Qatar Media Corporation Chooses Thomson Broadcast Anti-Fading Antenna

The state broadcaster of Qatar, Qatar Media Corporation, has gone live with a Thomson Broadcast (formerly the transmission division of Grass Valley) customised and anti-fading antenna for its national AM radio service.
The new antenna enables the broadcaster to improve the quality and coverage of AM/DRM transmissions from its Al-Arish station in the north of Qatar.
The highly optimised solution was developed with extensive use of Thomson's state-of-the-art computer simulation systems for the best possible combination of efficiency, reliability and bandwidth. A half-lambda antenna was used to create a superior radiation pattern for overcoming "fading zones" and special attention was given to an innovative solution for full grounding against lightning and static loads caused by atmospheric conditions.
Abdul Wahab Aman Alkuwari, Controller of Transmitters, Qatar Media Corporation, said: "Thomson's solution exactly matched our requirements, and its team was prepared to go the extra mile to deliver the customisation we needed. Special expertise is very important for a successful implementation of a high-performance antenna project and we chose Thomson because its experience and knowledge is second to none."
Working with system integrators Mansour Trading and Qatar Media Corporation, Thomson Broadcast engineers developed a custom-designed 222-metre anti-fading antenna with a 430-metre 9-inch outdoor feeder line supported on concrete pillars to overcome the particular challenges posed by the site and terrain. Factors affecting the construction and operation of the antenna included high soil acidity, extreme climatic conditions and underground saltwater sources.
Nicolas Dallery, President of Thomson Broadcast, said: "Qatar Media Corporation's new Al-Arish antenna enables a significant upgrade of the service the broadcaster provides to its customers. As with all of Thomson Broadcast's antenna projects, the essential thing was not to rely on a standardised design, but to customise the exact solution that conditions demanded for complete success."
(KMcA)