First Impression of Constant Carrier Digital Radio Talkback

The Barbican Centre have been investigating different solutions to replace their BTR wireless Beltpack system in the main hall.  Today we tested a Kenwoood Nexedge Digital Base station with some dual mode Digital/Analogue capable radios.  The base had the required Tx enable button and audio in and audio out on a trial version interface panel.    The radio system was interfaced to the backstage RTS 2 wire intercom using an RTS 2 wire to 4 wire interface.

The Nexedge radio system was operating in 6.25khz bandwidth offering a possible saving in licence cost as opposed to the normal 12.5kHz OFCOM/JFMG licence.  There was some work to do on the interface to improve the audio levels and litlle of noise however overall it was better than Bruce expected and it was nice to not have that background noise present on Production Radio Talkback. There is a delay, albeit very small, and the infinite echo of an open radio through an open mic in production sounded like a not longer clean feed coming back to some poor presenter's IFB earpiece from a remote studio, studio, studio ,studio, studio (I guess you get the drift)!

This was the first Digital radio talkback system Showcomms and Bruce had tested as runner for a possible replacement to the present analogue UHF base stations.  The clear improvement in range running 5W through some little mag mounts was the biggest surprise. Certainly the in-house production team were impressed by the lack of black spots. If you have been to the Barbican you will know it is a concrete steel jungle and good rf coverage from backstage to FOH foyet and upper levels can be a struggle.

In short the Benefits appear to be:

• reduced bandwidth and possibly therefore lower licence fees. I need to ask JFMG in this respect to booking a licence.
• increased range especially in 6.25kHz
• Private audio, the audio cant be scanned by other users     
• Base station and handset transceivers can be used in Analogue or Digital mode

A little work is required on our interface box  to the Kenwood Nexedge 810 and certainly it wont be long before Bruce can bring anyone who wishes a demo unit to try out!

Cancer Research UK - Recent events break records

It’s been a full on very busy couple of months for Showcomms, Drive Productions and their client Cancer Research UK. Showcomms provided wired and wireless comms for their 3 events at Battersea Park. Rachel King and Jim Hudson, Producers at Drive Productions contacted us early in the year to see if we could provide a wired and wireless solution.
Showcomms provided a standalone comms system comprising of an Altair Wireless Intercom System with 4 wireless belt packs. The Altair base also directly provided power to 10 wired Tecpro BP111 and BP511 belt packs
.
.
Rachel wrote to us following the final event:

"Having you on board has really helped us deliver the events successfully and as a result we have happy CRUK clients who have broken previous fundraising levels at each of their events".

Theatre comms starter system: Under £1000 including VAT!

Get in fast before the VAT increase.
We are listing a 4 way Theatre system with Tecpro power supply, Altair beltpacks and ASL headsets for under £1000 including VAT! Take a look here http://snipurl.com/theatrecomms


It is still a valid offer we have manged to keep th e price to below  £1000 dated 5th December 2012

New Dual Channel Duplex Wireless Theatre System for Baylis Court School

We have just supplied the latest Altair dual channel duplex wireless theatre system to Baylis Court School, Slough.

The new Altair WBS-202 wireless base station doubles the capacity of the single channel WBS-200 maintaining full compatibility.

The unit features a complete double channel radio link with a capacity of up to 4 wireless beltpacks per channel, or 8 on a single channel.

Directly compatible with Tecpro, Altair, ASL, Clearcom, Stonewood loop systems.
This really is the unit that many theatres have been looking for to add to their wired intercom.
Bruce and Duncan were demonstrating this unit, alongside Tecpro wired intercom and Motorola CP040 radios at the Schools Theatre Support Group Conference in Rugby at the weekend.

Schools Theatre Support Group Conference

Showcomms are joint sponsors of the Schools Theatre Support Group Conference at Rugny School on Saturday 20th February at Rugby School.
We will be holding a workshop, particularly focusing on wireless theatre communications, interfacing with wired systems and other aspects of radio and wireless communications.

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.

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...

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.

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!

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...

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).

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 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!

Dect-Com system "shipped"

Today we have shipped (excuse the pun) a 4-way Peltor Dect-Com digital wireless beltpack system to a yacht racing team in Spain. We had previously sold a system to the ill fated Super Aguri Formula 1 team for their pit refuellers.
We are told the system was originally designed for troops operating outside of tanks!
But you don't have to be in the high speed worlds of F1, yacht racing or driving tanks to get the best of this system. It is ideal as a line of site system for use in theatres.
We have a 4-way system we can hire you to try, and will knock the hire cost off the bill if you then decide to buy.