The RTS system was chosen to replace the previous talkback system. It has to work with an existing four-wire router (not RTS), accepting inputs from that device and sending back inputs, in addition to connecting to the RTS intercom panels, in addition to third-party audio monitoring boxes and headphone points.
The RTS intercom was specified and installed by a BBC Wales team headed by broadcast engineer David Carnaby, as a separate 'mini-project' running alongside the main play-out installation, which was designed and project managed by primary contractor Siemens IT Solutions and Services and built and installed by systems integrator by TSL.
The two systems were installed independently of each other but the play-out area was connected easily to the RTS intercom system due to the nature of the ADAM crate, or frame, which holds all the cards and master controller and connects to the user panels. Siemens/TSL were presented with a CAT5e cable to each area for the intercom panels and landed jumpers appropriately to take feeds to and from red lights, mic live logic circuits and so on.
(Jim Evans)
