We are delighted to announce that the Chrysolite MK5, studio in a suitcase, has been shortlisted in the Innovative Technology category for the Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) Awards.

The winners will be announced at a presentation evening in London on 4 November. The Chrysolite MK5 is a radio studio in a suitcase with full broadcast features and a broadcast-quality mixer. In its proud position in the AIB shortlist – for international media excellence – it stands alongside 200 entries from broadcasters, production companies, multimedia producers and technology companies from every continent.

The submission for the AIB awards highlighted the deployment of the studio to the flooded regions of Bihar last year with Feba and FEBC's FIRST Response team. This was an excellent example of its ability to be rapidly deployed into a disaster zone. An international panel of judges have been evaluating the short-listed entries, and the winners will be presented with their awards during a gala evening in London on 4 November.

Saving Lives
Notching up a further application, the Chrysolite helped to save lives after the recent Indonesian earthquake. The suitcase studio was immediately used to receive and broadcast vital survival information, offering hope to the victims. The Chrysolite was developed by Principal Audio Engineer, Charles Randall. “I have been thinking about it for a long time. I could see how a system could be set up as a radio station in areas where no engineers were available – how its application would be wide and useful.” Jon Hargreaves, Feba’s Ministry Development Director, says: “The Chrysolite MK5 is uniquely suited to first response where nothing comparable is available commercially.”

Commercially manufactured
Charles says: “We are looking to have this manufactured commercially, having developed it in-house to meet our own needs. We are looking to licence it to a commercial company.

“I began developing the idea about seven years ago, and built an early version in a month. It was delivered in a suitcase - but had to be unpacked.

“Today the Chrysolite MK5 can be operated in the suitcase without unpacking it – it’s now easier to use. It’s certainly found its niche in assisting in disaster response.”

To date, it has been used in Africa, the Middle East, the Indian sub-continent, Australasia, the Far East, and Europe, and has even been pressed into service by a Sussex youth club, training young people in programme production. Charles adds: “We appreciate the value of its shortlist recognition as we seek to promote it to manufacturers. If it wins, there’ll be a bit more promotion happening!”