This past weekend (23-25 June 2006) RFX™ COFDM links were used to provide live coverage of the Grand Prix of Canada at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Montreal, Canada, for TSN (The Sports Network). RF support was provided by RF Wireless Systems, Inc., RF Central’s retail partner in Canada. This is the first year that RFX equipment was used at the Grand Prix of Canada. For this event, the RFX transmitter was mounted on a monopole in order to provide maximum coverage without interference from certain fixed obstacles on the course.

So…, did you catch the 2006 Stanley Cup Final on June 19th? The Carolina Hurricanes became the 2006 NHL Stanley Cup Champions, and RF Central’s Camera-Mounted HD Transmitter (RFX-HD-CMT) was on the ice with the team, not only during games 3, 4, 6 and 7, but also to capture the post-game ceremony in High Definition for NBC, CBC and RDS (Reseau des Sport), a French Sports Network. The video of the Commissioner’s awarding of the Conn-Smythe trophy and Lord Stanley’s Cup, as well as of each Hurricane skating with the Cup held high was all facilitated by RF Central’s low delay wireless camera-mounted HD transmitter (RFX-HD-CMT). The camera itself was operated by a cameraman on skates! Provided and supported by RF Central subsidiary Total RF, CBC, RDS and NBC used these shots extensively during the celebration. Virtually all of the "on ice" celebratory video coverage was provided through the HD wireless camera mated to one or more RF Wireless Systems’ Canon HD video cameras. RF Wireless Systems, Inc. is RF Central’s retail partner in Canada.

In May of this year, NBC Sports transitioned to digital HD for its coverage of the Senior PGA Championship. NBC followed up this transition June 15-18 for the U.S. Open at Winged Foot with broadcast coverage that demonstrated the extraordinary capacity of the new wireless video equipment. NBC covered the entire course, including Winged Foot’s practice greens, ranges and interview areas, facilitating a live broadcast that conveyed all the drama, history and pageantry of this great event. The massive HD broadcast was in large measure made possible through the use of RF Extreme™ digital transmitters and receivers supplied by Total RF. Much of NBC’s broadcast infrastructure, including all the fiber facilities (well over 5 miles of cable!) was also supplied by Total RF, an RF Central subsidiary.

The Late Show with David Letterman has been using RFX products for some time through Total RF, most recently for Rupert Jee’s ‘Eyeglass Cam’ in May and June, 2006. The Late Show on CBS has been using RF Central’s 5.2 GHz non-licensed link (RFX-NLL) for Rupert’s regularly scheduled Tuesday Night “Hello Deli” antics recently. Stay tuned, as the creative Late Show crew is sure to come up with even more unusual uses for RF Extreme™ technology!

On June 13th and 14th, 2006, in North Carolina, FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security, First-Responders, and several National Guard units held an emergency preparedness exercise in order to prevent potential communication failures at a time of national emergency. RF Extreme™ products were used to bring live video direct from aircraft and emergency vehicles in the field to emergency command, control, and communications facilities. The video was then uplinked via satellite to Washington, DC where members of Congress were able to view the exercise live.

In April 2006, ESPN held a 'Shoot-out' with RF companies to determine who would receive a contract to provide live RF coverage for the season's Sunday Night Baseball games. While several companies participated, only Total RF, using RF Extreme™ COFDM HD products won the contract. RF Central’s Camera-Mounted COFDM HD Transmitter (RFX-HD-CMT) was the first camera in professional baseball history to be allowed on the field during the 2006 regular season of Major League Baseball. To watch the exclusive shot of Barry Bonds filmed using the RFX-HD-CMT as he crosses home plate after hitting his 713th home run, click the photo (at left) or here, then choose “Bonds hits No. 713: 350K”.

www.rfextreme.com

For information regarding the contents of this newsletter, contact Tim Blosser, RF Central’s Marketing Manager at 717-249-4900 or tim.blosser@rfcentral.com.
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