1. Traditional STL versus IP radio links.
Traditional STL links have become overly burdensome to license and do not provide any service
other than to get your audio from point A to point B.
With the availability of inexpensive IP radio links and excellent quality audio over IP equipment
it has become less expensive to install a system that does much more than get your audio from
point A to B.
Don't get me wrong I am not bashing traditional STL systems, I am just offering an alternative
that might work in your situation, provide additional services and save you money.
Let us take a look at a typical traditional STL equipment list.
Prices may vary and are estimated in this example.
1 Set Armstrong XLINK $5000
2 PR-950 Antennas $1600
100 feet 7/8 coax $775
4 connectors $132
2 Ground kits $34.50
Licensing fee $1500
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Total $9041.50
Without installation cost.
Now let us look at a recently quoted IP radio system for a 17 mile link at 90+Mbps
2 Ubiquity Rocket M5 Titanium $458
2 Ubiquity Rocket Dish 5G-30 $278
2 Radome cover for Rocket Dish $138
2 Ubiquity Tough Switch 8 port POE $340
1 Ubiquity Tough Cable Pro $160
100 Shielded Connectors $49
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Sub total $1423
Tieline Bridge-It Basic system $2598
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Total $4021
Without installation cost.

2. Now that the link is established you can add a receiver to feed your off-air audio back to the
studio through the Tieline Bridge-It or you could use the return feed for an RPU receiver or
switch between the two when needed.
You can also add a security system, remote control, IP cameras, or VOIP phone.
You can use the same system to connect two studios together utilizing the relay closures with the
Tieline to start a break on the automation system.
There are many possibilities of things to do with the bandwidth you now have between your sites.
If you have a traditional STL you can keep it and use this setup for a backup audio delivery
system and still make use of all the added features without paying a monthly fee for internet at the
tower site.
The Tieline equipment was used for an example however there are many companies that make
equipment that works equally as well. I have worked on stations that are using Axia Nodes
through a 5.8 all the way down to Barix Boxes.
Remote controls, logging into transmitters directly, security cameras, VOIP phones and intercom
systems are all able to be used in a system like this.
Fred Francis
Owner, Xenirad Broadcast Engineering.