Universal Remote Control MRF-300/RFX150 User manual

MRF-300/RFX150
INSTALLATION
MANUAL
Multi-Zone RF Base Station for the MX-3000, the Aurora ,
the Aeros , the Omega and the Osiris remote controls.
TM
TM TM TM
MRF-300 Manual.qxd 1/14/2005 12:40 PM Page 1

MRF-300 Installation Manual ©2005 Universal Remote Control, Inc.
The information in this manual is copyright protected. No part of this manual may be copied
or reproduced in any form without prior written consent from Universal Remote Control, Inc.
UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL, INC. SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR OPERATIONAL,TECHNI-
CAL OR EDITORIAL ERRORS/OMISSIONS MADE IN THIS MANUAL.
The information in this manual may be subject to change without prior notice.
Complete Control,Aurora, Aeros, Omega and Osiris are registered trademarks of Universal
Remote Control, Inc.
All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
companies or organizations.
500 Mamaroneck Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
MRF-300 Manual.qxd 1/14/2005 12:40 PM Page 2

TABLE OFCONTENTS
Introduction 1
Features and Benefits 2
Parts Guide 2
Installation 3
Front Blaster Overload 7
Disabling the Front Blaster - Step by Step 7
Controlling An Array of Identical Components or Zones 8
Identical Components/Zones - Step by Step 8
Programming For Multiple Equipment Locations 11
Frequently Asked Questions 12
Warranty 12
Specifications 12
MRF-300 Manual.qxd 1/14/2005 12:40 PM Page 3

Page 1
MRF-300 BASE STATION
Introduction
The MRF-300 base station is an “addressable” base station. It is only compati-
ble with Universal Remote Control’s line of Custom Programmed Remotes
with RF Addressing such as the MX-3000, the MX-950 Aurora, the MX-850 Aeros,
the MX-800, MX-650 Omega and the MX-350 Osiris. RF Addressing gives you the
ability to control as many as 90 identical components throughout a house.
4. Self-adhesive “Flashers” affix to the
Infrared sensors on the front panels of your
components. The Flashers relay commands
to components out of sight of the MRF-
300’s Front Blaster. The flashers plug in to
the MRF-300’s rear flasher line outputs via
their 10 foot cables. Uniquely, the MRF-300
can also connect to rear panel IR Inputs via
its adjustable IR Line Outputs.
3.The MRF-300’s built-in Front Blaster sends commands to
components in the same cabinet space as the MRF-300.
1. URC “Addressable” remote
controls send radio waves in
every direction, so you don’t have
to point the remote anymore!
2.The RFX-150 RF Sensor can be freely
positioned out of way of the interference
the A/V components create, connecting to
the MRF-300 via a 10’ cable (which can be
extended).
MRF-300 Manual.qxd 1/14/2005 12:40 PM Page 1

Page 2
MRF-300 BASE STATION
Features and Benefits
Interference Rejection and Adjustable RF Range via RFX-150
The MRF-300 receives RF (radio frequency) signals via the RFX-150 RF Sensor.
The RFX-150 displays RF interference via a bright RED LED, which flickers when
interference is present. Simply relocate the RFX-150 out of the interference or
reduce the range to eliminate interference via the RF Range adjust screw.
Expand Range by Adding RFX-150 RF Sensors in Remote Areas
The MRF-300 can power up to three RFX-150 RF Sensors connected in parallel
to the RF Input connector.
Variable IR Output Matches Rear Panel IR Inputs
The MRF-300 is equipped with adjustable IR line outputs, each output can be indi-
vidually matched to rear panel IR inputs on any component that is designed to be
operated by a standard IR repeater.The outputs utilize a 3.5mm jack.
Up To Fifteen Equipment Locations With Identical Components
Each URC MX series “addressable” remote control can be programmed to
specifically control components in a particular room, by installing a base station at
each location. In operation it’s simple: when you select a device located in the
Den, the MX series remote only sends commands to the Den. When you select
a device located in the Family Room, the MX-3000 only sends commands to it.
A Single MRF-300 Can Control an Array of Identical Components
or Identical Zones of a Multi Zone Preamp/Matrix Switcher
Each MRF-300 has six “addressable” IR Line Outputs. For example, you can con-
trol up to six identical TV’s with one MRF-300 or route volume commands for a
specific zone to a particular zone IR input on a multi-zone preamp. If you have
more than six identical components or zones, up to 15 additional MRF-300’s can
be installed to control them (thus allowing up to 90 identical components or
zones in one house).
IR Input for Keypads or IR Repeater Systems
The MRF-300’s rear panel IR input will relay IR Data from IR repeaters or Multi-
Zone Keypads to all IR line outputs (does not support IR routing).The 5V, 100
milliamp output will directly power some brands and models of keypad directly.
Parts Guide
The MRF-300 RF Base Station includes:
1 - RFX-150 RF Sensor with integrated antenna
1 - MRF-300 Base Station
1 - Mounting Plate for wall mounting the MRF-300
4 - Screws for wall mounting the mounting plate
1 - 9V-300mA Power Supply
6 - Visible Flashers with 10 foot plug in cables.
1 - 10’ cable with Tinned leads to 3.5 mono mini plug (connects RFX to MRF)
1 - 10’ cable with 3.5 to 3.5 (connects MRF to MRF for expansion)
1 - RF Adjustment Tool (Screwdriver for RFX-150 adjustment)
MRF-300 Manual.qxd 1/14/2005 12:40 PM Page 2

Page 3
MRF-300 BASE STATION
Installation
Step 1 - Set the RF ID # rotary switch on the bottom of the MRF-300 to a
VALID ID# (any address other than ID# 0). If you leave it set to ID# 0, the MRF-300
operates with some restrictions:
a. Accepts RF signals from any 418MHZremote control regardless of
the address set when programming the remote control.
b. Front Blaster will be OFF and all IR line outputs are set to ALL).
Step 2 - Mount or place the MRF-300 conveniently and run flashers
to each component’s front panel sensor or connect the Line Out to
a components rear panel IR Input.
Slide off the mounting plate to reveal the RF ID# rotary switch. Use a small flat blade
screwdriver to set the RF ID# to the address you used when programming the remote
control (1-9 or A-F are valid addresses, while 0 is not a valid address).
MRF-300 Manual.qxd 1/14/2005 12:40 PM Page 3

Page 4
MRF-300 BASE STATION
Daisy Chain Multiple MRF-300’s to One RFX-150 RF Sensor
Step 3 - Connect the RFX-150 to the RF IN, but DO NOT MOUNT IT!
Copper colored
conductor is
GROUND
(Sleeve of
the Plug). Silver colored
conductor is IR
DATA (Tip of
the Plug).
When connecting to a components rear panel
IR Input, cut the flasher off of the wire, strip the
two conductors and connect to the rear panel
IR Input.The MRF-300 is only compatible with
standard IR Inputs, not proprietary control sys-
tems such as Control S.
Use the cable with 3.5mm Stereo Mini
plugs on both ends to daisy chain as
many MRF-300’s as you need. Simply
connect the RF OUT of the first to the
RF IN of the next and so on down the
line.
By daisy chaining MRF-300’s, you can
easily control up to 90 identical com-
ponents.
When connecting a single RFX-150 to the MRF-
300 utilize the cable with 3.5 mm plugs on both
ends. When you need a longer wire or are con-
necting up to three RFX-150’s, use the cable
with a plug on one end and tinned ends. These
can be extended as much as 200’, then connect-
ed to the green removable screw connector
(which plugs into the alternate RF IN). The RED
connects to 5V, the WHITE to DATA and the
BLACK connects to GROUND.
Plug the 3.5mm plug
into the RFX-150’s RF
OUT jack.
Connect the other
end of the cable to
one of the two RF IN
on the MRF-300,
RF OUT of the
RFX-150 to the
RF IN of the
MRF-300.
RF OUT of the
first MRF-300 to
the RF IN of the
next MRF-300.
MRF-300 Manual.qxd 1/14/2005 12:40 PM Page 4

Page 5
MRF-300 BASE STATION
Step 4 - Connect the Power Supply to the MRF-300.
Step 5 - Power on the entire Audio/Video System
Test for RF Interference
The RF LED lights when any RF signal is
detected. If the RF LED flickers WITHOUT
pressing a button on the remote control,
you are receiving RF Interference and you
must move the RFX-150 to another loca-
tion.You can extend the wire up to 200’
using standard CAT 5 cable. Place the RFX-
150 in another room or crawlspace to avoid
interference.
If you are restricted to a very small range of mounting locations and the LED
flickers, reduce the range via the RF Range attenuator screw on the RFX-150.
Step 6 - Mount the RFX-150 and adjust for Optimum Range
Have someone press buttons on the remote control from the farthest distant
operating position and adjust RF range screw and the angle of the RF-150
receiving antenna until the RF LED lights with every button push.
If the desired range cannot be reli-
ably maintained, you can opt to
extend range by adding another
RFX-150 RF Sensor in a location
closer to the area where reception
is unreliable. Each RFX-150 can pro-
vide coverage of 50 to 100 feet in
normal conditions. Up to three
RFX-150 Sensors can be connected.
The POWER LED’s on both the RFX-150 and the
MRF-300 should light up when the Power Supply
is connected.
Each RFX-150
can be connect-
ed via up to 200
feet of standard
CAT 5 cable to
the MRF-300.
MRF-300 Manual.qxd 1/14/2005 12:40 PM Page 5

Page 6
MRF-300 BASE STATION
Step 7 - Test RF Address
Test that pressing a button
on the remote control
lights the STATUS LED of
the MRF-300.The STATUS
LED only lights when the
correct RF address is
received.
Step 8 - Adjust IR Line
Output Levels
Adjust each of the IR Line Output levels for best operation.
NOTE: TiVo, Replay TV, Satellite Receivers and Cable Boxes are all extremely
sensitive to IR overload or saturation. Put up the on screen guide and test the
navigation arrows. If operation is inconsistent or sluggish, LOWER the IR line
output.
If you still have sluggish operation, check that the remote control is set to a
particular LINE OUT, rather than ALL.When IR commands are sent to all the
flashers in a cabinet, you can have difficulty adjusting the IR Output.
Reprogram the remote control to send IR commands only via a specific (1-6)
Line Output, then readjust the IR Line Output level.
MRF-300 Manual.qxd 1/14/2005 12:40 PM Page 6

Page 7
MRF-300 BASE STATION
Front Blaster Overload
A few models of audio/video components can be OVERLOADED by the Front
Blaster. If you are having intermittent or inconsistent results with a particular
component, try repositioning the MRF-300 and facing the Front Blaster in a
different direction. If this improves the situation but is impractical, it may be
necessary to utilize the self-adhesive flashers only and follow the steps below
to Disable the Front Blaster. This will limit the number of components your
MRF-300 can control to six. If you have more than six components you can
purchase an additional MRF-300.
Disabling the Front Blaster - Step by Step via PC
Note: If you are programming a URC MX “addressable” remote control that sets
up without a PC, refer to the owners manual to disable the Front Blaster.
Open the PC software, then plug the MX PC programmable remote control
into the PC. Open your saved configuration and follow these steps to turn off
the front blaster:
Step 1 - Open the RF Setup Window
The RF Setup window opens after selecting RF
Control from the Program Menu.
Step 2 - Setup the Receiver
Extend the RF Setup window by click-
ing on the Receivers button.
Step 3 - Turn off the Front Blaster
Click on the cell in the IR LED
OUTPUT/IR BLASTER column.A list
box will appear. Select OFF from the
list.
SAVE your changes using File|Save and DOWNLOAD to the remote control.
Next, click on OK to apply
your change.
MRF-300 Manual.qxd 1/14/2005 12:40 PM Page 7