Radio-cameras: the key to improved flexibility in live outside broadcasts

A long, trailing cable is an encumbrance to the camera operator, and can present a trip-hazard to others, so the alternative of using a radio link is very popular; it allows the operator much greater freedom of movement. Also, in the live coverage of moving action a camera is often mounted on a vehicle, and in this case a radio link is essential. The general arrangement of a portable camera coupled to a radio-link transmitter, often powered by the same battery, has become known as a `radio-camera´. A radio-camera can be configured in several ways, there are single and dual-operator systems for a hand-held camera and several arrangements for a camera mounted on a vehicle. The configuration which is currently receiving the greatest attention is the single-operator hand-held radio-camera, and this is causing a minor revolution in OB operations because of the greatly increased flexibility and mobility it affords. The success of this approach owes a great deal to the development of specialised transmitting antennas