Megahertz win GlobeCast build contract

Megahertz Broadcast Systems has recently been awarded the contract for the design and build of a multipurpose Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) vehicle by the world’s largest satellite service provider, GlobeCast.
The vehicle will be a long wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter with power provided by a 12kVA integrated, super-silent generator. The uplink chain will be fully redundant with two 400W high power amplifiers (HPA’s) feeding a 1.5m Ku-band antenna, fitted with a diplexer for simultaneous H & V receive. Talk back Communications will be provided via both GSM and satellite.
Baseband facilities will include the capabilities for two cameras and two Sony video tape recorders (VTR’s) with routing by Quartz digital and analogue matrices. Monitoring will be performed by a combination of tube and LCD displays.
GlobeCast, a subsidiary of France Telecom, placed the order on April 19. With completion due at the end of July, which will enable GlobeCast to provide coverage for clients in the UK and in Athens for the Olympics, the build contract will have a very fast turnaround, a challenge that Megahertz relishes.
“This is the first time we have worked with GlobeCast and we are absolutely delighted to have been chosen by such a prestigious client,” said Steve Burgess, Technical Director of Megahertz Broadcast Systems.
Andrew Jones, UK SNG Technical Manager for GlobeCast commented: “This truck will join our highly reputable fleet of broadcast vehicles enabling us to continue to supply a quick response to breaking news. In the past we have built are own vehicles but we have found that this ties up a lot of our manpower. It has become more cost effective, therefore to choose a specialist like Megahertz.”
(GB)