Clear-Com FreeSpeak II User manual

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FreeSpeak II®Base Station system
Part Number: 399G169 Rev B
Date: April 27, 2016
User
Guide

Page 2399G169 Rev B27 April 2016
Document Reference
Clear-Com FreeSpeak II User Guide
Part Number: 399G169 Rev B
Legal Disclaimers
Copyright © 2016 HME Clear-Com Ltd.
All rights reserved.
Clear-Com and the Clear-Com logo are registered trademarks of HM
Electronics, Inc.
The software described in this document is furnished under a license
agreement and may be used only in accordance with the terms of the
agreement.
The product described in this document is distributed under licenses
restricting its use, copying, distribution, and decompilation/reverse
engineering. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form by any
means without prior written authorization of Clear-Com, an HME Company.
Clear-Com Offices are located in California, USA; Cambridge, UK; Dubai,
UAE; Montreal, Canada; and Beijing, China. Specific addresses and contact
information can be found on Clear-Com’s corporate website:
www.clearcom.com
Clear-Com Contacts
Americas and Asia-Pacific Headquarters
California, United States
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Europe, Middle East, and Africa Headquarters
Cambridge, United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
China Office
Beijing Representative Office
Beijing, P.R.China
Tel: [phone]

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Table of Contents
Document Reference ...............................................................................2
1What is FreeSpeak II Base? .................................................. 6
1.1 2-wire, 4-wire and wireless intercom...........................................6
1.2 Flexible configuration ................................................................7
1.3 Live set-up and control..............................................................7
1.4 System capacity .......................................................................8
2Using the Base Station.......................................................... 9
2.1 About the Base Station..............................................................9
2.2 Base Station front panel ............................................................9
2.3 What is a Keyset? ...................................................................10
2.4FreeSpeak II Base rear connectors............................................12
2.5 Base Station rear connector pinouts ..........................................13
2.6 FreeSpeak II Base Station menu 'at-a-glance' guide....................15
2.7 Networking/IP issues...............................................................17
2.8 Base Station menu overview ....................................................19
3Installing the antennas....................................................... 21
3.1 Introduction ...........................................................................21
3.2 Site survey.............................................................................24
3.3 Standalone site survey ............................................................25
3.4 Using an antenna with a Fiber connection ..................................27
3.5 Interpreting the Site Survey screen ...........................................28
3.6 How to put a beltpack into Site Survey mode..............................29
3.7 Cable compensation ................................................................30
4Using the antennas ............................................................. 33
4.1 Introduction ...........................................................................33
4.2 Antenna connectors.................................................................34
4.3 FreeSpeak II Base 1.9 GHz/2.4 GHz..........................................35

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4.4 Radio frequency (RF) issues .....................................................35
5Using the FreeSpeak II Splitter (FSII-SPL)......................... 37
5.1 Introduction ...........................................................................37
5.2 Splitter front panel..................................................................39
5.3 Splitter rear connectors ...........................................................40
5.4 Splitter software version..........................................................40
6Using Beltpacks .................................................................. 42
6.1 Registering Beltpacks ..............................................................42
6.2 Unregistering Beltpacks ...........................................................46
6.3 Assign channels to Beltpack keys..............................................47
6.4 Beltpack default settings..........................................................52
7Beltpack features............................................................... 55
7.1 Menu key operation.................................................................55
7.2 Master volume low level limiter (beltpacks)................................57
7.3 Configurable eavesdropping .....................................................58
7.4 AA Battery Type: Alkaline/NiMh ................................................59
7.5 Using the beltpack functions.....................................................60
8Roles................................................................................... 63
8.1 About FreeSpeak II Base Roles.................................................63
8.2 Default Role settings ...............................................................63
8.3 Changing Channels on beltpacks...............................................64
8.4 Change beltpack settings .........................................................67
8.5 How to create Roles for beltpacks .............................................67
8.6 Save Settings.........................................................................69
8.7 Fixed Roles ............................................................................71
9Core Configuration Manager (CCM)..................................... 74
9.1 How to access the CCM............................................................74
9.2 CCM walkthrough....................................................................75
10 Configuring audio routes..................................................... 81
10.1 About audio routes..................................................................81

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10.2 Example audio assignment.......................................................86
10.3 Change key assignments on the Base Station.............................91
10.4 Configure a one-to-one connection............................................93
11 Connecting different systems.............................................. 94
11.1 Interconnection ......................................................................94
11.2 Connecting FreeSpeak II Base to other intercom devices .............94
11.3 Connecting 2-wire equipment...................................................94
11.4 Connecting to 4-wire equipment ...............................................95
11.5 Port function (to matrix or to panel)..........................................95
12 Upgrading devices .............................................................. 98
12.1 About upgrading devices..........................................................98
12.2 How to upgrade your devices....................................................98
13 Powering your system ...................................................... 100
13.1 Powering the FreeSpeak II™ Base...........................................100
13.2 Powering wireless beltpacks ...................................................100
13.3 Power 2-wire beltpacks from the Partyline................................100
13.4 Powering the transceiver antennas..........................................100
13.5 Powering the Antenna Splitter ................................................101
13.6 Recommended powering and cable lengths for a
FreeSpeak II Base System .....................................................101
14 Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
compliance........................................................................ 103
15 Specifications.................................................................... 105

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1What is FreeSpeak II Base?
The FreeSpeak II Base consists of wired and wireless beltpacks. Wireless
beltpacks roam freely using a cellular network of antennas (1.9 and 2.4 GHz)
1.1 2-wire, 4-wire and wireless intercom
These different devices communicate seamlessly.

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1.2 Flexible configuration
Pre-configured beltpack Roles allow both rapid set-up and flexible
configuration.
•Use simple default set-up; all beltpacks on Channel 1 and 2
•Customize the set-up to suit your needs.
•System has either 25 (FSII-BASE-II) or 5 (FSII-BASE-II-5) beltpack
Roles. FSII-BASE-II-5 offers a license to upgrade to 25 beltpacks if
required.
1.3 Live set-up and control
Use the front panels of the Base Station, or the browser-based Core
Configuration Manager (CCM).
Press Menu button on the Base Station to access controls:
Browser-based Core Configuration Manager (CCM), accessed via device IP
address.

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1.4 System capacity
•Up to 25 wireless beltpacks,10 antenna/transceivers per base
•FSII-BASE-II: 25 beltpack capacity.
•FSII-BASE-II-5: 5 beltpack capacity. To upgrade to 25 beltpacks you
need to obtain a licence from your Clear-Com dealer.
•12 Partyline Channels
•12 Group set-ups

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2Using the Base Station
2.1 About the Base Station
The FreeSpeak II Base Station routes communication to and from wireless
beltpacks. It provides a control point for audio and allows the user to
configure the system, either from the front panel menus or using the online
configuration manager.
•Press Menu button to configure from the Base.
2.2 Base Station front panel
A
USB port. Use when registering beltpacks to the Base Station.
Also use when upgrading device or saving/restoring system
settings.
B
Base headset connector (4-pin XLR female).
C
Menu button. Push to enter menu mode and control system
settings. Push again to exit menu mode, or leave to time-out.
D
Mode button. Use to view antenna performance in base menu
screens. Toggle between diagnostic view and normal keyset
view.
E
Push to toggle headset microphone on and off.

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Keyset
A Keyset is a set of controls associated with an audio
assignment. On the Base, a Keyset is made up of a viewing
screen and three controls (a rotary and two push buttons). The
viewing screen shows a Channel and any associated messages.
The rotary controls volume to that Channel, and the push
buttons control Call and Talk to the Channel. The viewing screens
are also used to display menu and mode information.
F
Stage Announce. Allows the Base operator to talk on the Stage
Announce output. Push and hold to talk. Pressing the SA button
on the Base triggers a relay which can be sent to an external
device
G
All Talk. Allows the Base operator to talk to all wired and wireless
beltpacks (2-Wire and 4-Wire). Push and hold to talk.
H
Remote Mic Kill (RMK). Allows Base operator to remotely unlatch
all beltpack talk keys, wireless and wired.
I
Status LED 1 = Antenna warning light. If green, all antennas are
online. Status LED 2 = Beltpack warning light. If green all BPs
have sufficient battery power. If either light is amber (or red),
you can press the mode button to check the issue in the
diagnostics screens.
J
Controls overall volume to the Base headset. This includes
Channels, program feed and any other available audio. Turn
rotary to adjust volume, push to turn headset sound on and off.
K
Program feed to Base headset volume and control. Turn rotary to
adjust volume, push to turn feed on and off. (Does not affect
program feed in Channels).
2.3 What is a Keyset?
A Keyset is a set of controls associated with an audio assignment. The Base
Station has 4 audio assignments (Keysets), and a beltpack has two main
audio assignments (Keysets).
2.3.1 Main Station Keysets
The Keyset on the Base Station is made up of four viewing screens, each
with an associated rotary controller, a Call key and a Talk key. These controls
display and regulate the audio routes associated with the Base. As well as

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controlling audio assignments, the viewing screens display menu options and
wireless diagnostics.
2.3.2 Beltpack Keysets
The Keyset on a beltpack has one screen and two sets of controls, to the left
and right of the screen. The main assignments are on keys A and B, and
subsidiary assignments are on C and D. Additionally, the Reply key can be
over-ridden with an audio assignment. The default set-up for a beltpack puts
Channel 1 on keys A and C, and Channel 2 on keys B and D.

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2.4 FreeSpeak II Base rear connectors
Control
Description
A
Power connector. Mains power lead with internal current
converter.
B
Power connector. DC wallwart power lead (Part # 453G032, 12V
DC, 60W). Use connector A or connector B or both to guard
against power failure.
C
Fiber connector to FS II splitter (Part # FSII-SPL). Used with Fiber
module (Part # HCI-SMFO or MMFO)
D
RJ45 connector to antenna (FSII-TCVR-19, FSII-TCVR-24) or
splitter.
E
DECT Sync. RJ45 connector to another Base Station. Can also be
used to synchronize to other Clear-Com DECT devices. In some
cases, you will need a cross-over cable instead of a standard
cable.
F
XLR Partyline connectors (standard microphone cable). Note: If
power is enabled on these ports the power operates across a pair
of ports, A and B, C and D.
Be sure to null the ports whenever cabling arrangements are
changed.
G
RJ45 connectors for 4-wire intercom. These ports can change pin
polarity according to whether they are connecting to a matrix or
another device.
H
XLR connector (standard microphone cable) for Program Feed
input, typically from a mixing console or audio player. Adjust
levels in Audio Settings/Program Input in the Base Station menus.
I
XLR connector (standard microphone cable) for Stage Announce
output.

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Control
Description
J
2 x RJ45 ports. These can be used for network connection or for
daisy-chaining devices. Note: The ports share an IP address, so
only one network connection is possible (either port can be used).
K
GPIO connector.
Note: For connection between the Base and antenna/splitter and digital audio
feeds, Clear-Com recommends shielded Cat 5/6 cable. Use of other cable
can result in shorter cable runs and other performance problems.
2.5 Base Station rear connector pinouts
2.5.1 DECT SYNC (connector E)
Pin
Sync In
Sync Out
Pin 1
DECTSYNC +
DECTSYNC +
Pin 2
DECTSYNC -
DECTSYNC -
Pin 3
8 KHZ+
8 KHZ+
Pin 6
8 KHZ-
8 KHZ-
2.5.2 Partyline (connectors F)
Pin
Description
Pin 1
Ground (shield)
Pin 2
Power
Pin 3
Audio

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2.5.3 4-wire intercom (connectors G)
GPIO (connector K)
Pin
Description
Pin 1
Relay 1 COM
Pin 2
Relay 1 NC
Pin 3
Relay 1 NO
Pin 4
Relay 2 COM

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Pin
Description
Pin 5
Relay 2 NC
Pin 6
Relay 2 NO
Pin 7
Input 1 (Ground to activate)
Pin 8
GND
Pin 9
Relay 3 COM
Pin 10
Relay 3 NC
Pin 11
Relay 3 NO
Pin 12
Relay 4 COM
Pin 13
RELAY 4 NC
Pin 14
RELAY 4 NO
Pin 15
Input 2 (Ground to activate)
2.6 FreeSpeak II Base Station menu 'at-a-glance'
guide
2.6.1 Audio Settings:
•Headset
•Program input
•Stage announce
2.6.2 Station settings:
•Program audio on Base Station Keysets (1-4)
•Display settings
•Make Base headset a Group Member (listen to group announcements)

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2.6.3 Channels
•Change Channel name (label)
2.6.4 Groups
•Change Group name (label)
2.6.5 4-wire audio
•Program audio for 4-wire (Ports 1-4)
2.6.6 2-wire audio, A and B, C and D.
•Program audio for 2-wire (Ports A and B, C and D)
2.6.7 Key Assign
•Select each beltpack (Role) and program/edit audio on keys (A, B, C,
D)
2.6.8 Beltpacks
•Change beltpack Role
•Unregister beltpacks
•Check beltpack software version
•Fix beltpack Role
2.6.9 Roles
•Create, clone and delete Roles
•Edit Role settings, e.g. change channel, alter volume, set menu
access etc.
2.6.10 Antennas
•Change antenna name (label)
•Set cable compensation if required
2.6.11 Networking
•Station id (name)
•DHCP or Static IP
•Base station IP address

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2.6.12 Administration
•Beltpacks: start over-the-air registration
•Software: View version and upgrade
•License: View license and upgrade
•Reset to factory settings and save/restore settings
•Change menu access pin code
•Set AA battery type
2.7 Networking/IP issues
2.7.1 Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
The FreeSpeak II Base is set to DHCP by default. For fast set-up, DHCP is the
best option to use as the Base Station can be immediately connected to any
network which provides DHCP. Most networks allocate IP addresses using
DHCP. The addresses provided are dynamic and will change from time to
time.
2.7.2 Static IP configuration
If your intercom installation becomes permanent, obtain a static IP address
to avoid the Base IP address from changing periodically.
When linking multiple Bases across a network or networks static IP
addressing is essential. Your network administrator should provide details.
2.7.3 Netmask or subnet
The netmask or subnet divides the network into sectors for more efficient
routing and is required when allocating a static IP address to a Base Station.
Your network administrator should provide details.
2.7.4 Gateway
This setting is optional. It is required if your system navigates across subnets
(as might be the case when accessing the CCM across networks, or linking
systems). If not explicitly stated, Gateway will revert to the device IP
address.
2.7.5 Set static IP details for Base Station
From the CCM:

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From the Base Station
Disable DHCP:
Enter static IP address

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Edit subnet and gateway details as required.
Find the IP address in the front menu screens of your device.
Note: If you are having trouble connecting to the CCM for your Base Station, one
possibility is an IP clash (two devices attempting to use the same IP
address).
2.8 Base Station menu overview
List item Description
1. Audio Settings:
•Headset
•Program input
•Stage announce
2. Station settings:
•Program audio on Base Station Keysets (1-4)
•Display settings
3. Channels
•Change Channel name (label)
4. 4-wire audio
•Program audio for 4-wire (Ports 1-4)
5/6 2-wire audio, A and B, C and D.
•Program audio for 2-wire (Ports A and B, C and D)

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6. Key Assign
•Select each beltpack (Role) and program/edit audio on keys (A, B, C,
D)
7. Beltpacks
•Change beltpack Role
•Unregister beltpacks
•Check beltpack software version
8. Roles
•Create, clone and delete Roles
9. Antennas
•Change antenna name (label)
•Set cable compensation if required
10. Networking
•Station id (name)
•DHCP or Static IP (DHCP recommended)
•Base station IP address
11. Administration
•Beltpacks: start over-the-air registration
•Software: View version and upgrade
•License: View license and upgrade