Do I need an AP-approved APPI filter/modem to use WireReady? Can I use my existing computer(s)?
A: 99% of the time we've installed newsroom systems for clients of AP, the station owns their own computer hardware. If the computers meet our minimum specs, they should be able to be used if they belong to the station.
AP uses a filter box called an APPI. Similar in concept to a cable TV decoder, this box makes sure that your station only receives news your contract allows and it allows AP to shut off your service for non payment. AP generally requires the installation of their filter for any subscriber who uses a 3rd party electronic capture program like WireReady. If you still get AP on a printer, they will swap the printer out for the APPI, and from what we've heard there's never been a charge for the swap. The same works if you use AP newsdesk software. They will swap their software out for the APPI box as well without charge. If you are already using 3rd party newsroom software, you likely already have the APPI box. The APPI is a creme/beige looking device, almost like an external modem, it says Associated Press on the front, it has some red LED lights on the front, and a metal toggle on/off switch on the back. It's aprox 1 inch high about 5 inches wide and 12 inches deep. AP may be using other devices, this information is the best we have and may not be complete, but it has guided over 1000 stations well in the past.
Once upon a time, many stations paid a $15 or so weekly fee for the AP software over and above the regular cost of AP news, but over time, we heard most stations saw this charge dropped and the software became free with one requirement. The typical AP contract valued something called "a drop," and a drop could be one of the these three things:
1) An AP provided/serviced printer
2) AP newsdesk software/support (customer provided thier own computer(s)
3) APPI modem (filter) for 3rd party newsroom systems like WireReady.
Stations could get ONE of these as part of their basic contract. So our best guess is once you reach the right people at AP, you will find that there is no charge/change in your contract, but they will want to "take back" the Newsdesk software as soon as possible once they provide the APPI modem. Since AP usually sends a tech to install the device, we've found they will generally make a "Y" adapter to feed the RS_232 signal to both your current device and the APPI. Typically, data is on 3 and ground is on 7 if the computer connection is 25 pin. A passive split can be made off these two pins especially when both devices are in the same room and the distances involved are under 50 feet. For this reason, we make the suggestion that the radio station ask for a minimum 30 day grace window so they can have both Newsdesk and the modem at the same time. It also makes for an easy way to make sure the new filter box is passing you all the news you received on your original system. I've found this is usually allowed. Also I recommend the station copy all the newsdesk archived "public folder" news to one of the wireready computers (if a different computer(s) is going to be used), because those are for the most part TEXT files and readable by WireReady. This way the old archived news isn't lost.
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