To address emerging RF broadcast opportunities in the Philippines, 90 Degrees North—a video and audio production, broadcast equipment supply and systems integration firm in Manila—struck a deal last year to sell and install Dielectric products, and has since landed several large RF contracts with prominent Filipino TV and FM radio broadcasters.

In light of the nation’s DTV transition, which is slated for completion in 2023, 90 Degrees North received a contract from Broadcast Enterprises and Affiliated Media (BEAM), a subsidiary of the Globe Telecom conglomerate, for a wide range of gear, including a Dielectric UT8D4-50 filter, Branch Combiner, Constant Impedance Filter (CIF) and Combiner, and transmission line. The Dielectric filters and combiners will simplify BEAM’s DTV transition and allow them to broadcast analog and digital signals simultaneously.

“Dielectric’s current-generation filter designs streamline the systems integration process through a compact, easy-to-install design that provides plenty of flexibility for clean installation in space-challenged RF facilities,” said John Achilles Denna, president, 90 Degrees North. “They also optimize return on investment for broadcasters seeking a way to gradually and cleanly transition to DTV and optimize performance by minimizing return loss through the RF chain.”

At a time when broadcasters are also demonstrating renewed investment in their FM radio plants, 90 Degrees North has also struck a turnkey FM radio deal with government broadcaster Philippine Broadcasting Service (PBS) for DCR-T antenna systems, filters and accessories for five transmission sites.

The BEAM and PBS deals procure all the elements required for a turnkey installation, including antennas, flex transmission line, and other RF accessories like directional couplers and patch panels. Denna ordered and stocked the Dielectric antennas locally to ensure that fully working, professionally-engineered systems would be within easy reach when needed.

“The greatest advantage of Dielectric is the one-stop shop approach they offer, which allows us to provide a wide range of options to our clients based on their needs, and maximize their investments,” said Denna. “Their antennas are also very lightweight—without any sacrifice to quality and performance, ensuring minimal impact to tower structures—and field-tunable across the band with outstanding VSWR and Return Loss response.”

Using Dielectric’s software-defined antenna planning and modeling programs, Denna can quickly and cost-effectively deliver customized systems tailored to each broadcaster’s specific needs.

“Dielectric’s software programs are second to none, and allow our team to communicate their design needs to Dielectric’s production center from here in the Philippines. This keeps our costs low while accelerating the production and delivery timelines,” he said. “We believe this will go a long way in helping us win more RF business in the country and bring the renowned quality of Dielectric to more broadcasters.”