Harris Corp. has been selected to supply 11 television transmitters for use by Georgia Public Broadcasting. The transmitters are part of a digital television conversion project, which is being handled by Broadcast Integration Group, a unit of TI Broadcast Solutions.
The order includes seven Platinum-IT VHF transmitters, two Diamond UHF transmitters and also two Platinum VHF analog units. The digital transmitters will be equipped with Harris' Apex digital exciter. And all will have the Harris eCDIR monitoring and control system.
"Harris was chosen for the contract because its bid was deemed to represent the best overall technical and cost value," said Mark G. Fehlig, director of engineering for Georgia Public Broadcasting. "These will be the first DTV transmitters to be installed at our stations because our sign-on had been delayed by funding."
The transmitters will be installed at Georgia Public Broadcasting television stations in Atlanta, Albany, Augusta, Chattsworth, Columbus, Dawson, Macon, Savannah and Waycross. Plans call for public broadcasting stations in these cities to get digital transmitters within the next 12 months.
According to Fehlig, the two analog units ordered will be deployed to stations in Savannah and Waycross and are needed to replace old and unreliable transmitters. The transmitters will be converted to digital operation later.
"When our DTV conversion is completed, Georgia Public Broadcasting will be an all-VHF DTV network," said Fehlig.
The DTV conversion program will provide Georgia Public Broadcasting with the ability to transmit a mix of HDTV, multicast SDTV and datacasting services.
