Anchor Beacon User manual


800.262.4671 CONTENTS
GETTING STARTED / WARRANTY INFORMATION ............................................................................................. 2
SETTING UP YOUR BEACON SOUND SYSTEM ................................................................................................... 2
CONTROLLING FEEDBACK / BEACON TRAVEL DOLLY ....................................................................................... 3
BEACON SOUND SYSTEM BASIC OPERATION / LINE ARRAY TOWER .................................................................. 4
BUILT-IN BATTERY MAINTENANCE .................................................................................................................. 5
USING THE BUILT-IN MP3 PLAYER .................................................................................................................. 6
OPERATING THE BUILT-IN UHF WIRELESS RECEIVER ........................................................................................ 6
OPERATING THE WIRELESS MICROPHONE/TRANSMITTER ................................................................................ 7
HAVING TROUBLE W/ YOUR SOUND SYSTEM? ............................................................................................... 8
BEACON TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................................................. 8

CONDITION POSSIBLE SOLUTION
No Sound (power LED off) • turn POWER switch ON
• charge battery or plug in AC cord
• safety shut down if unit overheats, turn volume lower & turn speaker
ON
No Sound (power LED on) • check for output from source
• make sure all cables are completely plugged in
• turn up volume control of input used
• remove plug from speaker output if not using external speaker output
Shortened Battery Life • charge battery fully; if battery life continues to deteriorate, contact
Anchor Audio customer service: [phone]
Distorted Sound • lower system volume control
Excessive Hum or Noise • use shielded cables
• use balanced microphone

CONDITION POSSIBLE SOLUTION
No Sound (RX Indicator: ON) • set MUTE switch to on (handheld mic only)
• turn up WIRELESS volume control
• make sure mic is plugged into body pack transmitter
No Sound (RX Indicator: OFF) • push mic power button
• turn Beacon POWER switch on
• make sure transmitter power switch is on
• set receiver and transmitter to same channel
• replace battery in transmitter
NEED MORE HELP? Beacon Sound System Setup & Operation Videos!
Visit Our Website: www.anchoraudio.com
Anchor Audio, Inc.
Portable Sound Systems • Carlsbad, California 100-0190-000 rev. A 08/10

BEACON®


For System Setup & Operation Videos Visit Our Website: www.anchoraudio.com
Rated Power Output 150 watts AC / 125 watts DC
Max SPL @ Rated Power 112 dB
Battery Two 12 Volt rechargeable, 9.0 AH
Full recharge: approx 7 hrs.
Frequency Response 60 Hz – 15 kHz ± 3dB
Line Output (post fader) isolated, 600 ohm, 1/4” phone
AC Power Reqs. 100 – 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 300W max
DC Out 12V 500mA
USB 5V 500mA
Dimensions (HWD) 26.25 x 11 x 18”/66.7 x 28 x 45.7cm
Weight 51 pounds / 23 Kg
Mic Inputs: Lo-Z (1 KW), balanced, XLR
12 VDC condenser mic (phantom) power
Hi-Z (10 KW), unbalanced, 1/4” phone
Hi-Z (10 KW), unbalanced, 1/8” stereo,
1/4” phone
Line In/Out unbalanced, stereo RCA
Sensitivity For Rated Output
Lo-Z Microphone -52 dBV (2.5 mVrms)
Hi-Z Microphone -43 dBV (7.5 mVrms)
Auxiliary (line) -14 dBV (200 mVrms)
Phantom Power 36V
(Specications subject to change without notice)


A MESSAGE FROM THE OWNER
Thank you for choosing an Anchor Audio portable sound system. Our products incorporate state-of-the-art design and the nest
quality of materials and workmanship. We are proud of our products and appreciate the condence which you have shown by
selecting an Anchor system.
I hope you’ll take a few minutes to review this manual. We’ve incorporated several unique features into our products, and your
knowledge of how to use them will enhance the performance and your enjoyment of the system.
Janet Jacobs – President
on behalf of all Anchor Employees
GETTING STARTED
Please check your new unit carefully for any damage which may have occurred during shipment. Each Anchor product is care-
fully inspected at the factory and packed in specially designed boxes for safe transport.
Notify the freight carrier immediately of any damage to the shipping box or product. Repack the unit in the original box and
wait for inspection by the carrier’s claim agent. Notify your dealer of the pending freight claim.
NOTE: All damage claims must be made with freight carrier!
RETURNING SYSTEMS FOR SERVICE OR REPAIR
For service or repair, please contact the dealer you purchased your system from or Anchor Audio Customer Service at (800) 262-
4671 to obtain a RA (Return Authorization) number. All shipments to Anchor Audio must include an RA number and must be
shipped prepaid. C.O.D. shipments will be refused and returned at your expense.
IMPORTANT: Save the shipping box & packing materials,
they were specially designed to ship your unit!
WARRANTY REGISTRATION
Visit our website at www.anchoraudio.com and select “Warranty Registration”. Complete the online form to activate the six-year
limited warranty on your Beacon sound system and two-year limited warranty for the CD player and microphones.

After you have set the transmitter channel (see above) you are ready to use your wireless microphone:
CAUTION: Harmful feedback may occur when walking in front of a sound system or speaker with a wireless
microphone. Always point microphone away from speakers!
1. Body-pack transmitter users must insert the mic
plug into the transmitter jack marked MIC
2. Turn the transmitter power switch to ON
(The red LED will ash when the mic is turned on.
If the red LED stays on, the battery is low)
3. Turn the Beacon power switch to ON
4. The RX indicators will light (only one indicator
will light at a time)
when the wireless signal is
being transmitted and received


1. Unscrew battery cover on bottom of microphone
2. Set the CHANNEL SELECTOR dial to match the
channel setting of your receiver
3. Replace battery cover and tighten rmly

1. The channel selection dial is located on the
side of the transmitter
2. Set the CHANNEL selection dial to match
the channel setting of the receiver
NOTE: When using dual wireless, each microphone must be set to a different channel!

1. Unscrew battery cover on bottom of microphone
2. Replace old batteries with 2 fresh size ‘AA’
alkaline batteries
3. Replace battery cover and tighten rmly

1. Slide open battery cover on front of transmitter
2. Replace old batteries with 2 fresh size ‘AA’
alkaline batteries
3. Replace battery cover by sliding rmly into place
NOTE: Transmitter power must be OFF when changing batteries!
       
       



EXTERNAL ACCESSORY
VOLUME CONTROL

Feedback, a howling noise or shrill sound, is self-generated by the sound system. It’s caused by a microphone picking up the
sound coming from the speaker and then re-amplifying it. Once a feedback loop starts it continues until the system is adjusted.

• Microphone too close, pointing towards
or in front of speaker
• Volume setting is too loud for room
• Sound reecting off hard surfaces

• Point microphone in a different direction
• Keep microphone away from the speaker
• Place speaker in FRONT of the microphone
• Reduce the sound system volume levels




CORRECT SYSTEM PLACEMENT WRONG SYSTEM PLACEMENT


Beacon Portable sound systems are equipped with a removable Travel Dolly that features wheels and a retractable handle.
To eliminate possible vibration from effecting the performance of your unit we recommended that you remove the Travel
Dolly before operating the system.

1. Press & hold the spring-loaded
Release Pedal located on the
Bottom Bracket
2. Swing the dolly bottom away
from the system
3. Lift Handle up to remove dolly
from the Top Bracket
Reverse steps to reattach the dolly.

Your MP3 player supports WMA and WAV les as well as MP3. Input
slots for play are USB, SD card slot and AUX port for other music player
devices.
Insert your memory card or USB stick and turn on the MP3 POWER.
Push MODE button until your device is displayed. The auxilliary port
becomes active when 3.5mm cable is inserted.
The LCD displays functions as used:
  press once for ON or OFF
  displays mode of operation
  press once for mute ON and again to mute OFF
  press and release to repeat song
  press and release to next track
  press and release for previous track
  press and release for next album or hold and
release until correct album is found
  press and release for previous album or hold and
release until correct album is found

Anchor Audio UHF wireless is a 16 channel, diversity wireless system that receives signals with two independent antennae.
With diversity wireless the receiver processes the stronger signal, effectively minimizing dropouts and interference from
other transmitting sources. The antennae are mounted internally so there are no obstructions or risk of damage.
CHANNEL SELECTION - BUILT-IN RECEIVER
Select a channel, set the built-in receiver & mi-
crophone transmitter to that channel before using
your wireless system.
1. Choose any available wireless channel/
frequency from 1 thru 16
(see page 7 for transmitter instructions)
2. Set the Wireless Channel Selector Knob to
the channel/frequency you choose in step
1
If you have two wireless receivers repeat above
for the second receiver. Remember each receiver/
transmitter pair must be set to different channels
to avoid interference.
NOTE: Ongoing wireless interference? The frequency you selected may be in use by other systems in the
area! Change channels until you nd a clear frequency!
WIRELESS 2
VOLUME CONTROL
WIRELESS 1 CHANNEL
SELECTION
WIRELESS 1
RX INDICATOR
LIGHTS
WIRELESS 2
RX INDICATOR
LIGHTS
WIRELESS 1
VOLUME CONTROL
WIRELESS 2 CHANNEL
SELECTION
TOP BRACKET
RETRACTABLE
HANDLE
(CLOSED)
RELEASE PEDAL BOTTOM BRACKET











1. Open Array latches
2. Grasp handle and remove Array from base
3. Turn Array over and place on top of base
4. Close Array latches
5. Slowly ip Array Tower up until locked
securely into place





1. Turn POWER to “OFF”
2. Fold Array in half (apply slight pres-
sure)
3. Open latches and remove folded Array
4. Turn Array over grasp handle and slide
into base
5. Close Array latches


(see page 6)
LINE IN
MP3
VOLUME
LINE IN
BALANCED
LINE OUT
MIC 1
VOLUME
MIC 2
VOLUME
BASS
TREBLE
VOICE
OVER
DC OUT
12V 500mA
5V 500mA
CHARGE STATUS
BATTERY EMPTY
POWER ON
POWER
OFF ON
POWER INLET
100-240 VAC / 47-63 HZ
(250 WATTS MAX)
MIC 1
MIC 2
9
WIRELESS 1
VOLUME
9
WIRELESS 2
VOLUME
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE
OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE
THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
MADE IN THE USA
Anchor Audio, Inc.
800/ANCHOR1
www.anchoraudio.com
Beacon®
ALBUM + REPEAT
TRACK +
TRACK -
MUTE
ALBUM - MODE POWER
AUX IN
SD CARD
MP3 PLAYER


Balanced XLR – low impedance, for balanced mic,
powers condenser-type mics.
Unbalanced 1/4” – high impedance, for unbalanced
mics, no phantom power.


Balanced 1/4” & Dual RCA provide a combined
output of all active system inputs.
Record your presentation or connnect to another
powered sound system. 
Reduce Line and CD Input levels by 12dB when
using microphones allowing speakers to be heard
over background music.
ON = Button In OFF = Button Out

Green - Charge complete
Amber - Charge nearly complete
Red - Charging has begun

Red - charge battery immediately

Green - power on


The 1/8 (3.5mm) jack is used to hook up
a portable CD player, iPod, laptop or other
external audio source.
Dual RCA unbalanced inputs can be used
for daisy-chaining together multiple Beacon
speakers.
12V 500 mA
To charge/power external device


(see page 6)


To preserve battery life the built-in batteries MUST be FULLY charged before the rst
use. Regardless of length of operation, it is recommended that batteries be fully
charged as soon as possible after each use.

Beacon Sound Systems include an automatic charging system designed to properly
charge and maintain the systems built-in batteries. To charge batteries plug the system
into an AC outlet and operate as normal while built-in batteries are charging. The
CHARGE STATUS LED will light when charging. Bright red indicates charge process has
begun. Amber indicates the charge process is almost complete, and green indicates
full battery. It takes approximately 7 hours to charge the completely drained Beacon
batteries.

Fully charged batteries will yield approximately 6 – 8 hours of continuous music at
medium volume level (2 – 4 hours at full volume or longer for speech only) . However
service times vary depending on control settings and use of accessories.

The batteries must be replaced every 2 – 3 years depending on usage over time. Call Anchor
Audio at 800.262.4671 to order batteries.
To replace your batteries you will need a Phillips screwdriver and follow these procedures:
1. Be sure the power switch is in the OFF position.
2. Remove the screws in the lower cover panel of the Beacon.
3. Gently slide the cover panel with the battery tray out of the case.
4. Unclip each battery connection cable and remove the batteries from the tray.
5. Connect each new battery to the connection cable, attach plate to the tray and slide
the tray into the Beacon.
6 Replace each screw in the cover panel.

Fully charge batteries before storage. For extended periods of storage either leave system
plugged into an AC outlet or charge the system at least once each month for a minimum
of 24 hours.

 - 5V 500 mA
To charge/power external device
1. REMOVE TRAVEL DOLLY (PAGE 3) AND OPEN LINE ARRAY (BELOW)
2. Set all Input Levels to minimum & Tone Controls to at (middle) set-
ting
3. Plug wired microphone into the MIC 1 or MIC 2 jacks and/or any au-
dio source into the LINE-IN jacks
4. Switch POWER to “ON”, Power ON LED will light
5. Slowly increase Level Controls for active Input Jacks to desired volume
6. Adjust Tone Controls for desired sound quality

