Sungun for long distance telephoto shots
I found that a PAR-36 sealed light beam (General Electric Model 4596 - Aircraft Landing light) can run off our industry standard 30 volt battery belt. The 4596 is rated at 250 watts (10 degree beam), which is equal to the DYG bulb used in most sunguns. On a clear night, the illumination from this sealed beam can go as far as 250 meters (250 yards). I have used this in the past when kept back at night time from people disembarking an aircraft, and having to get that long distance shot. As well as night time rescue operations in the middle of lakes and wide rivers. A housing for the sealed beam can be found at any disco lighting supply business (Par 36's are a standard disco light), and an engineering shop can adapt it for a spigot mount.

Scanner radio audio recording onto Betacam
Whenever I'm covering a major news event, where the emergency services are involved, I connect an audio line from a handheld scanner into my camcorder.
Additionally, by using a 3.5mm split lead into the earphone output of the scanner, I'm then able to simultaneously record the audio as well as listen directly through an earpiece. The mismatch in audio levels between the scanner and Betacam can be compensated if necessary by building an attenuation circuit with resistors into the XLR connector of the lead (a broadcast technician should be able to build this up for you).

Multi-Frequency Radio Mic Receiver
My little trick that comes in handy when shooting people that are using a radio microphone on a public address system ..... tune directly into their transmissions. I've found that the AOR-8000 scanner radio (receive range of 100khz to 1.3Ghz) has a Wide Band FM output. By finding the public speakers TX frequency (a frequency counter is the quickest method if the frequency isn't marked on the system), I can program this frequency into my AOR which then has it's earphone output plugged into my Camcorder. The quality of the recorded audio is so clean that it's embarrassing to use on it's own to air, so I mix a small amount of ambient sound from channel two under the clean feed to give that sound system effect.

Thanking you in advance.