NIKOS – Festival

Emergency announcements for Wacken Open Air in Schleswig-Holstein

autonomous reliable cost-effective

NIKOS is not a conventional PA system, but a radio-based public address, alarm and control system for large events, construction sites and crisis situations, which you can rent by the day through certified partners and either integrate into your PA or use on its own.

Challenge

Clear warnings despite stage noise

At Wacken Open Air in Schleswig-Holstein, emergency announcements must remain reliably understandable despite dense crowds and a constantly loud environment. Stage operations, music and high visitor numbers make it more difficult to understand warnings and instructions. At the same time, mobile networks may become overloaded due to the number of visitors, meaning that mobile communications alone are not sufficient in a crisis.

Solution

One unified solution for everyday use and emergencies

NIKOS brings together announcements, alerting, visitor guidance and device control in a single network-independent platform. For Wacken Open Air, central operation via NIKOS [dispatcher]² reduces the effort required for separate control and communications systems. Announcements, alerting and the control of connected functions are consolidated in one place. This reduces material, installation and staffing requirements.

FAQ

Information for planners and organisers

Do NIKOS announcements meet the relevant standard requirements?+
Yes, NIKOS fully meets DIN EN 50849 "Electroacoustic Emergency Warning Systems". The system was specifically designed for safety-relevant announcements and alerting and is technically built for both everyday and emergency use. DIN EN 50849 is the relevant standard for radio-based ELA systems such as NIKOS. Because NIKOS, unlike mobile network-based systems, operates independently of an external network, immediate usability is guaranteed at all times — fully meeting the standard's requirements as a result. Other safety-related standards such as DIN EN 54, DIN VDE 0833-4 and DIN 14675 (voice alarm systems), by contrast, do not apply to NIKOS, as they concern a different field of use and functional scope and are therefore not relevant to NIKOS's deployment. As the only public address system for temporary and mobile applications consistently designed around the demands of mission-critical use, NIKOS has been used successfully for crisis-proof communication tasks since 2017. RADACOM and your regional NIKOS partner will be happy to advise you on the wide range of NIKOS functions and support you in implementing the requirements cost-effectively.
Where do cost advantages arise when using NIKOS?+
NIKOS combines functions for emergency announcements and safety-related coordination tasks on a single communications platform. NIKOS mainly reduces the effort required for separate loudspeaker, control and communication solutions. Material requirements and cabling work are reduced, and information and emergency announcements can be made from a single location. Centralized control also reduces the need for security, reporting and operating posts distributed across the site. This either saves personnel or allows them to be deployed specifically at safety-critical points. At fenced events, NIKOS provides technical monitoring of emergency exit gates. Security personnel stationed at emergency exits are no longer required and can be assigned to other tasks. The savings in personnel and additional technology offset rental and installation costs. For temporary, time-limited events, this reduces the costs of planning, setup and operation of the safety technology.
Is NIKOS crisis-proof?+
Yes. NIKOS operates over its own autonomous radio network and is completely independent of public communications networks and their availability. The system remains resistant to external influences. Since NIKOS does not rely on cable routes but communicates via radio, the connection is automatically re-established after an interruption. NIKOS responds resiliently to disruptions to normal operations. NIKOS [audio]² has an internal battery with a runtime of up to 16 hours and also powers connected accessory modules. NIKOS continues to operate even if the mobile network is overloaded, the internet provider fails or the power supply is interrupted. This keeps emergency announcements at Wacken Open Air operational even in the event of failures or disruptions to public communications networks.
Can NIKOS be deployed at short notice and used flexibly?+
Yes. NIKOS was specifically developed for flexible outdoor deployments without fixed infrastructure. One or two people can mount the modules on lampposts, stages, stands or trees within a few minutes and configure them individually. A standard Schuko power connection is sufficient for continuous operation. NIKOS uses its own digital radio network.
Emergency announcements for Wacken Open Air in Schleswig-Holstein: Where can NIKOS be rented?+
NIKOS is rented by the day through certified partners, including advice, instruction and technical support. Your regional partner coordinates the deployment with you. Find a partner and request a rental

Rent NIKOS for your operation

Talk to us about your requirements – we will advise you with no obligation.

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