Exhibitor Preview: GatesAir at NAB Show New York – Radio World

The company will highlight its second generation of Intraplex IP Link Audio over IP solutions

With the 2024 NAB Show New York just around the corner, Radio World is asking exhibitors about their plans and expectations. Ray Miklius is vice president of technology at GatesAir.

Radio World: What news will your company feature at the convention — which of your new products or services for radio will you highlight?

Ray Miklius: NAB New York represents the North American rollout of our expanded second generation of Intraplex IP Link Audio over IP solutions. We started down this path of next-generation designs two years ago with our first integrated transmitter module (IPL-100e) and half-rack codec (IPL-100c), which took our codec designs in exciting new directions in both form factor and application. We also expanded the IP Link feature set, notably through the integration of 10-band audio processing.

In April, we followed with the IPL-100n, which replaces our flagship 1RU single stereo-channel codec. That will appear at NAB New York for the first time, while two devices introduced last month at IBC — the two stereo-channel IPL-200n codec and MPX Bridge device — will be shown in the U.S. for the first time.

The IPL-100n and IPL-200n codecs offer the same modernized platform with greater capacity to integrate 10-band audio processing technology, updated audio compression algorithms and other new features. The new MPX Bridge provides a fast and convenient way to digitally transport an FM composite signal across an IP network when using analog audio processors.

RW: You launched “GatesAir Care” in June, what has interest been like?

Miklius: Interest has been positive, resulting in a varied assortment of maintenance contracts. Many of these prioritize bi-annual or quarterly site visits that prioritize maintenance. Others prioritize visits before major broadcast events, such as the Super Bowl. Other customers have signed on for extended warranties and/or accelerated delivery of spare parts. There is a lot of flexibility in how our customers structure these to address their top priorities.

Our next phase will be the launch of a 24/7 remote monitoring service. We expect to complete a pilot phase by the end of the year.

RW: As we look ahead to the latter half of the year, what are your goals? What trends will you be keeping an eye on as we look to 2025?

Miklius: We introduced our Flexiva GX range of FM transmitters two years ago, addressing the need for high-efficiency, analog-only transmission solutions for the global FM radio market. We have since filled out the line with seven models ranging from 50 Watts to 10 kW. Most of these models are on the lower-power side, and we just announced that our 3 kW model is now shipping. So, we are just now in the process of going to market with the full range, and we anticipate strong interest from broadcasters in all regions, especially within international markets.

We also have seen significant expansion of DAB opportunities in Europe, the Middle East and parts of Asia. We are actively supporting signal expansion efforts in western Europe and the UK, where 250 community radio licenses will be added into 2025.

RW: What else will you be watching for/looking forward to at the convention?

Miklius: We look forward to talking to our customers about the business side of their operations, and how their revenue streams are performing in the always-volatile election year cycle. We are also excited about gauging the early response to our remote monitoring service concept.

GatesAir booth: 947

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