Clear-Com Launches Tempest License-free Wireless Intercom

Clear-Com, a Vitec Group brand, will launch Tempest 2400 and Tempest 900, a revolutionary wireless intercom system, at April's NAB. The new Tempest has been smartly engineered to avoid the need for licensing and frequency coordination. Utilizing Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) in conjunction with TDMA technology, Tempest operates in both the 2.4 GHz and 900 MHz bands.

Tempest is a timely solution for the dilemma wireless communication system users will face when the DTV transition is completed in early 2009. Those used to operating wireless equipment in the 500 to 600 MHz portion of the UHF band will find that spectrum crowded with UHF DTV transmissions. The 700 MHz band will not offer relief because those frequencies are scheduled for auction to new users later in 2009.

However, Tempest operates in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz and 900 MHz bands, so it is unaffected by the reallocation of the UHF-TV spectrum. State-of-the-art 2xTX Transmission Voice Data Redundancy sends each packet of audio data twice on different frequencies, and through different antennas, which assures uninterrupted, high quality audio communications.

Tempest can interoperate with other Clear-Com intercom systems as well as those from other manufacturers through four-wire and two-wire connections. Each Base-Station can operate up to five wireless Belt-Stations, and by stacking up to 15 Base-Stations together, a whopping 75 independent wireless Belt-Stations can be integrated into the intercom system.

Multi-studio facilities will find the iSelect feature handy, allowing the Belt-Station user to move from one studio to the next and quickly switch to the new studio's intercom system.

A Shared-Slot feature allows one of the five Base-Station slots to be used for up to 25 half-duplex, single transmit Belt-Stations. The new system has a PC based control panel, with setup and programming transferred to Base-Stations via Ethernet or a USB connection.

Tempest 2400 and 900 systems are available through local distributors or the Clear-Com sales office. For more information visit www.clearcom.com.