Hi Pete,
In the picture of Radouan's control room it looks like there is a pretty large work box in the background. I assume the expectation is for all contractors to be fully self contained and provide all tools needed to commission and maintain the system. Have Riedel supplied any particularly interesting, unusual or specialized tools as part of this package?
Is much consideration given to providing some home comforts for the crew whilst on site for such a long duration, beside copious amounts of Yummi Comms?
You need to be self contained. There isn't a radio shack in every corner of the world. They bring some very specialized RF testing equipment and enough tools for any cable repair, spare cards, panels, beltpacks, headsets, etc. as well.
Comforts depend on the show. Of course there is a tea kettle and instant food on hand but food within the Olympic venue is pretty meager and really not very good. The Canteen has meals for purchase, which also are not inviting. I never went there. In the control rooms there are refrigerators which have sandwiches - they're 95% bread so I sometimes take 2 and combine the insides to make 1 more-normal sandwich. Way to much candy, cookies and chocolate and not enough fruit. I am sure I've put on 20 lbs here just eating junk food.
When I have been on Musical tours, they know how to take care of the crew. World class catering is so important for morale and no Olympics production has ever realized that.
Riedel is very good at spreading out the shifts so, except for show days, no shift is more than 10 hours. Radouan usually comes early and I stay late. and until the last few days before a dress or show everyone has 1 day off a week. That's where the real comfort comes in.
Most important is being there for the production. From the multiple persons responding to COMMHELP to crew and volunteers for the FM cast radios and radio room distribution, as they say, it takes a village.