An FM Radio System for Large Areas is a system designed to transmit a signal to receivers tuned to its particular frequency. It acts very much like a Radio Station, but on a very limited scale.

What is a Large Area FM System?

How does a Large Area FM System work?

Why use a Large Area FM System?

Where are Larger Area FM Systems used?

Are there situations when a Large Area FM System will not be suitable?

What are the alternatives to a Larger Area FM System?

What is a Large Area FM System?

A Large Area FM System is a system that can be use by the hearing impaired in large areas such as Theatres, Cinemas and Conference Centres either in conjunction with or without their hearing aid. To be used in conjunction with a hearing aid the receiver must be used with a personnel neck loop and without a hearing aid the user simply has to wear a pair of headphones with the receiver.

How does a Large Area FM System work? Top

The sound within the large area i.e. from an on-stage production, from a film being shown or any other activity within the area is fed into a transmitter then via an aerial is transmitted out into the space. A receiver is used to tune into that channel, then dependant on the user either the personal neck loop or the headphones are worn to relay the sound.

Why use a Large Area FM System?

Using a Large Area FM System will give good coverage throughout areas up to 17,500Sqmtrs. Such areas that have all over coverage are, The Royal Shakespeare Theatre and The Barbican Theatre. These areas were covered with no drop out points and are used on a regular basis.

Where are Larger Area FM Systems used?

As noted above the systems have been installed into The Royal Shakespeare Theatre (Stratford), The Barbican Theatre (London), Hoar Cross Hall Church (Staffordshire) and can be used in many other areas from small meeting rooms through to leisure facilities and cruise ships.

Are there situations when a Large Area FM System will not be suitable? Top

Yes there are some.

If there were a lot of rooms within close proximity of each other then there are only a certain amount of available frequencies that can be utilised without causing interference between these areas. Where there is confidential meetings or talks going on then the overspill given off by the FM system could potentially be received outside of the room. In both these cases an infrared system would be better utilised to stop any overspill

What are the alternatives to a Larger Area FM System?

There are two alternatives to Large Area FM Systems, the first being an induction loop, which will cover large areas as well but means a wire has to be run around the perimeter of the room. For more information on induction Loops click here. The second being an Infrared System which gives good coverage to large areas and has no overspill which means all conversations will be kept within the confines of the room. By installing more Infrared Radiators larger areas can be covered. For more information on Infrared click here.

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