Sony WRR-861A User manual

3-206-637-13 (1)
WRR-861A/WRR-861B
UHF Synthesized
Diversity Tuner
2001 Sony Corporation
Operating Instructions
Mode d'emploi
Manual de instrucciones
US
FR
ES

II
Declaration of Conformity
Trade Name: SONY
Model: WRR-861B
Responsible Party: Sony Electronics Inc.
Address: 16530 Via Esprillo, San
Diego, CA 92127 U.S.A.
Telephone Number: 858-942-2230
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Owner’s Record
The model and serial numbers are located at the rear of the
unit. Record the serial number in the space provided below.
Refer to these numbers whenever you call upon your Sony
dealer regarding this product.
Model No. WRR-861A/861B Serial No.
Notice for customers in the U.S.A.
You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not
expressly approved in this manual could void your authority
to operate this equipment.
If you have any questions about this product, you
may call:
Sony Customer Information Services Center
1-800-222-7669
or http://www.sony.com/

III
Notice for customers in Canada:
Use of Sony wireless devices is regulated by the Industry
Canada as described in their Radio Standard Specification
RSS-123.
A licence is normally required. The local district office of
Industry Canada should therefore be contacted. When the
operation of the device is within the broadcast band, the
licence is issued on no-interference, no-protection basis with
respect to broadcast signals.
Operation of this device is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference, including
interference that may cause undesired operation of the
device.
Avis pour les clients au Canada:
L’usage des appareils sans-fil Sony est réglé par l’Industrie
Canada comme décrit dans leur Cahier des Normes
Radioélectriques CNR-123.
Une licence est normalement requise. Le bureau de
l’Industrie Canada doit être contacté. Lorsque l’opération de
l’appareil est dans les limites de la bande de radiodiffusion,
la licence est émanée sur la base de non-interférence, non-
protection avec les signaux de radiodiffusion.
L’utilisation de cet appareil est soumise aux deux conditions
suivantes : (1) cet appareil ne peut causer d’interférences, et
(2) cet appareil doit accepter toutes les interférences, y
compris les interférences capables de provoquer un
fonctionnement indésirable de l’appareil.

IV

1 (US)
English Table of Contents
Precautions ......................................................................... 1
Overview ............................................................................. 2
Features .......................................................................... 2
Parts Identification ............................................................ 3
Power Supply ..................................................................... 6
Settings ................................................................................ 8
Connections ................................................................... 8
Wireless Channel Selection ........................................... 8
Setting the Squelch Level ............................................ 11
Resetting the Accumulated Time Indication ............... 12
Selecting the Backlight Mode ...................................... 13
Attaching to a Camcorder ............................................ 13
Error Messages ................................................................ 14
Troubleshooting ............................................................... 15
Specifications .................................................................... 17
•The unit is designed for use in ambient temperature range
of 0°C to 50°C (32°F to 122°F).
•Do not place the unit on or near heat sources, such as
lighting equipment, power amplifiers, or in a place subject
to direct sunlight or excessive moisture. In such places,
the external finish or internal parts of the unit may be
damaged.
•If the unit is used in a very humid or dusty place or in a
place subject to an active or corrosive gas, clean its
surface as well as the connectors with a dry, soft cloth
soon after use.
Lengthy use of the unit in such places or not cleaning it
after its use in such places may shorten its life.
•When cleaning the unit, never use organic solvents such
as thinners or benzine, which will damage the finish of the
unit.
•The unit has been factory adjusted precisely. Do not
tamper with its internal parts or attempt to repair it.
English
US
Precautions

2(US)
Battery alarm for a transmitter
The WRR-861A/861B has capability of receiving “Battery
status information” from a transmitter to make advance
warning of battery depletion.The information is sent in
about one hour advance to battery exhaust so that you can
safely replace the batteries of the transmitter.
Selectable RF squelch
The RF squelch can be easily turned ON or OFF with the
panel switch. The RF squelch level is selectable from 5 dBµ,
10 dBµ and 15 dBµ.
Preprogrammed wireless channel plans for simultaneous
multi channel operation
The WRR-861A/861B has many preprogrammed channel
groups, meaning combination of wireless channels to permit
simultaneous operation of multiple channels without
intermodulation.
See “Wireless Microphone System Frequency List” supplied
with this manual.
Wide Operating Frequency ranges
For details, see “Specifications” on page 17.
Overview
The WRR-861A/861B is a highly reliable diversity tuner for
the Sony UHF wireless microphone system to be used for
broadcast or movie production purposes.
This tuner is suitable for Electronic News Gathering (ENG)
and Electronic Field Production (EFP).
The microphone/transmitter and tuners of the wireless
microphone system are classified by frequency band.
In building a UHF wireless microphone system, be sure to
combine a microphone/transmitter and a tuner having the
same wireless channel (frequency).
Features
Space Diversity Reception
A space diversity system is employed to eliminate signal
dropout and provide stable reception. An SMC9-4S (Sony 4
pin) audio output connector is provided on the top panel.
Two way powering
Approximate eight hours of continuous operation is
provided by using four LR6 (size AA) alkaline batteries.
The WRR-861A/861B can also be operated on the external
power from Sony camcorders via the supplied DC cable.

3 (US)
Parts Identification
Extensive information by the LEDs and LCD display
The LEDs indicate RF input level (green/ red indication),
diversity reception status, and transmitter battery alarm.
The LCD display indicates the operating channel/frequency,
AF output level, RF input level, battery status of the tuner,
and the accumulated operating time.
Compact, lightweight and easy to mount on Sony
camcorders
The WRR-861A/861B is compact and lightweight, housing
in the rugged, die-cast magnesium case. It is easily mounted
on Sony camcorders.
Output monitoring
The monitor volume is adjustable with a knob.
qd DC 12V IN connector
1ANT a/b connectors
2OUTPUT (BAL)
connector
3MONITOR connector
4RF indicators
5TX BATT indicators
7SQUELCH switch
6MONITOR volume
8Display section
qaMODE button
0SET button
9+/– buttons
qs POWER switch
Battery holder

4(US)
Parts Identification
When the squelch level is set to 10 dBµ;
On in green: RF input is more than 20 dBµ.
On in red: RF input is between 10 dBµ and 20 dBµ.
Off: RF input is less than 10 dBµ.
When the squelch level is set to 15 dBµ;
On in green: RF input is more than 25 dBµ.
On in red: RF input is between 15 dBµ and 25 dBµ.
Off: RF input is less than 15 dBµ.
5TX BATT (transmitter battery) indicator
Shows the battery condition of the wireless microphone
transmitter. The indicator starts flashing about one hour
before the transmitter batteries go flat.
6MONITOR volume
Turn to adjust the monitoring level through headphones.
7SQUELCH switch
In ordinary use, set the switch to ON, and the noise and
signal interference will be eliminated when the tuner is in
signal reception stand-by mode. Set to OFF to search
outside noise or a radio wave which may disrupt the
transmission.
Note
If you turn off the SQUELCH switch when the tuner is in
stand-by condition for signal receiving or when the RF input
level is low, noise may be heard or the connected device or
speakers may be damaged. Be sure to operate this switch
only after minimizing the input of the connected device.
1ANT (antenna) a/b connectors
Connect the antennas supplied to both ANT a/b connectors.
Note
Be sure to connect two antennas to these connectors to
make the diversity reception properly.
2OUTPUT (BAL) connector
The OUTPUT connector supplies audio signal output from
the tuner.
Connect this connector to the microphone input connector
of a camcorder, mixer, or tape recorder by using the
supplied cable.
3MONITOR connector
To monitor the tuner output, connect the headphones,
equipped with a 3.5 mm (5/32 inch) dia stereo mini plug.
Use either of stereo or monaural headphones. Adjust the
monitor level with the MONITOR volume.
4RF (radio frequency) indicators
Indicate the strength of the RF input signal and the
receiving antenna for diversity reception of the tuner.
The indication color shows the strength of the RF input
signal. The indicated signal level changes corresponding to
the squelch level setting.
When the squelch level is set to 5 dBµ;
On in green: RF input is more than 15 dBµ.
On in red: RF input is between 5 dBµ and 15 dBµ.
Off: RF input is less than 5 dBµ.

5 (US)
For each item setting, see page 8 to 13.
DRF (radio frequency) indications
The number of dots shows the RF input level as below.
Four dots on: more than 35 dBµ
Three dots on: between 25 dBµand 35 dBµ
Two dots on: between 15 dBµand 25 dBµ
One dot on: between 5 dBµand 15 dBµ
No dot: less than 5 dBµ
9+ (+ selection) / – (– selection/reset) buttons
When setting the transmission channel, frequency, squelch
level and backlight mode, press these buttons to change its
contents. The “–” button resets the accumulated time
indication to “00:00”.
See “Setting the Squelch Level” on page 11.
8Display section
Shows the status of the tuner.
For details of each indication, see Ato D.
AAF (audio frequency) indication
Lights when the output audio signal is over the reference
level.
BBATT (battery) indication
Displays the status of the batteries of this tuner.
See “Battery indication” on page 6.
CGP/CH (group/channel) indication
Shows the receiving channel group and channel number.
Each time you press the MODE button the group/channel
indication changes to the frequency, squelch level,
accumulated operating time and backlight mode indications.
Group/channel Frequency Squelch level
Accumulated
operating time
Group/channel and frequency indications show those of
the 6668 model as an example
GP
AFRF BATT
CH
A
B
C
D
Backlight mode

6(US)
0SET button
Press to set and fix the item on the display.
For details, see “Settings” on page 8.
qa MODE button
Press to select the item shown on the display.
For details, see “Settings” on page 8.
qs POWER switch
Turns the power of the tuner ON or OFF.
qd DC 12V IN connector
For external power operation, connect to an external power
supply (DC 10 V to 17 V) of a camcorder using the supplied
power cable.
When the external power is supplied, the tuner functions
regardless of the built-in batteries.
For connecting the antennas, output cables and DC power
cable and attaching the unit to a camcorder, see
“Connections” on page 8 and “Attaching to a Camcorder”
on page 13.
Four Alkaline batteries LR6 (sizeAA)
Parts Identification Power Supply
Installing the batteries
The tuner can operate on four LR6 (size AA) alkaline
batteries continuously for about 8 hours at 25°C (77 °F).
1Slide the battery-holder catches inward to take out the
battery holder.
2Match the polarities and insert the batteries.
3Set the battery holder in the original position.
Confirm that both catches on the holder are locked.
Battery indication
When you turn the power on, the battery status of this unit
appears in the BATT indication on the display section.
When the BATT indication starts to flash as indicated in the
column 4 on the table on the next page, immediately replace
all four batteries with new ones. Before installing the new
batteies, be sure to check the recommended period of usage
indicated on the batteries.

7 (US)
Note
The indication may be incorrect if the batteries are not new
when installed. If you plan to use the tuner for a long
period, it is best to replace the batteries with new ones.
Good
1234
BATT
indication
Lights Lights Lights
Less than
50% charge
BATT
condition
Flashes
Less than
20% charge
Almost
exhausted
Notes on batteries
•Use new alkaline batteries.
•Do not use different types of batteries together.
•Always replace the four batteries together.
•Be careful to install the batteries with the correct polarity.
•The batteries are not rechargeable.
•When not using the tuner for a long period, remove the
batteries to avoid leakage. If the batteries do leak, clean all
leakage from the battery holder case and the unit. Leakage
left in the holder case and the unit may cause poor battery
contact. If there seems to be poor battery contact, consult
your Sony dealer.
External power operation
To operate on an external power supply (DC 10 V to 17 V),
connect the DC 12V IN connector to the DC OUT
connector of a camcorder using the power cable supplied.
When the external power is supplied, the tuner functions
regardless of the built-in batteries.

8(US)
When connecting antennas and cables, match the guides of
the male and female connectors.
The DC power cable can be released by pulling out the
connector cover.
Wireless Channel Selection
Note
Noise may occur when the power is turned on or off. Be
sure to turn down the input level of the connected equipment
before operating the POWER switch.
,5,7
2
1
OFF
GP
AFRF BATT
CH
ON
ATX BATT
BRF
OFF ON
SQUELCH MONITOR
POWER
MODE SET
3
4,6
Settings
To set the tuner in Setting Mode, press the SET button. The
indication on the display starts to flash waiting for you to
press the +/– buttons to change the contents on the display.
The Setting Mode is automatically cancelled if no buttons
are pressed for 30 seconds while the indication flashes.
Connections
Antenna
Turn the
connector
cover to
lock.
Output cable DC power cable
1: NC
2: Hot
3: Cold
4: GND
1: GND
2: NC
3: NC
4: +12V
OUTPUT (BAL)
1
2
3
4
DC 12V IN 1
2
3
4

9 (US)
1Set the POWER switch to ON.
The display shows the same status as before the tuner
was last turned off.
If the group name and channel number is shown on the
display, skip step 2and proceed with step 3.
2Press the MODE button until the group and channel
number appear on the display.
3Press the SET button.
The group indication starts flashing.
4Press the + or – button to select the desired group.
Pressing the + button cyclically changes the group in the
following order. Pressing the – button changes it in the
reverse order.
Note
After 30 seconds of non-operation period, the indication
stops flashing and the tuner exits the setting mode. The
item displayed at this time is stored in memory. Note
that this applies to all other item selection.
Group setting
Display example for 6668 model
If you hold the button down, the group will continuously
change.
Model available in USA
Model available in Australia

10(US)
To select the channel by frequency indication
1Turn on the unit.
2Press the MODE button until the frequency indication
appears.
3Press the SET button.
The frequency indication starts flashing.
4Press the + or – button to select the desired channel
frequency.
5When the desired frequency appears, press the SET
button.
The display stops flashing and the selected wireless
channel is now stored in memory.
If noise is heard
Depending on the environment where the system is installed,
outside noise or radio wave may disrupt the transmission of
certain channels.
Display example for 6668 model
Settings
5When the desired group appears, press the SET button
again.
The group selected is fixed.
The tuner now enters the wireless channel setting mode,
and both of the TV channel number and 2-digit number
flash on the display.
6Press the + or – button to select the desired wireless
channel.
The wireless channels change in the order listed on the
table of the group on the “Wireless Microphone System
Frequency List” supplied with this manual.
7When the desired wireless channel appears, press the
SET button.
The display stops flashing and the selected group and
wireless channel are now stored in memory.
Display example for 6668 model
Channel setting
When the group 00 is selected for 6668 model

11 (US)
To select a channel under this circumstance, turn off the
wireless microphone or transmitter. Then select a channel at
which the RF indicator is off. (A channel free from noise or
radio wave interference is selected.) Set the same channel on
the microphone or transmitter.
Notes
•Do not remove the batteries during group and wireless
channel selection. If they are inadvertently removed, re-
insert them immediately and repeat the steps on pages 9 to
10 from the beginning.
•Make sure that the same channel is selected on the tuner,
wireless microphone, and transmitter within the same
system.
•If there is a TV broadcasting station near by, do not use
the station's channel.
•The unit may not operate correctly if it is turned on again
immediately after turning off the power while in setting
mode. Pause for a few seconds or more before turning on
the power again.
•When operating two or more UHF wireless microphone
systems using channels in different groups, ensure that the
systems are at least 100 m (330 feet) apart from each
other. (The same applies also when using channels in a
group if the different UHF wireless microphone systems
are installed where they are within sight of each other.)
Setting the Squelch Level
You can eliminate the noise and signal interference which
may occur in reception stand-by mode. Select a squelch
level from 5 dBµ, 10 dBµ or 15 dBµ. The factory preset
level is 10 dBµ. To obtain a wide service area, set this to
5 dBµ. When using the tuner in a multi-channel system or
when you want to receive noise free audio input all the time,
set it to 15 dBµ.
1Press the MODE button until the squelch level appears.
2Press the SET button.
The squelch level indication starts flashing.
3Press the + or – button to select the desired level.
4When the desired level appears, press the SET button.
The display stops flashing and the selected level is now
stored in memory.
Squelch level

12(US)
Accumulated operating
time
Settings
Squelch functions
When the SQUELCH switch is set to ON, the following functions
work in combination.
(1) Squelching by RF input level
As sufficient S/N for the audio output may not be obtained if no
RF signal is received or the RF input level is low, the audio output
is squelched when the RF input level falls below the squelch level
selected.
(2) Tone squelch
The audio output is obtained only when the unit receives an RF
signal which includes a specified tone signal. The audio output is
squelched to eliminate noise which may be heard when the
transmitter is turned on/off or the unit receives an interference RF
signal.
(3) Noise squelch
The audio output is squelched to eliminate noise which may be
heard when there is such excessive interference RF signal that the
tone squelch does not work.
Resetting the Accumulated Time Indication
The time indication accumulates time in hours and minutes
when the WRR-861A/861B is on.
Reset the indication to “00:00” whenever you replace the
batteries so that it can display the running time of the
batteries.
1Press the MODE button until the accumulated time
appears.
2Press the SET button.
3Press the – button.
The time indication resets to “00:00.”
While you see “00:00” is flashing, you can go back to
previous value by pressing the + button.
4Press the SET button.

13 (US)
Backlight mode
Selecting the Backlight Mode
You can select the backlight mode of the display.
1Press the MODE button until the backlight mode appears.
2Press the SET button.
The backlight indication starts flashing.
3Press the + or – button to select the desired mode.
BL OFF : Lights off all the time
BL ON : Lights on all the time
BL AT : Lights on when you begin to operate the
tuner. Turns off automatically 15 seconds
after you finish operation.
4When the desired mode appears, press the SET button.
The display stops flashing and the selected mode is now
stored in memory.
Attaching to a Camcorder
Mounting plate supplied
Mounting bracket optional
(A-8278-057-A)
Sony lithium-ion battery pack
When the Sony lithium-ion battery pack is attached on the
camcorder, both the mounting bracket optional (A-8278-
057-A) and the mounting plate supplied are required. When
attaching the Sony nickel-cadmium battery, use only the
supplied mounting plate.
To release the tuner from the mounting plate, push in the
lever on the plate.

14(US)
Error Messages
When a problem occurs, one of the following error message
may appear on the display.
Messages
ERROR 03
ERROR 11
ERROR 21
ERROR 51
Contents
The battery voltage
exceeds the allowable
value.
An error occurred in
backup memory data.
The PLL synthesized
circuit is in trouble.
Defect of the A/D
converter.
Measures
Use the specified
batteries.
Contact your Sony
dealer.

15 (US)
Symptom
Troubleshooting
If you have any problem using the tuner, use the following
checklist. Should any problem persist, consult your Sony dealer.
Meaning/Remedy
The tuner does not turn on. •The + and – polarities of the batteries do not match those of the battery compartment. bInstall the
batteries with the polarities correctly matched.
•The batteries are exhausted. bReplace the batteries with new ones.
•The battery terminals in the tuner are dirty. bClean the + and – terminals with a cotton swab.
The batteries run down quickly. •The batteries are exhausted. bReplace the batteries with new ones.
•Amanganese batteries are being used. bUse the alkaline batteries. The battery life of a
manganese battery is less than half that of an alkaline battery.
•The tuner is being used under cold conditions. bThe batteries run down quickly under cold
conditions.
The channel cannot be changed. The SET button is not pressed. bPress the SET button to flash the GP/CH indication on the display
section, then change the channel with the + and – buttons. After setting the channel, press the SET
button again to turn on the GP/CH indication.
There is no sound. •The channel setting on the tuner is different from that on the microphone. bUse the same channel
setting for both the tuner and microphone.
• The RF indications do not turn on. bConfirm that the micophone is turned on.
The sound is weak. •The attenuation level of the microphone is too high. bThe output level of the microphone is too
low. Decrease the attenuation level of the microphone.
•The volume on the amplifier or mixer is low. bAdjust the volume.

16(US)
Troubleshooting
Symptom Meaning/Remedy
There is distortion in the sound. •The attenuation level of the microphone is too low, or the audio is not attenuated at all. bThe level
of the audio input to the microphone is extremely high. Increase the attenuation level of the
microphone.
•The channel setting on the tuner is different from that on the microphone. bUse the same channel
setting for both the tuner and microphone.
There is sound interruption or
noise.
•The RF indicator on the tuner lights even when the microphone is off. bJammed transmissions are
being received.
Determine which channels are usable (i.e., channels for which the RF indication on the tuner does
not light) and set the microphone to the same usable channel. When two or more microphone are
used, select other channel group where no jammed transmissions are being received.
•The channel setting on the tuner is different from that on the microphone. bUse the same channel
setting for both the tuner and microphone.
•Two or more wireless microphones are set to the same channel. bMake sure no two microphones
are set to the same channel. Set each microphone to a different channel.
•The microphones use channels from different groups. bThe channel groups are specified so that
no mutual interference occurs when 2 or more microphones use the channels within the same
group. Specify channels within the same group for all the microphones being used.
•The SQUELCH switch is set to OFF. bWhen receiving condition is poor, noise may be produced
due to the jammed transmissions. Improve the receiving condition and turn on the SQUELCH
switch.
•The SQUELCH switch is set to ON. bWhen receiving condition is poor and RF input level drops
below the specified RF squelch level, audio output from the tuner is cut and audio drop-out occurs.
If this happens, improve the receiving condition. Turning off the SQUELCH switch avoids audio
drop-out, but noise may be produced.