Broadcast Electronics is aiming a new transmitter line at lower-power FM sites. The Quincy, Illinois, manufacturer will introduce the MTX Compact FM transmitter at NAB Show New York, Oct. 21-22. It comes in power levels up to 1 kW and supports analog FM, HD Radio and DRM+.
The unit fits in two rack units and pairs LDMOS RF devices with a switching power supply. BE says that combination cuts energy use and keeps the transmitter light enough to ship through ordinary parcel carriers, which matters for operators running small or remote sites. Remote control and monitoring run through an HTML5 interface with multi-level security and SNMPv3 support.
The launch also introduces Content Gateway, an integrated system for handling audio at the transmitter site, covering processing, transport and monitoring. Available options include Stereo Tool audio processing software, MicroMPX for carrying audio over IP networks, GPS synchronization, and software for single-frequency networks and on-channel boosters.
An optional tuner module, built with Inovonics, provides off-air FM and HD Radio monitoring. BE says it can also supply the audio input for a translator, a common setup for stations that rebroadcast a primary signal received off-air.
"The new MTX Compact FM transmitter series continues the customer-focused innovation and energy we are bringing to BE, delivering cost-effective tools to help our customers connect with their listeners in an evolving market," said Rich Redmond, president and CEO of Broadcast Electronics. Redmond said MTX and Content Gateway, along with the Inovonics partnership, fit the company's focus on workflow tools for creating, monetizing, distributing and delivering radio content.