ARN ramps up programming with four new FM OB kits

Dubai-headquartered Arabian Radio Network (ARN) recently took delivery of four FM outside broadcast kits from Abu Dhabi-based systems integrator, Tek Signals, which has been involved with most of the radio station’s technical installations. The OB kits, which will be used by all of ARN’s nine FM channels, will serve to record as well as enable the broadcast of live events from various locations in and around the emirates. The network’s requirement was to have a compact yet robust system.

Commenting on the project, Nasser Mohammed, Principal Projects Engineer at Tek Signals, said: “The network’s objective is to cover more live events, hence these new additions to the existing equipment.”

UK-based manufacturer Sonifex was the principal vendor for this project. The solutions include a Sonifex audio mixer S1, a CD recorder/player, a Protonet ISDN and IP audio codec, four wireless microphone and headphone systems, Sonifex dual telephone hybrids, a Denon tuner, the Sonifex headphone distribution amplifier, monitor speakers, and shelf drawers for mounting programme playback laptops. The entire rack is made up of reinforced aluminium rack to keep it light weight. One of the key requirements of the OB kit was to seamlessly link with the radio studios, according to Mohammed.

“We had to ensure the portable studios established a glitch-free link from remote areas to the main studios using wireless dongles, Ethernet, ISDN as well as telephone lines. The idea was to design a very strong rack kit that was capable of withstanding rough handling as well as the high summer temperatures and dust in Dubai. The rack had to be light weight and capable of mounting all equipment ergonomically for operations,” he added.

The project was completed in three months, and involved 10 engineers and support staff from both Sonifex as well as Tek Signals.