Saudi Broadcast Corp., Saudi’s national broadcaster, has contracted Ampegon through First Gulf Company to renew its radio transmission site in Riyadh.
Under the agreement, Ampegon will deliver four 500 kW shortwave transmitters, four shortwave antennas HRS 4/4/0.5 and the BroadMaster broadcast control system. The new systems, which feature single, high-power tube amplification and better overall efficiency, says Ampegon, will replace existing analog four-tube transmitters.
SBC explains that it selected the FGC/Ampegon proposal based on FGC’s ability to handle large projects along with the reliability of Ampegon’s systems. Ampegon had previously supplied several antenna and transmission systems to the broadcaster.
“Ampegon offers a complete solution approach including transmitters, antennas, broadcast control systems and DRM integration,” said Engineer Saleh A. Almeghaileeth, vice-president for Engineering Affairs at SBC. “We trust Ampegon and FGC’s experience since they had delivered shortwave transmitters in the past that still work to our full satisfaction.”
The transmitters will be manufactured in Turgi, Switzerland. Factory tests with SBC engineers are planned for autumn and shipments will begin before the end of 2014. The new systems are expected to be on air in summer 2015.
