Riedel Communications hired Pete Erskine and Bruce Kraemer to run and manage comms and RF for the Whistler Medals Plaza at the Vancouver Olympics.  Each night, the medals won on the mountain were presented at the plaza, while the arena medals were presented in the city, followed by a guest band’s performance. In order to coordinate between the televised ceremonies at each location, two intercom channels were interfaced. At the Whistler Medals Plaza, we combined a pair of Clear-Com panels via VOIP IP.  Two party line channels provided communications between Stage Manager and Tech via our Riedel Digital Artist system and a Clear-Com Eclipse Digital Matrix supplied by The PA People. A dedicated IP connection was established between the Olympic venues.

In addition, using Barix VOIP boxes, mix-minus audio was sent between the sites as backup to the normal audio connection. Our local system was a single Artist 128 with ninety-six ports. We used nine Telex BTR systems, thirty C3* Digital Beltpacks and interfaced to the local video production trailer. Panels were remoted via fiber multiplexers on the stage and at the TV compound, and coverage with hi-gain antennas provided communication over the entire Olympic venue.

 

Bruce Kraemer at his back stage right BTR storage cubbys.

 

View from Whistler Metals Plaza control tower back door at the Vancouver Olympics.

Medals almost ready for the comms team.

Medals almost ready for the comms team.

Here is the rear of the control tower.

Here is the rear of the control tower.

Off the side of the top level in the tower we had 2 antennas for the BTR - RX on one side and TX the other.

Off the side of the top level in the tower we had 2 antennas for the BTR - RX on one side and TX the other.

Behind the stage was a small forest - power cables snaked through it.

Strapped to a tree backstage was the pyro control beltpack.

On top of Pete's Riedel panel there are 2 panels from ClearCom which connected his Artist system with the ClearCom Eclipse system in Vancouver.  Each panel provided via IP connection one 4-wire path.