In-coach entertainmeni hits a new high note
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These days passengers expect more thar just radio, says Noel Millier. PA, TV, cassette and even video recorders are 'in
NOT SO LONG AGO to have a radio set installed in a coach was considered a luxury, but today's drivers, operators, and passengers seem less content with the beauties of the countryside. Now they want cassette recorders and even television sets and video recorders.
The range of equipment is wide. Both car and domestic equipment is often suitable for adaptation to coach use. Most British and Continental coach body manufacturers will fit equipment specified by the customer.
One of the most popular types of radio and public address equipment available is made by Radiomobile.
This company offers both stereo and mono radio and public address systems. The range of available equipment now includes the new 1 545 stereo coach amplifier with a 24V negative earth twin output power amplifier giving 24 watts peak power output per channel in stereo or 48 watts peak power in mono. Using two independent channels gives increased reliability in mono.
This amplifier allows the use of multiple microphone inputs with individual break-in switches. If a driver's pedestal microphone is fitted it is always allowed priority over other imputs. Microphone imputs have an automatic level control feature which keep speech levels constant and prevents overloading.
A "fade" control adjusts the amount of sound from the radio or cassette player when a microphone is in use and can slightly reduce music or completely cut it out when driver, guide or courier is speaking.
The amplifier has two auxiliary input channels for use with any normal 12V negative earth supply radio or cassette unit.
Radiomobile's model 1045 mono coach amplifier has probably been supplied and fitted in more coaches than any other equipment. Specially designed for isolated/double-pole electrical systems, it features include imputs of lead and pedestal microphones and includes an extension socket facility which can allow alternative positioning of the read microphone within the coach. A button on the hand microphone automatically cuts out the driver's pedestal mike and radio when the mike is in use.
A six-push button medium and long wave radio tuner (Radiomobile model 1140 and 1140PL) is available for use with this amplifier. Similar in size and styling to the amp, the combination includes separate volume and tone controls for the radio and public address.
From West Germany Blaupunkt markets a range of coach radio, cassette and public address systems. The Blaupunkt Concept Munchen 300 consists of a stereo tape cassette player combined within a 2 x15 watts stereo amplifier combined with a choice between the Blaupunkt Hamburg long and medium wave radio, the Nurnberg long, medium and FM mono radio or the Frankfurt stereo radio. All three radios are push button.
Two microphones may be connected to this system. If a driver's pedestal mike is fitted, this will override all other imputs to the system. Background music can still be played on either cassette or radio when the courier/guide microphone is in use.
A useful feature is a switch to allow the driver to be able to listen to traffic bulletins only, without disturbing the majority of his passengers.
Blaupunkt also offers its Concept Munchen 200 system which includes all the features of the 300 system without the tape cassette player.
A special lightweight 12V public address system is also available from Blaupunkt. The system, known as Minibus system Kassel 12, is suitable for use in minibuses or cars and can be used independently or in conjunction with a car radio.
From Japan, Clarion Shoji now markets a combined coach sound system which includes a five push-button AM-FM radio, a cassette tape player with automatic reverse facility, microphone volume and tone control. The AE803 Clarion Ceachliner amplifier includes all its various functions within one unit.
A normal coach installation includes three microphone points, two in the coach and one on the panel, and eight speakers. Clarion offers dynamic uni-directional coach microphone as well as the more conventional nondirectional condenser type mike.
Among companies offering a complete fitting service for a incoach entertainment systems is Ipswich-based Car Radio Services. CRS offers a coach stereo sound system designed to run into four 4 ohm speakers while one with up to eight speakers will give full stereo output.
This system, which can be installed into 12 or 24 volt vehicles, consists of a mediumwave and FM stereo with digital display and push-button tuning with electronic "scan system". It includes an automatic cassette player. The public address section allows the use of a unidirectional condensor handmike and a pedestal mike. With this system back-ground music can be faded out by the microphone and the PA can be used independently of the radio and tape.
CRS also offers a complete mono sound system including many of the features of the stereo system as well as sound for a video system.
Television in coaches is rapidly gaining in popularity. Finding somewhere to place the monitor is a problem, though, as it obviously has to be -placed where it will not distract the driver or be a dangerous obstruction to the passenger.
One of the best coach TV installations I have seen is Trathens of Yelverton's Padane bodied Mercedes-Benz where the actual monitor retracts into the line of the interior luggage rack when not in use.
Car Radio Services closed circuit, colour TV systems offer a choice of 5in, 14in or 20in monitors. These 24V units can be used singularly or in numbers. The recording system offered is all the VHS type using threehour tapes. For live television, which can also be simultaneously recorded, a 24V working "Dome--type roof-mounted aerial complete with a 24V preamplifier is used.
Prices of this equipment vary and can be obtained from Car Radio Services at 139 London Road, Ipswich.
Radiomobile are at Goodwood Works, North Circular Road, London NW2 73S; Blaupunkt are at Robert Bosch Ltd, PO, Box 166 Rhodes Way, Watford, Hertfordshire; and Clarion Shoji Ltd are at Swindon, in Wiltshire.