Technomad Military Audio Articles

Campus Security Notification

2008-07-10T12:18:00.000-07:00

Below is an excerpt from a story that originally appeared in the May 2008 issue of Electrical Contractor magazine. Please follow link for full story.

http://www.ecmag.com/index.cfm?fa=article&articleID=8922

by Jennifer Leah Stong-Michas
Published: May 2008

Getting the message across not only loud ? but clear

Most people still equate public address systems with the loud, tinny horn systems of the past. The quality and stability of these systems has certainly improved. In campus-type environments?whether they are true campuses in the educational sense or large corporate campuses?loudspeakers play an integral role for mass notification, and they need to be impermeable to the surrounding weather conditions.

Contractors have been installing address systems for some time. Still, changes have occurred through the advent and acceptance of Internet protocol and the need for interoperable systems, which bring further opportunities.

Karl von Kries, president of Technomad, a Boston-based manufacturer of weatherproof loudspeakers and PA systems, said the PA aspect of a mass notification system should essentially be plug-and-play, with a user-friendly, turnkey system design allowing contractors to have the system up and running quickly.

?Contractors should be able to go into a mass notification job for a community or on a multibuilding campus with few concerns, and those concerns are further alleviated with an interoperable end-to-end architecture from the origination point to the loudspeakers,? von Kries said. ?IP-based systems for mass notification are gaining in popularity because of the reliability and flexibility for point to multipoint systems, where live voice or prerecorded messages are streamed to loudspeakers at multiple destination points. A contractor could use our Ethernet link kit to stream to multiple speakers in and around the perimeter of a single building and even throughout entire campuses.?

Audio System Provides Realistic Sound Effects

2008-05-28T12:53:00.000-07:00

Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas has selected the military public address system by Technomad Associates LLC, Boston, Mass., for two courses operated by the Medical Readiness Training Center on the base.

The Medical Readiness Training Center installed a Technomad MilPA4 Turnkey package, featuring four Technomad weatherproof loudspeakers, a SuperConductor MP3 audio player for storage and playback of sound effects, a pre-wired amplifier to drive the audio signals, and a signal processing rack with a wireless microphone, compact disc player, speaker stands and cables.

The system was pre-loaded with sounds such as bombs, bugle calls, guns and aircraft. It has the ability to load up to 1 gigabyte of sound effects directly to the SuperConductor through a universal serial bus drive or Ethernet. All the sound effects came through intelligibly with no reports of garbled word-based speech. The system allows the Medical Readiness Training Center to fit a variety of experiences and interactive requirements to all participants over the course of 12-hour exercises.

This article initially appeared in Homeland Security's Fall 2007 Education Directory.

Technomad Introduces New Version of SuperConductor MP3 Player and Recorder for Military and Security Applications

2008-05-12T14:24:00.001-07:00

SuperConductor v2.0 features bring new level of flexibility to operators, including in-field audio recording for instant and scheduled playback

BOSTON, May 13, 2008 - Technomad Associates, LLC a leader in high-powered weatherproof PA systems and communications equipment for military, security and other government applications, announces the availability of its new SuperConductor v2.0 mp3 playback and recording system. Now shipping, SuperConductor v2.0 adds a host of new features, notably the ability to record field audio and immediately schedule the files for playback from a front-knob position ? without the need for a computer or web browser.

The original SuperConductor is used in fixed and mobile applications around the world, including combat simulation, mass notification, emergency messaging, and general military training exercises. The release of SuperConductor v2.0 builds on the original playback and scheduling features, adding the ability to schedule recorded field audio for immediate or future playback from the internal sound library. Scheduling can be as straightforward or complex as desired; sounds can be programmed to play hourly, daily, weekly or even annually. Potential applications include playing Reveille daily at 0600, hourly safety announcements, local-language messages, sirens and alerts, combat simulation, training, and ceremonial music for command changes.

The result is the most powerful and flexible audio player/recorder/message repeater available on the market.

A key new design feature of SuperConductor v2.0 is Local Configuration Mode, which allows the user front-panel access to all functions. Local Configuration Mode eliminates the need to use a computer for managing sound files, safeguarding the user against potential PC viruses and crashes. The Local Configuration Mode feature also offers password protection and an IP-based timeserver function that automatically synchronizes the unit?s clock with the timesaver once a day. The timeserver feature also compensates for the time difference between the user?s location and the timesaver location when working across time zones.

SuperConductor v2.0 also offers a variety of remote control capabilities. Basic remote control allows operation of the system from a distance via CGI command, and the Lockout feature ensures that only scheduled or remotely-triggered files can be played when the unit is unsupervised.

SuperConductor v2.0 can be purchased separately or with Technomad Military PA systems (modular or turnkey) to build the most intelligible, flexible, high-fidelity audio projection system available for military base installations today. For long-range systems, SuperConductor 2.0 audio files can be streamed over Technomad digital ?Link Kits? to multiple, strategically placed static PA systems on large, multi-square mile military bases.

Technomad is offering two upgrade options for customers with SuperConductor units currently in the field: An inexpensive factory upgrade by Technomad engineers, with free return shipping; or a free, field-upgradeable software option for technicians who wish to install the upgrade at the installation site.

ABOUT TECHNOMAD

Technomad Associates, LLC, founded in 1995, designs and manufactures loudspeaker systems for the professional audio and security/military technology industries. The company invented the first reliable full-range military PA systems and now offers eight networkable models with range up to one mile, as well as the SuperConductor military MP3 player and FireFly ultra-lightweight PA system.

For Additional information, contact:
Military Sales, Technomad Inc.
USA: 800.464.7757 x 610
International: 617 424 9612 x 710
Email: military@technomad.com

Technomad Seeks International Distributors for Military Products

2008-04-07T14:02:00.000-07:00

BOSTON, April 7, 2008 - Technomad Associates, LLC, a leader in high-powered weatherproof PA systems and communications equipment for military, security and other government applications, is seeking international distributors for its military product line.

Technomad is the de facto standard for weatherproof outdoor PA systems in the U.S., UK, and Canada. The company has successful distribution partnerships in Europe, Japan and Canada, where its rugged, compact turnkey and modular Military PA Systems, revolutionary SuperConductor military mp3 player/recorder with scheduling, and other reliable communications products are regularly deployed in fixed and mobile environments.

Qualified distributors are especially sought in the Asia-Pacific (including Australia/New Zealand), the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Exclusive distributorships with no local competition are granted to distributors with country-wide access, regular trade show presence and a strong technical staff. Extensive web training and direct factory support is offered to new distributors, with continued support throughout the contract.

Technomad Military PA Systems offer clear speech intelligibility and high-quality audio output for training and simulation, mass notification, force protection, ceremonial presentations, and as hailing systems on ships among many other applications. All PA systems ship with weatherproof loudspeakers, a pre-wired amplifier and signal processing rack complete with microphones, CD/tape players, speaker stands, cables, and protective flight cases, along with options for the SuperConductor and other Technomad products. Technomad loudspeakers are Mil-Spec 810F-compliant and IP56-rated, making them impervious to water, rain, snow, sleet, salt, UV radiation and rough handling.

Distributors must operate in the countries for which they are applying for distributorship. For PowerPoint, PDF presentations and other information, please visit http://military.technomad.com/order/reseller_application.html, or contact company representatives with questions at military@technomad.com.

ABOUT TECHNOMAD

For Additional information, contact:
Military Sales, Technomad Inc.
USA: 800.464.7757 x 710
International: 617 424 9612 x 710
Email: military@technomad.com

Technomad Surpasses 17,000 Mark for Loudspeakers Shipped

2008-03-06T05:54:00.000-08:00

Company continues to manufacture entire product range in the USA as it approaches 13 years in business

BOSTON, March 6, 2008 - Technomad Associates, LLC, a leader in weatherproof outdoor loudspeakers and Turnkey PA systems, today announced it has established a new sales milestone with more than 17,000 loudspeakers shipped worldwide to date. The company, founded in 1995, continues to manufacture all loudspeakers for the commercial pro audio and military/security markets at its Massachusetts is bench-built and tested by its small team of craftsmen.

?Technomad is proud to contribute to the long-standing tradition of New England manufacturing,? said Rodger von Kries, Vice President of Technomad. ?Our commitment to manufacturing our commercial and military products in the USA ensures the careful craftsmanship of all Technomad loudspeakers is centralized in our Massachusetts facility.?

Technomad was the first professional loudspeaker manufacturer to introduce Mil-Spec weatherproof loudspeaker systems with exceptional voice intelligibility and audio quality for highly abusive mobile and installation applications in the commercial and military/security markets. The manufacturing side of the business employs small teams to work on the same loudspeaker from start to finish, with multiple quality checks along the way. This process creates a highly consistent production environment that ultimately reflects the cost and quality of the loudspeakers.

The company?s highly durable loudspeakers provide both clear voice intelligibility and superior musical output, with exceptional, distortion-free audio quality at any volume level. All Technomad loudspeakers have an IP56 rating from the International Electronic Commission (IEC) for maximum protection against hazardous materials, shock, and dirt and water ingression; and cover a much broader range than competitive loudspeakers, with 120x120 audio dispersion to maintain an even sound through the venue.

Technomad weatherproof loudspeakers are included in its Turnkey Military PA Systems, which are shipped complete with protective cases, a pre-wired amplifier, and a signal processing rack complete with microphones, CD/tape players, speaker stands, and cables; and options such as the Technomad SuperConductor MP3 military player/recorder for automated and manual playback of audio files.

Technomad Military PA Systems offer a unique combination of power, compact size, weatherproof construction and clear speech and music reproduction, with 180 to 360-degree audio coverage up to one mile from the PA, making Turnkey systems them ideal for permanent and mobile installations such as training facilities, tent cities, and refugee camps; and mobile applications for on-vehicle use. Technomad?s wide audio dispersion ensures that PA system can address a large area without the 'dead spots' common with horn or hyper-directional devices. This is critical for guard-post, mass notification, and other force protection applications.

ABOUT TECHNOMAD

For Additional information, contact:
Military Sales, Technomad Inc.
USA: 800.464.7757 x 710
International: 617 424 9612 x 710
Email: military@technomad.com

Technomad Military PA System Bring Clarity to Ceremonies and Outdoor Events at CFB Suffield in Canada

2008-02-01T03:37:00.000-08:00

Canadian Forces unit?s experience with Technomad in Afghanistan influence purchasing decision at home

BOSTON, January 31, 2007 - Technomad Associates, LLC announces that CFB Suffield, a Canadian Forces base in southern Alberta, is using a Technomad Military PA System to bring high-quality music and voice intelligibility to its outdoor ceremonies. The turnkey MILPA2 system includes two Technomad weatherproof outdoor loudspeakers, an amplifier, CD player, a wireless microphone, loudspeaker stands, and a shock-mount rack complete with all the required cables and connections. The base is also using a Technomad SuperConductor MP3 military player/recorder for immediate, on-demand playback of stored audio files during live events.

?This is a very rugged and powerful system that will definitely become our primary PA system,? said Cpl. Mammel, the structural wiring supervisor at CFB Suffield. ?The system by far outperforms our older, less rugged systems, which have performed poorly in the harsh weather conditions of the Alberta environment. We get our share of snow, rain and wind, so the weatherproofing aspect is very important. We begin setting up for an outdoor ceremony well ahead of the event, so the Technomad system is out in the elements hours before the ceremony even begins.?

Mammel first came across Technomad while deployed in Kabul, Afghanistan. There, the PA system served as a camp alarm and notification system, sitting outside in the harsh desert elements on a 24/7 basis. The ruggedness and continuous operation of the system influenced Mammel to buy the Technomad MILPA2 package for use at CFB Suffield.

?The Technomad loudspeakers were mounted on a 40-foot tower the entire time we were there,? he said. ?The power in that region is very sketchy, and generators die on a regular basis. Yet the Technomads sat up there through sandstorms and brutal heat and still worked great. This is the kind of technology we look for in the Army: No matter what happens to the equipment, it has to work.?

CFB Suffield first used the Technomad Military PA system on November 11 for a Remembrance Day event, and the system will be used regularly for change of command ceremonies, parades, and other outdoor events. Mammel said that two soldiers can set up the system quickly, and that the loudspeaker stands provide the professional appearance that the Army requires. The unit will also take advantage of the protective gasketed lids that come with the loudspeakers as they are setting up for an event.

He added that the SuperConductor contains CFB Suffield?s entire music library in addition to pre-loaded tracks, and he simply needs to assign a track to a specific button or position to recall the file during an event.

?The Remembrance Day ceremony featured a live bugler, so we only needed to use SuperConductor for the Canadian and British National Anthems,? said Mammel. ?However if the bugler doesn?t show up at a future event and we need to play Reveille, we would simply punch in the assigned position and off we go. But whatever audio is coming out of the loudspeakers, it will be heard loud and clear across the event location. We have never worked with a PA system this powerful at CFB Suffield.?

ABOUT TECHNOMAD

For Additional information, contact:
Military Sales, Technomad Inc.

USA

: 800.464.7757 x 610
International: 617 424 9612 x 710
Email: military@technomad.com

Technomad Military PA Systems Provide Audio for Brigade Training at Army National Training Center at Ft. Irwin

2007-11-19T17:10:00.000-08:00

Weatherproof PA systems broadcast religious prayers throughout simulated Arab villages to replicate regional culture as soldiers prepare for Middle East deployments

BOSTON, November 13, 2007 - Technomad Associates, LLC announces that the U.S. Army National Training Center at Ft. Irwin in California has purchased 15 Technomad Turnkey Military PA Systems for its Brigade Combat Team training program, designed to prepare soldiers for Middle East deployments by injecting realism of the local culture into the training scenario. The National Training Center already has 15 Technomad Military PA systems in use to broadcast religious prayers within simulated Iraqi villages at the National Training Center. The new systems will be installed in new towns and villages for the same applications as the training area grows, and the program expands to include simulated Afghani villages.

The National Training Center is the Army?s primary training center for Brigade Combat Team training prior to deployment. The 28-day program replicates the regional culture of the brigade deployments, rotating between Iraq and Afghanistan. For a 14-day period, soldiers are deployed into ?the box?, a 700-plus square-mile area that includes 13 towns and six cave complexes, complete with Iraqi-American or Afghani-American actors that speak the native language.

Prayers are broadcast from two Mosques in each town using the Technomad Military PA Systems to cover the towns and its outlying areas, with four Technomad loudspeakers pointing in different directions from the roof of each Mosque. The soldiers plug MP3 players directly into Technomad amplifiers to broadcast prayers. For Iraqi rotations, each town has one Sunni and one Shiite Mosque broadcasting prayers in Arabic. The Afghani rotations, scheduled to begin this fall, will feature prayers in the native Pashto language to replicate Afghani culture.

Calvin Phillips, Deputy of Training Support Division in G3, U.S. Army National Training Center, said that the main point is to overwhelm the soldiers with the regional culture by injecting as much realism as possible into the 24/7 program. ?We currently have 250 Iraqi-Americans in the box that bring an air of culture and language to the training scenario,? said Phillips. ?The towns are set up to resemble the real thing as much as possible, and we replicate communications, logistics, and other problems soldiers will face when they are in theater. The Technomad Military PA Systems are essential to providing the sound and feel of being in theater, and ensure that all of the soldiers? sensors are attacked. We use the systems to clutter the battlefield with audio, and the long range of the audio from the loudspeakers allows us to reach the outlying areas of the towns instead of just the town centers.?

In addition to the four weatherproof loudspeakers, each Turnkey Military PA system includes a PA control rack with an amplifier and cables, and rugged flight-cases with protective gasketed lids that clamp onto the front of each loudspeaker and PA rack to protect the systems when not in use. The National Training Center?s location in California is susceptible to high winds that continually blow dirt and dust. Winds reach 20-40 MPH on a regular basis, and often reach 60 MPH or higher. These conditions, coupled with high heat and humidity, required a highly rugged and durable PA system that could withstand the harsh environmental elements of the region.

?The ruggedness and durability is what initially attracted us to Technomad,? said Phillips. ?We needed weatherproof PA systems that we could mount and leave in the box without the fear of them falling apart during a rotation. We are extremely hard on equipment, and nothing lasts forever out here. But the Technomad loudspeakers and amplifiers are extremely rugged, and with some forethought on our part they require very little maintenance downrange.?

Phillips reiterated that the Technomad Military PA Systems are well suited to survive the harsh outdoor elements of the National Training Center. ?Heat is an issue most of the year out here, with temperatures reaching 115 degrees in the dead of summer, and in September and October the temperature can drop 60 degrees in a matter of hours. But wind and dust are the biggest issues. Dust gets into everything out here, and weaker PA systems would not be able to take that beating. The heat and humidity would dry out the systems, and then the overwhelming amount of dust will kill them. We?ve been using the Technomad systems for about a year now, and the loudspeakers and amplifiers have continued to function at top condition.?

Phillips expects to take delivery of the next 15 Technomad Military PA systems this fall, sending 10 of them to new towns for Mosque installations. The remaining five will be added to the National Training Center?s bank of spare Technomad PA systems, which soldiers can sign out for change-of-command broadcasts and other ceremonies. Each Technomad Military PA System also comes with a microphone, which soldiers can connect to the amplifier for use in these applications, as well as loudspeaker stands for quick set up.

?The Technomad Military PA Systems are very easy to set up, and the stands simplify the process,? said Phillips. ?It?s nearly impossible to set up the loudspeakers incorrectly, which makes it easy for the soldiers. And the broad audio range of the loudspeakers means they can cover an entire parade field. They don?t have to worry about anyone not being able to hear.?

ABOUT TECHNOMAD

For Additional information, contact:
Military Sales, Technomad Inc.
USA: 800.464.7757 x 710
International: 617 424 9612 x 710
Email: military@technomad.com

Technomad Military PA Systems in Worldwide Deployment

2007-09-11T18:05:00.000-07:00

Technomad Military PA Systems in Worldwide Deployment

Weatherproof PA systems deliver superior sound quality and durability at lower cost than traditional horn speakers

BOSTON, December 5, 2006 - Technomad Associates, LLC has developed a line of high-powered weatherproof military PA systems being used by U.S., UK, Canadian and other national Armed Forces around the world. These breakthrough systems offer a unique combination of power, compact size, weatherproof construction and clear speech and music reproduction. Durability, quick setup and an efficient price point offer additional benefits.Technomad Military PA systems offer speech intelligibility far superior to traditional ?horn? speaker systems that suffer from inherent distortion and narrow audio bandwidth. Technomad audio systems provide 180 to 360-degree audio coverage up to one mile from the PA, making them ideal for permanent and mobile installations such as training facilities, tent cities, and refugee camps; and mobile applications for on-vehicle use. Their weatherproof construction also allows for permanent installation on ship decks for use as hailing systems. Technomad?s wide audio dispersion ensures that PA system can address a large area simultaneously in hailing applications, without the 'dead spots' common with horn or hyper-directional devices. This is critical for guard-post, mass notification, or other force protection applications.

?Intelligibility is crucial in mission critical situations, where clear and articulate escape instructions can limit causalities,? said Karl Von Kries, President of Technomad Associates, LLC. ?Technomad Military PA Systems offer excellent speech clarity over considerable distance while cutting through background noise and eliminating distortions common with horn-based systems. Our systems are also ideal in PSYOPS, training and deception applications because they deliver full-bandwidth output, with deep bass and detailed highs. This is critical for avoiding ?canned? sounding audio in combat simulation or deception operations.?

Technomad Military PA systems arrive pre-wired and ready to use, with a typical setup time of 15 minutes or less. Setup can be accomplished by a single operator regardless of audio expertise. All systems are built into rugged flight-cases and are fully weatherproof. CDProtective gasketed lids clamp onto the front of the loudspeakers and the control rack, converting the system into flight-cases ready for convenient transport.
Technomad offers optional digital IP-based ?Link Kits? that allow multiple Technomad PA systems to be networked to form very large-area PA systems (10 square miles or more) without requiring complex programming. Link Kits are available in wireless or Ethernet models. Applications for Link Kit technology include rapidly deployed flight-line PA systems, tent-city paging and warning systems or permanently installed facility-wide mass notification systems.All Technomad systems ship with a pre-wired amplifier and signal processing rack complete with microphones, CD/tape players, speaker stands and cables. The systems provide CD-quality digital audio. System options include wireless microphones, telephone system interfaces, solar and wind power, DC power or 'euro' AC power adapters, and the new SuperConductor military MP3 player. The revolutionary SuperConductor provides instant access to over 1500 minutes of MP3-format audio, and also allows the operator to create a schedule for automatic unattended audio playback ? i.e., Reveille daily at 0600.

Since 1996, Technomad audio systems have been in use with military and government agencies including the White House Communications Agency, Zussman Urban Combat Training Center, Ft. Knox, USMC Parris Island, GTMO, Seymour Johnson AFB, Offutt AFB, Naval Undersea Warfare Centers and dozens of U.S. military facilities worldwide.

ABOUT TECHNOMAD
Technomad Associates, LLC, founded in 1995, designs and manufactures loudspeaker systems for the professional audio and security/military technology industries. The company invented the first reliable full-range military PA systems and now offers eight models with range up to one mile, as well as the SuperConductor military MP3 player and FireFly ultra-lightweight PA system.

For Additional information, contact:Military Sales, Technomad Inc. USA: 800.464.7757 x 610International: 617 424 9612 x 610Email: military@technomad.com

Technomad Introduces Revolutionary SuperConductor? Audio System for Military Playback and Recording Applications

2007-09-11T18:02:00.000-07:00

Technomad Introduces Revolutionary SuperConductor? Audio System for Military Playback and Recording Applications

Flexible mp3 audio system delivers scheduling and automatic unattended playback applications to military bases for the first time

BOSTON, January 8, 2007 - Technomad today announced it is now shipping the SuperConductor?, the ultimate mp3 playback and recording system for military applications. The SuperConductor represents a new benchmark in military audio by allowing users to flexibly schedule sounds and announcements for automatic unattended playback as well as play back sounds instantly to respond to emergency situations. The unit can be purchased separately or with Technomad Military PA systems (modular or turnkey) to build the most intelligible, flexible, high-fidelity audio projection system available for military base installations today.

The SuperConductor features an Ethernet port for fast and seamless mp3 file transfers and also contains a removable USB drive to allow bulk audio file transfers from a computer. The SuperConductor is programmed by connecting a computer to the unit and running any Web browser; a Web page allows the user to change settings and create playback schedules.

Scheduling can be as straightforward or complex as desired; sounds can be programmed to play hourly, daily, weekly or even annually ? and anything in between. The SuperConductor contains a highly accurate Real Time Clock (RTC), which allows the unit to play sounds on a precise schedule. Potential applications include playing Reveille daily at 0600, hourly safety announcements (i.e., ?Airport? announcements), local-language messages, sirens and alerts, combat simulation, training, and ceremonial music for command changes. The SuperConductor is also ideal for playing music at motivational sessions and Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) events.

?The SuperConductor solves a host of military problems,? said Karl von Kries, President of Technomad Associates, LLC. "The unit gives users a reliable way to play sounds instantly in response to an emergency or as part of a training exercise, and also let's the user create a schedule for automatic sound playback. This is incredibly useful for scheduling the daily routine of a base or for combat simulation. And the sound quality is outstanding. The device is simple to use and install, and it will operate indefinitely once integrated into the audio rack system.?

The SuperConductor features a standalone, PC-free design to eliminate all threats of system crashes or viruses. The lack of moving parts and PC-free operation gives the SuperConductor true ?plug-and-play? capability, with no need for constant monitoring or software updates to ensure it remains in proper working order. Field recording features will soon be integrated into the SuperConductor, delivering the flexibility to record sounds on the fly.

The SuperConductor can be purchased as an installed option in a Technomad ?Turnkey? Military PA system or ?Audio Source Pack?, or as a standalone unit the customer can attach to an existing non-Technomad audio system. The Audio Source Pack is traditionally used in Technomad ?Modular? Military PA systems to stream audio over Technomad digital ?Link Kits? to multiple, strategically placed static PA systems on large, multi-square mile military bases.

?For anyone using a tape deck, iPod, CD player, minidisk player or a computer to generate audio for a military application, we?re confident the SuperConductor will give them greater ease-of-use, reliability and functionality,? said von Kries. ?No other product combines instant on-demand sound with simple automatic sound scheduling. We?re very pleased to introduce this unique product.?

ABOUT TECHNOMAD
Technomad Associates, LLC, founded in 1995, designs and manufactures loudspeaker systems for the professional audio and security/military technology industries. The company invented the first reliable full-range military PA systems and now offers eight models with range up to one mile, as well as the SuperConductor military MP3 player and FireFly ultra-lightweight PA system.

For Additional information, contact:Military Sales, Technomad Inc. USA: 800.464.7757 x 610International: 617 424 9612 x 610Email: military@technomad.com
Website: http://military.technomad.com/

Technomad Introduces Ethernet Intercom System for Military and Security Applications

2007-09-11T17:34:00.001-07:00

Technomad Introduces Ethernet Intercom System for Military and Security Applications

BOSTON, August 13, 2007 - Technomad Associates, LLC introduces its new Ethernet Intercom unit, a simple, networkable IP-based intercom system for robust, intelligible voice communications on military bases and within demanding security systems. The Technomad Ethernet Intercom is a 1RU system with a built-in loudspeaker, push-to-talk microphone, Ethernet interface, and auxiliary audio inputs and outputs. The Ethernet is ideal for everything from large-scale mass notification to basic control center-to-guard post intercom voice communications.

The Technomad Ethernet Intercom can be attached to an existing facility network and/or LAN infrastructure; multiple units are easily integrated to create a simple, robust and scalable communications network. A systems operator can set up audio streams to target devices in point-to-point or multipoint configurations using a simple Web interface. Target devices can include basic intercom stations at guard posts, in communication centers and in equipment rooms, or Technomad Military PA systems for alerting troops and personnel.

Technomad Military PA systems, available in ?Turnkey? and ?Modular? packages, come complete with weatherproof loudspeakers, a pre-wired amplifier, and a signal processing rack with microphones, CD/tape players, speaker stands and cables. The Technomad loudspeakers offer speech intelligibility and CD-quality audio far superior to traditional ?horn? speaker systems that suffer from inherent distortion and narrow audio bandwidth. The rugged, durable systems are ideal for permanent and mobile installations on military bases and in high-security applications.

The Technomad Ethernet Intercom is an ideal way to extend to these systems, particularly to Modular Military PA systems which are designed to cover a wider territory. Technomad offers optional digital IP-based ?Link Kits? for its Modular systems to form very large-area, networked PA systems (10 square miles or more) without complex programming. The Technomad Ethernet Intercom can join these PA system networks, allowing the user to alert staff in different areas of the base. An optional Zone Control function can be used in these situations to talk to specific targets.

The Ethernet Intercom can also receive audio streams from the PA system Audio Source Packs, allowing the Ethernet Intercom to play all-call or zoned audio alerts through its internal loudspeaker. This feature allows the Ethernet Intercom to function as an alerting system for guard posts, trailers, offices, and other compact spaces.

The Technomad Ethernet Intercom, now shipping, is available for purchase as part of a Technomad Military PA system or as a separate unit to plug into an existing system. It can be configured as a desktop system or a standard rack-mount unit, and offers a quick and simple set-up process.

ABOUT TECHNOMAD
Technomad Associates, LLC, founded in 1995, designs and manufactures loudspeaker systems for the professional audio and security/military technology industries. The company invented the first reliable full-range military PA systems and now offers eight networkable models with range up to one mile, as well as the SuperConductor military MP3 player and FireFly ultra-lightweight PA system.

For Additional information, contact:Military Sales, Technomad Inc. USA: 800.464.7757 x 710International: 617 424 9612 x 710Email: military@technomad.com

Technomad Military PA System Adds Realism to Field Medical Training Courses at Sheppard Air Force Base

2007-08-21T17:42:00.000-07:00

Medical Readiness Training Center interjects realistic, intelligible sound effects and speech into two advanced courses with Technomad system

BOSTON, June 26, 2007 - Technomad Associates, LLC announces that Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas is using a Technomad Military PA System for two courses operated by the Medical Readiness Training Center on the base. The system is primarily used for two advanced courses: EMEDS, Expeditionary Medical Support training, a course that simulates a deployed hospital setting; and CASF, Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility training. The latter is a component of the Aeromedical Evacuation Training course that simulates a deployed holding cell for casualties being transported via an Aeromedical Evacuation system.

The Medical Readiness Training Center installed a Technomad MilPA4 Turnkey package, featuring four Technomad weatherproof loudspeakers, a Technomad SuperConductor MP3 audio player for storage and playback of sound effects, a pre-wired amplifier to drive the audio signals, and a signal processing rack with a wireless microphone, CD player, speaker stands and cables. The loudspeakers were integrated as a fixed installation in a large outdoor Tent Pad that serves as the training site for both advanced courses. The speakers are evenly divided between opposite ends of the Tent Pad, with two speakers apiece designated for the EMEDS and CASF training courses. The courses are conducted independently of each other at different times.

The speakers are installed on tent poles at an elevation of eight feet for the best possible audio dispersal. All four speakers run cable to and up the 15-foot observation tower in the middle of the course. A supervisor at the top of the tower runs the exercises, using the Technomad SuperConductor audio player to playback sound effects over the loudspeakers to impart realism into the simulations, and uses the supplied wireless microphone for occasional voice announcements.

The Medical Readiness Training Center uses the Technomad speakers with their ability to survive the harsh northern Texas environment. The speakers are sealed in hard plastic cases that came with the system when not in use, but are also weatherproof with the lids off and have been able to withstand the harsh temperatures and variations through the winter, including heavy rains, without any problems.

The Technomad system is typically used on Thursdays for 12 hours a day, from approximately 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. to simulate daytime and nighttime scenarios that a medical training staff could potentially face in a deployed hospital or air evacuation environment. The system can play sounds instantly or automatically on a schedule set by an operator. This allows the operator to play a schedule of sounds throughout the training exercise, and interject occasional non-scheduled effects on the fly.

The primary audio coming out of these speakers represents a variety of sound effects designed to impart more realism to exercises. The time of the day and the light conditions dictate what kind of sound effects are played at any given time, combined with the intended threat environment to be simulated.

The system was pre-loaded with sounds such as bombs, bugle calls, guns and aircraft, and offers the ability to load up to 1 GB of their sound effects, voice announcements, or alerts directly to the SuperConductor?s USB drive or via Ethernet. All sound effects come through intelligibly with no report of any garbled word-based speech over these speakers. This system allows the Medical Readiness Training Center to fit an entire gamut of experiences and interactive requirements to all participants over the course of their 12-hour exercises. Operators continuously devise new ways to inject more realism into these exercises.

Technomad Military PA systems are used at military bases around the globe for a variety of training applications and military ceremonies, as well as mass notification and forward operating base PA systems. All Technomad Military PA systems offer CD-quality digital audio and speech intelligibility far superior to traditional ?horn? speaker systems that suffer from inherent distortion and narrow audio bandwidth. Technomad Military PA systems arrive to all military customers pre-wired and ready to use, with a typical setup time of 15 minutes or less.

Setup can be accomplished by a single operator regardless of audio expertise. All systems are built into rugged flight-cases and are fully weatherproof. Protective gasketed lids clamp onto the front of the loudspeakers and the control rack, converting the system into flight-cases ready for convenient transport. System options include wireless microphones, telephone system interfaces, LMR ( land mobile radio ) interfaces, solar and wind power, DC power or 'euro' AC power adapters, and the new SuperConductor military MP3 player.

ABOUT TECHNOMAD
Technomad Associates, LLC, founded in 1995, designs and manufactures loudspeaker systems for the professional audio and security/military technology industries. The company invented the first reliable full-range military PA systems and now offers eight networkable models with range up to one mile, as well as the SuperConductor military MP3 player and FireFly ultra-lightweight PA system.

For Additional information, contact:
Military Sales, Technomad Inc.
USA: 800.464.7757 x 610
International: 617 424 9612 x 610
Email: military@technomad.com
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