FM radio station – Ras Al Khaimah

AlanDick was contracted to design and install a FM radio station in the northern Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.

To comply with the coverage requirements of the client, AlanDick proposed a structure in excess of 300m to sufficiently elevate the antenna system. Additionally, an FM antenna system with a 30-2 array configuration of band II vertically polarised dipole panel antenna was designed and manufactured as well as the steel mast.

The project was a complete turnkey solution including a high power FM transmitter in active reserve configuration along with all necessary auxiliary equipment. The antenna system and the transmitter facility were designed in such a way that a second FM channel could be incorporated in the future with minimal off air time of the operating channel.

The challenge faced by the AlanDick antenna design engineers was to get the narrow beam (due to the unusually large aperture) of the antenna, precisely onto the target coverage area.

Our team also devised a solution, which minimised the back radiation caused by the high gain and improved the impedance of the system. We were able to do this because of the special software we use to model antenna performance, which has been well proven over many years of actual testing and measurement.

Due to the immense height of the structure, a special aeronautical survey was conducted to establish the impact on surrounding aerodromes. Following the survey findings and close liaison with the civil aviation authorities, an extensive lighting system was defined that included suspending lights on the specially designed catenary wires to outline the shape of the structure.

A crane erected the first 40m of the structure after which a customised derrick was designed and used by AlanDick’s team of specialist riggers to complete the remaining 278m installation.

Once the mast was installed to its final height of 318m, the antenna array - with a vertical expanse of in excess of 100m - was successfully installed along with the transmitters and the other associated equipment.

The FM transmitters and associated electronics were installed inside a shelter supplied by the client. The complete FM Transmission system was then tested and commissioned.

Clients choose AlanDick because of our knowledge and experience in providing broadcast solutions around the world. Our turnkey solution overcame all of the design challenges set on this project and the radio station is now successfully ON AIR.