NIKOS – Festumzug

Mobile Public Address System for Carnival Parades in Cologne

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

Announcements follow the floats without fixed cabling

During carnival parades in Cologne, the communication hub moves along the route with the floats. Narrow streets, dense crowds, loud music and independently operated mobile sound systems on the floats make central announcements more difficult. In time-critical situations, warnings and instructions must nevertheless reach participants and spectators quickly and clearly. Fixed cabling is unsuitable for this mobile process and significantly increases the setup effort.

Solution

One unified solution for everyday use and emergencies

Instead of multiple separate solutions: NIKOS unites visitor information, system monitoring, visitor guidance and control in a single network-independent platform. NIKOS [dispatcher]² controls the announcement units as needed, addressing individual announcement locations, specific areas or the entire site. On the floats, NIKOS [audio]² receives the voice transmission wirelessly on site and outputs it as an analogue audio signal through the floats’ mobile sound systems. At locations without an existing sound system, NIKOS [horn]² supplements the acoustic output. This reduces the material, cabling and support effort, as quickly deployable, radio-based units replace separate announcement and control solutions.

FAQ

Information for planners and organisers

Do announcements made with NIKOS comply with the applicable standards?+
Yes. NIKOS meets the requirements of DIN EN 50849 (electroacoustic emergency warning systems). NIKOS was developed specifically for safety-relevant public address and alerting applications and is technically designed for use in both everyday and emergency situations. For electroacoustic emergency warning systems, DIN EN 50849 is the relevant reference framework. Unlike mobile network-based systems, NIKOS fully meets the requirements specified therein, as it does not depend on an external network and can therefore be used immediately at any time. Other standards known from safety technology, such as DIN EN 54, DIN VDE 0833-4 and DIN 14675 (voice alarm systems), do not apply to the field of use and functional scope of NIKOS and are therefore not relevant for approval. NIKOS is a public address system for temporary and mobile applications and has been successfully deployed in numerous mission-critical 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 NIKOS cost advantages arise during carnival parades in Cologne?+
With NIKOS, recurring tasks are controlled centrally and monitored or carried out by NIKOS. This reduces the need for staff to travel between locations, as well as the number of operating and guard posts, without leaving safety-critical communication points unattended. The savings can quickly offset NIKOS rental and installation costs. You can find some specific examples of savings here.
Does the public address system remain operational in the event of a power or network failure?+
Yes. NIKOS operates via its own autonomous radio network and independently of public communication networks. NIKOS [audio]² has an internal battery providing up to 16 hours of operating time and also powers connected accessory modules. This means that the mobile public address system for carnival parades in Cologne remains reliably operational even in the event of a power outage or disruptions to public communication networks.
How can announcements be heard when loud brass-band music is playing?+
When loud brass-band music is playing, NIKOS [flash]² uses a flashing light to signal to the conductor, bandleader or DJ that the music must be interrupted immediately. In response to the light signal, the performance is stopped so that announcements can be understood clearly. This ensures that important announcements reliably reach the audience, even during carnival parades.
Mobile Public Address System for Carnival Parades in Cologne: 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

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