UHF solid state-a broadcaster´s perspective

The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) builds, owns and operates the transmitting equipment used to carry the programmes of the Independent Television and the Independent Local Radio Companies. The television programmes are brought to over 99% of the population by two UHF transmitter networks. The IBA has a vast experience in the procurement, operation and maintenance of UHF solid state transmitting equipment but only with output powers of up to, and including, 200 W. The author describes the experience and advantages gained to date by the use of solid state transmitters and transposers and explains, why solid state, in the foreseeable future, could play a major role in the realisation of systems with output powers of up to 20 kW