Argosy, a leading international supplier of HD broadcast cables and studio infrastructure products, launched a new fibre assembly of its own design and manufacture at IBC2015. The new multiple tactical fibre assemblies are designed for outside broadcast applications where cables are roughly handled on a regular basis.

Tactical fibre is used for a wide range of signals in outside broadcasts, carrying multiple signals over long distances. Installation on site means dragging the cable through ducts or across open ground, and inevitably this leads to damage to the terminations and affects signal integrity. Broken connectors means expensive repairs, and a gradual shortening of the cable which makes it less useful and eventually unusable.

The Argosy solution aims to deliver high return on investment and longer service life by protecting the fibres from costly damage. The solution is to make up multiple fibres as many as 24 to suit the customers needs. The fibres are protected in a unique breakout which prohibits them from rotating under use, and the entire end of the cable is protected with a captive heavy duty pulling sock. This solution together ensures that the load under deployment and recovery is transferred directly to the aramid in the tactical cable, and when laying on the floor protects against crushing of the breakout. 

We have worked with the outside broadcast and touring industry, and this is what they are asking for and require, said Chris Smeeton, sales director of Argosy. We design, specify and manufacture these assemblies from scratch in house to the specification of our customers. Yes, they are more expensive than simply bundling fibres together, but the cost of ownership tumbles because the constant repairing and chopping of ends disappears. And you need fewer assemblies because you can always rely on them to be in full working service.

IBC also saw the launch of another new product developed by Argosy, a stackable, enclosed cable drum. The drums, again manufactured in house by Argosy, can carry any type of cable. They are lightweight, robust for regular outside broadcast work, and stack to minimise the space occupied on site.