Bannerman uses a high power link - one of Hand Held's 1W transmitters coupled with UHF radio mic receivers as a problem solver at these large events. His service provides sound for pre-match and half-time announcements and entertainments - for example, he used the link to send signal to a sound system in the Old Trafford car park at the recent European Champions League Final, so that people entering the ground were able to hear the pre-match entertainment, which included a live performance by the Atomic Kittens (using Hand Held Audio's radio mics).
At many modern stadia there is no input to the house sound system at ground level. As Bannerman is often required by outside broadcast companies to operate near the tunnel, this could present a major installation problem which he circumvents by using the link to get the signal to the house system. This is the case at The Walker Stadium, Leicester where England’s recent friendly fixture with Serbia/Montenegro took place, and also at The Riverside Stadium, Middlesborough, where the Euro 2004 qualifier with Slovakia is to be staged.
(Lee Baldock)
