Clear-Com RS-601 User manual

RS-601
BELTPACK
INSTRUCTION MANUAL

RS-601 Instruction Manual
©2005 Vitec Group Communications
All Rights Reserved
Part Number 810287, Rev. B
Vitec Group Communicatons Inc.
4065 Hollis Street
Emeryville, CA 94608-3505
U.S.A
Clear-Com is a registered trademark of Vitec Group
Communications
The Clear-Com Logo is a registered trademark of Vitec
Group Communications
Windows is a registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

RS-601 BELTPACK 1
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
QUICK START . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
OPERATING YOUR BELTPACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
CONNECTING YOUR BELTPACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
CUSTOMIZING YOUR BELTPACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
V-Pack Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Onboard Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Settings You Can Customize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Mode Select. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Latch Disable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Talk Disable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Call-on-Talk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Electret Microphone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Call Signal Tone (in Earphone) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Electret Microphone Hi-Lo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Lockout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Restoring the Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

2 RS-601 BELTPACK
SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
MAINTENANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Warranty Repairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Non-Warranty Repairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

RS-601 BELTPACK 1
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing this product. Clear-Com designed the 600
series of beltpacks to meet the needs of all beltpack users, from
beginners to experienced professionals. For advanced users, the 600
series provides the most advanced level of functioning available.
RS-600 SERIES BELTPACKS
All RS-600 series beltpacks offer the following features:
• Rugged, compact design
• Full compatibility with all existing Clear-Com party-line systems
• Four setup configurations that you can activate directly from the
beltpack
• Extra 2.5 mm cell-phone type headset jack
• Advanced setup options with V-Pack software
RS-601 BELTPACK
The RS-601 beltpack offers the following features:
• One intercom channel
• 3-pin female and male XLR connectors for ease of setup
• 4-pin male XLR to connect a headset

2 RS-601 BELTPACK
The RS-601 offers all the performance and durability of Clear-Com’s
world-standard beltpacks, plus TW compatibility. You can use the
RS-601 on a TW line (Audio on Channel B) without loading down
Channel A.

RS-601 BELTPACK 3
QUICK START
To start using your beltpack immediately:
1. Connect the appropriate line cables (3-pin XLR) from an
active intercom line to the beltpack.
2. Turn down the beltpack’s incoming volume with the
volume-control knob.
3. Plug in a headset equipped with a dynamic microphone to
the beltpack’s main headset jack.
The headset jack is labeled on the back of the beltpack.
4. To talk on the intercom line, press and hold the talk button.
Speak into the microphone in your headset.
Note: If you tap the talk button twice in quick succession,
the talk button locks to the “on” setting (“latches”) for
hands-free use. Press the talk button again to unlatch it.
5. Adjust the sidetone and incoming volume levels as you and
others on the intercom line speak at the anticipated levels for
the application.
6. To send a call signal, press the button labeled “call.”

RS-601 BELTPACK
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R S - 6 0 1 B E L T P A C K
OPERATING YOUR BELTPACK
An RS-601 beltpack works with all previous versions of Clear-Com
party-line stations and beltpacks. It is the first single-channel
Clear-Com beltpack that is compatible with Clear-Com TW
beltpacks.
This means that you can wire several beltpacks together in a “daisy-
chain” or “home-run” configuration on a TW line that includes
RS-502/522 TW beltpacks as well as other RS-600 series TW
beltpacks. While the audio on the RS-601 will always be from pin 3 of
the XLR connector (channel B), it will still pass the channel A audio
through on Pin 2.
The RS-601 is not recommended for use with RTS-TW systems as
the frequency response curves and audio levels are different.
Clear-Com’s RS-603 series beltpacks are compatible with RTS-TW
systems.

6 RS-601 BELTPACK
CONTROLS AND ADJUSTMENTS
Figure 1: Control Panel of an RS-601 Beltpack
Talk Button
To talk on the intercom line, press and hold the beltpack’s talk button
while speaking into the microphone in your headset. While you hold
the button, your voice transmits to the intercom line. When you
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7
R S - 6 0 1 B E L T P A C K
release the button, your voice no longer transmits to the intercom
line.
To “latch” the talk button “on” for hands-free use, quickly tap the
button twice. To unlatch the talk button, press the button again.
With the V-Pack programming software you can program the talk
button to latch with a single or double tap, or not to latch at all. See
“Customizing Your Beltpack” for more information.
Talk Light
The green talk light illuminates when you press or latch the talk
button.
Some onboard programming options can change the function of this
light. For more information about onboard programming, refer to the
chapter “Customizing Your Beltpack.”
Volume-Control Knob
The volume-control knob adjusts incoming volume level (“listen
level”).
There is a limiter built into the beltpack circuitry to prevent incoming
volume from exceeding a safe level. You can suspend this limit with
the V-Pack software.
2
3

8 RS-601 BELTPACK
Call Button
When you press the call button, a call signal is sent to all other
stations on the intercom line.
The call light glows red to indicate both outgoing and incoming call
signals.
Call Light
The call light illuminates when the beltpack sends or receives a call
signal.
Some onboard and computer programming options can change the
function of this light. See the chapter “Customizing Your Beltpack”
for more information.
Setup Information Window
When you press and hold the setup button for more than three
seconds, the setup information window lights up and displays current
beltpack programming information.
If you do not select or program a feature within five seconds, setup is
cancelled, and the setup information window dims to indicate that
the setup mode is no longer available. This feature prevents changes if
the setup button is pressed accidentally.
For more information on programming features from your beltpack,
see the chapter “Customizing Your Beltpack.”
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9
R S - 6 0 1 B E L T P A C K
Power Status Light
An illuminated power status light indicates that the beltpack is
connected to a powered intercom line.
Note: The light may illuminate even if the beltpack is receiving less
than the minimum 12 VDC required for beltpack operation.
Figure 2: Side Controls for RS-601 Beltpack
Setup Button
When you press and hold the blue setup button for approximately
three seconds, the beltpack enters “setup mode” during which you can
select certain operating features for the beltpack.
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1 0 RS-601 BELTPACK
Once setup mode is active, if you do not select or program a feature
within five seconds, the setup mode deactivates, and the beltpack goes
back to its normal state.
See the chapter “Customizing Your Beltpack” for information on
programming your beltpack with this feature.
Computer Connector
You can program your beltpack from a computer using the V-Pack™
programming software. To use this software you must first physically
connect the beltpack to a computer with Clear-Com’s VPC-1 cable or
its equivalent.
The VPC-1 cable has a tip-ring-sleeve 3.5 mm plug at one end for
connecting to the beltpack, and a DB-9F plug at the other end for
connecting to a computer’s serial port.
To connect the VPC-1 cable from your beltpack to a computer:
1. Plug the 3.5 mm plug at one end of the cable into the beltpack’s
3.5 mm jack located just under the setup button.
2. Plug the DB-9F plug on the other end of the cable into the
DB-9M serial port socket on a computer.
If your computer only has USB connectors, you must purchase a
USB-to-serial adaptor.
Contact your dealer or the Clear-Com factory for information about
obtaining the beltpack programming kit, which contains the V-Pack
software, VPC-1 cable, and V-Pack manual. You can also find a PDF
of the V-Pack manual at www.clearcom.com.
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R S - 6 0 1 B E L T P A C K
Figure 3: Pinouts of RS-601 Computer Connector
Figure 4: Back of RS-601Beltpack
PIN FUNCTION
Tip SDO to computer
Ring SDI from computer
Sleeve Common
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1 2 RS-601 BELTPACK
Sidetone Adjustment
To adjust the beltpack’s “sidetone,” or the level of one’s own voice in
the headset, insert a small flat-headed screwdriver into the hole labeled
“sidetone” on the back of the beltpack, as shown in Figure 3. Turn the
screwdriver until you can no longer hear any sidetone in the headset.
This is called the “null” setting.
When you turn the screwdriver again, either clockwise or
counterclockwise, the sidetone increases. Adjust the sidetone so that it
is somewhere in the mid-range of possible settings, at a level that feels
comfortable to you.
The inability to null or set the sidetone level could indicate a problem
with the overall intercom system, such as lack of terminations or
multiple terminations. A malfunctioning headset could also be the
cause.
NOTE: Do not force the sidetone adjustment control past its stop
points as this will damage it.
10

13
R S - 6 0 1 B E L T P A C K
CONNECTING YOUR BELTPACK
An RS-601 beltpack works with all previous versions of Clear-Com
party-line stations and beltpacks. It is the first single-channel Clear-
Com beltpack that is compatible with Clear-Com TW beltpacks.
This means that you can wire several beltpacks together in a “daisy-
chain” or “home-run” configuration on a TW line that includes RS-
502/522 TW beltpacks as well as other RS-600 series TW beltpacks.
While the audio on the RS-601 will always be from pin 3 of the XLR
connector (channel B), it will still pass the channel A audio through
on Pin 2.
Figure 1: Control Panel of an RS-601 Beltpack
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1 4 RS-601 BELTPACK
The RS-601 is not recommended for use with RTS-TW systems as
the frequency response curves and audio levels are different. Clear-
Com’s RS-603 series beltpacks are compatible with RTS-TW systems.
Intercom Connector
The beltpack connects to a main station, power supply, or to other
beltpacks through the connector labeled “intercom.” When you press
the blue button next to this connector, the attached cable releases.
Table 1: Pinouts for RS-601 Intercom and Loop-Through Connectors
Loop-Through Connector
The “loop-through” socket can be used to connect the beltpack to
another beltpack. It can also connect to an intercom station if
necessary.
Table 1 shows the pin assignments for this connector.
PIN FUNCTION
1Ground
2+30VDC
3Intercom
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R S - 6 0 1 B E L T P A C K
Auxiliary (“AUX”) Headphone
Clear-Com designed the auxiliary headset connector, labeled “AUX,”
for use with the CC-25 Ultra-Light headset. The beltpack’s circuitry is
designed to work with the CC-25 headset to produce excellent quality
sound.
While certain types of mobile-phone style headsets will fit the 2.5 mm
AUX jack, using these headsets may degrade system performance. You
can use such mobile-phone style headsets more reliably with
listen-only applications.
By default, the AUX connector provides bias voltage for electret
microphones. With V-Pack, you can also program this connector for
use with dynamic microphones.
Note: Using multiple mobile-phone style headsets in a system could
adversely affect nulling, crosstalk, and overall system performance.
Table 2: Pinouts for RS-601 Auxiliary Headset Connector
PIN FUNCTION
Tip Mic
Ring Earphone
Sleeve Common
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1 6 RS-601 BELTPACK
Headset Connector
You connect a headset to the beltpack at the 4-pin male XLR
connector labeled “headset.” The headset connector is always active
and has priority if a second headset is connected to the auxiliary
(“AUX”) connector. Generally you should connect only one headset at
a time to a beltpack.
With the onboard programming options or with V-Pack, you can
program the beltpack to provide power to an electret microphone.
The microphone’s gain automatically adjusts to the electret
microphone. See “Specifications” for impedance requirements.
Table 3: Pinouts for RS-601 Headset Connector
PIN FUNCTION
1Mic(Low)
2Mic(High)
3Headphone(Low)
4 Headphone (High)
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