Universal Remote Expander MRF-100A User manual

Owner’s
Manual

1
Expanded “No More Pointing” Operation -
Indoors and Outdoors, Through Walls, Doors
and Cabinets
Thank you for purchasing the EXPANDER kit (MRF-100)!
With the Expander, you can expand the range of your Unifier,
Customizer or Automator remote control 50 to 100 feet
through walls, doors, inside or outside. Since the Expander kit
picks up the remote control’s RF (radio frequency) signals
from any direction, you don’t have to point the remote con-
trol towards your components.
Nothing has to be done to the remote control for this feature
to work. However, the Expander is only compatible with
Universal Remote Control’s Unifier (URC-100), the
Customizer (URC-200) or the Automator (URC-300). Every
time you press a button on one of these unique remote con-
trols, they send both a line of sight IR (infrared) command
AND an RF duplicate. The MRF-100 radio frequency receiver
will pick up the RF signals and translate them into infrared
commands that control your components.
Note: The radio signals from a Unifier, Customizer or Automator remote con-
trol will not control components directly. You must have an Expander to
receive the radio signals. Components that came with “no pointing” radio
remote controls cannot be operated by the Unifier, Customizer or Automator
remote control unless the component can be switched to line of sight
(Infrared) control via it’s internal menus. Some remote control ceiling fans are
radio only and cannot be operated by the Unifier, Customizer or Automator
remote controls.
MRF-100 Owner’s Manual © 2003 Universal Remote Control, Inc.
The information in this manual is copyright protected. No part of this manual may be copied or repro-
duced in any form without prior written consent from Universal Remote Control, Inc. UNIVERSAL
REMOTE CONTROL, INC. SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR OPERATIONAL, TECHNICAL OR EDIORI-
AL ERRORS/OMISSIONS MADE IN THIS MANUAL. The information in this manual may be subject
to change without prior notice. Expander is a registered trademark of Universal Remote Control, Inc.
Power of Simple is a trademark of Universal Remote Control, Inc. Unifier, Customizer and Automator
are 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]

2
3. Self-adhesive “flashers” (included in the
Expander kit) affix to the front panels of your com-
ponents. The flashers relay commands to compo-
nents out of sight of the MRF-100 front blaster. The
flashers plug in to the MRF-100 rear flasher line
output jacks. Each flasher has a 10’ cable to easily
reach components on nearby shelves.
2. The Expander converts RF to IR (infrared) commands and
sends them out to components in the same cabinet space via
the built-in front blaster.
1. The Unifier, Customizer or
Automator remote control sends
RF (radio frequency) signals to the
Expander, which is an RF receiver.

3
Parts Guide
Quantity Description
1 MRF-100 Receiver with integrated antenna
1 Mounting Plate for wall mounting the MRF-100
4 Screws for wall mounting the mounting plate
1 9V-300mA Power Supply
6 Flashers with 10 foot plug in cables.
The Mounting Plate guides
enable the MRF-100 match-
ing guide to slide and “snap”
into place for mounting on
the wall.
Using the four enclosed screws, you
can choose to fix the mounting plate
to a wall or the back of your compo-
nent cabinet.
Front blaster sends Infrared
commands to all A/V compo-
nents in the same cabinet
space.
The MRF-100 Mounting Plate
Red POWER LED lights when
the MRF-100 power supply is
plugged into an active AC
outlet.
Red STATUS LED lights when the
MRF-100 receives an RF signal
from the Unifier, Automator or
Customizer remote controls.

4
Six plug-in flashers are supplied with 10 foot cables and six extra
self-adhesive pads (in case a flasher has to be repositioned).
Included 9V power supply
plugs into the MRF-100
power connector.
Integrated antenna
swings in any direction
to optimize RF recep-
tion and range.
Six flasher jacks on the rear of the MRF-100 connect flashers for
control of A/V components out-of-sight of the MRF-100 front blaster.

5
Program and Test Remote Control First
Don’t connect power to the Expander until you have pro-
grammed and tested the remote control line of sight. The
MRF-100 can interfere with testing and programming.
Hookup
Step 1 - Turn ON all of your components.
Audio Video components sometimes create RF interference.
Therefore, perform all testing with all of your components
powered ON (as they will be when you operate the system).
Step 2 - Connect the Power Supply
Connect the 9V power supply to an active UNSWITCHED AC
outlet. The MRF-100 must always be powered up. The red
POWER LED should light up.
Step 3 - Test Placement of the MRF-100
The MRF-100 should be placed so that the STATUS LED only
lights up when a button is pressed on the Unifier, Automator
or Customizer remote control. It should go out as soon as the
button is released. If there is any flickering, move the
MRF-100 farther away from the A/V components.
Step 4 - Orient the Antenna for Optimum Range
If you need to extend the range of the remote, try adjusting the
angle of the MRF-100 receiving antenna via it’s pivoting ball
mount.
Step 5 - Mount the MRF-100
The MRF-100 may be concealed and mounted to the rear
wall or back of the system cabinet. The mounting plate slides
apart from the receiver, mounts to the wall, then the receiver
can slide back into place.
Step 6 - Test Operation Without Flashers
With the remote controls line-of-sight output blocked by your
hand, a book or a pillow; test the control of your components
using just the front blaster. In most cabinets, the MRF-100 front
blaster will control any A/V components in the same cabinet
space by reflections from the cabinet walls and doors. Make
sure that the components operate with the cabinet doors closed

6
or open. If a component is placed too far away from the front
blaster, you will need to utilize the included flashers plugged
into the MRF-100 rear flasher jacks.
If you have problems with components that are close to the
front blaster, try repositioning the the MRF-100 farther away.
Step 7 - Connect Flashers to Out-of-Sight A/V Components
Note: Test the operation BEFORE sticking the flasher in place.
Use a flashlight to identify the correct location of the compo-
nent’s IR sensor, then try a few commands while moving the
flasher around the face plate of the component. The most
reliable operation typically occurs a half inch or so away
from the IR sensor. Once you have found the spot that gives
the most reliable operation, peel off the protective backing of
the self-adhesive tape on the included flashers and stick them
in place.
Note: Always replace the self-adhesive tabs if you have to
reposition a flasher. Six extra self-adhesive tabs are supplied
for this purpose.
Warranty
The MRF-100 is covered against any manufacturers defects or
workmanship for a period of one year from the date of pur-
chase if purchased from an authorized Universal Remote
Control dealer. Units purchased from online auction sites or
other unauthorized resellers have no warranty. This warranty
does not cover the following items:
-Damage from misuse, neglect, or acts of nature.
-Products that have been modified or incorporated into other
products.
-Products purchased more than 12 months ago.
-Units purchased from unauthorized dealers or companies.
Specifications
Power Supply: 9V 300mA
IR Flasher Line Outputs: 2.5mm Mono Mini Jack
RF Frequency: 418MHz

OCE-0015C Rev. 03
500 Mamaroneck Avenue Harrison, NY 10528 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
www.universalremote.com