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Praise Network Upgrades Two FM Stations with GatesAir Transmitters
Broadcaster selects GatesAir for agility and responsiveness in emergency situations, and establishes path toward network-wide, solid-state transition
Cincinnati, OH, July 22, 2014
GatesAir, a global leader in over-the-air broadcast solutions for radio and television, today announced that Midwestern U.S. broadcaster Praise Network has successfully transitioned its over-the-air operations to GatesAir Flexiva™ FM transmitters at KPRD-FM and KGCR-FM in Hays and Brewster, Kansas, respectively, setting the religious broadcaster on the path toward a network-wide, solid-state transmitter upgrade that to date has improved quality and enhanced operational efficiencies at two of its 10 stations.
The installations were set in motion in late 2013, following on-air emergencies that amplified the broadcaster’s need to modernize its transmission facilities. After evaluating multiple suppliers, Praise Network selected GatesAir, citing its agility and responsiveness in a challenging situation.
“We lost two full-power transmitters in succession from another supplier, with no spare parts available,” said Alex McKenzie, technical engineer at Praise Network. “GatesAir immediately made it clear that they could quickly accommodate our delivery needs while living up to their reputation for quality and reliability. The Flexiva transmitter design provides the redundancy we need to remain on the air at all times, while drastically reducing maintenance requirements. With its consistent performance and remote monitoring tools, there is rarely a need to visit the transmitter sites.”
Praise Network plans to transition all of its FM stations to efficient solid-state transmitters to improve performance and simplify maintenance. The broadcaster is particularly pleased with the on-air sound quality, which is further enhanced by integrated Orban audio processing. This innovative, built-in technology replaced aging standalone processors, further streamlining maintenance procedures. The integration of Orban technology also allows customers to export their processing settings and quickly recover from transmitter downtime — a key differentiator from transmitters offering the same built-in processing option.
KPRD-FM installed a Flexiva FAX30 (30kW) transmitter, with KGCR-FM adding a FAX20 (20kW) model. Both transmitters offer a quick, cost-effective path to digital via an exciter upgrade and some additional minor adjustments — a benefit the broadcaster carefully considered in choosing Flexiva transmitters.
Above all, Praise Network points to customer service as the key deciding factor in choosing GatesAir over the competition.
“GatesAir prides itself on being a customer-first organization, helping broadcasters with everything from quick, reliable disaster recovery systems to digital radio transitions and advanced network architectures — all while producing the high-efficiency, high-quality products and solutions that is the hallmark of our long legacy in over-the-air broadcasting,” said Rich Redmond, chief product officer, GatesAir.
About GatesAir
GatesAir, Inc. provides complete solutions for over-the-air radio and television broadcasting, leveraging wireless spectrum to maximize performance for multichannel, mission-critical services. Powering over-the-air networks worldwide with unparalleled reliability for nearly 100 years, GatesAir’s turnkey solutions enable broadcasters to create, transport and transmit radio and TV content. With customers in more than 185 countries, the company leads the industry in innovation and design breakthroughs, improving efficiency and reducing total cost of ownership. Visit www.gatesair.com for more information, and follow us on Twitter at @GatesAir.
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Contact info:
Brian Galante
Dimension PR
207-494-8428
brian@dimensionpronline.com
