Altair ES-203 CL User manual

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ES-203 CL
DUAL CHANNEL DESK STATION
WITH CUE LIGHT RECEIVER
EC-200 CUE LIGHT MASTER STATION
ER-200 CUE LIGHT RECEIVER
E-200 Series Interco Syste s
OWNERS MANUAL
Issue 14A16
AUDIO | BROADCAST | COMMUNICATION PRODUCTS www.altairaudio.co
COPYRIGHT Equipos Europeos Electrónicos
ES-203 CL DUAL CHANNEL DESK STATION

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1. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................................................... 3
2. SWITCHES, CONTROLS, ADJUSTMENTS AND CONNECTORS........................................................................4
2.1. FRONT PANEL................................................................................................................................................ 4
2.2. REAR PANEL.................................................................................................................................................. 5
3. WORKING PRECAUTIONS.................................................................................................................................... 6
4. INSTALLATION...................................................................................................................................................... 6
4.1. UNPACKING.................................................................................................................................................... 6
4.2. MOUNTING...................................................................................................................................................... 6
4.3. CONNECTOR PANEL BOTTOM/SIDE MOUNTING.......................................................................................7
4.4. 1-2-3 INTERCOM LINE CONNECTION........................................................................................................... 7
4.5. CH-B POWER CONFIGURATION JUMPER................................................................................................... 8
5. OPERATION........................................................................................................................................................... 9
5.1. OPERATION MODES...................................................................................................................................... 9
5.2. CALL SWITCH 1.............................................................................................................................................. 9
5.3. BUZZER ON/OFF 2....................................................................................................................................... 10
5.4. TALK (MIC) BUTTON 3..................................................................................................................................... 10
5.5. PANEL MICROPHONE 4............................................................................................................................... 10
5.6. NULL ADJUSTMENT 5.................................................................................................................................. 11
5.7. CHANNEL SELECT 6.................................................................................................................................... 11
5.8. CUE LIGHT STBY SWITCH AND INDICATOR 7..........................................................................................11
5.9. HEADSET CONNECTION 8.......................................................................................................................... 11
5.10. SIDETONE CONTROL 9............................................................................................................................. 12
5.11. SPEAKER 10............................................................................................................................................... 12
5.12. HEADSET / SPEAKER LEVEL (VOLUME) CONTROL 11..........................................................................12
5.13. CUE LIGHT GO INDICATOR 12..................................................................................................................13
6. SPECIAL SETTINGS............................................................................................................................................ 13
6.1. SPEAKER FORCE LISTENING BY INCOMING CALL........................................................................................13
6.2. MIC ON BY INCOMING CALL............................................................................................................................. 13
6.3. MIC & BUZZER OFF AT SWITCH ON................................................................................................................... 13
6.4. GOOSENECK................................................................................................................................................ 13
6.5. SET-UP OF SPECIAL SETTINGS................................................................................................................. 14
. CUE LIGHT SYSTEM DESCRIPTION.................................................................................................................. 15
7.1. CUE LIGHT OPERATION.............................................................................................................................. 16
7.2. CUE LIGHT MASTER EC-200....................................................................................................................... 17
7.3. CUE LIGHT RECEIVER ER-200....................................................................................................................18
8. TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE.............................................................................................................................. 19
9. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS........................................................................................................................... 20
10. WARRANTY........................................................................................................................................................ 21
ES-203 CL DUAL CHANNEL DESK STATION

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1. INTRODUCTION
Congratulations for your purchase of the ALTAIR dual channel desk station ES-203 CL
of the E-200 series wired interco syste . There are a lot of characteristics that ake of the
ALTAIR E-203 series one of the ost highlighted in the audio professional arket, so e are
enu erated here:
The new ALTAIR E-200 SERIES add ore features to our popular Espiral E-100 series,
aintaining co patibility. All the co ponents in the syste incorporate a icrocontroller to
i ple ent different tasks as Mic Killer, Re ote all Buzzer switch-off, Mic Switch Latch or Push
To Talk, Progra Interrupt, etc.
Re ote All Mic switch-off helps the operator to aintain a lower noise conversation in
noisy environ ents. Also i ple ented is the re ote All Buzzers switch-off feature to avoid
undesired audible CALL signalling during perfor ances.
For operating the desk station a Master Station unit as the ALTAIR EF-200/EF-204/WB-
200/PS-200 is necessary to power the syste co ponents and setting the operating level.
The ALTAIR ES-203 CL includes a two channel interco desk station plus a CUE Light
(receiver) syste . Both syste s are designed to share signals on the sa e si ple cabling
consisting of a two wire screened cable than can be extended to ore than 200 eters without
loses.
Multiple Cue light receivers can be connected in parallel (loop) given the sa e cue
signalling is anaged between receivers.
The Cue Light syste co ple ents with the Cue light aster (trans itter) ALTAIR EC-
200 unit sold separately.
Before beginning it is i portant to read this anual. This anual will help you to install
and use your new interco desk station. It is very i portant to read it carefully, ainly the
paragraphs arked as NOTE, PRECAUTION and DANGER, for your security.
Save the original packing, you can re-use it to transport the unit. NEVER SHIP THE ALTAIR
ES-203 CL WITHOUT ITS ORIGINAL PACKING.
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2. SWITCHES, CONTROLS, ADJUSTMENTS AND CONNECTORS
Find the switches, controls, adjust ents, and connectors located in your ALTAIR
interco desk station.
2.1. FRONT PANEL
1 CALL SWITCH
2 BUZZER ON/OFF SWITCH. HOLD FOR SPECIAL SETTINGS. MORE INFO IN REAR PANEL
3 TALK (MIC) SWITCH. MOMENTARY/LATCH OPERATION
4 PANEL MICROPHONE. DISABLED WHEN HEADSET PRESENCE
5 NULL (SIDETONE) CONTROLS. ONE PER CHANNEL
6 CHANNEL SELECT. PRESS A/B TO SELECT
7 CUE STBY KEY and LIGHT. PRESS WHEN ILLUMINATED TO CONFIRM RECEPTION
8 HEADSET / GOOSENECK MIC CONNECTOR. HEADSET DISABLES PANEL MIC.
9 SIDE TONE ADJUSTMENT. YOUR VOICE ON THE HEADSET
10 SPEAKER. DISABLED WHEN HEADSET PRESENCE OR DURING PANEL MIC TALK
11 LEVEL CONTROLS. STEP BY STEP OR HIGH SPEED VOLUME CONTROL.
12 CUE GO LIGHT. YOUR INSTANT ACTION IS REQUIRED.
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2.2. REAR PANEL
1. INTERCOM LINE A. CH-A XLR3-M AND XLR3-F CONNECTORS
2. INTERCOM LINE A/B. CHA/CHB TERMINAL BLOCK CONNECTORS
3. INTERCOM LINE B. CH-B XLR3-M AND XLR3-F CONNECTORS
4. CH-B POWER. CONFIGURATION JUMPER FOR CH-B CONNECTOR
5. MICRO USB CONNECTOR. FOR PROGRAM CONTROL AND FIRMWARE
6. CONNECTOR PLATE. USED TO COVER THE NON POPULATED CONNECTOR
ES-203 CL DUAL CHANNEL DESK STATION

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3. WORKING PRECAUTIONS
The anufacturer is not responsible of any da age that can possibly happen to the
interco desk station outside the li its of the warranty or those produced by not taking care of
the working precautions.
The interco line DC voltage ust be between the li its of the ad itted power supply
(12-32 VDC). Da age caused by a connection to an i proper line DC voltage is not covered by
any warranty.
DANGER: Inside the unit there are co ponents at high te perature. Do not open it. The unit
does not contain ele ents that could be repaired by the user. Whenever the interco aster
station is connected to the interco lines, it carries ele ents with oderate voltages. In order to
disconnect the unit co pletely, you ust disconnect it fro the interco lines.
CAUTION: Protect the unit fro the rain and oisture. Ensure that no objects or liquids enter it.
If liquid is spilled into the unit, disconnect the interco syste fro the line and consult a
qualified service technician.
Do not place the unit close to heat sources.
4. INSTALLATION
4.1. UNPACKING
Before leaving the factory, each interco desk station has been carefully inspected and
tested. You can unpack and inspect the unit for any da age that ay have occurred during
ship ent. If any da age is found, does not connect the unit to the ains; notify the salesperson
i ediately; a qualified service technician should inspect the unit.
Save the original packing, you could use if you need to transport the unit. NEVER SHIP THE
INTERCOM DESK STATION WITHOUT ITS ORIGINAL PACKING.
4.2. MOUNTING
The ALTAIR ES-203 CL desk station is designed to be ounted in different ways
depending on the application environ ent. The rear connectors pcb can be ounted on the rear
or in the upper side to facilitate connection.
DESK STATION
It is possible to ount either directly over the desk using the four
enclosed adhesive feet or by using the two including lateral brackets in
any angle position.
The brackets per its choosing different angle position of the desk
station and can be installed with the screw holes inside/outside. It per its
screw it to the ounting surface for extra stability.
CONNECTOR PANEL- Nor ally ounted on the upper side.
WALL MOUNT
You can ount it into the wall by using the lateral brackets as depicted above or by
boxing it directly over the wall with appropriate tools and accessories.
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CONNECTOR PANEL- It is advisable to change the connector panel position to the botto side.
See above. Alternatively you can use the ter inal block connectors depending on the available
deep. Thin walls ad it XLR ounting so it is no necessary to reverse the connector panel.
RACK MOUNT
It is possible to ount it by using 2 HE 19” rack space. Use the rack accessory co posed of:
- Two plates (200 /82 )
- Two U brackes
- Rack screws set.
With this rack option it is possible to ount the unit on the right or on the left.
This accessory allows the ounting of two desk stations side by side to obtain a four
channel desk station unit.
CONNECTOR PANEL- It is advisable to change the connector panel position to the botto side.
See above. Alternatively you can use the ter inal block connectors depending on the available
inter rack space. Depending of the rack space, it is possible a XLR ounting on the upper side
so it is no necessary to reverse the connector panel.
4.3. CONNECTOR PANEL BOTTOM/SIDE MOUNTING
The connector panel printed circuit board (pcb) is factory installed on the upper side of
the desk box per itting the desk station ounting over a desk so leaving the cables and
connectors upside exhaust.
When the unit is to be installed on a rack you can change the connector panel pcb on the
rear of the box so leaving the cables and connectors free in the rear side of the box.
To do so, re ove the box cover by six screws and find the connectors pcb.
Re ove the connector board and the blank connector plate and invert the ounting.
You can disconnect the pcb ribbon cable to facilitate operation. Once screwed connect
the cable in the correct slot polarity.
CONNECTOR PANEL- Nor ally ounted on the upper side.
4.4. 1-2-3 INTERCOM LINE CONNECTION
The interco line connection is carried through standard icrophone double conductor
shielded cable using either XLR3-M/XLR3-F connectors or ter inal blocks. Each desk station
channel provides one XLR3-M, one XLR3-F and one ter inal block connector wired all three
internally in parallel to be used as per your wiring convenience.
The ter inal block solution ini izes the boxing di ension and per its an easy and low
cost way for a no solder quick installation.
NOTE: Two ter inal plugs are included in the ES-203 CL supply.
The next list shows the signal distribution in the pin XLR connectors.
XLR-3 /XLR-3F - INTERCOM LINE
PIN 1 OV (GND)
PIN 2 +VCC (NOM 24Vdc)
PIN 3 SIGNAL
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Certain rules have to be followed when installing the cables of an interco syste to
avoid ground loops and to ini ize the power loss and the possible effect of electro agnetic
fields.
*Do not connect the XLR pin 1 to the XLR etal housing or to etal wall boxes. The
ground loop created could increases notably the syste background noise.
*Do not close the interco line connection (avoid closed loops). Each interco line
leaves fro the aster station towards the re ote stations, but it does not return to the aster
station. If the connection is closed, a ground loop with the increase fro the syste noise will
take place.
*Use high quality cables and ini ize its length. The increased DC resistance of a low
quality or very long cable affects to the stability, noise, the channels crosstalk and affects all the
interco equip ent connected to this branch.
4.5. CH-B POWER CONFIGURATION JUMPER
The rear panel includes a ju per configuration very helpful for so e installations.
Nor ally the unit connects one or the two available channels to the corresponding
installation channels A and B but there are applications where only a channel is used for
connecting to the interco line and the other channel can be used for private co unication
with an assistant or tea .
See exa ple bellow for configuration of the ju per.
When setting the ju per position first re ove the isolator provided, set the ju per in the
chosen position and set finally the isolator on the free pin.
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5. OPERATION
The E-200 interco syste series are designed to allow axi u easy co unication
operations between the different control areas in usic or theatre live perfor ances, television,
cine a, conference halls, and whatever broad events where ultiple and fast co unications
are required, with its si ultaneous listening-speaking operation syste .
The ES-200 CL desk station provides two independent interco channels.
Channel selection switch A/B dictates the assigned channel to operate the CALL switch,
MIC on/off switch (TALK), listen circuit, or level volu e control. Balance listening between
channels AB is possible to adapt to the different crew levels.
The dual channel wall station incorporates a non-detachable panel icrophone. Re ote
listening function with a defined high level enables priority e ergency calls.
Re ote MIC-on by inco ing CALL allows the unit to operate as a onitor station, just to
hear the roo activity in theatre dressing roo s, dance roo s and ore.
5.1. OPERATION MODES
- PANEL MIC:
This is the default operation ode. The panel ic and speaker is enabled. To avoid
strong coupling (feedback) between the ic and the speaker, the speaker is auto atically
disabled when talking. In this ode, the TALK key only operates in PTT ode so it is not
possible to lock it, always operating as o entary.
- GOOSENECK MIC:
Connect a standard 4 pin fe ale boo icrophone in the headset connector. Set ode
GOOSENECK in the special settings setup to enable the speaker and allow the ON/OFF/PTT
talk key nor al operation.
- HEADSET:
This ode is auto atically set when a headset is detected. The panel ic and the
speaker are disabled. Talk key reverts to ON/OFF/PTT nor al operation.
5.2. CALL SWITCH 1
The ES-203 CL desk station unit is provided with a CALL switch and operates over the
selected channel A or B or both A+B. The CALL switch allows to generate a call signalling sent
to the selected interco channels.
The call signal akes the LED associated with the switch start blinking; if the buzzer is
enabled (consult buzzer on/off section for ore infor ation) an inter ittent sound takes place
during three seconds on the desk station and to the units (beltpacks, desk stations, aster
stations, etc.) connected to the sa e interco channel.
If the CALL switch is pressed continuously, the duration of the call signal will be higher
(the ti e that the switch is pressed, and approxi ately 3 seconds ore).
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If a call signal is generated in an external unit, the call origin is identified by the channel
select A or B indicators blinking and if the buzzer is enabled (see buzzer on/off section for ore
infor ation) an inter ittent sound will take place during about three seconds.
5.3. BUZZER ON/OFF 2
This switch enables/disables the buzzer sound when the unit receives a call.
When this switch is pressed, and the buzzer is enabled, it will be disabled, and the LED
indicator will turn off. On the other hand, if the buzzer was disabled, it will be enabled and the
LED indicator will lighten up.
The call origin is identified by the channel select A or B indicators blinking.
The buzzer also sounds when any switch is pressed, e itting a short beep.
The buzzer can be disabled/enabled by holding down the key for 2. Led indicator flashes
quickly.
Buzzer key is used for setting up the unit by holding down the key for 12 seconds. See
SPECIAL SETTINGS configuration bellow.
Re ote buzz kill generated fro the base unit would disable the buzzer. Led indicator
flashes indicating re ote buzz kill function is in operation.
Nor ally the buzzer and the ic key initializes with the sa e state as when the desk
station was switched off, i.e. it re e bers last state but the unit can be configured to initialize
both in off state. This would avoid feedbacks or undesirable sounds at start up. See SPECIAL
SETTINGS configuration bellow.
UNIT FACTORY DEFAULT. For a factory default of all unit settings hold down this key for 22
seconds.
5.4. TALK (MIC) button 3
The ES-203 CL desk station unit is provided with a TALK switch and operates over the
selected channel A or B or both A+B. The TALK switch allows to open the icrophone used;
that way, we can speak with other units connected to the selected interco channels.
The TALK switch have two operation odes. When this switch is pressed quickly, the
icrophone changes its state; if it was enabled it gets disabled and turns off the associated
LED, and if it was disabled it gets enabled and turns on the associated LED.
When the TALK switches are pressed and held, the unit will enter in the special function
PUSH TO TALK; this eans that the icrophone will be enabled until the switch is released.
Use this ode as preferred to reduce the global noise on the syste .
When using the panel ic, the unit only per its this ode to avoid feedback on the
speaker.
The unit provides a MIC-KILL (turns off the MIC) syste , so that when the ic is enabled
it is possible to be re ote uted by the MIC-KILL function fro any ALTAIR EF/PS/WBS base
stations. This MIC-KILL syste is proprietary so is not co patible with other interco brands.
5.5. PANEL MICROPHONE 4
The incorporated icrophone allows talking with the interco lines connected to the desk
station.
In order to avoid feedback, the speaker is disconnected as long as TALK key is
depressed.
Panel ic is disabled auto atically when a headset is connected.
ES-203 CL DUAL CHANNEL DESK STATION