Wave-TV Using Nucomm Microwave Technology to Weather Storm At Kentucky Derby

Heavy rain did not dampen WAVE-TV's live weekend coverage of the 134th Kentucky Oaks and Derby coverage, which reaped unforeseen benefits using Nucomm's CamPac 2 wireless transmitter and Newscaster DR diversity receiver.
While televising the 12 races taking place on the Friday prior to the Oaks, inclement weather soaked the Churchill Downs area, leaving the NBC affiliate scrambling for refuge to sustain its eight hour broadcast. Despite having the change in its production plans, WAVE-TV Chief Engineer Jim Sears says having Nucomm's wireless transmitter and receiver equipment made for a seamless on-location transition.
Sears said: "In using Nucomm's gear, we were able to establish a two-antenna diversity receive. This delivered one strong, robust signal that allowed us to report from inside without losing video.
Sears added that the CamPac 2 proved most efficient as well. He said: "By having the CamPac 2, we were able to roam about freely without having to worry about limitations due to cabling and were given the opportunity to capture a great deal of man on the street interviews and crowd shots."
To provide comprehensive coverage of all of the race action that took place during the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, WAVE-TV had several talents reporting live on site. Saturday's Kentucky Derby broadcast involved 12 hours of ongoing interviews with spectators and video of the paddock area, where the horses were readied prior to the race. In addition, WAVE-TV used Nucomm's CamPac 2 and Newscaster DR for The Great Bed Races that took place earlier in the week.
Nucomm Inc. is a worldwide provider of premier digital and analog video microwave systems (including COFDM and VSB) for the broadcasting industry's portable and fixed link applications. Further information is available at: www.nucomm.com.
The Vitec Group is acknowledged as a global leader in the supply of equipment and services to the broadcasting, entertainment and photographic industries and has established a reputation for technical excellence and superior engineering along with an astute business strategy, which has seen it grow by acquisition. Further information is available at: www.vitecgroup.com.
(KMcA/JM)