On show at IBC 2009, Amsterdam, was the recently-announced CF100 quick deploy terminal from Sematron. Manufactured by Holkirk Communications, the ultra light 1.0 metre, fully auto pointing antenna follows on from the success of company's flyaway, vehicle and roof mount antennas.
The CF100 is designed to replace the use of maritime satellite-based equipment, offering, says the company, significantly lower operating costs, higher quality of service, and exceptional build quality - but without detracting from its transportability and ease of use.
The antenna system weighs less than 23kg when packed into its aluminium suitcase, meaning that it can be transported worldwide without IATA export restrictions. A second identical case is required for the lightweight base band transmission equipment.
These are highly configurable and can be supplied to operate for video contribution, data connectivity or defence applications. Sematron says that the CF100 takes less than four minutes to set-up, point and acquire the desired satellite: no tools are required.
New story written by Ian McMurray