Lectrosonics UMC200D User manual

UMC200D
UHF Diversity Antenna Multicoupler
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Rio Rancho, NM, USA
www.lectrosonics.com
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UMC200D
LECTROSONICS, INC.2

Rack Mount Multicoupler
Rio Rancho, NM 3
The UMC200D system is a high quality, multicoupler for
Lectrosonics UHF compact diversity receivers. Multi-
channel problems such as interaction of receivers,
intermodulation and desensitization, etc. have been
eliminated through innovative engineering and superior
design.
The integral RF/Power distribution module provides
convenience of operation from a common antenna
system and power supply without degrading the perfor-
mance of the receivers. In fact, the additional RF
filtering in the distribution module actually improves the
already outstanding selectivity of the receivers.
Table of Contents
General Technical Description ..............................................................................................................................................................4
RF/Power Distribution Module Block Diagram ......................................................................................................................................4
Front Panel Description ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Rear Panel Description ..........................................................................................................................................................................5
Serial/Frequency Label .........................................................................................................................................................................5
RF/Power Distribution Module ..............................................................................................................................................................5
Antenna In/RF and Distribution Output Cables .................................................................................................................................5
12 VDC In/12 VDC Receiver Power Plugs ........................................................................................................................................5
Assembly and Installation .....................................................................................................................................................................6
Installing the Receivers ........................................................................................................................................................................6
Installing the Wire Cover....................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Installing the Assembled Unit ...............................................................................................................................................................7
Troubleshooting .....................................................................................................................................................................................8
Accessories ............................................................................................................................................................................................8
Antenna Use and Placement .................................................................................................................................................................9
Available Antennas ...............................................................................................................................................................................9
Specifications .......................................................................................................................................................................................10
Service and Repair ...............................................................................................................................................................................11
Returning Units for Repair ..................................................................................................................................................................11

UMC200D
LECTROSONICS, INC.4
RF FILTERING & DISTRIBUTION
POWER SUPPLY & DISTRIBUTION
Polyfuses
RF
Amp
Splitter
&
Isolator
RF to
Receivers
12V DC
Power to
Receivers
RF
Amp
Diversity RF/Power Distribution Module
11-18 VDC
>2 Amps
A
Antenna
B
A
ntenna
Ceramic Filters
Main
Polyfuse
Splitter
&
Isolator
RF/Power Distribution Module
Block Diagram
General Technical Description
The Multi-Channel Wireless Systems consist of two
sub-systems; the frame which contains the receivers
and the receiver mounting hardware, and the RF/power
distribution module.
The RF/power distribution module is the heart of the
Multi-Channel Wireless System. Selective filtering in
the front end of the RF section attenuates out-of-band
RF signals preventing intermodulation and front end
overload. Following the filters is a low noise, low gain
RF amplifier designed to evenly compensate for splitter
losses in the stage that follows.
A precision splitter/isolator divides the RF signal into
four isolated signals preventing spurious RF coupling
between receivers. The splitter/isolator is termination
independent which prevents mismatched or discon-
nected RF outputs from affecting the other receivers.
Power is supplied to the RF/power distribution module
from an external DC power supply module. This keeps
AC hum problems to a minimum. All power circuits are
protected by internal auto-reset fuses in the RF/power
distribution module. Should the power to one receiver
fail, the others will continue to operate.

Rack Mount Multicoupler
Rio Rancho, NM 5
ANTENNA IN
12VDC IN
SERIAL/FREQUENCY
LABEL
The front panel contains only one control - the Power
switch.
Antenna Cables
12VDC Receiver Power
Plugs
U-Channel Wire Cover
Front Panel Description
Many different receivers can be mounted within the
frame. Please refer to the separate receiver manual for a
description of the controls and features of each individual
receiver.
Serial/Frequency Label
This label indicates the serial number of the distribution
module. It also indicates the RF pass-band of the unit.
WARNING: The receivers installed in the unit must
fall between the frequencies indicated on the label.
Serious signal loss results if the receivers are
outside the RF pass-band.
RF/Power Distribution Module
Antenna In/RF and Distribution Output Cables
These are standard 50 Ohm, BNC-F connectors.
(Diversity units use both the “A” and a “B” antenna
jacks.) Antennas connected to these jack will have their
Rear Panel Description
signal filtered, amplified and distributed to each receiver
via coaxial cables terminated with standard BNC-F
connectors. Two groups of four each cables are pro-
vided (A for distributing Antenna A’s output and B for
distributing Antenna B’s output).
12 VDC In/12 VDC Receiver Power Plugs
DC power input jack. Any positive DC supply from 11 to
18 VDC capable of at least 2 Amps may be used. The
jack accepts standard coaxial power plugs with center
pin positive. The polarity is marked on the rear of the
unit. DC power applied to this jack will be distributed to
the four coaxial 12 VDC Receiver Power Plugs, one for
each receiver.
Power Switch

UMC200D
LECTROSONICS, INC.6
Assembly of the unit consists of installing the receivers
in the frame and connecting the antenna leads and
power cables to each receiver.
Note: This is only necessary if the unit was
purchased without receivers. If the unit is
purchased with receivers, they are installed at the
factory before shipment.
Assembly and Installation
WARNING: The receivers installed in the unit
must fall between the frequencies indicated on
the SERIAL/FREQUENCY label. Serious signal
loss results if the receivers are outside the RF
pass-band.
Installing the Receivers
1. Remove the U-channel wire cover by completely
removing the four counter-sunk phillips head
screws from the top of the unit. Underneath the U-
channel wire cover is a rectangular metal bar held
down by five counter-sunk phillips head screws.
Loosen these five screws five to seven turns (it’s
not necessary to remove them completely.)
Note: Before installing the receivers, be sure to
record the serial numbers and frequencies. This
information is printed on the side panel labels
which won’t be visible after installation.
2. If your receivers have the antenna jack(s) on the
front panel, route the antenna leads through the
slots on the front of the frame before mounting the
receivers. Start with the shortest “A” lead and the
shortest “B” lead for the receiver closest to the
power supply, then the next shortest A and B leads
for the next receiver, and so forth. Each diversity
receiver must get an “A” lead and a “B” lead or the
benefits of diversity reception will be lost.
Important: Route the
“B” antenna leads
under the rectangular
metal bar and situate
them in the gap that
exists next to the
screw, as shown at
right.
3. Insert the first receiver into the slot nearest to the
power switch by sliding it under the wiring harness
and the rectangular metal bar. Be sure the front
panel of the receiver is fully inserted into the cutout
on the inside of the front panel. Install the remain-
ing receivers in the same manner.
“A” Antenna Leads
“B” Antenna Leads
Power Supply
Leads
With each receiver, route the
“B” antenna cable under the
bar and place it in the gap
next to the screw.

Rack Mount Multicoupler
Rio Rancho, NM 7
4. Secure the receivers into the frame by tightening
the five counter-sunk phillips head screws in the
rectangular metal rod. Don’t overtighten!
5. Attach one 12 VDC Receiver Power Plug to the 12V
DC IN jack on the rear of each receiver. Run the
power cords over the top of the receivers and feed
them through the gap between them.
Note: You may opt to simply run the power cords
along the back of the receivers, but you increase
the risk of having them snag something and
become unplugged.
A:
B:
C:
D:
Installing the Wire Cover
Installing the U-channel wire cover can be difficult. The
technique described next is the easiest way to accom-
plish this.
A) Dress the antenna and power cables so that the
bundle is as flat as possible. Make sure no wires
are on top of the metal bar.
B) Starting at the end opposite the power supply,
carefully place the U-channel wire cover over
the wiring bundle and press down.
C) While keeping downward pressure on the U-
channel, slide it to the left over the wire bundle.
D) As you move the U-channel across the bundle,
make sure the wires remain as flat and neatly
aligned as possible. The power cords in particu-
lar need to lie flat and not overlap each other.
E) While holding the U-channel down, insert the
four phillips head screws and tighten them
slowly while watching the wires ensuring none
are pinched.
Installing the Assembled Unit
Mount the assembled frame into the rack, connect the
antenna(s) to the Antenna input(s) and an appropriate
11-18 VDC/2 amp power supply to the 12V DC IN jack
on the rear of the RF/power distribution module.
Run the power cords over the
top, and feed them between
the receivers as shown. This
will help prevent accidental
disconnections.

UMC200D
LECTROSONICS, INC.8
Accessories
A-RG2 RF coaxial cable assembly, 2ft length,
BNC-BNC
A-RG15 RF coaxial cable assembly, 15ft length,
BNC-BNC
ALP600 Log periodic dipole array, shark fin
antenna
Symptom Possible Cause
NO POWER LEDs OR AUDIO 1) Power switch in the OFF position. Switch to ON.
POWER AND MODULATION LEDs ON, 1) No audio connection to recorder or mixer.
BUT NO AUDIO Check connections.
POWER LEDs ON, NO MODULATION LEDs 1) Transmitters not on or in mute position. Check transmitters.
2) Transmitters have dead batteries, check batteries.
POOR SIGNAL/NOISE OR DROPOUTS 1) Antenna leads not connected. Check antenna(s).
2) Main antenna(s) improperly connected. Check antenna(s).
3) Antenna “blocked” or in poor RF location. Try repositioning
the antenna(s).
4) Transmitter modulation improperly set. Check mod levels.
5) Verify receiver frequencies are within the passband of the
UMC200D.
Troubleshooting

Rack Mount Multicoupler
Rio Rancho, NM 9
DIRECT SIGNAL
INDIRECT SIGNAL
DIRECT SIGNAL
INDIRECT SIGNAL
T
RANSMITTER
PHASE
CANCELLATION
REFLECTIVE SURFACE
Multi-Coupler
Antenna Use and Placement
Try to position the antennas so that they are not within 3
or 4 feet of large metal surfaces. It is also good to
maintain a direct “line of sight” between the transmitter
and the receiver antennas. In situations where the
operating range is less than about 50 feet, the antenna
positioning is much less critical.
A wireless transmitter sends a radio signal out in all
directions. This signal will often bounce off nearby
walls, ceilings, metal surfaces, etc. and a strong reflec-
tion can arrive at the receiver antenna along with the
direct signal. If the direct and reflected signals are out
of phase with each other a cancellation will occur as the
signals mix at the antenna input. The result will be a
“drop-out.”
A drop-out usually sounds like a brief noise burst, click,
pop, or something similar. In severe cases, may result in
a complete loss of the carrier and the sound. A drop-out
situation may be either better or worse as a crowd fills
and/or leaves the room, or when the transmitter and
receiver anrtennas are moved to different locations.
Diversity receiver designs include a method of selecting
or combining two antennas to reduce or eliminate
multipath drop-outs. The antennas must be placed at
least a half wavelength apart to achieve a noticeable
reduction in drop-outs, or better yet, several feet apart.
It is generally best to use two of the same type anten-
nas on a diversity receiver, as some designs combine
both antenna signals into a single receiver with a phase
correction between them to maximize the resultant RF
signal. If one antenna signal is significantly stronger
than the other, the signal from the weaker antenna will
do little to prevent multipath drop-outs that occur at the
stronger antenna.
The diagram below depicts a classic multipath drop-out
situation. In some diversity designs, a second antenna
in a different location is selected instead of the first
antenna, following the logic that a multipath drop-out is
not likely to occur simultaneously at both antennas.
Other designs combine the two antenna signals and
control the phase of one them to make sure they always
add to each to provide a stronger signal.
Available Antennas
The UMC200B will operate with any 50 ohm antenna
with a BNC connector, provided the antenna is tuned to
the same frequency band. Two unique models are
offered by Lectrosonics to help optimize reception in
any location or installation.
The SNA600 is a versatile, collapsible dipole antenna
that provides a circular coverage pattern and a 100
MHz passband. The elements are tuned to the needed
frequency using a scale along the feed line. A mounting
stud and bracket are included with the unit.
The ALP600 is a directional antenna with 4.5 dB of gain
covering a broad bandwidth from 500 to 800 MHz. It is
constructed of FR4 fiberglas in a rugged assembly. It is
available in several models,
a standard version, one
with a built-in amplifier and
a ruggedized version for
field production in adverse
conditions.
Mounting options include
threaded rods and adapt-
ers to fit lighting equipment,
tripods, mic stands and attach-
ment to building surfaces.

UMC200D
LECTROSONICS, INC.10
This product meets the CE Compliance Standards -
EN55022 and EN50082-1:1998. A copy of the Declara-
tion of Conformity may be requested from your dealer
or by contacting the factory directly:
Lectrosonics, Inc.
Marketing Department
581 Laser Rd. NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 USA
tel: [phone] fax: [phone]
e-mail: [email protected]
Specifications
RF Gain: 0.5 to 1.5dB
Bandwidth Ceramic resonators, 50 MHz bandwidth, 470 to 865 MHz.
RF Outputs: Eight outputs, 50 Ohm, BNC
Output Isolation: 25dB min, any output to any output. Any output can be
open, shorted, or terminated without affecting other
outputs.
Splitter type: Wilkinson 1/4 wave
Filtering: Two pole ceramic filter per antenna
Noise figure 3.5dB
Third Order Intercept: +27 dBm (input or output)
Power Input: +11 to +18V DC
Power Consumption: 2 amps max
Connectors: RF: BNC
Power Output: 5.5mm OD/2mm ID coaxial power jack
Short Circuit Protection: Auto-reset thermal fuses
Construction: Machined aluminum panels, housings, and
mechanical parts.
Dimensions: 19" wide, 1.75" high, 6.5" deep
Weight: 5 lbs. including 4 receivers
Specifications subject to change without notice.

Rack Mount Multicoupler
Rio Rancho, NM 11
Service and Repair
If your system malfunctions, you should attempt to correct or isolate the trouble before concluding that the equipment
needs repair. Make sure you have followed the setup procedure and operating instructions. Check the interconnect-
ing cables and then go through the Troubleshooting section in this manual.
We strongly recommend that you do not try to repair the equipment yourself and do not have the local repair shop
attempt anything other than the simplest repair. If the repair is more complicated than a broken wire or loose connec-
tion, send the unit to the factory for repair and service. Don’t attempt to adjust any controls inside the units. Once set
at the factory, the various controls and trimmers do not drift with age or vibration and never require readjustment.
There are no adjustments inside that will make a malfunctioning unit start working.
LECTROSONICS’ Service Department is equipped and staffed to quickly repair your equipment. In-warranty repairs
are made at no charge in accordance with the terms of the warranty. Out-of-warranty repairs are charged at a modest
flat rate plus parts and shipping. Since it takes almost as much time and effort to determine what is wrong as it does
to make the repair, there is a charge for an exact quotation. We will be happy to quote approximate charges by phone
for out-of-warranty repairs.
Returning Units for Repair
For timely service, please follow the steps below:
A. DO NOT return equipment to the factory for repair without first contacting us by letter or by phone. We need to
know the nature of the problem, the model number and the serial number of the equipment. We also need a
phone number where you can be reached 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. (U.S. Mountain Standard Time).
B. After receiving your request, we will issue you a return authorization number (R.A.). This number will help speed
your repair through our receiving and repair departments. The return authorization number must be clearly shown
on the outside of the shipping container.
C. Pack the equipment carefully and ship to us, shipping costs prepaid. If necessary, we can provide you with the
proper packing materials. UPS is usually the best way to ship the units. Heavy units should be “double-boxed” for
safe transport.
D. We also strongly recommend that you insure the equipment, since we cannot be responsible for loss of or dam-
age to equipment that you ship. Of course, we insure the equipment when we ship it back to you.
Mailing address: Shipping address: Telephone:
Lectrosonics, Inc. Lectrosonics, Inc. [phone]
PO Box 15900 581 Laser Rd. [phone] Toll-free
Rio Rancho, NM 87174 Rio Rancho, NM 87124 [phone] Fax
USA USA
Web: E-mail:
www.lectrosonics.com [e-mail]

June 28, 2006
581 Laser Road NE • Rio Rancho, NM 87124 USA • www.lectrosonics.com
[phone] • [phone] • fax [phone]• [e-mail]
LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY
The equipment iswarranted for one year from date of purchase against defectsin
materialsor workmanship provided it was purchased from an authorized dealer. This
warranty doesnot cover equipment which has been abused or damaged by careless
handling or shipping. Thiswarranty doesnot apply to used or demonstrator equipment.
Should any defect develop, Lectrosonics, Inc. will, at our option, repair or replace any
defective partswithout charge for either partsor labor. If Lectrosonics, Inc. cannot
correct the defect in your equipment, it will be replaced at no charge with asimilar new
item. Lectrosonics, Inc. will pay for the cost of returning your equipment to you.
Thiswarranty appliesonly to itemsreturned to Lectrosonics, Inc. or an authorized
dealer, shipping costsprepaid, within one year from the date of purchase.
ThisLimited Warranty isgoverned by the lawsof the State of New Mexico. It statesthe
entire liablility of LectrosonicsInc. and the entire remedy of the purchaser for any
breach of warranty as outlined above. NEITHER LECTROSONICS, INC. NOR
ANYONE INVOLVED IN THE PRODUCTION OR DELIVERY OF THE EQUIPMENT
SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL,
OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGESARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE
THISEQUIPMENT EVEN IF LECTROSONICS, INC. HASBEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE LIABILITY OF
LECTROSONICS, INC. EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE OF ANY DEFECTIVE
EQUIPMENT.
Thiswarranty givesyouspecific legal rights. Youmay have additional legal rightswhich
vary from state to state.