HME Clear-Com HelixNet Partyline User manual

User Guide
HelixNet Digital Partyline for Arcadia
User Guide
Part Number: PUB-00199 Rev A
Date: September 09, 2022

HelixNet for Arcadia | User Guide
Document reference
HelixNet® for Arcadia® User Guide
Part Number: PUB-00199A Rev A
Legal disclaimers
Copyright © 2022 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: [email protected]
Europe, Middle East, and Africa Headquarters
Cambridge, United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
China Office
Beijing Representative Office
Beijing, P.R. China
Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
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Table of contents
Table of contents 3
1 Introduction 5
1.1 Further Information 7
2 Remote Station: Front panel 8
2.1 Remote Station: rear panel 11
2.2 Remote Station: Channel Keyset and Display 14
2.3 Configuring and managing Remote Station from front panel menus 17
2.4 Using the Remote Station 37
3 HKB Speaker Station 42
3.1 Speaker Station : Front Panel 43
3.2 Speaker Station Front Panel Function Buttons 45
3.3 Speaker Station Rear Panel 46
3.4 S-Mount Rear Panel 46
3.5 Configuring and Managing Speaker Station from Front Panel Menus 49
3.6 Using the Speaker Station 52
4 HXII-BP Beltpack 56
4.1 HXII-BP Beltpack User Controls (Top View) 57
4.2 HXII-BP Beltpack Connectors and Controls (Front View) 59
4.3 HXII-BP Beltpack (Bottom View) 61
4.4 HXII-BP Beltpack (Rear) 64
4.5 Configuring and managing beltpack from front panel menus 65
4.6 Using the HXII-BP Beltpack 75
5 Specifications 78
5.1 HRM Remote Station 79
5.2 HKB Speaker Station 85
5.3 HXII-BP Beltpack 88
5.4 Network 91
6 Menu Maps 93
6.1 HRM-4X Remote Station Menu Map 94
6.2 HKB-2X Speaker Station Menu Map 102
6.3 HXII-BP Beltpack Menu Map 106
7 Cabling reference 111
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7.1 Introduction 112
7.2 Ethernet Cable Recommendations 113
7.3 Microphone Cable Recommendations 113
7.4 Cable Connections 116
8 Troubleshooting 120
9 Important Safety Instructions 122
10 Additional instructions 123
10.1 Safety symbols 123
11 Regulatory Information 124
11.1 United Kingdom (UKCA Mark) 124
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1 Introduction
HelixNet® Partyline is a digital intercom system that combines the simplicity and ease of use of
an analog partyline system with the quality and deployment flexibility of Ethernet networks.
User stations can be added to the system without configuration
lSimple and fast global web browser or front panel configuration
lAll HelixNet enabled 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.
This guide helps you install, configure, and use the HelixNet Partyline system when used with
the Arcadia® Central Station.
HelixNet wired devices (beltpacks, remote stations and speaker stations) are connected to the
Arcadia Central Station on the LAN port that is being used for Admin (default LAN 1) using Cat
5, 5e or 6 Ethernet cable (RJ45).
They are connected to the same network as the PC hosting the configuration software. To
power the beltpacks, the network switch must carry Power over Ethernet (PoE).
An example of a HelixNet system connected to an Arcadia Central Station is given below.
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HelixNet endpoints can operate using PoE. However, remote stations and speaker stations
should be powered locally with the PSU that is supplied with the device.
Note: When using an IEEE-802.3af compliant PoE switch, you must take into account the switch's
power budget. Each HXII-BP requires 4 Watts. The HRM-4X and the HKB-2X each require 13
Watts. Do not exceed the power budget of the switch when attaching devices.
Bear in mind the following:
lYou can enable up to 24 channels for HelixNet. How many channels you use is limited by
how many port licenses you have. One HelixNet enabled channel consumes one port
license.
lHelixNet connectivity in Arcadia is currently channel based only. There are no
direct/point-to-point connections available.
lThe speaker station can be used with an S-Mount bracket or inside a NEMA standard 4-
gang wall box.
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1.1 Further Information
For the latest information about HelixNet Partyline, including software updates, see the HelixNet
Knowledge Center.
For more information about the Arcadia Central Station, see The Arcadia Central Station
Knowledge Center.
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2 Remote Station: Front panel
Key to Remote Station: Front panel
Feature Description
Ear for rack mounting 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 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 menus in the display screens [ G]. Use the rotary
control for each display screen to scroll and select menu items. See Remote
Station: Channel Keyset and Display on page 14.
Channel keyset. There is a keyset (set of controls) addressable to any of the
available Channels. See Remote Station: Channel Keyset and Display on
page 14.
Stage Announce [SA]. Press to talk to connected Public Address (PA) / Stage
Announce (SA) system
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 Line and LAN LEDs on page 41.
Powerline connectivity is not available for Arcadia.
Loudspeaker. When a headset is connected [ B] and selected [ E],
loudspeaker output is diverted to the headphones.
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Key to Remote Station: Front panel
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.
All Talk. Press to talk to all Channels (intercom devices and systems) connected
to the Remote Station.
USB 2.0 (Standard-A) connector. Used for updating the Remote Station
software.
Note: The 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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2.1 Remote Station: rear panel
Key to Remote Station: rear panel
Feature Description
PSU holder for a separate external AC-DC power supply. The external PSU
provides the 48V required and at its input takes 100-240V, 50-60Hz.
Power supply. The power input connector is a low voltage DC connection. It is
48VDC at a max power of 12.95W.
Line 1 (digital Partyline). (3-pin male and female XLR connectors).
Pin Function
Pin 1 Ground
Pin 2 +30V DC and Audio
Pin 3 -30V DC and Audio
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HelixNet for Arcadia | User Guide
Key to Remote Station: rear panel
Ethernet/Power Over Ethernet (RJ45 connector)
An LED on the left-hand side of the connector illuminates when the link is
working.
An LED on the right-hand side of the connector flashes green when there is
network activity.
Pin Name Function
1 TX+ Transmit Data+
2 TX- Transmit Data-
3 RX+ Receive Data+
4 n/c Not connected
5 n/c Not connected
6 RX- Receive Data-
7 n/c Not connected
8 n/c Not connected
When connected over PoE, the Remote Station draws 15.4 Watts from the PoE
switch.
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Key to Remote Station: rear panel
Control input/output (DB9 connector)
Pin Function
Pin 1 Audio out +
Pin 2 Audio in +
Pin 3 GND
Pin 4 Relay NC
Pin 5 Relay NO
Pin 6 Audio out -
Pin 7 Audio in -
Pin 8 Opto
Pin 9 Relay pole
The audio connections in this connector are wired directly to the SA and program
connectors. Only one or the other can be used at one time.
SA [Stage Announce] line out (3-pin female XLR).
Pin Function
Pin 1 Ground
Pin 2 Positive
Pin 3 Negative
Program Input (3-pin m XLR).
Pin Function
Pin 1 Ground
Pin 2 Positive
Pin 3 Negative
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Key to Remote Station: rear panel
Hot Mic output. This connection is a 1/4-in (0.64 cm) phone jack. It provides an
output signal from the selected headset or panel microphone. The Hot Mic output
is always live. Audio from the mic is routed through the Hot Mic output even if the
mic is inactive (off).
Pin Function
Tip Mic
Ring IFB mute signal
Sleeve Ground
2.2 Remote Station: Channel Keyset and Display
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Key to Remote Station front panel: Channel keyset
Feature Description
Display screen.
There are multiple screensaver options. If the Rotary controls are touched, this
screen also displays the sound level on the Channel (controlled by the rotary)
and the system information icons. See the next table for an explanation of
system information icons.
In Menu mode, the display screens display the four levels of menu. The menu
hierarchy proceeds left to right:
lThe top level menu is presented in the first screen (furthest left on the front
panel).
lThe lowest level menu is presented in the fourth screen (furthest right on
the front panel).
If the display is in Menu mode, the display screen times out of Menu mode and
displays the Channel label if no key is pressed for 20 seconds.
For more information about Menu mode, see Using the Menus on page 17
Rotary control. Turn to increase or decrease the listen volume level for the
Channel. Also, push the control to mute or unmute audio level. In Menu mode,
use the control to scroll menu items. To select menu items, press the control.
Talk key. Press to talk on the Channel and to all nodes (intercom devices and
systems) listening into the Channel.
Call key. Press to send a call signal to all nodes (intercom devices and systems)
listening into the Channel.
Note: If the Remote Station remains inactive for 10 minutes, the display screens enter screensaver
mode, see Setting the Screensaver on page 29
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Remote Station display icons and indicators
Name Icon Description
Channel label A descriptive name for the Channel. The maximum
length is 10 characters.
Channel listen
volume level
The volume of the Channel audio.
Paired Appears on the Remote Station and Speaker Station
when it is connected properly over LAN.
Not paired Flashes on the Remote Station and Speaker Station
when the connection is not configured properly.
Signal
strength
Appears on the Remote Station, Speaker Station and
beltpack. One to five bars indicate the strength of the
signal.
Locked Locked Appears on the beltpack when you try to access the
menu while the menu has been locked.
Mute Appears on the Remote Station and Speaker Station
when the rotary control for any Channel is pressed.
Opto (GPI) Appears on the Remote Station close to the Call or Talk
button if it is associated with an Opto.
Relay
(GPO)/Logic
Output Option
Appears on the Remote Station close to the Call or Talk
button if it is associated with a Relay (Logic Output
Option).
Program PGM Appears on the Remote Station, Speaker Station and
beltpack when a program input is assigned to a Channel.
IFB IFB Appears on the Remote Station, Speaker Station and
beltpack when a program input is assigned to a Channel
and IFB is enabled.
2W/4W 2W/4W Appears on the Remote Station and Speaker Station
when a 2W/4W input is assigned to a Channel.
Limiter LIM Appears on the Remote Station, Speaker Station and
beltpack when the headset limiter is enabled.
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Remote Station display icons and indicators
Expansion Appears on the Remote Station when the device is part
of an Expansion Group.
Warning Appears on the Remote Station, Speaker Station and
beltpack when something is wrong. Warning messages
can be accessed in the Diagnostic menu.
2.3 Configuring and managing Remote Station from front panel
menus
This section describes how to configure the settings and manage the Remote Station using
Menu mode. It also shows you how to monitor and diagnose performance issues, using the
Diagnostics menus.
Tip: For a quick reference to the Remote Station menus, seeMenu Maps on page 93 .
2.3.1 Using the Menus
To place the Remote Station in Menu mode, press the Menu key to the left of the first display
screen.
In Menu mode, the display screens display the four levels of menu. The menu hierarchy
proceeds left to right:
The top level menu is presented in the first screen.
The lowest level menu is presented in the fourth screen (furthest right on the front panel).
Note: If Menu mode is locked, you must unlock the menus from CCM before you can enter
the menu.
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Configuring Settings
1. For each menu, turn the rotary control clockwise to scroll down the menu items. Turn
counter clockwise to scroll up the menu items.
Off-screen menu items are indicated by arrows at the top and/or bottom of the
screen.
Selected menu items (which create your path through the four menus) are
highlighted in solid yellow.
The fourth menu displays the settings that relate to your previous menu choices
(system features or functionality).
The current setting is indicated by a dotted box around the menu item
2. When you have selected a setting by rotating the right hand rotary control, push that rotary
control to enable the setting on the Station.
Exiting Menu Mode
To exit menu mode press the menu key.
Note: If no key is pressed for 20 seconds, the menu will time out and display screens will
revert to their normal mode of operation.
2.3.2 Configuring the Audio settings
Audio settings for the headset
To configure the audio settings for the headset:
1. In Menu mode, select Audio Settings and then Headset.
2. To adjust the level of sidetone on the headset:
In the third menu, select Sidetone Gain.
a. In the fourth menu, select one of the following:
n0dB
n- 6dB
n- 12dB (default)
n- 18dB
b. To enable (confirm) the selected setting, press the rotary control.
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3. To limit the audio level delivered to the headphones (or to disable headphone limiting):
a. In the third menu, select Headphone Limit.
b. In the fourth menu, select one of the following:
nOff
n+6dB
n0dB (default)
n- 6dB
c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.
Note: When Headphone Limit is set to anything but Off, a LIM indication will be
shown on the leftmost display.
4. To set the Headphone Gain:
a. In the third menu, select Headphone Gain.
b. In the fourth menu, select one of the following:
nOdB (default)
n+3dB
n+6dB
n+9dB
n+12dB
c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.
5. To set (or disable) sidetone tracking on the headset:
a. In the third menu, select Sidetone Control.
b. In the fourth menu, select one of the following:
nTracking - The sidetone volume will follow (track) the Main volume level.
nNon-Tracking - The sidetone volume is set to use the selected level.
nDisabled - Sidetone is disabled.
Note: The default is Tracking.
c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.
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6. To select the type of microphone on the headset:
a. In the third menu, select HS Mic Type.
Note: HS = Headset.
b. In the fourth menu, select either of the following types of microphone:
lElectret (-15dB)
lDynamic (0dB) (default)
lDynamic (low)
c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.
Audio Settings for the Microphone
To configure the audio settings for the microphone:
1. In Menu mode, select Audio Settings and then Microphone.
2. To select the Headroom:
a. From the third menu, select Headroom.
b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:
nNormal (default)
nHigh - Reduces the analog input gain and increases the digital gain accordingly. That
reduces digital clipping at the A/D converter but increases the noise floor. This setting
is intended for use in environments with very high background noise.
3. To enable or disable the Contour Filter:
a. From the third menu, select Contour Filter
b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:
nEnabled - The Contour filter is a Clear-Com algorithm enhancing speech
intelligibility, especially when whispering or talking at a low volume.
nDisabled
Note: The default is Disabled.
Audio Settings for the Program Input
To configure the label (name) for the Program Input (Program Feed) gain:
1. In Menu mode, select Audio Settings and then Program Input.
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