FreeSpeak 10 brings the power of matrix communications to the wireless environment, combined with the coverage flexibility of a local cellular network. Up to 10 beltpacks can operate from a single 1-RU base station via individually located Antennae, and users can talk beltpack-to-beltpack or in small groups. Each beltpack is registered with a User ID that the base station will recognise. This prevents interference and eavesdropping from other RF systems.
The base station will support up to 10 Active Antennae which are placed around the theatre giving omni directional coverage for a radius of 250m. This makes the system ideal for a complex location where line-of-site or wired communications systems would not be practical.
"The FreeSpeak 10 system has been operational with us for about six months now," said Ivar Nedberg, technical stage director, at the National Theatre. "It's been in use every day and is ideal for this environment. The most important thing for us is the flexibility of the system and the fact that it does not interfere with other equipment such as the performers' wireless microphones.
"The scalability of the FreeSpeak system and its compatibility with the other Clear-Com equipment we already have are also important factors, making it very cost effective particularly as we already plan to expand the new system with more beltpacks."
(Jim Evans)
