ARK Multicasting chooses Dielectric to supply 200 Powerlite antennas

RAYMOND, Maine—ARK Multicasting has selected Dielectric as its primary antenna supplier, leveraging the company to build and store Powerlite series antennas for nearly 50 of its predominantly UHF stations affected by the FCC’s low-power reconditioning, announced Dielectric this week.

Dielectric is also supplying antennas for two refurbished VHF stations and 150 single TUA panels for non-refurbished UHF stations to ARK, the company said.

“Because Dielectric applied their technology and full power reconditioning experience to LPTV, we were able to design and build the ARK antennas well ahead of their needs,” said Cory Edwards, Director of OEM Sales, Distributor and Asia. South East at Dielectric. .

“And knowing that these antennas are already being processed helps ARK to better plan their next installations. We also worked closely with ARK to make the FCC refund process more efficient for their business and operational needs, which was critical to meeting their repackaging deadlines.

ARK’s 300 LPTV stations reach about a third of American homes. The FCC repackaging has moved nearly 60 ARK stations. These stations will be allocated new broadcast frequencies by September 2022. Within three years, ARK plans to upgrade the affected stations to ATSC 3.0 operation and offer data broadcast services and programming. current nun, Dielectric said.

Powerlite ATSC 3.0 compatible slot and panel antennas are designed specifically for US LPTV broadcasters.

For ARK antennas, Dielectric has recalibrated its automated pole making machine, originally designed for full power diffusers affected by reconditioning, to accommodate low power pre-production workflows, allowing construction of antennas more efficiently and for broadcasters to bring their moved stations online faster, the company said.

Dielectric will be sending antennas to ARK stations across the country in the coming months. The company worked with engineers at ARK to develop custom antenna models for each station based on coverage and market conditions, he said.

“Dielectric has been an important partner for ARK Multicasting as we journey through broadcast repackaging,” said Josh Weiss, CEO of ARK Multicasting. “Dielectric’s ability to anticipate and meet our antenna needs has enabled ARK Multicasting to more effectively navigate the myriad of supply chain challenges faced by low-power broadcasters affected by repackaging. “

More information is available on the dielectric website.