The patent-pending RingMaster broadband antenna breaks barriers in costs, componentry and control, with a second significant breakthrough in master antenna technology ahead
RAYMOND, Maine, September 2, 2025 — Dielectric’s latest FM radio innovation is ringing from broadcast towers with its RingMaster™ Series of high-efficiency antenna systems. Announced at Dielectric’s Radiovana event in June and now shipping, the series merges new and proven technology to create more economical, efficient and adaptable solutions for side-mount systems — and enters completely new territory through an industry-first FM master antenna solution coming later this year.
RingMaster is essentially a groundbreaking design concept for Dielectric’s proven series of DCR side-mounted ring antennas. With five models to serve specific power requirements, the already lightweight DCR Series takes on a new shine through powerful reductions in system complexity and tower load. These new industry benchmarks are achieved through streamlined builds that use up to 33 percent fewer components, largely through reduced radiating elements.
The reduction in radiating elements correlates with a groundbreaking design that allows broadcasters to achieve the rich, detailed audio quality of full FM bandwidth with innovative wavelength spacing. To date, that has only been achievable with “half-wave spacing,” which essentially doubles the number of antenna bays – with a ring style antenna, that means more rings on the stick, along with heavier weights and higher costs. Many stations instead choose full-wave spacing to reduce weight, costs and complexity with the tradeoff being a much narrower audio frequency response.
RingMaster lays the tradeoff to rest with a convergence of spacing elements that incorporates full and half-wavelength spaced arrays. “Half-wave bays are spaced closer together and behave as a single bay, which enables full FM bandwidth,” said Keith Pelletier, President, Dielectric. “The RingMaster design uses half-wave spaced arrays in key areas of the system to achieve full FM bandwidth. The breakthrough comes with a transition to full-wave spacing at a very precise point, maintaining full FM bandwidth through the remainder of the system with fewer parts.”
RingMaster antennas also give customers near complete control in shaping elevation patterns. The technology improves elevation pattern control through design flexibility, including simplified vertical shaping. These improvements eliminate the traditional methods required to maintain uniform radiating phases throughout a broadcast market.
Pelletier notes that the first RingMaster systems are now live and operational in the field, with announcements of earlier customers to come – along with news on the second innovation in the series that changes the game for FM master system design.
“With decades since the last technological advancement in this field, the RingMaster Series sets a new standard for the future of FM antenna systems, empowering broadcasters to deliver superior, maximizing transmissions,” he said.
About Dielectric
Based in Raymond, Maine, Dielectric LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcast Group. Dielectric is a leading provider of innovative broadcast products. The company has been building and delivering antennas and RF systems optimized for every TV and FM radio broadcast need since 1942. Dielectric is an innovative, customer-centric organization with a long history of engineering excellence in designing and manufacturing high-quality broadcast solutions. As a trust partner of broadcasters worldwide, Dielectric maintains its legacy of advanced, precision RF solutions while building in features that prepare broadcasters for the future. More information can be accessed at www.dielectric.com.
# # #