FREEPORT, MAINE—Freeport Community
Television (FCTV) is the community public
access and government facility channel
here. Our core programming consists of local
governmental meetings, special events,
and a message board that carries community
service announcements. FCTV also
operates a remote production vehicle for
cablecasting and recording at remote sites.
While we have an origination and recording
facility of our own, we also provide
coverage of a number of meetings of community
interest each month from the Freeport
Community Center. Due to the number
of events covered at this venue, we felt
that some audio and video enhancements
would be welcomed in the large meeting
room at the center, and recently undertook
a project to add these.
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| Rick Simard |
HEAVY-DUTY SPEAKER CABLE
The center had been using a portable
sound system that needed to be set up and
taken down for each meeting. In order to
save time and provide a better listening environment
for audiences, we decided to
install a permanent sound system. In connection
with this installation, we selected
Clark’s SPKR1202, 12-gauge speaker cable
for wiring up the speakers. It provided the
durability that the installation required
and also the electrical characteristics that
were needed.
We also decided to install a number of
video monitors and HD cameras around
the venue to provide better coverage of
the meetings. We needed a video cable for
interconnecting these units that could easily
pass an HD signal, had a low profile and
wasn’t too heavy, due to the routing that
we had to follow. Clark’s CD7523 met both
the electrical and mechanical characteristics
needed for the project. This is a “miniature”
video cable, and initially we had some
concern whether it could stand up to the
rigors of both the installation and long
term wear and tear. However, we learned
that the crush resistance and aging characteristics
of the CD7523 surpassed industry
standards in many cases, so it should perform
very well over the long haul.
BUILT-IN COAX BONUS
As we were new to Clark’s CD7523, we
were pleasantly surprised to discover a bonus
feature. The cable’s very flexible outer
jacket makes it quite manageable during
the installation process and also easy to
strip with either manual or powered cable
strippers. This saved us a lot of time and
effort. All in all, we were very pleased with
our selection of Clark cable products selected
for this installation.
I have used Clark Wire and Cable products
on many occasions and due to this experience,
they were my first choice for the
project. Although electrical and mechanical
quality is certainly a factor when you’re
choosing a cable product, this wasn’t the
only reason that we opted to go with Clark.
The company is also very responsive when
it comes to fielding customer inquiries, and
having someone there to immediately answer
my technical questions certainly has
made my job a whole lot easier. Clark ultimately
fulfilled all of our requirements for
this project.
By providing easier, better and more efficient access to community information,
along with better sound reinforcement in
the community center facility, we think we
have greatly streamlined the whole meeting
process.
Rick Simard has 25 years of experience
in the broadcast industry and is currently
the director of Freeport Cable TV. He is also
technical director of multiple access sites.
He may be contacted at rs@freeportmaine.com.
For additional information, contact
Clark Wire & Cable at 800-222-5348 or
visit www.clarkwire.com.