Videosys Broadcast: UK-Made Antennas and ISO Certification

This expansion is in response to growing interest not only from traditional broadcast customers but also from the robotics, security, and defense industries.

New Brand and Recruitment

The company has introduced a separate brand identity for its antenna business, now known as VB Antennas (vbantennas.com). To support this growth, Videosys Broadcast is recruiting more design and production staff.

Streamlined Processes and ISO Certification

“Since acquiring Masthead, we have streamlined our design and manufacturing processes to ensure product continuity. We standardize parts and use components from commercial suppliers,” says Colin Tomlin, CEO of Videosys Broadcast. “This approach supports our ISO 9001 accreditation application, which demonstrates our commitment to quality.”

Expansion into Security and Defense

The expansion into security and defense has driven the growth of Videosys Broadcast’s antenna business. The demand in these sectors is for robust, durable, and flexible antennas suitable for challenging terrain and harsh RF environments.

“Our antennas cover the L, S, and C bands used in ground-based security and surveillance applications, as well as the NATO D-H frequency bands for battlefield and MANET connectivity,” Tomlin explains. “We also provide COTS and custom-designed antennas for unmanned vehicles like drones, boats, and ground transportation, offering a wide range of connector options. While we began with broadcast quality antennas for outside broadcast and live sports events, this technology is applicable to these new markets, with different use cases.”

Expertise and Bespoke Systems

New customers in defense and security recognize Videosys Broadcast’s expertise in antennas, video, radio, and camera systems. This positions the company uniquely to advise and build bespoke systems across various use cases.

“A good example is our new gooseneck omni antenna, ideal for body-worn applications. Its fully bendable neck allows users to position the antenna to enhance battlefield communications,” Tomlin says. “We have applied this principle to all our omni and sector antennas.”

Increased Manufacturing Capabilities

Recognizing the need to react quickly to customer demand, Videosys Broadcast has increased its manufacturing capabilities.

“Many new markets require up to 1,000 units at a time, so we must be ready to meet this demand without impacting our existing customers,” Tomlin says. “By increasing our capacity, we keep lead times down to four to six weeks for all customers, significantly better than competitors with lead times up to 14 weeks. Additionally, all our products are made in the UK, which is crucial for sectors where provenance and reliability are essential.”