Clear-Com FreeSpeak II User manual

FreeSpeak II™ User Guide
(Base station version)
PN: 399G087 Rev B 08/11/14

Document Reference
Clear-Com FreeSpeak II User Guide
Part Number: 399G087 Revision: B
Legal Disclaimers
Copyright © 2014 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: Custo[email protected]
Europe, Middle East, and Africa Headquarters
Cambridge, United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Canada Office
Quebec , Canada
Tel: [phone]
China Office
Beijing Representative Office
Beijing, P.R.China
Tel: [phone]
2 FreeSpeak II User Guide

Contents
Document Reference.........................................................................................................2
1Important Safety instructions.....................................................................10
1.1 Safety symbols..............................................................................................11
2Introduction to FreeSpeak II™ ...................................................................12
2.1 An FS II communication system....................................................................13
2.1.1 FreeSpeak II system capacity ..............................................................................14
3Installing a system......................................................................................15
3.1 Placing the Base station................................................................................15
3.2 Placing the antennas and splitters.................................................................15
3.2.1 Wiring the antennas and splitters.........................................................................16
3.2.2 Power supplies to the components of an FS II System........................................16
3.2.3 Determining coverage areas ................................................................................18
3.3 Doing a site survey to determine coverage areas..........................................19
3.3.1 Doing a site survey with a beltpack......................................................................19
3.3.2 Testing antenna handoff.......................................................................................21
3.3.3 Getting information on active antenna status.......................................................21
3.3.4 Assigning beltpacks to coverage areas................................................................22
3.3.5 Conditions affecting coverage areas....................................................................22
3.4 Registering beltpacks....................................................................................22
3.4.1 Over the air (OTA) registration of a beltpack from the Base station ....................23
4Connecting the Base station......................................................................26
4.1 Understanding the Back-Panel Connectors...................................................27
4.2 Connecting to partyline intercom systems.....................................................30
4.2.1 Clear-Com and compatible partyline....................................................................30
4.2.2 Connecting directly to Clear-Com partyline beltpacks .........................................31
4.2.3 Connecting to an RTS™ wired beltpack ..............................................................32
4.2.4 Front-panel adjustments for partyline connections...............................................32
4.2.5 Troubleshooting partyline connections.................................................................32
4.3 Wireless partyline..........................................................................................34
4.4 Connecting to 4-Wire and digital matrix intercom ..........................................35
4.4.2 Connecting to Clear-Com matrix plus ..................................................................36
4.4.3 Connecting to Clear-Com Eclipse digital matrix...................................................37
4.4.4 Connecting with other digital matrix intercom systems ........................................37
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4.4.5 Connecting with other 4-wire devices...................................................................38
4.5 Connecting to a program audio source..........................................................38
4.6 IFB configuration...........................................................................................38
4.7 Connecting to the stage announce output.....................................................39
4.8 Connecting to a PC.......................................................................................40
4.8.1 Connecting using the serial port...........................................................................40
4.8.2 Connecting using the LAN port.............................................................................41
4.9 Connecting to transceiver/antennas..............................................................42
4.9.1 Connecting one transceiver/antenna directly to a transceiver port......................42
4.9.2 Connecting transceiver/antennas with a splitter (PD2203) ..................................42
4.9.3 Powering an antenna or antenna splitter..............................................................43
5Operating the Base station.........................................................................44
5.1 Introduction...................................................................................................44
5.2 Understanding Front-Panel Operation...........................................................45
5.2.1 Call Channel A......................................................................................................45
5.2.2 Call Channel B......................................................................................................45
6Programming a system from the Base station..........................................48
6.1 Introduction...................................................................................................49
6.2 Using the Base station’s programming menus ..............................................49
6.3 Saving changes.............................................................................................50
6.4 Changing beltpack labels..............................................................................50
6.4.1 To change a beltpack label...................................................................................50
6.5 Setting and changing port labels...................................................................52
6.5.1 To create a port label............................................................................................52
6.6 Setting and changing group labels ................................................................53
6.6.1 To create a group label.........................................................................................53
6.7 Adding group members.................................................................................55
6.7.1 To assign members to a group.............................................................................55
6.8 Beltpacks ......................................................................................................56
6.9 Assigning audio routes to a beltpack.............................................................56
6.10 Setting the beltpack audio level.....................................................................58
6.11 Setting beltpack latching ...............................................................................59
6.12 Over the Air (OTA) beltpack registration from the Base station .....................59
6.13 Setting input and output port levels ...............................................................60
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6.13.1 Input level .............................................................................................................60
6.13.2 Output level...........................................................................................................60
6.13.3 To set the audio level for a port............................................................................60
6.14 Setting port call destination ...........................................................................61
6.15 Configuring a wired partyline.........................................................................63
6.15.1 To select the type of partyline system for a partyline port....................................63
6.15.2 To configure the Noise Gate for a partyline port ..................................................65
6.15.3 To configure the levels for a partyline port ...........................................................66
6.16 Base station System Menu............................................................................68
6.17 System Info...................................................................................................68
6.18 Restoring the Defaults...................................................................................68
6.19 Antennas.......................................................................................................69
6.20 Setting the IP address...................................................................................69
6.21 Locking front-panel enable buttons................................................................70
6.22 Remote microphone kill.................................................................................70
6.22.1 Kill beltpack microphones.....................................................................................70
6.22.2 Kill partyline microphones.....................................................................................71
6.22.3 Kill all microphones...............................................................................................71
6.23 Battery indicator............................................................................................71
7Operating the wireless beltpack.................................................................72
7.1 Overview of the wireless beltpack .................................................................72
7.2 Beltpack user controls...................................................................................75
7.2.1 Top controls..........................................................................................................75
7.2.2 Beltpack display....................................................................................................76
7.2.3 Front controls........................................................................................................76
7.2.4 Beltpack bottom connectors.................................................................................77
7.2.5 Beltpack rear panel...............................................................................................78
7.3 Using the beltpack.........................................................................................79
7.3.1 Registering the beltpack.......................................................................................79
7.3.2 Charging the beltpack...........................................................................................79
7.3.3 Powering on the beltpack.....................................................................................80
7.3.4 Using the beltpack to communicate .....................................................................80
7.3.5 Entering and exiting Menu mode..........................................................................81
7.3.6 Setting and Adjusting Listen Levels .....................................................................81
7.3.7 Upgrading beltpack firmware................................................................................81
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8Programming on the beltpack....................................................................83
8.1 Introduction to programming on the beltpack.................................................83
8.2 Configuring the beltpack volume settings......................................................84
8.2.1 Configuring the beltpack channel volumes and master volume...........................84
8.2.2 Configuring the volume level of the line input.......................................................84
8.2.3 Configuring the rotary controls .............................................................................85
8.3 Configuring the beltpack headset..................................................................85
8.3.1 Setting headset autodetect...................................................................................85
8.3.2 Setting the sidetone level .....................................................................................86
8.3.3 Setting the headset limiter....................................................................................86
8.4 Configuring the beltpack microphone............................................................86
8.4.1 Setting the microphone type.................................................................................86
8.4.2 Setting the microphone echo cancellation............................................................87
8.5 Configuring the beltpack display and LEDs...................................................87
8.5.1 Setting the display and LED brightness ...............................................................87
8.5.2 Setting the display dim timeout.............................................................................88
8.5.3 Setting the display off timeout ..............................................................................88
8.6 Configuring the beltpack alarm options .........................................................88
8.6.1 Setting the low battery alarm................................................................................88
8.6.2 Setting the low battery alarm threshold................................................................89
8.6.3 Setting the out of range alarm..............................................................................89
8.6.4 Setting the call alert..............................................................................................90
8.7 Selecting the beltpack role default set...........................................................90
8.8 Selecting the beltpack administration............................................................90
8.8.1 Enabling OTA registration mode ..........................................................................91
8.8.2 Setting full menu access.......................................................................................91
8.8.3 Setting system sync mode....................................................................................92
8.9 Setting the listen again option .......................................................................92
8.10 Accessing beltpack information.....................................................................92
8.11 Setting display mode.....................................................................................93
8.12 Setting system connect.................................................................................93
8.13 Enabling over the air (OTA) registration mode from a beltpack .....................93
8.14 Performing a site survey................................................................................94
9Operating the transceiver/antenna ............................................................95
9.1 Transceiver/antenna .....................................................................................95
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9.1.1 IP rating (International Protection Marking)..........................................................95
9.1.2 FS II transceiver/antenna connector panel...........................................................96
9.1.3 Cabling the antennas............................................................................................97
9.1.4 Beltpack support capacities for transceiver/antennas..........................................97
9.1.5 Coverage areas under various conditions............................................................97
9.1.6 Transceiver/antenna setup rules and tips ............................................................98
9.1.7 Upgrading the antenna/transceiver firmware .......................................................98
9.2 Transceiver/antenna splitter (PD2203)..........................................................99
9.2.1 PD2203 Front connector panel.............................................................................99
9.2.2 PD2203 rear panel .............................................................................................100
9.2.3 Connecting an antenna splitter to the FS II Base station and to
transceiver/antennas ..........................................................................................101
10 FS II Configuration Editor.........................................................................102
10.1 Loading configurations................................................................................103
10.1.1 Loading a local configuration file........................................................................103
10.1.2 Loading a configuration file from a Base station using a serial link....................103
10.1.3 Loading a configuration from a Base station using Ethernet..............................105
10.1.4 Loading a configuration file to the Base station from the Configuration
Editor ..................................................................................................................106
10.2 Configuration Editor Screen basics .............................................................107
10.3 Registering beltpacks using the over the air (OTA) facility...........................108
10.4 Configuring beltpacks..................................................................................110
10.4.1 Selecting the beltpack to register or edit............................................................111
10.4.2 Registering beltpacks using the micro USB cable..............................................111
10.4.3 Viewing beltpack registration information...........................................................112
10.4.4 Viewing beltpack properties................................................................................112
10.4.5 Beltpack audio levels..........................................................................................114
10.4.6 Beltpack alarm options .......................................................................................115
10.4.7 Setting the beltpack role options ........................................................................116
10.4.8 Assigning beltpack keys.....................................................................................117
10.4.9 Configuring the Reply key ..................................................................................118
10.4.10 Key assignment types ........................................................................................119
10.5 Configuring ports.........................................................................................120
10.5.1 Selecting the port to edit.....................................................................................120
10.5.2 Changing the label of the port ............................................................................120
10.5.3 Selecting the port type........................................................................................121
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10.5.4 Selecting a communication path for the port......................................................121
10.5.5 Setting the input, output and VOX levels............................................................123
10.6 Configuring groups and wireless partylines.................................................123
10.6.1 Selecting the group to edit..................................................................................124
10.6.2 Changing the label of the group .........................................................................124
10.6.3 Changing the members of the group..................................................................124
10.6.4 Displaying a group overview...............................................................................125
10.7 Reducing antenna interference ...................................................................125
10.8 Configuring IFBs .........................................................................................126
10.8.1 Selecting the IFB to edit .....................................................................................127
10.8.2 Changing the label of the IFB.............................................................................127
10.8.3 Changing the IFB sources..................................................................................127
10.8.4 Setting the IFB dim level.....................................................................................127
10.9 Configuring Base station system parameters..............................................128
10.9.1 Editing the system parameters:..........................................................................128
10.9.2 Enabling Over The Air (OTA) registration ..........................................................128
10.10 Diagnostics .................................................................................................128
10.10.1 Beltpack status ...................................................................................................129
10.10.2 Static log.............................................................................................................131
10.10.3 Antenna status....................................................................................................131
10.10.4 Antenna roles......................................................................................................132
10.10.5 Event Log............................................................................................................133
10.11 Upgrading the Configuration Editor .............................................................134
11 Specifications............................................................................................135
11.1 FreeSpeak II Base station...........................................................................135
11.2 FreeSpeak II Beltpack.................................................................................136
11.3 FreeSpeak II Transceiver/Antenna..............................................................136
11.4 FreeSpeak II Transceiver/Antenna Splitter..................................................137
11.5 Transmission Method..................................................................................137
12 Upgrading the Base station from FS to FS II...........................................139
12.1 Setting the Base station IP address.............................................................139
12.2 Upgrading the Base station firmware...........................................................139
12.3 Upgrading the Base station FPGA...............................................................139
12.4 Loading the default map..............................................................................140
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13 Compliance................................................................................................141
9 FreeSpeak II User Guide

1 Important Safety instructions
•Read these instructions.
•Keep these instructions.
•Heed all warnings.
•Follow all instructions.
•Do not use this apparatus near water.
•Clean only with dry cloth.
•Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions.
•Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or
other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
•Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized
plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong is
provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an
electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
•Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs,
convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
•Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
•Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer,
or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the
cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
•Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of
time.
•Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the
apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-cord supply or plug is
damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the
apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has
been dropped.
•Use only chargers provided by HME/Clear-Com to charge the battery packs or
beltpacks. These include:
BAT60 Battery pack and beltpack charger manufactured by HME/Clear-
Com
USB Charger model PA1015-050SIB200/PA1015-1SI/ PA1015-
1SI050200 provided by HME/Clear-Com with your beltpack.
•This product uses Lithium Ion Batteries which can be a fire hazard, if used
improperly. Use only HME/Clear-Com supplied BAT60 or equivalent battery packs to
ensure safe operation of the beltpack.
10 FreeSpeak II User Guide

•When using AA Batteries follow all safety instructions from manufacturer. Do not mix
different battery chemistries. When depleted, replace all batteries.
•The in-beltpack USB charging feature has only been tested utilizing USB2.0 port.
Warning: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this product to rain or
moisture.
1.1 Safety symbols
Familiarize yourself with the safety symbols in Figure 1: Safety symbols. These symbols are
displayed on the apparatus and warn you of the potential danger of electric shock if the
system is used improperly.
Figure 1-1: Safety symbols
Note: For compliance notices, see 12 Compliance.
11 FreeSpeak II User Guide

2 Introduction to FreeSpeak II™
This chapter provides an overview of the FreeSpeak II digital wireless beltpack system.
With a FreeSpeak II (FS II) wireless beltpack you can roam freely around a studio or
production facility while talking and listening to all, or selected, members of the production
team. With its four communication routes, the beltpack gives you the flexibility to communicate
quickly and seamlessly with individuals or groups, and to change communication routes as
often as needed.
The system operates in the unlicensed 1.90 GHz band. With its unique and innovative digital
technology, which continually searches for unused radio frequency (RF) channels, FS II
avoids the noise and interference issues associated with traditional wireless systems using
congested UHF and VHF bands.
Figure 2-1 An FS II Base station, antenna, and beltpack
With FS II you can set up a wireless system specifically tailored to local needs by locating
antennas and beltpacks in areas where they are needed most. And because the beltpacks
operate in the unlicensed 1.90 GHz frequency spectrum, there is no interference with existing
wireless systems, even those located in the same production area.
The Base station holds connections for several wired interfaces, including partylines, 4-wire
sources, a program audio source, and a stage announce output device. When connected to
the Base station, these devices communicate seamlessly with the wireless beltpacks.
Partyline beltpacks and 4-wire matrix stations and panels can key directly to wireless beltpack
by name.
Note: This manual covers the use of FS II with a Base station only. For more information on
running an FS II system with a matrix, please see FreeSpeak II™ User Guide (Eclipse
HX 7.6 Version).
You can configure FS II either from the Base station or from a PC Configuration Editor.
FreeSpeak II components can be used either with a Base station or with a matrix equipped
with E-Que cards in antenna or splitter mode. For more information, See the Eclipse HX
Configuration Software User Guide.
12 FreeSpeak II User Guide

2.1 An FS II communication system
An FS II system consists of three main elements:
•The wireless beltpacks.
•The Base station that routes communication to and from wireless beltpacks and other
audio devices, and also allows you to configure the FS II system.
•The antennas that provide custom coverage zones in which beltpacks can operate.
Beltpacks can roam freely between coverage zones.
FS II also includes a drop-in battery charger for the beltpack Li-Ion batteries. You can
conveniently charge the battery by placing the whole beltpack into the charger.
FS II operates using a cellular network of antennas located around a working environment.
The antennas connect directly to the FS II Base station with CAT-5 cable. Each antenna
provides an area or cell in which four to five full-duplex beltpacks can operate. Figure 2-2
shows an example configuration.
Beltpacks can roam among and between cells without disconnecting because each beltpack
continually signals an antenna as to the strongest available signal. When the signal from an
antenna starts to diminish due to the distance from a beltpack, the beltpack automatically
“hands off” its signal to the nearest antenna, ensuring smooth transfer.
Figure 2-2 Configurations for a studio and large-scale broadcast facility
13 FreeSpeak II User Guide

2.1.1 FreeSpeak II system capacity
Using an antenna splitter allows up to five antennas to be connected to each antenna port.
The Base station can connect to two splitters and so support up to 10 antennas. Each
antenna supports up to five beltpacks. This means that up to 50 beltpacks can be present,
giving a great deal of flexibility in placing beltpacks where they are needed most, and
providing wireless reliability. Figure 2-2 illustrates how an FS II system can be set up to
operate in a single studio or in a large-scale permanent broadcast facility.
Note: Each antenna is designed to handle five beltpacks simultaneously in good conditions.
However, if interference or propagation problems occur in an area, to ensure proper operation
and reliability, it may be more practical to install four beltpacks for each antenna.
For zones which are likely to need coverage for five or more beltpacks simultaneously you
must install a second antenna. Similarly, for good coverage for nine or more beltpacks
simultaneously, a third antenna may be required.
14 FreeSpeak II User Guide

3 Installing a system
This chapter explains how to install a FreeSpeak II system, including cable connections,
positioning the equipment, registering beltpacks and performing a site survey to optimize
system performance. It contains the following sections:
•Placing the Base station
•Placing the antennas and splitters
•Doing a site survey to determine coverage areas
•Registering beltpacks
3.1 Placing the Base station
The first stage in setup is placing the Base station in a convenient location, knowing that it is
the central routing unit of the FS II system. It should be made accessible.
At this stage you might choose to register all of the beltpacks with the Base station, or at least
register one or two for system setup and testing.
3.2 Placing the antennas and splitters
The next step is to begin placing antennas and splitters to provide the necessary coverage
areas for all of the beltpacks. The first placements of antennas and splitters will be
experimental and temporary. After placing the antennas, walk through the coverage areas to
check for gaps and then re-locate the antennas accordingly.
More information on checking coverage areas is given later in this chapter, in sections:
•3.2.3 Determining coverage areas
•3.3 Doing a site survey to determine coverage areas
Consider the following:
•What areas will have more than five active beltpack users in them at any time? Co-
locate a second antenna there.
•Is there a central place to locate an antenna so that it will provide omnidirectional (all
directions / circular) coverage?
•Are there balcony areas, corridors, or other rooms or areas that will require coverage
with antennas?
For systems with only one or two transceiver/antennas, the cable runs will go directly from the
two transceiver ports on the Base station. If you need more than two transceiver/antennas you
will need to decide where the splitters that feed these will be located.
The Base station supports two splitters.
If you need more than one antenna splitter, the second splitter must be connected directly to
the Base station. Splitters cannot be connected in a daisy chain configuration. Each splitter
supports up to 5 antenna/transceivers which in turn support up to 5 beltpacks.
15 FreeSpeak II User Guide

For antenna coverage options, see 3.2.3 Determining coverage areas in this chapter.
3.2.1 Wiring the antennas and splitters
To wire antennas and splitters:
1) Run 4-pair shielded Ethernet cable from the Base station to the antenna or splitter,
and determine that the antenna or splitter is showing both power (green) and signal
(amber) LEDs alight when the Base station is on.
Note: To meet FCC emissions requirements, a ferrite must be fitted on any shielded Ethernet cable
plugged into either of the two ports labeled “transceivers.” The ferrite should be fitted at the
Base station end of the CAT-5 cable. Position the ferrite as close to the Base station as
possible. The manufacturer of the ferrite is Wurth Elektronix (part number is 742 711 32).
2) Run 4-pair shielded Ethernet cable from the splitter to each of the
transceiver/antennas.
3) Make sure that the local power supplies are plugged into the antennas.
If the green power LED and the amber data LED light up, then the transceiver/antenna has
sufficient power from the cable. If the amber data LED flashes, a data link is established, and
if the LED is solid, DECT synchronization is established and the system is ready to use. If
there are several longer runs and you are attempting to power the transceiver/antennas from
the Base station / splitter connection, check each one again when they are all connected. The
local powering for the transceiver/antenna is recommended in most cases to provide the most
reliable long-term FS II installation.
During the initial system setup, before walking through the system with a beltpack to check for
gaps in coverage, it is wise to avoid “permanently” installing the transceiver/antennas. Hold
them in place in some temporary way until their optimal position is determined.
Note: 4-pair shielded Ethernet cable (CAT-5/5e/6) with RJ-45 connectors on each end is specified
for connection between the Base station and the transceiver/antennas. Use of other cable can
result in markedly shorter distances of cable runs and other possibly other performance
problems.
3.2.2 Power supplies to the components of an FS II System
See figure 3-1 and figure 3-2 below for recommended powering and cable lengths for an FS II
system.
16 FreeSpeak II User Guide

Figure 3-1 Recommended antenna and splitter powering schemes and cable lengths, PSU at
splitter only
Figure 3-2 Recommended splitter and antenna powering schemes and cable lengths, PSU at
splitter and antenna/transceiver
17 FreeSpeak II User Guide

3.2.3 Determining coverage areas
After the transceiver/antennas and splitters have been initially set up proceed to test the
coverage areas and re-locate antennas and splitters, if necessary, for optimal coverage.
The following figure illustrates some FreeSpeak II coverage scenarios.
Figure 3-3 Coverage areas for FS II TAs
Note: Cells can be completely overlapped for density (by co-locating multiple antennas).
Cells can be overlapped at boundaries (increases radio coverage).
For most working systems Clear-Com uses a ratio of 3-4 users per antenna. This is due to
system losses.
To determine coverage areas:
1) When the Base station, splitter(s), and transceiver/antennas have been placed and
wired, turn on an FS II beltpack (assuming that it has been registered with the Base
station) and walk the coverage area.
Alternatively, use the “site survey” mode on the beltpack (see “Doing a Site Survey to
Determine Coverage Areas” below). It is often best to begin with one antenna in place, and
then place additional units to enhance coverage.
18 FreeSpeak II User Guide

2) Walk through all of the areas where beltpack users will typically be moving, and note
any areas of weak signal, dropout, or disconnection from the system. Pay special
attention to the overlap areas between antenna coverage zones, making sure
sufficient signal strength is there from each of the transceiver/antennas to make a
clean handoff between them for the beltpack.
3) Finally, when the coverage zones have been properly and effectively set up, it is time
to program the system. See Chapter 5, “Programming a System from the Base
station” for instructions.
3.3 Doing a site survey to determine coverage areas
You might want to test coverage areas more extensively before setting up a complete system.
Testing a system in the setting in which it will be located helps to meet operational needs.
Factors in the local setting may affect the areas a system can cover, so it is important to plan
a site setup accordingly.
Doing a complete site survey, as described below, helps to set up an optimal system. You can
do a site survey using a beltpack that is connected to the system or one that is not connected
to the system.
3.3.1 Doing a site survey with a beltpack
1) Place the FS II Base station in a convenient location. Link one beltpack to the Base
station.
2) Place one connected antenna in the center of the coverage area.
3) Put the beltpack into Site Survey mode using the beltpack menu. See 7 Operating
the wireless beltpack. The following figures show the information that the Site
Survey mode displays for connected and unconnected beltpacks.
Figure 3-4 An unconnected beltpack site survey screen
Figure 3-4 A connected beltpack site survey screen
Received signal
strength indication
(RSSI)
8-digit system name
and 2-digit RPN
2-digit RPN
Frame error rate Link quality
19 FreeSpeak II User Guide

Parameter
Meaning
Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) A measure of the signal strength in a wireless
environment. The higher the value, the
stronger the signal.
Frame Error Rate (FER)
A measure of the signal connection quality.
The lower the FER, the better the signal
connection.
Link Quality (LQ) A combined quality metric ranging from 1
(poor) to 5 (high).
Table 3-1 Key to site survey terms
4) Walk around the antenna with the beltpack, monitoring the beltpack signal strength
and goodness rating at various distances.
The signal strength is shown in the Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) field.
•The signal strength number will fluctuate, ranging between 0 - 59 as you walk
through the coverage area, and may even fluctuate as you stand still. As a rule-of-
thumb the best system performance will be obtained when the signal strength
remains at 30 or above. If the signal strength falls below 30 the beltpack may start
losing audio. This is the limit of the coverage zone.
•A high Received Signal strength indication and a high Error rate may indicate that
there is another RF system causing interference.
A beltpack can transmit to an antenna at a range of approximately 500m in good conditions.
5) Draw a map of the coverage zone for the antenna. The coverage zone is the area
where the signal strength, as a rule-of-thumb, is 30 or above and the Line Quality is
3-5.
6) Repeat this process for as many antennas as necessary to cover the required area.
Overlap coverage zones so that there is no area where the signal strength is below
30, and no area where the error rate is above a few percent.
7) The antenna placement will need to be adjusted to get the best coverage.
Figure 3-5 Mapping overlapping coverage zones
In some environments you might observe that despite having a high signal strength, the
beltpack consistently reports a high error rate.
Zone A
1 user
Zone C
4 users
Zone B
5 users
20 FreeSpeak II User Guide