A helicopter-tracking receiver for television outside broadcast links

Helicopter operations in the BBC are now being improved by the introduction of a tracking receiver system which points the receiving antenna automatically. The tracking system, developed by the BBC is specially tailored to the requirements of a video transmission system and needs only one conventionally transmitted radio link signal. Also, many components of the system are items of standard radio link equipment. The two principal applications for this tracking system are operation `in the field´, with the receiving antenna amounted on the roof of an outside broadcast van, and operation at a semi-permanent receiving station using the roof of a convenient building. The benefits are an improvement in operational efficiency at the receiving station, a potential increase in the quality and availability of the radio link, and an increase in the maximum usable range. The development of the tracking system is discussed and the various design options are noted. For background information, the existing, manual operation is described