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4 Handbook of Intercom Systems Engineering
installation and support of intercom systems. In other words, we hope this book helps you get the
absolute most out of your communications systems.
Apart from the story of the bar and the trade show, there is another serious reason why we have
written this book. Intercoms (in our opinion) are a neglected, underrated, taken for granted part of
the technical world – they are not glamorous nor interesting. I have at times made the comment
that intercom systems have a lot in common with toilets (no off color jokes to follow). They are
often the last system designed into an environment, they are often cheaply done, they are
PRESUMED to be always available and always working, and when they are NOT – it QUICKLY
becomes a crisis – and the plumber, all of a sudden is worth ANY AMOUNT OF MONEY to
return the toilet to its normal functioning condition, FAST!
Now, let’s take the same scenario except in the intercom world. Consider a live television show, a
camera fails, or a microphone fails, and the audio operator can’t hear the guest, or a tape jams in a
VTR. No problem, we’ll just TELL the TD to take another camera, and TELL Camera 2 to
change its shot, or the audio operator will ASK the stage manager to get a spare microphone to the
talent, or the director will TELL the talent to ad-lib until the tape can be salvaged…. “WHAT DO
YOU MEAN, NO ONE CAN COMMUNICATE THESE SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS!?!? Get the
PLUMBER (oops… INTERCOM EXPERT) NOW!!!!”
The intercom system, whether in a television station, on the sidelines of a football game, or in a
factory is critical, and must be seamless, reliable, and work without fault to allow all needed
communications to take place. This book is intended to help make that happen.
We’d love to know if you think we have succeeded, or failed, or fallen short with this effort, so
that, as with all things in life, we can learn, grow and improve. Please send your comments to
intercoms@Telex.com.
Ralph K. Strader
Vice President & General Manager
Intercom Products
Telex Communications, Inc.
January 2001