IN-STU power measurement

Bird Technologies Group

Transmitter Power Monitor: Bird Electronics' Transmitter Power Monitor's DB-9 output provides a linear DC voltage output from 0 to 4V allowing for a wide variety of interface options. Its in-line calibration capability allows for greater accuracy in a single application (with an accurate power reference) and the integrated non-directional coupler allows for spectral analysis of the signal in minimal space requirements. The TPM features coupling ports and accurate power measurement combined in the same unit. The TPM can be calibrated in-line and on site. This characteristic helps minimize downtime and optimize on-air time. In addition, a simplified interface allows for a high level of customization and integration.
866-695-4569
www.bird-technologies.com
sales@bird-technologies.com

Judges' Comments

• It costs less and has greater flexibility than previous monitoring sections.
• The field calibration option is ideal for accurate readings.

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Panel mounts

BTX

Max Blox: BTX's solderless connectors, the patent pending Max Blox EZ Termination System, feature rugged design allowing installers to terminate an HD15 or a DB-9 with just a screwdriver, and mount it in a panel, plate or Max Blox hood in a fraction of the time it would take to solder. When used with the Max Blox hood, these connectors simply slide, snap and lock without the use of tools. Optimized for use in any A/V application where VGA or RS-232 controls are used, the connectors are manufactured with genuine Phoenix Contact terminal blocks. The system accommodates wire diameters, from 0.120" to 0.500".
800-666-0996
www.btx.com
info@bi-tronics.com

Judges' Comments

• A DB connector to Phoenix is nice, but being able to add a real hood and strain relief is perfect.
• I could keep a handful of these around for quick installations.

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HD-Radio tuner card

Audio Science

ASI8914: The ASI8914 is a universal, full-length PCI card that contains four HD-Radio/AM/FM tuners and is designed for use in HD Radio broadcast monitoring and auditing. Each tuner may be set to an independent analog or HD Radio station. The audio from each tuner is presented to the computer host as a mono or stereo record stream accessed through a 32-bit PCI bus master interface. An F connector feeds RF signal from an external antenna to all tuners on the ASI8914. An HD50 connector makes available the mono or stereo line level audio of each tuner output. Recording formats include PCM, MPEG-1 layer2 and MP3. Each tuner can also decode and stream Program Associated Data and RDS/RDBS data for analog FM. HD Radio multicast is supported, allowing the audio and PAD stream to be switched between the Main Program Service and Secondary Program Services under software control.
302-324-5333
www.audioscience.com
sales@audioscience.com

Judges' Comments

• The tuner card concept is good, but now it has HD Radio.
• Lots of receivers in a tiny space; I need that.

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AM reference receiver and modulation monitor

Inovonics

Model 525: The 525 is a frequency-agile, wideband AM-broadcast receiver that utilizes a highly linear phase-locked detector to provide accurate off-air measurements of AM carrier modulation. An important feature of this new monitor is the ability to resolve the amplitude-modulation component of the station's carrier during IBOC hybrid digital broadcast operation. Positive and negative carrier modulation is shown simultaneously on a high-resolution LCD display. This can be switched to provide a read-out of received signal strength and asynchronous noise as well, two parameters that can influence the modulation reading. Measurement response is flat to 10kHz, although a menu-controlled low-pass filter in the audio-monitor output provides a cutoff that can be programmed between 10kHz and 2kHz in 1kHz steps. This allows the user to preview the sonic compromises imposed by pre-transmission audio filtering and to simulate the response of consumer radios.
800-733-0552
www.inovon.com
info@inovon.com

Judges' Comments

• It's an analog monitor, but it works in the presence of IBOC signals.
• The list of features is amazing.

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FM transmitter

Nautel

NV40: The NV40 offers the highest single-cabinet power output of any FM transmitter available with a maximum analog power output of 44kW. For the first time, an HD Radio ready solid-state FM transmitter has been introduced that challenges the cost efficiency of tube-type HD Radio transmitters. It offers three modes of operation: Digital, hybrid and analog. The NV40 has an integral digital exciter that supports adaptive pre-correction, and offers a plug-in upgrade to the HD Radio Exgine. Nautel designed the product to occupy a footprint as much as 60 percent less than comparable solid-state and tube transmitters, provides advanced instrumentation and management tools, and optionally offers Nautel's new HD Power Boost technology for more IBOC power. The NV40's maximum power outputs are 44kW in analog mode, 32kW in hybrid mode and 12kW in digital mode.
207-947-8200
www.nautel.com
info@nautel.com

Judges' Comments

• It's about half the footprint of just about anything else.
• It's hitting an affordable price point as well.

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