Hitachi Delivers New SNG Uplink Vehicle to Jordan Radio and Television

Hitachi Kokusai Electric Turkey Systems has introduced the delivery and successful commissioning of a new satellite news gathering (SNG) transmission uplink vehicle to Jordanian state broadcaster, Jordan Radio and Television (JRTV). The broadcaster is well known as a regional pioneer in satellite news gathering operations and this new SNG transmission vehicle will add further state-of-the-art production resources to its extensive field-based news team. Throughout this project, Hitachi Kokusai Electric Turkey Systems worked closely with its local partner, Amman-based HEAT for Engineering and Technology.

Designed and built at Hitachi Kokusai Electric Turkey Systems design and manufacturing centre in Istanbul, the vehicle is a bespoke solution, designed to meet the exact SNG transmission needs of JRTV. Based on the Mercedes Sprinter van, the OB vehicle integrates a PDA 150 Ku Band Drive News antenna and 1:1 400W Ku Band TWTA and MPEG-2/4 HD compression system and a built-in automatic levelling system. Also, the vehicle includes a high power air conditioning system, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system and a power generator, ensuring reliable standalone operation even in the most extreme Jordanian climate conditions.

December saw on-site commissioning completed by Hitachi Kokusai Turkey Systems’s specialist engineer team at JRTV’s Amman-based production headquarters. Despite bad weather conditions throughout the satellite up-link test procedures, JRTV reported that it was completely satisfied with the vehicle’s performance.

“In order to support JRTV’s field-based production teams we had a specific set of requirements from this vehicle,” says Omar Hikmat, CEO and founder of HEAT for Engineering and Technology. “Hitachi’s ability to take a standard Mercedes vehicle and create a totally bespoke solution to our customer’s needs is impressive. It passed all JRTV’s acceptance tests with ease and already it is fully operational.”

The sale of this vehicle to JRTV is seen as being strategically important to Hitachi Kokusai Electric Turkey Systems since JRTV is regarded by many as one of the leading regional broadcasters in terms of their application of new technologies. “This vehicle, with its high end build quality, provides broadcasters with an efficient addition to their SNG infrastructure resources,” says Cemal Yilmaz, General Manager of Hitachi Kokusai Electric Turkey Systems. “It provides a rugged and reliable satellite uplink solution at a cost-effective price level.”