Aladdin will be happy!

Yesterday we received an order for a Beyerdynamic DT100 ear insert.
It arrived with the customer by recorded delivery today, and was up and working in 15 minutes.
As the customer said "Aladdin will be happy", especially given the speed of turnaround between Christmas and the New Year.
We like happy customers
Having said that we are now closed until Monday!
Happy New Year.

Our nice new flightcase labels

Hannah has been busy this week, including sticking our lovely new flightcase labels onto all our hire cases!
Up to now our cases have tended to have a note stuck on them, but now we have our super sticky, won't come off, wipe clean labels with spaces to write all the important details of the job.

The labels came from local Kent firm UPG, and were very reasonably priced!

Big in Belgium!

Back in May we reported that we had supplied 150 BG-THR headsets for the THR880i to Politie Aalst in Belgium.
Sales to Belgium have continued to be strong, and this week we have shipped 100 more BG-THR headsets to AEG TranzCom, Belgium's biggest supplier of Tetra equipment and 70 BG-M9 headsets with bottom connectors for the MTH800 to Politie Maasmechelen. Belgian police officers will clearly be opening lots of little packets from Showcomms for Christmas.

Last night in the jungle

Tonight is the last night in the jungle for I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of here! and it will be the last night in the jungle for our RTS hire kit that forms part of the talkback system on the show for Gearhouse Broadcast... now is it going to be Gino, Kim or Jimmy.

New Tecpro system for St Edmund's School goes straight into use

A new 6 beltpack Tecpro 2 system was delivered to St Edmund's School, Canterbury on Thursday, and within 24 hours it was in use in the school hall, as part of a busy schedule of events.
The system consists of one of our Tecpro 2 Theatre and College starter systems. Plus 2 extra beltpacks and headsets.
We sponsor the Schools Theatre Support Group.

75 radios for Royal Film Premiere

We supplied 75 Motorola Walkie Talkies and headsets to Steve Bonich at Video Europe for the premiere of Peter (Lord of the Rings) Jackson's The Lovely Bones, last night at the Royal Film Performance in the presence of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at the Odeon Leicester Square.
The radios were used for production and security at the event.

Anyone for Tennis?

This weekend sees the start of the ATP World Tennis Finals at the O2 Arena, and we have supplied
14 RTS beltpacks with headphones, 10 CP040 radios and a base station to the venue for the duration of the 8 day event.

Peltor Dectcom with Tactical XP ear defenders being used by Colas Rail

We are hiring 6 Peltor Dectcom beltpacks, complete with headset mount versions of the Peltor Tactical XP ear defenders with active listening and acoustic awareness to Colas Rail for use by the team operating their RM90 ballast cleaner. This equipment is now part of our hire kit. Two of the beltpacks have push to talk facilities. These beltpacks and headsets supplement their existing system over the next 4 weekends, allowing them to keep the cleaner running on shift changes.
Working around the RM90 is a very high noise environment, with it picking up ballast, processing it and relaying back onto the track and discarding the waste. The crew must have a system that allows clear, safe, communication between them while excluding the noise of the cleaner but maintaining their awareness of what is going on around them.

Ex Demo wireless system ready for interface to Tecpro

We are selling an ex-demo wireless intercom with 2 beltpacks.

This Quail  system comprises of 1 base station, 2 beltpacks, 2 headsets and the drop in 4 way charger.
It is an Ex Demo system, we no longer sell this system it is replaced by the Altair system.
Included in the price are the VMIU Interface which provides an analogue audio input and audio output for connection to external systems such as Tecpro.
Also included is the Tecpro AD903 interface and lead to then get  the communication into and out of Tecpro and similar loop systems.
The Quail system is used by Sainsbury and Fast food chains. It operates at 1.9GHz, away from most DECT phones on 2.4GHz. 
It is full duplex and the beltpacks have 2 mic switches.  Internal (wireless to wireless ) and external (wireless to wireless and wireless to Tecpro) which acts as a on/off mic switch. 
The base station will support up to 6 beltpacks
This Quail system  is ideal for a wireless stage manager or front of house communications in a hall or small theatre interfaced to the house Tecpro or other intercom system.  (the signal willnot pass through walls)  All Full Duplex systems involve a constant carrier transmitter worn on the user.  In the same way body worn radio mics are limited in power output to 10mW, to ensure we dont cook the celebrity over a long period of use,  the same is true for Wireless Beltpacks. As such rule of thumb, coverage is limited to the same as a radio mic range or less! 
The Quail base station has the facility for detachable DECT antennas to help improve coverage. This really assists coverage where the base is located in the bottom of a racked system.
The system will be supplied tested and set for connection to a Tecpro system.
We can supply this also immediately in time for your Xmas production rehearsals. 
The price includes delivery but not installation or a site visit.
Please call Bruce or Duncan for more info 01689 876620

Yours for £1300 + VAT (or £1100 + VAT without AD903 and lead)

Price reduction on ASL headsets

We have reduced the prices on ASL HS1D headsets for Tecpro and other intercom systems. We now list them at only £52. Supplied boxed it is already factory fitted with a 4 pin XLR female plug.
We can also change the plugs in our workshop to XLR4M for RTS beltpacks, XLR5M for CTP talkback, TP120/Nexus for Peltor or just about any other connector...

British Gymnastics World Champion

As Britain's Beth Tweddle won Gold today at the World Gymastics Chamionships at the O2 Arena it was the same Showcomms Jelibox talkback used last month for the C4 Big brother final by Roll to Record that SIS OBs used for crane talback at their coverage for the BBC. Congratulations to Beth!

Earhangers for Aviapartner

Showcomms have provided our MSG-1W-THR earhangers for the EADS Nokia THR880i radio to Aviapartner at Düsseldorf Airport. The popular MSG-1W-THR is similar to the Lowe LEP-190xe-THR but with 1 year no quibble guarantee and off duty carrying pouch.
The Aviapartner Group provides full aircraft handling including handling of passengers, baggage, cargo and mail, maintenance, aircraft cleaning at 31 airports in 5 European countries.

Showcomms supply Arthur's Day celebrations in Lagos

This Thursday is Arthur's Day, the 250th anniversary celebrations of Arthur Guinness signing the 9,000 year lease on the St James's Brewery in Dublin.

Music events are happening in Dublin, Lagos, Kuala Lumpur, New York and Yaoundé and €6 Million has been pledged to the Arthur Guinness Fund by Guinness and Co.

Showcomms have supplied Tecpro beltpacks and headsets to Shell for the Lagos concert, starring Sean Paul.

Across Ireland drinkers will be toasting Arthur Guinness, with countdown clocks across Dublin. Live coverage presented by Cat Deeley and Ronan Keating will be on Sky's Pub TV channel 881. The highlights will be shown on ITV2 in the UK on Sunday 27th September at 12:15am and Tuesday 29th September at 10:00pm

Acts confirmed for Arthur's Day so far are:

  - Black Swan Effect                    - Noise Control
    - Born Blonde                          - OK Go
    - Calvin Harris                        - Oppenheimer
    - Cherbourg                            - Paolo Nutini
    - Concerto for Constantine             - Razorlight
    - D'Banj (performing in Lagos)         - Republic of Loose
    - David Gray                           - Reverend and The Makers
    - David Kitt                           - Richard Hawley
    - Dirty Epics                          - Roots Manuva
    - DJ David Holmes                      - Sean Paul (performing in Lagos)
    - Eoghan Colgan                        - Sharon Shannon
    - Estelle                              - Soul II Soul
    - Fionn Regan                          - Spring Break
    - Fiona Melady                         - Sugababes
    - General Fiasco                       - The Black Eyed Peas (Performing
    - Golden Silvers                          in Kuala Lumpur)
    - Hoarsebox                            - The Blizzards
    - Imelda May                           - The Chakras
    - Jamie Cullum                         - The Chapters
    - Jay Jay Pistolet                     - The Coronas
    - Jerry Fish and the Mudbug Club       - The Enemy
    - Johnny Flynn                         - The High Kings
    - Kasabian                             - The Hot Rats
    - Lisa Hannigan                        - The Infomatics
    - Leopold                              - The Kooks
    - Lumiere                              - The Magic Numbers
    - Mick Flannery                        - The Undertones
    - Mongrel                              - The Wombats
    - Nat Jenkins                          - Tom Jones
    - Noah and The Whale                   - White Bell Yellow Tag

STP8000 and MTP850 sales

We are seeing a big increase in our sales of parts for the Sepura STP8000 radio, including to the Dartford Crossing, which is just up the road from us.
In addition we are shipping large number of accessories for the Motorola MTP850 and CEP400, especially to police forces, and of our BG-F Tetra, BG-F Tracker and Centurion headsets for use on the MTP850.

Schools Theatre Support Group

Showcomms are pleased to announce that we are sponsoring the Schools Theatre Support Group.
As their website says:

The Group is open to all professionally-employed theatre support staff working in schools, colleges or other educational establishments; primarily technicians and managers, but also anyone with an active interest, such as teachers with responsibility for the technical side of productions, for example.

Proms in the Park and Thank you for the Music for SIS LIVE

Showcomms are providing backstage show and lighting communications equipment and crew to SIS LIVE for this weekend's Proms in the Park and Thank you for the Music.

The total rig consists of:
2 x crew (Alex Wrigglesworth and James Wilson)
16 x RTS BP325 beltpacks
1 x RTS single channel PS15 power supply
1 x RTS 3 channel PS31 power supply
1 x RTS SAP612 Source Assignment Panel
2 x RTS Biscuit boxes
5 x RTS SSA324 2 to 4 wire converters
4 x CTP 4 wire boxes (1 x 2 channel, 1 x 4 channel, 2 x 6 channel)
1 x Key Radio Base Station
Motorola GP300 radios
1 x JFMG Radio licence

This is the 5th year running that Showcomms have provided backstage comms for Proms in the Park (previously to BBC OBs before they were bought by SIS). As they say, happy customers come back!
Now, where is that Abba CD...

Follow the Showcomms blog on Twitter and Facebook

You can now follow the Showcomms Blog on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/showcomms
and on our Facebook page

RNLI Memorial Opening and open days

Showcomms are providing 58 GP300 and CP040 radios for the RNLI headquarters in Poole this week - for the RNLI memorial opening that happened on Wednesday and for their open days this weekend.

Do pop along to their HQ this weekend, they promise:

Discover what it takes to train our crews and how we design and equip our lifeboats.

Also find out how to become a lifeguard, crew member, or fundraiser in the RNLI - where ordinary people do extraordinary things.

What can you expect?

• Lifeboat tours
• Rescue demonstrations
• Lifeguard / lifeboat displays
• Sea survival pool demonstrations
• Informative talks from the lifeguards and crew members.

Location and times

• Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September 2009
• 10am - 6pm
• £2 entrance fee. Under 5's are FREE

Big Brother Final

Tonight is the Final of Big Brother, and whoever wins out of Sophie, Rodrigo, Siavash, Charlie and David it will be another spectacular show, and the cranes will be using our Jelibox Talkback and Tally System supplied to Roll to Record

Making a splash at the Worthing International Birdman

Showcomms provided radio and wired comms for Factual Productions last weekend for their shooting of the Worthing International Birdman.
Pictured above is Cameraman Noel Greaves-Lord and Director Andy Roberts.
The winner of the contest Steve Elkins just missed the £30,000 prize for a 100 metre flight with a recorded distance of 99.86 metres.
The video below was edited from Factual's footage (though isn't their cut).

Two more Ocean Choice shrimp trawlers being fitted with Showcomms supplied Peltor Dectcom

At the end of June we reported that we had supplied 2 Peltor Dectcom systems for the Kinguk and the Aqviq, two Arctic shrimp trawlers operated by Ocean Choice of Newfoundland.
On 21 July the Kinguk had been fitted with the system and the Aqviq was awaiting fititng. We are delighted to announce that we have taken delivery of a further two identical Peltor Dectcom systems for Ocean Choice, which they will be fitting on the Cape Ballard and the Mersey Viking.

Otto ear defenders at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo

The Edinburgh Tattoo starts today. As everyone knows it is an event of pipes, drums, guns and fireworks!
So Showcomms are supplying 18 sets of our Otto Eardefenders for GP300 radios to BBC Scotland for their Tattoo coverage.
This is the third year running that we have supplied BBC Scotland with ear defenders for the event.

Adjusting your earpiece

We occasionally get people asking how they can stop their curly tube earpiece popping out.
This little diagram gives you the answer.

Wearing the earpiece get a second person to trim back the tube with a small pair of scissors until the loop rests comfortably on top of the ear with the earpiece in (we strongly suggest they only do a little bit at a time!

When that bit is done, if needed, they can do the same trimming the tube between the curly section and the collar until it just has a small amount of tension.

The other thing you can look it is purchasing a skeleton earpiece upgrade.

Bruce at the Barbican Theatre

Bruce recently went to the Barbican Theatre with Adrian Richmond of Telex to sort out a problem with their in house Telex BTR700 wireless beltpack system, which was not covering the areas they needed.
They relocated the base station to achieve coverage onstage and in the auditorium.

Pictured left to right: Adrian Ricmond (Telex), Ingo Reinhardt (Barbican Deputy Technical Manager), Bruce Cocks (Showcomms).

Tecpro systems selling fast

Today has seen orders arrive for a fairly large Tecpro System by the Ruskin Players in Carshalton, a Tecpro starter kit by Trinity University College in Carmarthen, and Tecpro beltpacks are on their way fro the Abbey Theatre in Dublin.
We are told that there will be Tecpro price rises on 1st August - so get your orders in quick if you are about to buy a system!

Bibby Offshore supplied with Bluetooth eardefenders

Bibby Offshore, part of Bibby Line Group, have been supplied by us with a matched pair of A-Kabel Bluetooth eardefender headsets. Testing them before despatch, Bruce and Duncan could speak to each other 70 metres apart with line of sight, before they ran out of room!
Bibby will be using them onboard the Bibby Topaz. But they would also be excellent or two people on a yacht, for industrial applications, arboriculture, road maintenance and any requirement for 2 way hands free communications between 2 operators where it is too far or too noisy to shout but both persons are in easy view of each other.

Tecpro System for Jacksons Lane Theatre

We have today supplied a Tecpro system consisting of the new PS751 Power Supply, 2 x BP111 Beltpacks and 2 x ASL HS1D headsets to the Jacksons Lane Theatre in Highgate.
To quote from the theatre's website:

Jacksons Lane is a multi-arts venue in Highgate, North London. Housed in a striking red-brick gothic church conversion, the building is home to a 160 capacity theatre, a striking dance and rehearsal studio, a cafe bar and four multi-purpose spaces.
We are a theatre, a centre for participation with countless courses, a space for companies and artists to create and, above all, a welcoming building open 6 days a week for whatever you decide to do here.
From contemporary circus to artist development, from participation to theatre for young people, Jacksons Lane is unique.
Explore our website, call us, drop in, there's more than likely something for you here, and if there isn't - we may be able to help create it...

Radio parts for NLV Pharos

Continuing Showcomms increasing marine sales, this weekend has seen the Northern Lighthouse Board order spare parts for Motorola GP340 radios used on the lighthouse tender the NLV Pharos. NLV Pharos is based in Oban and works mainly in Scottish and Manx waters, servicing over 200 automatic lighthouses, buoys, beacons. She is also able to carry out hydrographic surveying and wreck finding and other commercial work under contract.

Throw another prawn on the barbie Bruce!

Showcomms have supplied two Peltor Dect-Com systems to Ocean Choice of Canada for onboard communications.
The two vessels being fitted with the Dect-Com units are the Kinguk and the Aqviq. Both of these are primarily for prawn and shrimp fishing in Arctic areas. They are 50 metres long with onboard processing decks for sorting, cooking and freezing shrimps.
Ocean Choice already had a Dect-Com system on another boat that had been fitted in Iceland, and as they said to Bruce when considering purchasing the further systems:

It works very well and we are thinking of expanding our communications on our other boats to make use of this technology

New Talkback returns from Isle of Man TT

Showcomms CTP 24 x 24 Matrix Talkback intercom system has returned from its first job - the coverage of the Isle of Man TT for ITV.
ITV featured nearly 50 hours of programming from the TT on ITV1 and ITV4 presented by leading ITV sports anchor Craig Doyle with commentary from former racers Steve Parrish and Jamie Whitham, who both competed at the TT.
The Showcomms hire system, used to connect production areas, features:
A Talkback 24 twenty four square 1U matrix, four wire talkback system. It is PC programmable, includes full IFB facilities, and can support any combination of talkback panels and four wires, up to a maximum of twenty four.
7 x 12 key panels. Each key has it's own volume control, automatically assigned to the reverse of the key destination(s).
Jackfield with 8 RJ45 ports and 16 audio 4 wire i/p, o/p & IFB XLRs.
Panels connect by CAT5 or CAT6 cable (cable not included).

(P.S. Motorcyclists reading this may be interested in our ProGuard Custom Motorcyclists earplugs... )

International Academy Amman - Showcomms supply another educational theatre

Showcomms have supplied a Tecpro system for the 450 seat Conference Centre/Theatre at the International Academy, Amman, Jordan.
The IAA is a non-profit making ‘Model School of Excellence’ opened by her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, as part of the Jordanian Education Society (JES).

Rave on Air 09 sponsored by Showcomms

Showcomms are pleased to sponsor Rave on Air 09
In it's 39th year, every year for one day in June Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication is transformed into one of the country's most exciting and innovative broadcasters, as the students go "ON AIR" for 5 hours of live broadcast.
Rave on Air is a perfect chance for students to showcase their work to delegates from the broadcasting and creative industries as well as
giving the students "live" experience of creating and delivering a wide spectrum of content. This is the last year of Rave on Air at the Chislehurst campus before Ravensbourne moves to Greenwich Peninsula by the O2.
Showcomms Director Bruce Cocks took part in Rave on Air in 1990 in his last year at Ravensbourne.

BBC South presenter to open new University of Winchester studio

BBC South presenter and journalist Sally Taylor is formally opening a new TV studio with a linked newsroom at the University of Winchester on Wednesday 27 May. She will cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony in the presence of students, staff and journalists from local and national media.
Showcomms supplied and installed the Tecpro wired and Trilogy wireless intercom talkback system for the studio.



From the Spring 2009 inspection report produced by the Broadcast Training Journalism Council:

"The new studio is a high grade three camera digital TV studio.
"The studio has a good height – probably a double floor height and an extensive and highly flexible lighting rig. In addition, there’s a green screen area, and potentially this studio will be able to do a great deal more than just run an evening news magazine programme.
"In addition, there is a live studio facility in the newsroom, with a number of inject points around the campus, which should prompt some highly varied and imaginative treatments of news and current affairs programming.
"Portable equipment is easily available to the students and includes Marantz and Sony PD170 cameras.
Technical support is good and the technical team are very helpful."
In addition the university has a dedicated multimedia newsroom with work stations provided for all students producing weekly and daily radio and television bulletins, news and features websites.
The studios and newsroom are used by students on BA and MA courses and are part of the university's focus on careers in the television and multimedia news and journalism industries. Both UK and international students take part in courses that use the studios to produce regular scheduled TV and radio news bulletins, magazine work and multimedia production.

Showcomms win major Belgian Police order

Showcomms have won two major orders from Aalst Police in Belgium following Infopol.
We will be supplying 150 of our BG 1 wire covert earpiece for the EADS Nokia THR 880i plus Peter Jones KlickFast Docks and Skeleton earpieces.

Bruce meets Belgian Minister of the Interior

We have received this picture taken at Infopol a couple of weeks ago of Bruce demonstrating some of our Tetra Airwave products to the Belgian Minister of the Interior Guido De Padt.

Picture by info@Myriade.be

Dive, Dive, Dive

Showcomms latest plunge into the marine market is to ship a Tecpro system to Eastar Offshore of Singapore for a Subsea Robotics Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).
Who says we don't like getting into deep water!

P.S. we are selling complete Tecpro Theatre starter kits on our website  for just £999.99!
This 4 user system will get you up and running in most Theatres, Schools and Colleges. It is simple to use and all you will require is XLR 3pin cable (standard microphone cable).

The PS711 power has the capacity to double and double again the number of belt packs in use and when productions become more complicated you can operate up to 3 independent communication rings.
4 x BP111 belt packs is enough for most small theatres and if you only need an additional user on the odd occasion it is easy to hire in additional equipment from us at minimal cost.
Please call 01689 876620 and we will be pleased to offer you further information, technical advice or assistance in designing your intercom system.
As part of our support and services we offer an onsite 1st line maintenance including a belt pack, headset refurbishing & repair service. The system shown on our website is a saving of over £140 and comprises of:

4 x BP511 single channel belt packs.
4 ASL HS1D single sided headsets
1 x PS751 intercom power supply

The picture below is now out of date (08/12/2012) and shows our original listing.

National Police Dog Trials: Day 4

Today's picture is not of a dog, but of one of Leeds Castle's splendid peacocks, who have been strutting their stuff for the crowds over the course of the trials. It has been a busy week for Showcomms, out thanks to Kent Police for organising the event. The winners, who received their prize from Princess Michael of Kent, were PC Dave Buckley and Chaz from Nottinghamshire Police, but the Showcomms tent was too busy for us to get down to the presentation to take a picture!

National Police Dog Trials: Day 3 - gadgets everywhere

This fine figure of a dog is former Kent Champion Police dog (now retired) Gadget.



... and while on gadgets ... several officers asked us yesterday if we sold Klickfast clips to hold Peli VB3 torches. Well we didn't, but we were straight on the phone to Peter Jones, and now we do. It is on our website here (torch not included).

National Police Dog Trials: Day 2 (come and meet the puppies!)

If you are looking for something free to take the kids to this weekend bring them along to the National Police Dog Trials at Leeds Castle, and let them meet the Metropolitan Police puppies!


Licky time!


Cuddle time!


The end of a long tiring day of play!

National Police Dog Trials: Day 2 (waiting for the woofs)

Another glorious day here at Leeds Castle and the dogs have just started to arrive and compete. After a fantastic first day we are back on the Showcomms Stall again and ready for action!
We are looking forward to day 2 of the event and seeing more these wonderful working dogs in action. If you are in the South East why not come down to Leeds Castle and watch the events and come and say hello? We have a wide range of both police and other communications equipment with us that you can come and see in action and it really is a very interesting event.
As promised yesterday here is the much awaited first picture of the brand new Showcomms display tent!

National Police Dog Trials: Day 1

Today was the first day out for the new Showcomms outside exhibition tent at the National Police Dog trials at the beautiful Leeds Castle in Kent. Pictures of the tent over the coming days.
Showcomms are exhibiting Police radio accessories, Klickfast, PMR446 radios, the FriskerPro, the Under Car Camera and Peltor SportTac shooting active eardefenders.
We also had the VoiceVest on display, Leeds Castle already have one they purchased off us. And the Clock Audio Tour Guide system, which raised some promising interest.
Anyway, enough of the products. Here is Kent Police Dog "H" getting waggy and sniffy at finding some drugs in a case during one of the displays:

Bruce returns from Infopol

Bruce has returned from Infopol at Kortrijk XPO in Belgium.
He came back with tales of how it all started as a meeting of police over Belgian beer but has now grown into a major European police exhibition. Bruce returned most excited over a possible very large order of EADS Nokia headsets for a police force...
We have also, as the result of enquiries at the show, now added a Peter Jones Klickfast case for the EADS Nokia THR880i to our range.

New Broadcast talkback system coming soon

Wednesday saw a scheduled power outage in Chelsfield for the day, so Bruce and Duncan set off to see Chris Thorpe at CTP Systems in Staplehurst to see a new system being assembled for Showcomms' line of broadcast dry hire kit. Chris, Bruce and Duncan used to work together at VMTV (Visions Mobiles/Molinare).

The new system will have a number of panels centred on CTP Systems' Talkback 24 PC programmable 24 square matrix. They were very impressed at how easy it was to set up, making it excellent for trouble free dry hire.

More news soon on on the first job for the kit scheduled for May.

Bruce goes to Paris

Yesterday Bruce headed off by Eurostar for Paris to show at the Public Security Exhibition at the splendid British Ambassador's Residence. Taking the full range of Motorola, Sepura and EADS Nokia Tetra accessories, the under car camera and the FriskerPro.
He enjoyed himself so much he seemed reluctant to return to a busy office today!