Outside Broadcast & Satellite News Gathering
Outside broadcast and satellite news gathering (OB/SNG) have played a defining role in live media for decades, enabling real time coverage of major historical moments such as the Apollo moon landing, global sporting events, political milestones, and breaking news from around the world.
Early OB and SNG technologies transformed broadcasting by allowing live or near live video to be transmitted from remote or challenging environments, reducing the time between an event and global awareness from days to minutes.
Development of OB/SNG through the years
In its early years, SNG relied heavily on large OB trucks equipped with satellite uplinks, high‑power amplifiers, production equipment, monitoring stations, and onboard power systems. These mobile studios became essential assets at major news, sports, and entertainment events, providing self‑contained, high‑quality broadcast capability wherever it was required.
The shift to ultra-mobile kits
As technology evolved, OB/SNG systems became increasingly compact. The industry has shifted significantly from truck‑based systems to ultra‑mobile journalist kits, where lightweight encoders, portable satellite terminals, and bonded‑cellular backpack units can deliver live HD and even 4K video from virtually anywhere.
Today's hybrid contribution model
Today’s live news workflows typically use a hybrid contribution model, blending multiple transmission paths to maximise redundancy, flexibility, and broadcast continuity. Modern OB/SNG operations may include:
- Satellite uplinks via SNG vans or flyaway terminals
- Microwave links for low‑latency terrestrial backhaul
- Bonded cellular (4G/5G) for rapid urban deployment
- IP‑based contribution (SRT, RTMP, Zixi) for scalable routing and remote integration
- VSAT links to provide resilient backup in areas with limited infrastructure
This hybrid approach ensures strong operational resilience, enabling broadcasters to maintain continuity even when public networks are congested or unavailable.
SNG capability remains essential
Despite the rise of mobile journalism and IP‑based workflows, SNG remains essential.
Satellite‑based links continue to offer unmatched independence from local infrastructure, consistent bandwidth availability, and high reliability during large‑scale events, crises, and disaster response situations where public communication networks can be unreliable or overstretched.
Our featured products include:
- SSPA / BUC – Provides highly resilient uplinks from C‑ to Ka‑band with integrated block up‑conversion, suitable for portable, flyaway, and vehicle‑mounted SNG systems.
- High Power Amplifier (TWTA) – For the highest‑power signal uplinks from C‑ to V‑band, delivering robust performance in demanding live broadcast environments.
- Low Noise Block Downconverter (LNB) – Ensures reliable reception of weak downlink signals while minimising added noise, essential for maintaining link integrity in SNG operations.
- RF Component Range – A comprehensive selection of RF components supporting signal transmission, level analysis, and RF chain optimisation for both traditional OB trucks and modern portable SNG kits.
Featured products
Deployed in satellite news gathering around the world.
TPB-KUB0XXX-HMS
80W-125W Ku-band GaN BUC/SSPA range
Super compact GaN-powered outdoor BUC/SSPA
TPB-CB005X0-HMS
150W-250W C-band BUC/SSPA range
Super high power density GaN-powered outdoor BUC/SSPA
TPB-KXB04XX-HMX
16W-65W Ku-band GaN BUC/SSPA range
Super compact GaN-powered outdoor BUC/SSPA
STA5575P
SPACEPATH 750W peak Ka-band TWTA
With variable gain, optional BUC/lineariser and frequency range options
STA6275
SPACEPATH 750W X-band TWTA
With variable gain, optional BUC/lineariser and frequency range options
VTRC-100-XXXX-2408
VICTOR 24x8 combining matrix
850-2450MHz extended L-band range, with variable gain
VTRC-101-1616
VICTOR 16x16 combining matrix
850-2450MHz extended L-band range, with variable gain
FN-U-K4L1-24403AA
L-band to Ka-band block upconverter
Falcon2 frequency converter for modular GENUS ecosystem; 1150-2150MHz to 27-31GHz
Engineered for Reliable RF Performance
Every RF environment is unique. Our expert engineers design and manufacture systems tailored to your specifications — ensuring unmatched scalability, reliability, and performance.