Clear-Com HelixNet Partyline User manual

User Guide
HelixNet Digital Partyline
User Guide
Part Number: 399G229 Rev B
Date: July 17, 2020

HelixNet | User Guide
Document reference
HelixNet Digital Partyline User Guide
Part Number: 399G299 Rev B
Legal disclaimers
Copyright © 2020 HME Clear-Com Ltd
All rights reserved
Clear-Com and the Clear-Com logo are trademarks or 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
1 Introduction 8
1.1 Simple installation 8
1.2 System scalability 8
1.3 Important Safety instructions 8
1.4 Methods of connection: system overview 10
1.5 System Resource 14
1.6 Further Information 15
2 Panels and Interfaces 16
2.1 Main Station/Remote Station: Front panel 16
2.2 Main Station/Remote Channel Keyset and Display 20
2.3 HMS-4X Main Station: Rear Panel 24
2.4 Remote Station rear panel 30
2.5 Speaker Station 33
2.6 HBP-2X Beltpack 40
2.7 HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack 45
3 Installing HelixNet Partyline 54
3.1 Planning your HelixNet Partyline installation 54
3.2 Installing the Main Station/Remote Station 59
3.3 Installing the Speaker Station 59
3.4 Installing the HBP-2X Beltpacks 62
3.5 Installing the HXII-BP-X4 Beltpacks 62
3.6 HelixNet Infrastructure 64
3.7 Converting Analogue Partylines to HelixNet 66
4 IP Network Structure 67
4.1 Multiple Groups in the Same IP Network 67
4.2 Link Local Environments 68
5 Configuring and managing the Main Station from front menus 71
5.1 Using the Menus 71
5.2 Configuring the Audio settings 72
5.3 Selecting Station Settings 77
5.5 Configuring the Control I/O 82
5.6 Configuring Module Settings 85
5.7 Administration 97
5.8 Diagnostics 101
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6 Configuring and Managing the Remote Station from Front Menus 104
6.1 Configuring the audio settings 104
6.2 Selecting Station Settings 108
6.3 Configuring the Channel settings 109
6.4 Configuring the Control I/O 109
6.5 Connecting the Remote Station to a Main Station using LAN 111
6.6 Networking 111
6.7 Administration 112
6.8 Diagnostics 114
6.9 Setting up a Key Expansion Group 116
7 Configuring and managing the Speaker Station from front menus 117
7.1 Using the Menus 117
7.2 Configuring the Audio settings 118
7.3 Station Settings 118
7.4 Connecting the Speaker Station to a Main Station 119
7.5 Networking 119
7.6 Administration 119
7.7 Diagnostics 120
8 Configuring and managing the beltpacks from front menus 121
8.1 Using the Menus 121
8.2 Configuring the Role Settings 122
8.3 Configuring the Audio Settings 122
8.4 Audio Settings for the Microphone 124
8.5 Configuring the beltpack Settings 124
8.6 Configuring the Display Settings 126
8.7 Network - Powerline 128
8.8 Network - Ethernet 128
8.9 Administration 129
8.10 Diagnostics 129
9 Using the Main Station/Remote Station 131
9.1 Using the Gooseneck Mic, Loudspeaker and Headset 131
9.2 Entering and Exiting Menu Mode 133
9.3 Using the Channel Keysets 133
9.4 Using the All Talk Key 134
9.5 Using the SA [Stage Announce] key 134
9.6 Using the RMK [Remote Mic Kill] Key 135
9.7 Line 1 and 2 LEDs 137
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9.8 Line and LAN LEDs 137
10 Using the Speaker Station 138
10.1 Using the gooseneck mic, loudspeaker and headset 138
10.2 Entering and exiting Menu Mode 140
10.3 Using the Channel Keysets 140
11 Using the HBP-2X Beltpack 142
11.1 Using the Beltpack Keysets 142
11.2 Entering and Exiting Menu Mode 143
11.3 Adjusting the Program Feed Volume Level 143
12 Using the HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack 144
12.1 Using the Beltpack Keysets 144
12.2 Entering and Exiting Menu Mode 145
12.3 Adjusting the Program Feed Volume Level 145
12.4 Binaural Audio 145
13 Roles 146
13.1 Roles overview 146
13.2 Example Roles Set Up 147
13.3 Device Default Roles 149
13.4 To Select a Role for a Device 150
13.5 Creating and Editing Roles in the CCM 150
13.6 Roles (System Limits) 152
14 Core Configuration Manager (CCM) 153
14.1 Access the CCM 154
14.2 Minimum Requirements for the CCM 155
14.3 Overview Page 155
14.4 Device Page 156
14.5 General Page 157
14.6 Save/Restore System Settings 159
14.7 Linking Page 160
14.8 Network Page 161
14.9 Ports Page 162
14.10 Roles Page 165
14.11 Assignments Page 166
15 Using the CCM to configure Roles 170
15.1 Editing Main Station roles 170
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15.2 Editing the Keyset 170
15.3 Editing the Station 171
15.4 Editing the Headset 172
15.5 Editing the Microphone 173
15.6 Editing the Program Input 173
15.7 Editing the Stage Announce Output 174
15.8 Editing the Hot Mic Output 175
15.9 Editing the Loudspeaker 175
15.10 General Purpose Input (GPI) and General Purpose Output (GPO) Triggers 176
15.11 Editing Remote Station roles 178
15.12 Editing Speaker Station roles 180
15.13 Editing the beltpack roles 182
15.14 Configure a Stacked Key on a Beltpack using the CCM 184
15.15 Call a Beltpack Using the USB Flasher Feature 185
15.16 Disable Menu Access on any Device from the CCM 186
16 Linking in the Core Configuration Manager (CCM) 188
16.1 A HelixNet Link-Group Overview 188
16.2 Device Configuration in the CCM 189
16.3 Linking Main Stations in the CCM 190
17 Linking Main Stations (Cabling and Linking from Device Menus) 193
17.1 Linking Scenarios 193
18 Pairing Remote Stations, Speaker Stations and HXII-BP-X4 Beltpacks to the
Main Station 199
18.1 Pairing Scenarios 199
18.2 Networking Specifications 204
19 Connecting to other Intercom Systems 206
19.1 Connecting LQ to HelixNet 206
19.2 LQ to HelixNet connectivity 206
19.3 Connecting HelixNet Partyline to Encore® 212
19.4 Connecting HelixNet Partyline to RTS (Telex) two-wire systems 214
19.5 Four-Wire Connection to FreeSpeak II Base II 217
19.6 Connecting HelixNet Partyline to the DX210/DX410 217
19.7 Connecting HelixNet Partyline to Eclipse® 221
19.8 Connecting HelixNet Partyline to Two-Way Radio Systems 225
20 System Specifications 228
20.1 Main Station (HMS-4X) 228
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20.2 Two-Wire Module (HLI-2W2) 231
20.3 Four-Wire Module (HLI-4W2) 233
20.4 Fiber interface module (HLI-FBS) 233
20.5 Remote Station (HRM-4X) 234
20.6 Speaker Station (HKB-2X) 239
20.7 Beltpack (HBP-2X) 242
20.8 Beltpack (HXII-BP-X4) 243
20.9 Network (Ethernet) 245
20.10 Roles (System Limits) 247
21 Glossary 248
22 HMS-4X Main Station Menu Map 250
22.1 HRS-4X Remote Station Menu Map 260
22.2 HKB-2X Speaker Station Menu Map 266
22.3 HBP-2X and HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack Menu Map 269
23 Cabling reference 273
23.1 Interoperability 273
23.2 Clear-Com EthernetCable Recommendations 274
23.3 Clear-Com Microphone Cable Recommendations (Capacitance Versus Distance) 274
23.4 Cable Connections 277
24 Troubleshooting 281
25 Compliance 284
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1 Introduction
This guide is intended to help you install, configure, and use the HelixNet Partyline™ system.
HelixNet Partyline is a digital intercom system designed to combine the simplicity and ease of use
of an analog partyline system with the quality and deployment flexibility of Ethernet networks.
1.1 Simple installation
User stations can be added to the system without configuration
lSimple and fast global web browser or front panel configuration
lAll partyline channels are available on every cable
lEasy integration with other 2-wire or 4-wire systems
lStandard Infrastructure:
lEthernet networks – PoE powered user stations
lXLR Cables – daisy changing and passively splitting
lDigital distribution for low noise floor
Note: Cabling for a HelixNet system should always be screened.
1.2 System scalability
HelixNet Partyline is easily expanded by adding additional HMS-4Xs (up to a maximum of 6) or LQ
devices (up to 3 in a Link-Group).
l12 or 24 channels per system with optional feature license
l64 Endpoints (user stations and ports) per HelixNet system
lLQ devices can be mixed in a HelixNet Link-Group for audio port expansion as well as the
optionally licensed Agent-IC mobile app and SIP/VoIP clients.
lExpansion option to enable talk and listen on more than four Channels.
lA choice of beltpacks and the option of wall/desktop Remote Stations that connect to a
system that contains a Main Station
1.3 Important Safety instructions
HelixNet digital Partyline uses cable infrastructure to transport audio and data over a range of
frequencies. The maximum frequency used for transmission is approximately 25MHz. Depending
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on the amount of audio and data transmitted, HelixNet digital Partyline can work with as much as
90dB signal attenuation. However, the receivers are very sensitive and are susceptible to
crosstalk between cables.
Therefore it is important to maintain cable shield integrity through all connectors, splitter
boxes and patch panels.
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.
Warning: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this product to rain or moisture.
1.3.1 Safety symbols
Familiarize yourself with the safety symbols in the diagram below.
These symbols are displayed on the apparatus and warn you of the potential danger of electric
shock if the system is used improperly.
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Note: For compliance purposes see Compliance.
1.4 Methods of connection: system overview
HelixNet devices can be connected in several different ways. A combination of these methods can
be used.
1.4.1 Connecting by cable (Powerline)
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In this scenario devices are connected by cable in either a daisy chain or home run fashion. Power
and data are passed down this connection in what is known as a powerline.
See Linking Remote Stations and Speaker Stations for detail on different types of device layout
(topologies).
Up to 20 beltpacks can be connected to one Main Station, and Remote and Speaker Stations can
be included in the powerline.
However, including Remote and Speaker Stations in the powerline will affect the amount of
devices that can be connected, as Main and Remote Stations draw more power than beltpacks.
You can find the URL to an online powerline/distance calculator at the beginning of Installing
HelixNet Partyline
1.4.2 Pairing by LAN
When pairing by LAN, devices are connected to the same network by Ethernet cable (RJ45) and
then paired from the device menus.
See Ethernet point-to-point link for more detail.
Note: Pairing by LAN offers better latency than connecting with cable.
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1.4.3 Connecting more than one Main Station (Linking)
Up to six Main Stations can be linked. In earlier versions of HelixNet (2.0 and below) linking Main
Stations was a way of expanding the Channel capacity of your system (4 Channels on each Main
Station). In HelixNet 3.0 and later, this is no longer necessary as each Main Station already has 12
Channels, with the option of licensing another 12 (24 Channels in total). A system, regardless of
the number of linked HMS units, will have 12 Channels by default with the potential of increasing
that number to 24 with the purchase of a license for each HMS within the Link-Group.
Linking Main Stations in HelixNet has the following benefits:
lMore beltpack connections (20 per Main Station)
lSystem distribution as far as your LAN allows.
lThe ability to configure all devices from an Internet browser using the CCM (Core
Configuration Manager).
lUsing a role-based setup.
lExpanding a Main Station from four keys to 24 key using the expansion key mode.
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Main Stations can be linked using different methods:
By Ethernet and RJ45 cable in your LAN. See Linking Main Stations (cabling and linking from
device menus).
By fiber cabling between units.
1.4.4 Key Expansion Groups (Main Stations and Remote Stations)
Devices can be set up as a key Expansion Group to allow convenient control of audio from one
device, and to increase the “key” capacity so that a user can view and control more than 4 keys (up
to 24 with 5 expansion panels).
See Setting up a key Expansion Group for detail.
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1.5 System Resource
A HelixNet system/Link Group will support up to 64 endpoints.
Endpoints consume system resources depending on the number of audio paths the endpoint
contains and may include: user stations, assigned interface ports, program audio inputs, LQ,
Agent-IC and SIP accounts.
Exceeding the system endpoint limits will cause a sluggish system response.
1.5.1 Conserving system resource
In larger systems it is recommended to balance the loading of endpoints on the HMS-4X Main
Stations in the Link Group. LQ interface ports and LQ Agent-IC, IVC and SIP accounts load the
resources of the system's Link Master.
HRM-4X Remote Stations include multiple audio interfaces which can be assigned to the system's
channels. When assigned to channels, these use resources. The Remote Station allows you to
disable the unit's program audio input as well as to configure the stage announce output for local
use. In this way you can conserve system resources in larger systems.
1.5.2 System resource meter
There is a resource meter on the main station device icon. This is found in the Overview page of
the CCM. Hover your mouse over this icon to see how many system resource units are in use.
System Resource Units (up to 70)
Color Indication Units
Green ≤ 59 Within system limits
Amber 60 - 63 Approaching limits
Red ≥ 64 Exceeding limits
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1.6 Further Information
For the latest information about HelixNet Partyline, including software updates, see:
helixnet-digital-network-partyline
For information about Clear-Com accessories, including headsets and gooseneck microphones,
see:
http://www.clearcom.com/product/headsets-accessories
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2 Panels and Interfaces
2.1 Main Station/Remote Station: Front panel
Key to Main Station/Remote Station: Front panel
Feature Description
Ear for rack mounting Main Station/Remote Station.
Headset socket (4-pin XLR–M)
Pin Function
1 Mic ground
2 Mic +
3 Earphone ground
4 Earphone
Gooseneck microphone socket (3-pin female Tuchel connector)
Mic control [MIC ON]. Press to activate mic audio.
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Key to Main Station/Remote Station: Front panel
Headset key [HSET]. Press to activate the headset mic. When the headset is
connected, the gooseneck microphone is disconnected. Audio output to the
loudspeaker is diverted to the headphones.
Menu. Press to display the Main Station menus in the display screens [ G]. Use the
rotary control for each display screen to scroll and select menu items. See Main
Station/Remote Channel keyset
Channel keyset. There is a keyset (set of controls) addressable to any of the
available Channels. See Main Station/Remote Channel keyset
Stage Announce [SA]. Press to talk to connected Public Address (PA) / Stage
Announce (SA) system, See HMS-4X Main Station: rear panel
SA mutes any active Talk key on the station, and transmits audio from either
headset or gooseneck microphone to the SA Output port on the rear of the unit. If
the SA is assigned to a Channel, then any talker within the Channel has their audio
routed to the associated SA Port.
When the SA is pressed, Mic select [MIC ON] is also lit bright red, indicating that mic
audio is active. See Using the SA [Stage Announce] key
Master Station
LEDs for lines 1 and 2 (digital Partylines). The LEDs indicate the status of the
intercom circuit powering. When an LED is lit:
lGreen, the line is functioning.
lAmber, the line is busy.
lRed, there is an error or fault on the line.
Remote Station
LEDs for line status and LAN status. The LEDs indicate the status of the intercom
circuit powering. When an LED is lit:
Green, the line is functioning.
Amber, the line is busy.
Red, there is an error or fault on the line.
If there is a fault on a powerline output, the Line STATUS indicator will turn off and
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Key to Main Station/Remote Station: Front panel
the red FAULT indicator will flash. Possible causes of a fault include overvoltage,
overcurrent, short circuit to ground or severe brown-outs.
Loudspeaker. When a headset is connected [ B] and selected [ E], loudspeaker
output is diverted to the headphones.
Program feed audio level rotary control [Program].
lTo increase the volume of the program feed to the loudspeaker /
headphones, turn clockwise (up to 360°).
lTo decrease the volume, turn anticlockwise (up to 360°). As you increase or
decrease the volume, the level control LEDs pass through a range of
indicator colors:
LED color Volume level
Green Low
Amber / Green Low / Medium
Amber Medium
Red / Amber Medium / High
Red High
lTo mute or unmute the program audio, push the rotary control.
Loudspeaker / Headphone audio level rotary control [Main]. To increase the
volume to the loudspeaker / headphones, turn clockwise (up to 360°). To decrease
the volume, turn anticlockwise (up to 360°). Push to mute or unmute.
As you increase or decrease the volume, the level control LEDs pass through a
range of indicator colors.
Main Station:
Remote Mic Kill [RMK]. Press to:
lUnlatch all latched talk keys for either all displayed Channels or all Channels
within the system (configurable within the Role)
Remote Station:
Option [OPT] – Can be configured as an RMK button, see Using the RMK [Remote
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Key to Main Station/Remote Station: Front panel
Mic Kill] key.
All Talk. Press to talk to all Channels (intercom devices and systems) connected to
the Main Station.
USB 2.0 (Micro-AB) connector
Note: This connector is not present on the Remote Station.
USB 2.0 (Standard-A) connector.
Note: The Main Station/Remote Station does not have a power switch, button or key. The
system powers up when you connect the power supply. Power up time depends on the
amount of equipment connected.
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2.2 Main Station/Remote Channel Keyset and Display
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