Application Diagram: Mobile Incident Command with Wireless

The following diagram provides a sample of a common application using Clear-Com products. To access the PDF download or to find out what Clear-Com products are shown in the diagram, click here.

Mobile Incident Command with Wireless:

Application Diagram: Responder Cross-patches Matrix

The following diagram provides a sample of a common application using Clear-Com products. To access the PDF download or to find out what Clear-Com products are shown in the diagram, click here. 

Responder Cross-patches Matrix:

Application Diagram: EOC Dispatch Using Matrix

The following diagram provides a sample of a common application using Clear-Com products. To access the PDF download or to find out what Clear-Com products are shown in the diagram, click here.

EOC Dispatch Using Matrix:

Application Diagram: Dispatch Operation with IP Communication

The following diagram provides a sample of a common application using Clear-Com products. To access the PDF download or to find out what Clear-Com products are shown in the diagram, click here. 

Dispatch Operation with IP Communication:

Application Diagram: Emergency Responders Use Wireless Intercom

The following diagram provides a sample of a common application using Clear-Com products. To access the PDF download or to find out what Clear-Com products are shown in the diagram, click here.

Emergency Responders Use Wireless Intercom:

Application Diagram: Command and Control with Signal Transport Solution

The following diagram provides a sample of a common application using Clear-Com products. To access the PDF download or to find out what Clear-Com products are shown in the diagram, click here. 

Command and Control with Signal Transport Solution:

Fall 2013 Trade Show Wrap-Up

In September and October, we were quite busy at many different trade shows! Clear-Com exhibited at the 135th AES Convention, IBC, and ITC, not to mention our presence at the First Choice Marketing A/V Show, the Alliance Tech Expo, Rocky Mountain AVX, the Wisconsin Broadcasters Clinic, and the Broadcast and Technology Expo.

If you had missed any of them, check out some of our highlights below!

IBC (Sept. 13th-17th / Amsterdam) 

A total of 52,974 attendees – conference delegates, exhibition visitors, exhibitors and press –  from over 170 countries came together at IBC 2013 to share knowledge, conduct valuable business and set the industry agenda. The show provided nearly everything you may need to know about electronic media and the  entertainment industry. Perhaps you knew that already, but did you know that Clear-Com's partyline and matrix intercoms have been used for IBC TV News for years?

Also, while at the show, Clear-Com (Stand 10.D29) announced some new capabilities of the Eclipse HX as well as the latest enhancements to the Tempest2400. In fact, the new Tempest Line Extender won the “STAR” Award from the Editors of TV Technology Europe. 
 
Watch video:


Catch up on the Clear-Com news from IBC:
Clear-Com Tempest Line Extender Wins “STAR” Award from Editors of TV Technology Europe
Clear-Com Delivers Major Updates to the Eclipse HX Matrix Intercom
HelixNet Partyline System with System Linking Launches at IBC 2013
Clear-Com Celebrates 45 Years of Intercom Innovation With the 700 Series Beltpack Release at IBC 2013 
Clear-Com Showcases ICON Solutions at IBC 201


135th AES Convention (Oct. 17th-20th / New York City, NY)
The AES Convention is the world’s largest gathering of audio professionals. They convened to discuss and explore the latest audio innovations through workshops, tutorials, technical papers, booth exhibits and product showcases. Clear-Com (Booth #3030) displayed its enhanced Eclipse HX Digital Matrix, HelixNet™ Partyline, RS-700 Series Analog Partyline Beltpacks, ICON Connectivity Solutions, and the Tempest® Wireless Intercoms.

Read the full press release: Clear-Com Showcases Latest Intercom Product Releases at the 135th International AES Convention

International Telemetering Conference (Oct. 21st-24th / Las Vegas, NV)

ITC is an annual forum and technical exhibition sponsored by the International Foundation for Telemetering (IFT). Clear-Com (Booth #428) demonstrated its latest intercom advancements for telemetry applications at the show.

Read the full press release: Clear-Com Showcases New Intercom Products at ITC 2013 

Jan. 2013 Tradeshow Wrap-Up

Integrated Systems Europe (January 29-31, 2013) 

ISE is one of the world’s best attended tradeshows for the professional AV and electronic systems industry. It was held at Amsterdam RAI this year, drawing ever-growing numbers of manufacturers, distributors, dealers, contractors, consultants and customers from fields such as education, sports, corporate facilities, hospitality and live events. Clear-Com demonstrated its recently unveiled Eclipse HX matrices and HelixNet Partyline system. We also presented the BroaMan interface option and the latest upgrades to the Tempest2400 wireless intercom at ISE. Read more: Clear-Com Features Wide Range of Intercom Offerings at ISE 2013 

Here's a video of Vinnie Macri, Clear-Com's Product Marketing Manager, discussing the features of HelixNet Partyline at ISE:

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO!

 Check our our gallery of images from ISE: ISE 2013 Photos

AFCEA West (January 29-31, 2013) 
AFCEA West is the largest event on the West Coast for communications, electronics, intelligence, information systems, imaging, military weapon systems, aviation, and shipbuilding. The exhibition was well attended by professionals in aviation, command and control, public safety and more. Clear-Com showed a wide array of our intercom solutions including the Tempest2400, Encore, and Eclipse. 

MCI Hamburg Open (January 24, 2013) 
MCI Hamburg Open is the annual media industry event in Germany for broadcast and media professionals interested in the latest technologies and solutions. Hundreds of visitors and over 70 exhibitors were at the event. Clear-Com presented its Eclipse HX digital matrix intercom solution.

December 2012 Tradeshow Wrap-Up

 

I/ITSEC (December 3-6 / Orlando, FL)

The Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) promotes cooperation among the armed services, industry, academia and various government agencies in pursuit of improved training and education programs, identification of common training issues and development of multiservice programs. Approximately 7,500 attendees went to the conference to find the resources for adapting to the new tasks and threats of tomorrow.

Clear-Com (Booth #2826) exhibited a wide portfolio of intercom solutions, including Eclipse matrix systems, Tempest2400 wireless intercoms, and Encore partyline systems.

SVG League Technology Summit (December 10-11 / New York, NY)



Photo Credit: sportsvideo.org

More than 900 industry professionals convened at the New York Hilton Hotel for SVG’s League Technology Summit to discuss the latest innovations in sports production.

ESPN executive chairman George Bodenheimer and former Fox Sports Media Group vice chairman Ed Goren sat down for an interview with veteran ESPN reporter Jeremy Schaap to kick off Day 2. In front of a standing-room-only, record-setting LTS crowd, Bodenheimer and Goren had a chance to reflect on their successful careers and how technology has impacted their companies and the business as a whole.

Tuesday’s panel discussions and networking opportunities followed a full Monday of workshops, meetings, and networking reception.

Clear-Com demonstrated Concert for Newsroom at SVG's technology showcase. Concert for Newsroom is an integrated communications and collaboration solution for ENPS newsroom members such as producers, editors and journalists to initiate user-to-user calls, group conferencing and instant text chats directly from the ENPS application.

Intercom Solutions for Military, Aerospace and Government

For over 40 years, Clear-Com’s intercom solutions have led the industry with high quality communications that meet the critical needs of the military, aerospace and government. Internationally recognized for the reliability and innovation of its voice communication systems, Clear-Com systems have been deployed in over 100 countries worldwide and has improved collaboration, bolstered high productivity and even transformed work environments.

Check out our latest Clear-Com brochure to learn more about how we provide vital communications capabilities for command and control, training and simulation, and test and evaluation: Intercom Solutions for Military, Aerospace and Government

Are You up to the Challenge?

How many of you know what these are?

Photo Credit: militarychallengecoins.com

They are challenge coins!

A challenge coin is a coin with an organization’s insignia and is carried by the members of that group. In the military, they are normally presented by commanders to recognize outstanding service or the special achievement of a member in the unit.

The tradition goes back to WWI when the coin was being used to verify a person’s identity during meetings or membership to a specific unit. The very first unit in the U.S. Military that was known to have a coin was the Special Forces Group, the Green Berets. There is also a specific way to hand out these coins, which is usually through a handshake. It is passed from the right hand of the giver to the right hand of the receiver.

These challenge coins became increasingly popular in the past few decades and soldiers began “the challenge”. The challenge starts off with the challenger drawing his/her coin and slapping it on the table. Everyone being challenged must immediately show the coin for their organization and anyone failing to do so must buy drinks for the challenger and everyone else who has the challenge coin. However, if everyone that is challenged has their coin, the challenger must buy a round of drinks for the group instead.

In 2009, Clear-Com designed and created our own challenge coin with images from the military, aerospace and government to represent the markets we serve. We offer them to customers/personnel in uniform during meetings and also use a handshake to complete the transfer.   



Watch this video below to learn more!

Friday Fun: How Many Intercom Panels Can You Find?

The image below features an installation of Clear-Com's intercom panels at a military facility. How many user control panels can you find? Look hard! See below for the answer.





Here is an image showing where the panels are located:

There are 18 Clear-Com intercom panels in this image!

How'd You Do on that Test and Evaluation?

Vehicles, equipment, personnel and weapons are continuously tested and evaluated under rigorous conditions and in demanding environments to ensure that they have the best capabilities to meet pivotal mission needs for the military, aerospace and government. Here's a sample showing how intercoms are used during test and evaluation:
APPLICATION: Three individuals in the control room must direct three staff members in the mezzanine on certain test and evaluation operations. 

PRODUCT MUST: Wireless intercom is not an option because of security reasons. They needed a low-cost and reliable wired partyline solution that would enable them to stay mobile.  

SOLUTION: Clear-Com's Encore Partyline Intercom allowed all the individuals to coordinate effectively with each other in the two different areas.

Clear-Com Encore Partyline Systems offer unsurpassed 2-wire group communication capabilities. This platform offers an intuitive plug-and-play design and superior audio clarity with the embedded "Clear-Com Sound".

Download Visio/PDF: Application Diagram for Test & Evaluation

It's Time to Take Command and Control!

We've been providing intercom systems for the most demanding command and control applications for decades. What does intercom have to do with command and control? Well, Clear-Com allows a commanding officer to communicate with and exercise authority over other enlisted staff officers. We provide an effective and reliable link between military personnel to help them accomplish missions.

APPLICATION: The maintenance crew in the equipment room and those in the command center of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) site needed to speak with staff throughout the facility and those in an outside trailer. 

PRODUCT MUST: Because of security reasons, they required fiber connectivity to all areas. The robust intercom solution would need to be easy to use, interface with existing intercom equipment in the trailer and allow many people to communicate with one another.

SOLUTION: Clear-Com’s Eclipse digital matrix intercom and I-Series control panel were installed in the equipment room. Several more I-Series control panels were installed in the command area and linked to the existing third party intercom inside the trailer where the staff are receiving directions and responding accordingly.

Clear-Com’s Eclipse-Median can support up to 112 ports in a 6RU digital matrix frame. This system is ideal for critical communications among teams that need direct and group connections.

I-Series panels are engineered to be rugged and reliable. I-Series panels are built with two to four 5-character display selector modules and a microphone headset module. The fully fitted 4 module panel also includes a keypad.

Download Visio/PDF: Application Diagram for Command and Control
From Left to Right: Equipment Room, Command Center, and Outside Trailer

Wrap-Up of March Tradeshows

Featured Tradeshow: USITT (Mar. 28^th-31^st)

Over 5,000 people attended the USITT Conference and Stage Expo this year in Long Beach, CA. The United States Institute for Theater Technology is an association for design, production and technology professionals in the performing arts and entertainment industry to connect, create and communicate their craft with each other. It has served the industry since 1960, effectively highlighting the work and dedication that goes into set design, lighting, costumes, sound, make-up and stage managing. USITT first launched its annual awards ceremony in 1995.

USITT is one of the tradeshows that Clear-Com has been attending for a long time now. This year, we were at Booth #530. We have also sponsored the USITT Young Designer Technician’s Award for Stage Management since 2001 and had the privilege of presenting it to David Beeler this year. Read more about it in our press release: Clear-Com Presents USITT Stage Management Award to CarnegieMellon Student.

Here’s an image of David Beeler receiving the award from Jaz Wray, Regional Sales Manager at Clear-Com:

We also showcased the Tempest900 and new headsets at USITT. We had a free Clear-Com headset giveaway. Here’s a picture of one of our lucky winners:

CABSAT (Feb. 28^th-Mar. 1^st)

CABSAT is the Middle East and Africa’s largest digital media and satellite expo. The event was held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre with more than 750 companies from over 55 countries in attendance.

This year at CABSAT, Clear-Com demonstrated our IP and wireless intercom solutions in Hall Sheikh Saeed 3 Booth #S3-3. We exhibited our extensive portfolio of best-in-class wireless systems, including the Tempest2400, HME DX Series, and FreeSpeak. Designed with state-of-the-art technologies, these wireless intercoms provide high reliability, maximum flexibility and capabilities unlike any other. We also showed our Concert intercom-over-IP solution, which has been changing the landscape of productions by enabling cost-effective collaboration and global group communications of the highest quality and convenience.  

UAS Conference (Mar. 13^th –Mar. 15^th)

This was our first year exhibiting at the UAS Conference and we had a great time! We were at Booth #17.

The  UAS Conference, also known as Unmanned Aircraft Systems conference featured over 25 experts from the U.S. Congress, U.S. Navy, General Atomics, Honeywell and more.  The conference discussed the latest developments in unmanned aircraft vehicles along with emerging technologies for next generation VTOL UAS.

Did you know that Clear-Com is actually the leading choice for command and control, test and evaluation and training and simulation? It’s quite easy to find us in many unmanned aircraft facilities. We demonstrated our Encore partyline and Eclipse digital matrix as well as our broad selection of wireless intercoms and our Concert Intercom-over-IP solution.  Our headset giveaway was also a hit!


In March, we also exhibited at the China Content Broadcasting Network (CCBN) from Mar. 21st-23rd at the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing, China. Likewise, Clear-Com was present at  Prolight and Sound, the leading international fair of technologies and services for events, installation and production from May 21st-24th in Frankfurt, Germany.

Wrap-Up of January Tradeshows

Featured Event:

West 2012 (January 24^th -26^th)

The West 2012 show is co-sponsored by AFCEA International and the U.S. Naval Institute. It is the largest event on the west coast for communications, intelligence, military weapon systems, aviation, shipbuilding, and more. West was held at the San Diego Convention Center and brought in speakers including VADM William E. Gortney and ADM Mike Mullens. It was well attended by military, government, industry and academic professionals from aviation, IT, public safety, communications, command and control and more.

Clear-Com demonstrated the Eclipse-Median and Pico digital matrix systems along with V-Series user control panels and the Tempest wireless intercoms at Booth 1349.  

Other Events

MCI Open House (January 26^th)

Clear-Com exhibited in Booth 3.37/3 at the MCI Open House event in Hamburg, Germany.

Dynamic Events (January 30^th)

Dynamic Events is an international conference for the event production industry held at the RAI Exhibition Centre in Amsterdam, UK. The conference focused on ceremonies held at the summer and winter Olympics while drawing on experiences from the World Cups, Super Bowls, and more.  Discussion was focused on technology and the utilization of equipment in those environments. Dynamic Events brought in professionals from lighting, sound, video technology, staging and the entertainment market. Clear-Com also participated in the event and showcased their systems as a well-known provider of intercoms for these types of international ceremonies.

The Line On Intercom Is Open

Photo Credit: Fas.org

Intercom systems are found in government, aerospace, and military facilities around the world. From training and simulation to command and control or from military firing ranges to missile defense system facilities, intercom systems play a critical role in coordinating operations with optimal speed, precision and safety. Art Kingdom discusses the evolution and variety of intercom systems used by the government in video production in this Government Video article: The Line On Intercom Is Open.

Wrap-Up of November Tradeshows

New England Broadcast Cable Expo – NEBC (November 2^nd)

NEBC Expo

The 2011 New England Broadcast Cable Expo opened at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA. Free for attendees, visitors came from all over to find out the latest broadcast technologies and their trends. The Harris Corporation, Panasonic Solutions Company, and SONY Professional Solutions of America were just some of the exhibitors present alongside with Clear-Com (Booth 109). John Kowalski, Director of Broadcast and Network Sales, Clear-Com, demonstrated Clear-Com’s Eclipse-PiCo digital matrix intercom, V-Series user control panels, and Tempest2400 2.4 GHz digital wireless system.

I/ITSEC (November 28^th-December 1^st) 

I/ITSEC, the world’s largest modeling, simulation and training conference, was held at the West Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. The event brought in over 8,000 visitors to engage in the nearly 500 exhibits.

Clear-Com, which has been a trusted provider of voice communication solutions for training and simulation, command and control, and test and evaluation, showcased their vast portfolio of Encore partyline, Eclipse digital matrix, wireless (Tempest, CellCom, and HME DX Series) and IP-based Concert intercom systems in Booth 3030.

Additionally, Clear-Com equipment was used to coordinate simulation demonstrations for CAE, a global company focused on modeling, simulation, training and mission rehearsal, at I/ITSEC.

NATEXPO (November 23^rd -25^th)

The annual NAT Expo, the largest event of its kind in Russia, was well attended by over 13,000 people with over 250 companies exhibiting. Held at the International Exhibition Center, Pavilion 75 in Moscow, Russia, the NAT Expo focused on technologies, professional equipment and services for Television, Radio and New Media Broadcasting, and Cinema production.

Exhibitors displayed broadcast equipment, studio equipment, audio, video editing, lighting and more. Clear-Com (Booth A41) spotlighted their low-latency, high quality advanced intercom solution for producers, directors, camera men, and sound crews to use to coordinate their actions in television studios, OB trucks, and TV control centers.

Why Intercom Systems?

In a day and age where people have access to so many different means of communications from smart phones and two-way radios to online instant messaging and skype, some may wonder why there is still a need for intercom systems. 

Nonetheless, broadcasters, theaters, houses of worship, hospitals, the military and many more industries with critical applications keep turning to intercom systems as their trusted solution for professional voice communications. The intercom users in these markets are often immersed in an evironment with shifting demands, rapid decision making, and for some, even dangerous operations. Therefore, only the most reliable communication technologies are qualified to be used for coordinating the completion of their day to day responsibilities. 

Matt Danilowiczs, Clear-Com's President, identifies the two major strengths of intercom systems:

1. Low-latency: The person receiving information over the intercom system will hear that message instantly since the audio is being transmitted at a sub-millisecond speed.

2. Superb audio quality

Learn more about his explanation through this video:



Click on the photo to watch video. (Photo credit: Youtube)

Wrap-Up of August Tradeshows: AUVSI and BIRTV

Photo Credit: auvsipathfinder.com

AUVSI’s Unmanned Systems North America 2011 (August 16^th-19^th)

AUVSI’s Unmanned Systems North America 2011 forum took place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., bringing over 6,500 attendees from more than 40 countries. Commercial and defense operators, high level decision makers, government managers and scientists gathered to brainstorm, exchange ideas and debate on future policies and programs as well as discuss the latest trends in military, civil and commercial applications. 

At Booth 2121, Clear-Com exhibited the Eclipse-Median digital matrix, V-Series panels, Tempest and HME DX wireless intercom systems.



Clear-Com has been a trusted provider of intercom solutions for unmanned vehicle programs.

 

BIRTV (August 24^th- 27^th)

Photo Credit: Jiou-Pahn Lee

BIRTV is China’s most prestigious exhibition in the industry of radio, film and television. Held at the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing, China, BIRTV was well attended by professionals from radio and TV stations in China, neighboring countries, Europe and America. The highlights of the event included the China Visual Effects Forum, technical seminars and the China Tri-Networks Integration Summit.

Clear-Com showcased the Eclipse digital matrix, Encore partyline, and wireless intercom solutions. BIRTV News also featured Clear-Com intercoms as the chosen voice communication systems for media powerhouse China Central Television (CCTV) during its latest facility-wide communications upgrade and expansion.

Learn More >> CCTV Bases Communications Backbone on Clear-Com