RAYCOM SELECTED FOR NEW REFCOMMS SYSTEM

RAYCOM have announced that they have designed and supplied a new talkback communications system for use during live sports matches.
Raycom recently supplied the new high-end wireless microphone system, that has quickly proved to be both popular and reliable, to the Rugby Football Union (RFU).
The trial system tested by RFU was so successful that they called in Raycom to expand and develop the advanced radio mic system further.
The sophisticated new system means that Touch Judges (TJ’s), Match Officials, the Referee, the Television Match Official and the Video Judge can all hear each other at all times, and are able to listen to what the referee is saying. An additional private radio frequency provided by the system allows the officials to both hear and talk to each other discreetly during the match in order that they may confer during play. The referee’s ‘public’ audio is also fed directly to the television outside broadcast studio and to the locally broadcast ‘Reflink’ AM transmitter on which spectators can listen in.
The RFU view the system as an excellent method of ensuring a very well controlled rugby match. It is more difficult for players to escape censure for fouls or other indiscretions, as the TJ’s and match officials may quickly report this directly to the referee without having to wait for a break down in play or catch the referee’s attention with their flag.
Two operators are employed at each match to install the system. The radio belts, earpiece and mics are fitted to the officials in the changing rooms, and the lightweight system is both discreet and unobtrusive.
The Refcomm system was recently used in the England vs Italy match and at the Rugby International in Twickenham for Sky TV were the match was broadcast live to six nations. (CD/SP)