![]() The audience was migrating to social media and increasing their use of digital media overall rapidly. With the shift in technology and rise of digital platforms, I knew this was an opportunity to extend reach to listeners where they are spending their time. My role at the time was mainly focused on event production and promotions utilizing only radio broadcasting and in-person appearances. I started off working in traditional media (radio) working in the marketing department in the early 2000s. WHAT LED YOU TO START WORKING IN DIGITAL/MEDIA PUBLISHING? Chopper 8 is the ONLY live, full time, television news helicopter in operation in the state of Connecticut and provides “Coverage You Can Count On”.Vanessa Wojtusiak is the Director of Audience Development at WTNH News 8. After hours, the crew is on a stand-by/call-out basis and can be airborne within 30 minutes whenever needed.Ī total of four passengers can be carried onboard if needed but the standard crew consists of a Pilot and Reporter/Camera Operator. During normal daytime hours, the primary crew is stationed with the helicopter at all times. The ship is kept fueled and flight ready around the clock and can be airborne within 5 minutes of receiving a launch call. Of these systems, a few include both ground mapping and aviation navigation information enabling Chopper 8 to be flown to any point needed or requested within an accuracy of 25 feet.Ĭhopper 8 is based near the center of Connecticut for best possible response time (30 minutes or less) to any point within the state. Chopper 8 has a number of separate onboard Global Positioning Systems (GPS) units for navigation. Lastly, both crewmembers also carry phones capable of phone service, two-way communications and paging, text messaging, Internet access and e-mail. This system is also capable of both telephone service as well as Nextel two-way communications and can even access Internet and e-mail service if needed.Īdditionally, the microwave audio/video feed is up at all times enabling Chopper 8 to communicate directly with the studio and newsroom. ![]() ![]() ![]() Chopper 8 is in constant radio communication with Channel 8’s news desk and receives both secure information and emergency services text messages by way of its onboard-integrated telephone system. There are also dual aircraft VHF transceivers and multiple, multi-channel scanning transceivers for communications. Additionally, the system can also receive audio/video signals for editing or re-broadcast and can even relay a signal from another ground unit to another or back to the station.įor electronic newsgathering and communications, Chopper 8 has scanners and receivers to monitor fire, police and emergency radio transmissions. This system automatically tracks the Channel 8 receiver antennas no matter where the helicopter flies. Normally, all flight activities are recorded and more than two-dozen hours worth of videotape is carried onboard at all times.įor broadcasting the airborne images it captures, Chopper 8 uses a multi-mode, GPS guided, microwave transmission system. The custom-built audio/video control and switcher panels gives the onboard Reporter/Camera Operator the ability to choose from a dozen or more video and audio sources for monitoring and broadcast.Ĭhopper 8 also is equipped with dual digital video tape recorder decks. Exterior mounted “Tail-Cams” give unique views of Chopper 8 while airborne and flying towards a news scene. With this camera, normal size 8″ X 16” street signs can be read from up to 2,000 feet away.Īdditional equipment aboard Chopper 8 includes onboard “Cockpit-Cams” for live reports and internal views as well as production fill lights for illuminating the reporter. This powerful camera provides steady, close-up video. The heart of Chopper 8 is the 90-pound FLIR Systems Ultramedia III gyro-stabilized camera system. Packed with almost 700 pounds of broadcast equipment, it is a self-contained television studio. The helicopter is a Bell 206 元 Long Ranger capable of speeds of up to 120 mph and gives Channel 8 the ability to provide both live video and news reports over any news scene, day or night. “Chopper 8″ is WTNH Channel 8’s flying mobile newsroom. To view Chopper 8’s official info page on WTNH-TV’s website, click here.
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