collides with a bubbling cocktail glass, tossing its passenger and displaying the message "Please Don't Drink and Drive."
  • Fireworks – Colorful firework patterns explode and cascade on the display.
  • No Smoking – A burning cigarette is extinguished, flipped with a finger and replaced with the international No Smoking symbol.
  • Running Animal – An animal resembling a horse runs across the display from right to left.
  • Slot Machine – A slot machine spins with random outcomes.
  • Turbo Car – A car appears and races across the display.
  • Thank You – "Thank You" is written in script from left to right.
  • Welcome – "Welcome" is written in script from left to right.
• Automatic Message Centering – Messages are automatically centered on the Alpha Big Dot display in all display modes, except when the Fixed Characters code is used. The Fixed Characters code left-justifies messages, and uses fixed (equal) character spacing from left to right. The primary use of the Fixed Characters code on the Alpha Big Dot is to display similar fields of data on consecutive screens in the same pixel positions.
• Display Graphics – The Alpha Big Dot will display user-designed graphics and logos, up to 7x80 pixels each, with your messages. You can create and store graphics in the Alpha Big Dot using the remote control keyboard, or you can use a computer and special software. Using a computer, compose or scan bitmap (.bmp) graphics and save the bitmap files on disk. Then use software, such as AlphaNet Plus or Smart Alec, to send messages and graphics to the Alpha Big Dot.
• Display Custom Animations – The Alpha Big Dot will display user-designed animations – sequences of user-designed bitmap graphic files. The animations may play alone, or they may be included with a text message.
• Real-Time Clock – The Alpha Big Dot has a built-in, battery backed up real-time clock. The time and date (day, month, year) can be set using either the remote control keyboard or using a computer with software that sends the computer?s time and date to the Alpha Big Dot. The day, date and time are retained in Alpha Big Dot memory for up to a month when the unit is unplugged.
• 12- or 24-Hour Time Display – The Alpha Big Dot can display the time of day in either 12-hour or 24-hour format.
• 5 Counters – The Alpha Big Dot will automatically count up or down in any increment, updating every minute, hour or day. Up to five different counters may be active in your messages at the same time. Counting may begin at any value between 0 and 99999999. Messages can display the number of days, minutes or hours until a special event; the number of days or hours since a lost-time accident; or a numeric value that increments or decrements by the same amount every minute, hour or day.
• Target Messages – Upon reaching specified Counter "target" values, specific target messages can be displayed automatically. For example, a message might display "10 DAYS WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT!" and on the next day automatically display "11 DAYS WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT!" followed by the target message: "A NEW RECORD... CONGRATULATIONS!"
• Computer Connection – The Alpha Big Dot may be attached to a wide variety of computers, control equipment and communication devices.
• Supports Multiple Communications Protocols – The Alpha Big Dot supports multiple communication protocols. RS232 and RS485 and two RJ11 attachment ports are standard features. Ethernet and POCSAG attachment options are also offered. Numerous cable, network, wireless and modem connectivity options are supported by the Alpha Big Dot – click here for more information.
• Address Each Display – Each Alpha Big Dot can be given a unique address, so that messages and data may sent by computer or control devices to different displays on the same cable, wireless channel, modem phone number or TCP/IP address. 255 addresses are available, and the Alpha Big Dot address may be set or changed easily with the remote control keyboard or using a computer and special software. The Alpha Big Dot enclosure does not have to be opened.
• Message Verification and Error Checking – Built-in features ensure that messages are received accurately when a computer or control equipment sends messages or data to the Alpha Big Dot by cable.
• Priority Message – The Alpha Big Dot has a 125-byte Priority message file that can be activated by special programming. When the Priority message file is activated, all other message files that are currently running stop being displayed. When the Priority message is terminated, the other messages resume displaying.
• Audible Alert – A Tone feature may be invoked to beep the Alpha Big Dot as needed. Several tone control programming options are built-in.
• Program with both Computer and Keyboard – The Alpha Big Dot may be programmed by computer and by remote control keyboard without either the computer or the remote control keyboard disrupting the messages programmed by the other device. You may define how much of the storage capacity of the Alpha Big Dot is reserved for programming by the remote control keyboard. You can also allow or deny remote control keyboard access to message files transmitted to the Alpha Big Dot by computer.
• Non-Blinking String File Updates – The Alpha Big Dot supports "String Files" and real-time updating of String Files without blinking the messages displayed on the sign. String files are memory areas set aside in sign memory by special programming. One use of String Files is to store changing data being updated by an external device or computer. For example, the Alpha Big Dot could be programmed to display five (or more) ACD statistics fields for each of ten (or more) ACD queues. As the real time values change for each of the 50 variables (5 x 10), the updated values can be transmitted into the Alpha Big Dot instantly, without causing the Alpha Big Dot to blink and without affecting the information currently being displayed. String Files can also be used to save sign memory. For example, if the same data is displayed multiple times within a message, the data can be stored once in a String File and recalled from its String File location each time it is needed.
• Nested Commands – For programmers writing control sequences using native sign communication protocol, multiple commands can be repeated or "nested" within a transmission frame.
• Clear Memory Easily – When debugging and testing software and messages features, the remote control keyboard can be used to clear the memory of the sign quickly and conveniently, without opening the Alpha Big Dot enclosure or taking it down from where it is mounted. Clearing memory removes all messages, graphic files and the password that have been programmed into the Alpha Big Dot.
• Supports Wireless Applications – The Alpha Big Dot supports POCSAG or pager transmission format. It can be programmed for wireless applications.
• Wireless News and Sports Service – The Alpha Big Dot can be equipped with a wireless broadcast receiver that will display the latest news headlines, financial market summaries, sports information and scores, in addition to your own messages. The receiver and news service are extra charge options.
• Update Firmware Easily – When new features or firmware improvements for the Alpha Big Dot are announced by Adaptive Micro Systems, firmware upgrades may be purchased and easily installed. Alpha Big Dot firmware is provided on a chip conveniently mounted in a chip carrier that literally snaps into a socket behind an access door on the back of the Alpha Big Dot.
• Keyboard Programming Manual – A programming manual describing how to use the remote control keyboard is provided with the Alpha Big Dot. It is well-written, well-organized and easy to use. It includes tutorial exercises and feature reference tables. A Spanish translation of the manual is available. Both English and Spanish manuals may be downloaded at no charge.
• Technical Assistance and Support – Ongoing limited customer assistance for installation issues and technical support are provided by Alpha-American Programmable Signs at no additional charge.
• Programming Assistance and Training – Our experienced instructors and technicians are available by telephone or on site in your location.
• Internet Support – Both the manufacturer, Adaptive Micro Systems, and distributor, Alpha-American Programmable Signs, have informative web sites.
• 110 or 230V – The Alpha Big Dot is completely solid-state. It has a non-removable power cord, and it plugs into a standard 120V AC electrical outlet. For a more attractive installation, if possible, locate your electrical outlet out of sight behind the Alpha Big Dot or above the drop ceiling, if the Alpha Big Dot is being mounted near the ceiling.
• Attractive Enclosure – The Alpha Big Dot has an attractive Eurostyle case design that will compliment any business environment.
• Mounting Hardware – Each Alpha Big Dot includes mounting hardware for wall, counter top and ceiling installations. Back-to-back mounting hardware for ceiling-mounted configurations is available as an extra charge option.
• One Year Warranty – The Alpha Big Dot has a one-year USA factory warranty. After the one-year warranty expires, the Alpha Big Dot will be repaired and returned for flat rate of $95.

• AMS Part #: 1038-1113
• Display Array: 80 pixels wide x 7 pixels high
• Number of Lines: 1
• Maximum Character Height: 4" (10.1 cm)
• Maximum Number of 4" Characters Displayed at Once: 13 characters in all modes except Condensed Rotate mode; 27 characters in Condensed Rotate mode.
• Pixel Size (diameter): 0.35" (.89 cm)
• Pixel (LED) Colors: Red, Green, Amber, Yellow, Light Red, Light Green, Brown, Orange, Rainbow 1, Rainbow 2 and Mix
• Center-to-Center Pixel Spacing (Pitch): .57" (1.44 cm)
• Character Set: Block (sans serif); Decorative (serif); Upper and Lower case; Normal and Wide
• Automatic Centering – Messages center in any mode, except when Fixed Characters is specified. Fixed Characters left justifies messages in any mode.
• Power: 100 VAC to 240 VAC and 50/60 Hz. 40 watts.
• Power Cord Length: 10 feet (3.3 m)
• Keyboard: Handheld, Eurostyle, Infrared-Wireless, Remote operated
• Case Material: Molded plastic
• Display Area Size: 45.6" L x 4" H (115.8 cm L x 10.16 cm H)
• Case Size: 49" L x 4.25" D x 6.25" H (124.5 cm L x 11 cm D x 16 cm H)
• Weight: 12.25 lbs (5.6 kg) including display, power cord, and remote control keyboard
• Limited Warranty: One-year parts and labor, factory servicing
• Agency Approvals:
  • ETL conforms to EN 60950/IEC950 standards
  • Complies with FCC Part 15 Class A rules
• Operating Temperature: 32? to 120?F, 0? to 50?C
• Humidity Range: 0% to 95% non-condensing
• Current Firmware Revision