Broadcast Tools SS 2.1 MLR/RJ User manual

Installation and Operation Manual
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Copyright® 1989 - 2020 by Broadcast Tools, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Manual update: 5/14/2020
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SS 2.1 MLR/RJ
RJ45 Audio Switcher/Router with Mechanical Latching Relays
INC
®

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SS 2.1 MLR/RJ Installation and Operation Manual
Table of Contents
Section Title Page #
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Who to Contact for Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Features/Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Surge Protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
UPS standby power system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Installation/Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Selection push buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
LED indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Chassis Ground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
I/O and Remote-Control Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
RJ45 Pinout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Remote Control Wiring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Relays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
RS-232 Serial Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Configuration Jumpers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Configuration DIP-switch setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Sage ENDEC EAS Installation Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Serial Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
RS-232 Serial Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Serial Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Menu Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Front and rear panel drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appendix
Fractional schematic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appendix
Configuration jumpers and DIP-switch layout . . . . . . . . . . . Appendix
WEBSITE:
Visit our web site for
product updates and
additional information.
2
CONTENTS

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SS 2.1 MLR/RJ Installation and Operation Manual
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for your purchase of a Broadcast Tools® SS 2.1 MLR/RJ transparent two
input, dual output switcher/router (referred to as the SS 2.1 MLR/RJ throughout this
manual). We are confident that this product will give you many years of dependable
service. This manual is intended to give you all the information needed to install and
operate the Broadcast Tools® SS 2.1 MLR/RJ.
SAFETY INFORMATION
Only qualified technical personnel should install the SS 2.1 MLR/RJ. Any attempt
to install this device by a person who is not technically qualified could result in a
hazardous condition to the installer or other personnel or damage to the SS 2.1
MLR/RJ or other equipment. Please ensure that proper safety precautions have been
taken before installing this device. If you are unfamiliar with this type of equipment,
please contact a properly qualified engineer to handle the installation and setup of
the SS 2.1 MLR/RJ. Broadcast Tools, Inc., is unable to support NON-Broadcast
Tools software, hardware, or NON-Broadcast Tools computer/hardware/software
problems. If you experience these problems, please research your hardware/software
instruction manuals, or contact the manufacturers technical support department.
WHO TO CONTACT FOR HELP
If you have any questions regarding your product or you need assistance, please con-
tact your distributor from whom you purchased this equipment. If you would like
more information about BROADCAST TOOLS® products, you may reach us at:
Broadcast Tools, Inc.
131 State Street
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284-1503 USA
Voice: 360.854.9559
Fax: [phone]
Internet Home Page: www.broadcasttools.com
E-mail:[email protected]
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING
BROADCAST TOOLS® BRAND PRODUCTS!
CAUTION!
Broadcast Tools®
Products, as with any
electronic device, can
fail without warning.
Do not use this product
in applications where a
life threatening condition
could result due to failure.
NOTE:
This manual should be
read thoroughly before
installation and operation.
WEBSITE:
Visit our web site for
product updates and
additional information.
Broadcast Tools is a Veteran Owned Business
Designed, Assembled and Supported in WA State, USA

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SS 2.1 MLR/RJ Installation and Operation Manual
OVERVIEW
Product Overview
The SS 2.1 MLR/RJ is a transparent two input, one output RJ45 audio
switcher/router with mechanical latching relays. The SS 2.1 MLR/RJ is perfect for
all types of passive signal switching via front panel switches, contact closures and/or
RS-232 serial. The switching is accomplished with mechanical latching gold contact
relays, which means that the unit can route a signal in either direction. Due to the
passive nature of the switching, any input level and impedance can be used. Inputs
may be balanced or unbalanced, while output levels, impedance, distortion, noise,
and balancing will match that of the selected input. The SS 2.1 MLR/RJ can be con-
trolled and monitored locally and/or with simple contact closures to ground, as well
with multi-drop RS-232 serial commands.
Features/Benefits
• Front panel input channel selection push buttons with active channel LED indicators.
• Front panel “Mute” switch, with LED indicator, to turn off all audio to the output.
• Front panel “Enable” switch, with LED indicator, can be configured to provide a
safety lock to the front panel selection push buttons.
• Remote control via contact closures, 5-volt TTL/CMOS logic levels and/or the
multi-drop RS-232 serial port.
• Two SPDT relay outputs for remote channel status.
• Internal silence sensor with front panel LED indicator; separate SPST silence sen-
sor alarm relay, adjustable alarm delay and restore duration.
• Audio/signal switching via mechanical latching sealed relays utilizing 2-form-C
bifurcated - crossbar silver alloy with gold overlay contacts.
• Two shielded RJ45 audio input jacks and one shielded RJ45 audio output jack.
• Removable euro-block screw terminal connectors are used for remote control con-
nections. Necessary mating plugs are supplied.
• The power-up source selection feature allows the user to select which source is
active at power up, including the last source selected.
• If power is lost, the last selected channel’s signal is passed to the output.
• Fully RFI proofed.
• Surge protected internal power supply, universal switching power supply with
domestic connector supplied. International power supply optional.
• Up to three units may be mounted on the optional RA-1 rack shelf. Desktop and
wall mounting are also possible.
Applications
Switching/routing applications include: Analog and/or AES audio sources, Studio
selection, Audio processing selection, EAS audio insertion, RS-232, RS-422 or RS-
485 data signals and telephone lines.
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SS 2.1 MLR/RJ Installation and Operation Manual
INSPECTION/OPERATION
Inspection
Please examine your SS 2.1 MLR/RJ carefully for any damage that may have been sus-
tained during shipping. If any damage is present, please notify the shipper immediate-
ly and retain the packaging for inspection by the shipper. The package should contain
the SS 2.1 MLR/RJ, a RJ11 modular cable with 9-pin “S9” female D-sub adapter, and
a 9 to 12 VDC power supply. Manuals may be downloaded from our web site.
Installation
Surge Protection
The SS 2.1 MLR/RJ has built-in resistance to voltage changes; we recommend that
you use a power surge protector or line conditioner on the incoming AC line.
Lightning strikes and/or other high voltage surges may damage your SS 2.1 MLR/RJ
and connected equipment if it is not properly protected. For lightning protection
devices, check out www.polyphaser.com and www.itwlinx.com.
UPS Standby Power System
We recommend that you connect your SS 2.1 MLR/RJ to a UPS system. A UPS
helps minimize the risk to the SS 2.1 MLR/RJ and provides power during a power
outage.
NOTE: If power is lost, the last selected input channel’s signal will continue to
be passively routed to the output.
Installation/Operation
Input selection push buttons
Each input and mute can be selected via its front panel push button labelled “1”, “2”,
and “Mute” respectively. Each input push button has an associated LED indicator
which will illuminate when the channel is selected. When a channel is selected, the
previous channel is deselected (interlock). The enable (safety) push button can be
enabled to require the user to hold down the enable push button while selecting any
of the other front panel push buttons, the enable LED is illuminated when this func-
tion is enabled, see page 8 for more information.
LED indicators
• “PWR” LED: Illuminates when power is applied and blinks when serial data is
active. (Green)
• “Enable” LED: Illuminates when the front panel enable push button is enabled.
(Green)
• “SS” LED: Illuminates when output silence is detected (SS), if enabled. (Yellow)
• Channel (“1” & “2”) LED illuminates when the input channel is selected. (Green)
• “Mute” LED illuminate when output is muted. (Red)
Power
Connect the 2.1mm barrel type power connector into the unit and the center-positive
9 to 12 VDC domestic power supply into a 120 Vac 50-60 Hz power source. Never
use any type of powersupply other than the specified/supplied power supply.
Chassis Ground screw (CHS GND): The #6-32 sized chassis ground screw should
be tied to the station (house) or system ground.
WEBSITE:
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SS 2.1 MLR/RJ Installation and Operation Manual
OPERATION
I/O and Remote Control Connectors
The rear panel contains all of the inputs, outputs, and remote-control connections.
Audio input and output connections are made via shielded RJ45 jacks and the
remote-control connections are made through pluggable screw terminals with mat-
ing connectors. The multi-drop serial port uses a modular RJ-11 jack.
RJ45 Audio Inputs and Outputs
Input 1 Input 2 Output
RJ45 RJ45 RJ45
(J15) (J16) (J17)
Input sources that are NOT selected are terminated with 10K ohm resistors. If you
do not require this load applied to the deselected sources, they may be removed, or
a different value may be substituted for each channel. Each channel has a pair of
resistors: channel 1 = R1 & R2, channel 2 = R3 & R4.
If you are using the SS 2.1 MLR/RJ for applications other than switching analog
audio, the Silence Sensor should be disabled. To disable, remove the resistor net-
work RP2 from its socket.
RJ45 Audio Input and Output Pinout:
Please use shielded twisted pair Cat5e or Cat6 cables and connectors (STP) with the
input and output RJ45 audio jacks.
RJ45 Pinout:
Function: Wire Pair: RJ45 Pins:
Left+/AES+ White/Orange 1
Left-/AES- Orange/White 2
Right+ White/Green 3
Right - Green/White 6
n/c White/Blue 5
DC GND Blue/White 4
n/c White/Brown 7
n/c Brown/White 8
Sig. Shield Shield Connector Shield
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product updates and
additional information.

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SS 2.1 MLR/RJ Installation and Operation Manual
OPERATION
Remote Control Wiring
The SS 2.1 MLR/RJ interfaces with external equipment through two 6-position
removable euroblock screw terminals. The terminals accommodate wire sizes from
16 - 28 AWG solid or stranded wire. Before installing a wire, remove the euroblock
screw terminal plug and turn each capture screw fully counterclockwise. Strip each
conductor to a length of 0.25” and insert the conductor fully into the terminal. Turn
the capture screw fully clockwise to secure the conductor.
The remote-control connections to the switcher are labelled SW-1 (Input 1), SW-2
(Input 2), SW-3 (Mute) on the bottom row of the connector TB-1. Each channel may
be selected by a momentary or sustained (depending on the configuration) contact
to ground. Each channel is internally pulled high (5-volts) through a 22K resistor.
Relays
SPDT relay contacts are available on the top row of the remote-control connector
(TB-1) and pins 5-6 of the bottom row remote control connector. The relay K3 is
closed when with input channel one is selected, K4 is closed when input channel two
is selected, and relay K5 (SPST) is closed when silence is detected (if enabled).
Note: For wiring information, refer to the grid below, silk-screen text on the
rear panel of the product or the fractional schematic(s) in the appendix.
Relay Outputs (Top Row, TB-1)
K3 N.O. K3 Common K3 N.C. K4 N.O. K4 Common K4 N.C.
SW-1 SW-2 SW-3 GND K5 N.O./N.C. K5 Common
(Input 1) (Input 2) (Mute) (SS) (SS)
Control Inputs (Bottom Row, TB-1)
RS-232 Serial Port (RJ-11 Jack):
This RJ-11 jack is used to connect the SS 2.1 MLR/RJ to a computer’s COM port
for RS-232 serial operation using the included reverse modular cable with 9-pin
“S9” female D-sub adapter.
NOTE: If your PC does not have a built-in RS-232 serial port but does have USB,
then a USB-to-serial adapter cable is a good way to add serial capability. We rec-
ommend USB-to-serial adapter cables that use the FTDI chipset and have had good
results with the model “SBT-FTDI” from Sabrent.
CAUTION!
Installation of the SS
2.1 MLR/RJ in high RF
environments should be
performed with care.
The station ground
should be connected to
the designated chassis
ground terminal using
a 20 to 24-gauge wire.
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SS 2.1 MLR/RJ Installation and Operation Manual
CONFIGURATION
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product updates and
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Configuration
Configuration Jumpers
JP3: N.O. = Configures relay K5 (SS/Silence Sense) to Normally Open.
(Factory Default)
N.C. = Configures relay K5 (SS/Silence Sense) to Normally Closed.
JP4: Disabled =Front panel enable switch defeated. (Factory Default)
Enabled = Front panel ENABLE push button active. The enable LED is
illuminated.
NOTE: With JP4 enabled the enable push button must be held on/closed to
operate any of the other front panel push buttons, this does not affect the
remote-control functions.
Configuration DIP-switch Setup (SW5)
Follow the tables below for configuration options.
Unit ID SW5-1 SW5-2
ID 0 * OFF OFF
ID 1 ON OFF
ID 2 OFF ON
ID 3 ON ON
Baud Rate SW5-3 SW5-4
2400 ON OFF
9600* OFF OFF
19200 OFF ON
38400 ON ON
Power Up SW5-5
User selected ON
Last source selected* OFF
Note: *To select an input at power-up with SW5-5 ON, hold down the push-
button for the desired input channel or mute until the front panel LED’s flash.
Remote Control Operation Modes SW5-6 SW5-7
Normal * OFF OFF
Sustained ON OFF
EAS/MSRP OFF ON
Toggle ON ON
• Normal operation mode: Pulse 1-IN to select channel 1, Pulse IN-2 to select
channel 2, or pulse the “M-IN” (mute) pin to turn off both channels.
• Sustained operation mode: Hold IN-2 low to select channel 2. Release In-2 to
switch back to channel 1.
• EAS/MSRP operation mode: See Sage ENDEC EAS Installation Guidelines sec-
tion of this manual.
• Toggle operation mode: Alternately pulse 1-IN to select between the two channels.
Note: After changing any dipswitch, please repower the unit.
Note: * Denotes factory setting.

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SS 2.1 MLR/RJ Installation and Operation Manual
CONFIGURATION
Sage ENDEC EAS Installation Guidelines/MSRP Mode
The SS 2.1 MLR/RJ can be set to a special Multi-Station Relay Panel (MSRP) EAS
switcher emulation mode which enables it to receive the serial control commands
sent by the Sage Digital ENDEC EAS system. You can operate up to four independ-
ent stations from one Sage Digital ENDEC by using one SS 2.1 MLR/RJ per station.
To use the SS2.1 MLR/RJ in EAS switcher mode with an ENDEC you must set the
DIP switch SW-5 for the proper unit ID, station ID, and mode of operation.
Unit ID SW5-1 SW5-2
ID 0 * OFF OFF
ID 1 ON OFF
Station ID SW5-3 SW5-4
1* OFF OFF
2 ON OFF
3 OFF ON
4ONON
Mode SW5-6 SW5-7
EAS/MSRP OFF ON
* Denotes factory default setting.
Note: After changing any DIP switch, please re-power the unit.
Connecting a single SS 2.1 MLR/RJ to the Sage ENDEC serial port:
Attach the supplied “S9” DB-9 female adapter to a Sage ENDEC COM port con-
figured for “Relay,” 1200 baud, and the desired station ID. Connect the S9 modular
cable to the RJ11 jack on the SS 2.1 MLR/RJ. Make sure SW-5 on the SS 2.1
MLR/RJ is configured according to the settings listed above.
Set the Sage ENDEC’s MSRP settings.
Connecting two or more SS 2.1 MLR/RJs to the Sage ENDEC Serial Port:
Multiple SS 2.1 MLR/RJs may be cascaded serially to operate from the same serial
port by assigning unique unit/station IDs to each SS 2.1 MLR/RJ.
Once the SS2.1 MLRs are configured properly they can be attached in parallel to the
ENDEC using a duplex modular adapter such as the Allen-Tel AT202-6 in conjunc-
tion with the S9 adapter and reverse modular cables. Plug the male end of the duplex
modular adapter into the supplied female “S9”, DB-9 to RJ-11 adapter, then attach
one end of the supplied reversed modular line cords into each of the duplex modu-
lar adapter receptacles and the other ends into each of the SS 2.1 MLR/RJ modular
receptacles. Three or more SS 2.1’s may be daisy chained by using the above
description and a 5-jack modular adapter such as the Allen-Tel AT150.
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SS 2.1 MLR/RJ Installation and Operation Manual
CONFIGURATION
WEBSITE:
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product updates and
additional information.
Serial Operation
RS-232 Serial Control
Connect the supplied reverse modular cable with 9-pin “S9” female D-sub adapter
from the “RS-232” jack on the switcher to a RS-232 serial COM port on your PC.
Start a serial terminal application like Tera Term, PuTTY, or HyperTerminal config-
ured for the COM port the SS 2.1 MLR/RJ is connected to at 9600 baud ,8, N,1 flow
control to NONE, Emulation set to ANSI, and local character echo enabled.
“S9” female D-sub adapter pinout:
Serial Commands
The switcher may be controlled and monitored by burst serial strings or by the
embedded setup menu.
Where the < * > Denotes start of string character
< u > Unit ID (address, 0 through 3)
< i > Input channel (1, 2 or M (MUTE)).
*ui Switch to input i.
*uM Mute audio output (Turn Off Audio)
*uSL Send Audio Status: SuL1,x,x<cr><lf>
Note: x: 0 = OFF / x: 1 = ON
*uSS Send Silence Sensor Status: SuS,x<cr><lf>
Note: x: 0 = not-silent / x: 1 = silent
*POLL Display unit ID in appropriate time slot (0, 1, 2, or 3)..
*uU Enter menu mode. Unit ID 0 only.
Examples: *02 This string turns input channel 2 on.
*0M This string MUTEs the switcher’s output.
*0U Accesses the menu. (NOTE: The menu times out after 60
seconds of keyboard inactivity).
Modular Jack
Pin Numbers
RJ-11
Adapter
Pin
DB-9 D-SUB
Pin #
4 3 RS-232 Receive
3 2 RS-232 Transmit
2 5 Ground
Product’s point of
view Function Name.