VisLink Unveils New SNG Antenna

By Doug Lung
published

This week VisLink announced the immediate availablity of the broadcast specification VisLink Mantis MSAT, which it claims is the “world's smallest and lightest satellite data terminal for high-performance high-definition news gathering.”

The Mantis MSAT is capable of operating on both Ku and Ka bands. The 90 cm antenna weighs only 14 kg (31 pounds) and can be unpacked and operational within five minutes, according to VisLink. The antenna is designed for use in rough environments and meets the MIL 810F & DEF-STAN military specifications for shock, vibration, sand and rain. The antenna is provided as a one-box system incorporating antenna, modem and all electronics.

“The Mantis MSAT is the first satellite news gathering data terminal specifically created for the broadcast market that can not only deliver a live HD feed but is portable and light enough to be transported by one person,” said Stephen Rudd, chief executive of VisLink International. “This is especially crucial for first on scene reporting in remote or hard to reach locations which a news van would have difficulty accessing.”

Doug Lung
Doug Lung

Doug Lung is one of America's foremost authorities on broadcast RF technology. As vice president of Broadcast Technology for NBCUniversal Local, H. Douglas Lung leads NBC and Telemundo-owned stations’ RF and transmission affairs, including microwave, radars, satellite uplinks, and FCC technical filings. Beginning his career in 1976 at KSCI in Los Angeles, Lung has nearly 50 years of experience in broadcast television engineering. Beginning in 1985, he led the engineering department for what was to become the Telemundo network and station group, assisting in the design, construction and installation of the company’s broadcast and cable facilities. Other projects include work on the launch of Hawaii’s first UHF TV station, the rollout and testing of the ATSC mobile-handheld standard, and software development related to the incentive auction TV spectrum repack.
A longtime columnist for TV Technology, Doug is also a regular contributor to IEEE Broadcast Technology. He is the recipient of the 2023 NAB Television Engineering Award. He also received a Tech Leadership Award from TV Tech publisher Future plc in 2021 and is a member of the IEEE Broadcast Technology Society and the Society of Broadcast Engineers.