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

A long cable trailing from the camera can be an incumbrance and a safety hazard, especially in sports environments, so the alternative of using a radio link is very popular, allowing the operator much greater freedom of movement. Also, if the camera is mounted on a moving vehicle it would be impossible to use a cable in such circumstances. The combination of a portable camera coupled to a radio link transmitter often powered by the same battery has become known as a radio-camera. After a brief history of radio-camera developments the following topics are covered: the FM link; omni-directional transmitting antenna considerations; receive antenna considerations; the 2.5 GHz omni-directional CP system; the 12 GHz omni-directional CP system; and practical use of radio-cameras