Polsen ULWS-16 User manual

ULWS SERIES
WIRELESS MICROPHONE
SYSTEM
16-CHANNEL UHF
PRODUCT
MANUAL

2
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING POLSEN.
The Polsen ULWS user-friendly 16-channel UHF wireless systems will transmit audio 140 feet (40 m). In addition,
the ULWS-216 and ULWS-216-H systems feature dual-channel receivers and include two lavalier microphones
(ULWS-216) or two handheld transmitters (ULWS-216-H).
The ULWS system boasts many professional features like line input and frequency agility that are ideal for live
performance as well as applications such as interviews, lectures, and electronic news gathering. Both ULWS
systems deliver pristine audio transmission for broadcast-quality recordings. You can choose from 16 channels to
avoid interference. The systems also feature a true diversity receiver with balanced, low-impedance XLR output
that can be fed directly to the microphone-level input of a mixing console.
The ULWS-16 and ULWS-216 systems include a transmitter that’s equipped with a line input that enables the
transmission of devices such as an audio mixer. Cardioid lavalier microphones provide flexible positioning options
and discreet microphone placement.
The ULWS-16-H and ULWS-216-H systems include sturdy, broadcast-quality handheld transmitters that are deal
for applications such as live performance, news reporting, and interviews. The handheld transmitter features a
mic capsule with a cardioid polar pattern great for video applications like outdoors, on trade show floors, or at
live events where background noise can be problematic.

3
CONTENTS
Overview ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5-8
Precautions .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 9
Instaling Batteries ................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Mounting the Receiver ........................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Connecting the Receiver ........................................................................................................................................................................ 12
Operating Instructions...................................................................................................................................................................... 12-16
Mounting the Transmitter...................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Receiver Operation ........................................................................................................................................................................... 17-19
Specifications ................................................................................................................................................................................... 20-23
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................................................................................ 24-27
Warranty .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 28

4
OVERVIEW
RECEIVER
ULWS-16
1. RF indicator
2. Down button
3. Set button
4. Up button
5. LCD screen
6. Power button
7. Antenna B input
8. Balanced 3-pin XLR output
9. Unbalanced 1/4 in. output
10. Power supply socket
11. Antenna A input
1.2.3.4.5.6.
7. 11.8. 9. 10.
16 CH

5
RECEIVER
ULWS-216
1. RF indicator
2. LCD Screen
3. Power button
4. Down button
5. Set button
6. Up button
7. Antenna B input
8. Channel 2 balanced 3-pin
XLR output
9. Channel 1 balanced 3-pin
XLR output
10. Unbalanced 1/4 in. output
(ch. 1 and 2 combined)
11. Power supply socket
12. Antenna A input
1.2.3.4.5.6.
DUAL
16 CH
7. 12.11.8. 9. 10.

6
LCD SCREEN
1. Output volume level
2. Transmitter gain
3. Transmitter RF power
4. Channel indicator
5. Audio level meter
6. Channel frequency
7. RF input indicator
8. Auto-lock icon
9. Auto mute indicator
ALSO INCLUDED
•Antenna (×2)
•Antenna extension cables (×2)
•Antenna adapter plugs (×2)
•DC power supply
•Carrying case
1.3. 2.4.
5.
9.
6. 8.7.

7
TRANSMITTER
1. Level control
2. Microphone input
3. Antenna
4. TX LED
5. Channel indicator LED
6. Channel up/down buttons
7. Battery compartment panel
8. Tie clip
9. Cardioid lavalier microphone
10. Windscreen
11. Line-level input
12. Charging contacts
13. Belt clip
ALSO INCLUDED
AA batteries (×2)
11.
1.
2.
4.
3.
5.
6.
7.
10.
12.
13.
9.
8.

8
HANDHELD TRANSMITTER
1. Grille and windscreen
2. Mic capsule
3. Anti-roll ring
4. LCD screen
5. Channel indicator
6. Battery meter
7. Power switch
8. Battery cover
9. Battery compartment
10. Channel selector button
11. Gain level control
12. Antenna
1.
2. 5.
4.
6.
7.
10.
8.
9.
11.
12.
3.

9
PRECAUTIONS
• Please read and follow these instructions, and keep this manual in a safe place.
• Exposure to high sound levels can cause permanent hearing loss. Avoid listening at high volumes for extended
periods of time.
• Keep this product away from water and any ammable gases or liquids.
• Handle this product with care.
• Clean this product with only a soft, dry cloth.
• Keep this product away from children.
• Use only parts provided by the manufacturer.
• All images are for illustrative purposes only.

10
INSTALLING BATTERIES
The transmitter and handheld transmitter are each powered by two AA batteries. To install the batteries, follow
these steps:
Transmitter
1. Make sure the unit is turned off by rotating the level control knob to the off position.
2. Gently squeeze the battery compartment panel by the arrows on both sides, and pull out to swing the
panel open.
3. Insert fresh batteries in the proper orientations.
4. Close the panel completely so it locks into place.
Tip:You can use rechargeable AA batteries with the transmitter, and recharge them by inserting them into the
Polsen ULW-BBCH charger (sold separately). Use only rechargeable batteries with the charger. Do not attempt
to charge standard batteries—this may result in damage to the unit and void the warranty.
Handheld Transmitter
1. Unscrew the battery compartment cover to expose the battery compartment.
2. Insert fresh batteries according to the orientation diagram inside the compartment.
3. Replace the battery cover by screwing it rmly back into place.

11
MOUNTING THE RECEIVER
Use the mounting hardware (sold separately) to install the receiver into a standard 19-inch equipment rack.
1. With the included screws, mount the angled rack attachments to the sides of the receiver.
2. Attach the rack ears to the angled attachments.
3. Attach the antenna extension cables to both antenna input jacks.
4. Place the antenna plug adapters into the rack holes so the nut is on the outside of the rack, and attach the
extension cables.
5. Attach the antennas to the plug adapter from the outside of the rack, and tighten the adjustment nut until it
is snug against the rack and holds the antenna securely in place.
6. Use standard rack screws and washers (not included) to mount the receiver and antenna assembly into your
equipment rack.

12
CONNECTING THE RECEIVER
Balanced XLR Audio Output
Use a balanced XLR cable to connect the output of the receiver to the balanced input on a mixing console.
Unbalanced 1/4-Inch Audio Output
The 1/4 in. phone jack can be connected to an unbalanced aux input of a mixer, guitar amp, or recorder.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Before you connect the system to your mixing board and talent, you should test and set initial parameters as
detailed below:
Connecting the Transmitter and Receiver
RECEIVER
Channel selection:
Follow these steps with the transmitter powered off.
1. Press and hold the set button [
SET
] until the auto lock icon [ ] disappears.
2. Press the set button to make the channel indicator [ ] blink.

13
3. Press the up or down buttons [ ] to select a channel.
4. Press set to conrm.
5. Look at the RF input indicator [ ] on the LCD screen. If it lights up or ickers, it indicates there’s interference
on that channel. Select a different channel and repeat these steps until you nd an interference-free channel.
Note:If you connect the receiver to a sound system, mute the sound system. Anytime you change channels,
remove your headphones, and mute connected sound systems to avoid audible RF noise bursts.
TRANSMITTER
1. Connect the lavalier microphone to the transmitter’s microphone input, or plug a line-level source such as an
audio mixer or mobile device to the transmitter’s line-level input.
2. Turn on the transmitter by rotating the level control clockwise. You should hear a click and see the channel
indicator LED [ ]light up.
3. Use the channel selector buttons [ ]to set the transmitter to the same channel as the receiver
(see Selecting Channels on page 14).

14
Selecting channels:
1. Press and hold the up or down button [ ]for 2 seconds. The channel number on the LCD display [ ]
will blink.
2. Change the channel with short presses of the up or down buttons while the channel number is blinking.
3. The channel number will continue to blink for 6 seconds. The channel number stops blinking to indicate that
the channel has been selected.
Once the transmitter and receiver have been set to the same channel, the RF input indicator [ ] will glow.
Setting the Volume
Adjust the level control knob on the transmitter so the audio level meter on the receiver indicates that it’s
receiving a strong signal without peaking.
On the receiver, press and hold the set button until the auto lock icon disappears. Use the up and down buttons
to adjust the volume output level. The objective is to transmit the highest possible level without distortion.

15
HANDHELD TRANSMITTER
Turn on the handheld transmitter by moving the power switch to the on position. The LCD display will illuminate,
showing the selected channel [ ] and battery icon[ ].
Note:Anytime you change channels, remove your headphones and mute the connected sound systems to avoid
audible RF noise bursts.
Setting the transmitter channel:
Important!After you have selected an interference-free channel, set the handheld transmitter to the
same channel.
1. Remove the battery compartment cover.
2. Press and hold the select button. The channel indicator on the LCD display will blink.
3. Change the channel with short presses of the select button until the desired channel is displayed. The
channel indicator will continue to blink for 10 seconds and then stop to indicate that the channel has
been selected.
Note:If you are using multiple ULWS-16 and ULWS-16-H wireless systems, make sure each system is set to a
different channel—at least three channels apart as a guard band.

16
4. Adjust the audio output level on the receiver or the input level on your input device as necessary. Make sure a
sufcient level is being recorded. The objective is to transmit the highest possible level without distortion for
the best signal-to-noise ratio throughout the signal path.
Important!It is not recommended to adjust the gain setting of the handheld transmitter. The gain is preset to
the ideal setting. Any volume adjustments should be made on the receiver or on the input device.
5. When holding the ULW-16-HHT handheld transmitter, hold it in the middle of the transmitter body, not at the
end where the antenna is located. Covering the antenna with your hand will degrade the
transmission quality.

17
MOUNTING THE TRANSMITTER
Once you have determined that the transmission quality and level are good, mount the beltpack transmitter to
your talent.
1. Use the integrated belt clip to secure the transmitter to your talent. Use the included tie clip to place the
microphone on your talent.
2. If you are connecting to a line-level source, use an appropriate cable to connect to the mono 3.5 mm jack.
Note:The line-level input overrides the microphone input.
The transmitter’s TX LED will glow orange when the unit is transmitting, and the receiver’s RF indicator LED
[]will glow blue when the unit is receiving a strong radio frequency signal.

18
RECEIVER OPERATION
Attaching the Antennas
The receiver should always be used with the antennas attached.
Insert an antenna into the antenna input jack on the back of the receiver, and twist the coupling nut a quarter-
turn until secure.
To attach the antennas to the receiver when it’s mounted into an equipment rack (see
Mounting the
Receiver on page 11).
Auto Lock
The auto-lock feature ensures that the receiver’s setting will not change if the buttons, including the power
button, are accidentally pressed or bumped.
To disengage auto lock, press and hold the set button until the auto-lock icon [ ] turns off. You will be able to
navigate through the settings by pressing the set button repeatedly. Adjust the values with the up and down
buttons [ ].
After adjusting the settings values, auto lock engages after 5 seconds of inactivity.

19
Manual Channel Selection
To select a channel manually:
1. Press and hold the set button [
SET
] until the auto-lock icon [ ] turns off.
2. Press the set button repeatedly until the channel indicator [ ] blinks.
3. Use the up and down buttons [ ] to select the desired channel.
4. Press the set button to accept.
Volume
The output volume level adjusts the volume output level that’s sent to the mixing board or PA. To adjust
the volume:
1. Press and hold the set button [
SET
] until the auto-lock icon turns off.
2. Press the set button repeatedly until the volume indicator [ ] blinks.
3. Use the up and down buttons [ ] to adjust the output volume level.
4. Press the set button to accept.

20
FREQUENCY RANGE 584.400 to 602.450 MHz
NUMBER OF CHANNELS 16
FREQUENCY ALLOCATION Ch. 1 584.400 MHz, Ch. 2 587.500 MHz, Ch. 3 589.575 MHz, Ch. 4 591.050 MHz,
Ch. 5 593.425 MHz, Ch. 6 595.200 MHz, Ch. 7 598.450 MHz, Ch. 8 599.650 MHz,
Ch. 9 601.275 MHz, Ch. 10 603.775 MHz, Ch. 11 605.500 MHz, Ch. 12 606.750 MHz,
Ch. 13 586.025 MHz, Ch. 14 590.525 MHz, Ch. 15 594.150 MHz, Ch. 16 602.450 MHz
SWITCHING BANDWIDTH 25 MHz
PEAK DEVIATION ±55 kHz
TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION <0.8%
OPERATING DISTANCE ≤140 ft. (40 m);300 ft. (91.4 m) in optimum conditions
DYNAMIC RANGE >102 dB
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO >98 dB
OUTPUT ULWS-16:1×XLR, 1×1/4 in.
ULWS-216:2×XLR, 2×1/4 in.
SPECIFICATIONS
SYSTEM
RECEIVER