Wheatstone Strata 32 User manual

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Networked AoIP Television Broadcast Console
For WheatNet-IP Systems (AES67- & ST 2110-30-compatible)
Designed and built in the U.S.A.
by Wheatstone Corporation
Wheatstone p/n 083272

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PUBLICATION INFORMATION
©2019 Wheatstone Corporation
Wheatstone considers this document and its contents to be proprietary and confidential. Except for making a reasonable number of copies for your own
internal use, you may not reproduce this publication, or any part thereof, in any form, by any method, for any purpose, or in any language other than English
without the written consent of Wheatstone Corporation. All others uses are illegal.
This publication is designed to assist in the installation and use of the product as it exists on the date of publication of this manual, and may not reflect the
product at the current time or an unknown time in the future. This publication does not in any way warrant description accuracy or guarantee the use for the
product to which it refers.
Wheatstone reserves the right, without notice, to make such changes in equipment, design, specifications, components, or documentation, as progress may
warrant, improving the performance of the product.
Trademarks
Product names and other appropriate trademarks, e.g. WheatNet-IP™, VoxPro®, and Wheatstone®are registered trademarks of Wheatstone Corporation or
its subsidiaries. Microsoft®and Windows®are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their
respective companies.
Customer Service Contact Information
Wheatstone
600 Industrial Drive
New Bern, NC 28562 USA
For technical support, including on-site service, general product training, repair and parts, contact Wheatstone / Wheatstone through the webpage:
www.Wheatstone.com; through email at [e-mail]; or by phone, +01 252-638-7000.
Strata 32 User Manual (p/n 011799)
Revision History
Preliminary release = 11/2019

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Publication Information ................................................................2
Safety Instructions & Hazard and Warning Labels ...........................4
1 - Introducing the Strata 32 Console ............................................5
Strata 32 Overview .................................................................7
Specifications ........................................................................9
Warranty Statement ...............................................................10
FCC Compliance Statement ....................................................10
2 – Strata 32 Hardware Installation ...............................................11
Control Surface Placement .....................................................11
Gibraltar IP Mix Engine ...........................................................12
Stagebox ...............................................................................13
Final Surface Connections.......................................................13
Energizing the Strata 32 .........................................................14
3 – Strata 32 Apps and Console Configuration ................................15
Navigator ...............................................................................16
Strata 32 Surface Setup ..........................................................31
4 – Strata 32 Board Operations .....................................................46
Strata 32 Console Operation ...................................................46
Fader Panel ...........................................................................46
Master Panel .........................................................................49
Touchscreen Panel .................................................................52
5 – Strata 32 Service Information ..................................................67
Parts and Repair Services .......................................................67
Strata 32 Console Field Service ...............................................67
Software Updates ...................................................................69
Appendix A – Creating a WheatNet-IP Network ................................70

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1 – INTRODUCING THE STRATA 32 CONSOLE
hanks for joining the growing ranks of broadcasters
employing Wheatstone products. Throughout our long
history we’ve endeavored to provide the finest quality
products, documentation, and after-sale support. To obtain
maximum benefit from the Strata 32 console’s capabilities,
and prior to installing your Strata 32 console, please read through this
introduction chapter along with Chapters 2 and 3. For those in a rush, a
Strata 32 Quick Start Guide presents an overview of the console’s
connections and the Surface’s controls and features.
Each Strata 32 console has these main components:
Strata 32 Surface – Commonly referred to as the “console,” it has all of
the board operator controls using three types of plug-in Panels: Fader;
Touchscreen; and Master. Figure 1-1 identifies the major parts of the
Strata 32 Surface.
Figure 1-1 Strata 32 Surface
●Fader Panels – There are four identical Fader Panels (Fader Pan-
els 1 – 4 in Figure 1-1) on the Strata 32. Each panel consolidates
the controls for eight physical fader channel strips into a single
field-replaceable Fader Panel. Each Fader Panel plugs into a Host
board using a CAT5 cable. The four Fader Panels give the Strata 32
its thirty-two physical fader channels.
Each fader channel strip has:
●A 100 mm conductive-plastic motorized plug-in fader
●Eight illuminated push buttons, some with multi-color LEDs, to
select: PFL (Pre-Fade Listen); AFL (After-Fade Listen); Cut
(channel on/off); Auto (Automix on/off); Talkback; Select; and
two Wild buttons with user-assigned functions
●One color OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display (Info)
graphically shows whether the channel is on-air along with the
channel’s source name for both the current Layer and the al-
ternate Layer; the active source’s input levels and signal for-
mat; whether EQ and/or Dynamics processing is active; the
Master bus assignments; any VCA group assignments; and
other source or channel-specific information
●An Adjust control, a rotary encoder with push-to-take button,
is used for channel source selection and for input level control
of the current source
●Master Panel – Divided into eight columns of controls, the left-most
four columns have eight fader control strips for controlling the eight
Submix or eight VCA Groups. The middle two columns have the Master
output controls. The two right-most columns have the monitor controls
for the Control Room and two studios. There are eight OLED displays
across the panel: four to show the status of the eight Submix or VCA
groups; two for the Master 1 and Master 2 outputs; and two split dis-
plays for the CR and the two Studio monitors.
●Touchscreen Panel – A 13.3” (33.78 cm) 16x9 1080p touchscreen
monitor is mounted into the upper 2/3 of this panel. The monitor is di-
vided into eight sections to display various signal meters and/or audio
controls depending upon the active View, which is selected using the
fifteen View Select buttons arranged across the bottom of the moni-
tor.
The Master 1 and Master 2 level displays, along the right side of the
monitor, are always shown while the Loudness Display, showing LKFS
(Loudness, K-weighted, relative to Full Scale) for a selected source,
along with Program Duration, Mode, and LKFS reference level, is also
shown in most Views. The main Home View also shows meters for the
eight stereo Submixes; sixteen mono Mix Minus buses; sixteen stereo
Aux Masters; sixteen stereo Track outputs (either tracks 1 – 16 or 17 –
32), and the Control Room’s wild meter source. Selecting one of the
other Views brings up different windows to show and/or set equalization,
dynamics, the 5.1 surround balance, the mix minus bus levels, etc., in
lieu of the secondary meter displays.
Various global controls are located on the panel just below the
touchscreen monitor. At the left are three Color-Coded Rotary Encod-
ers and Numbered Select buttons which are used as “hardware” con-
T

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trols to adjust or switch the most commonly used on-screen control set-
tings in various Views, rather than having to rely completely on using
your finger to adjust a touchscreen control.
To the right of the hardware controls are two Fader Panel Layer Se-
lect buttons. Pressing the upper Layer 1 button (it turns red) allows
control over fader channels 1 - 32. Pressing the lower Layer 2 button (it
turns blue) allows control over fader channels 33 – 64.
To the right of the two Layer buttons are six grouped buttons. The top
row has three Wild buttons with no factory-defined functions (they are
user-defined). The lower three are dedicated buttons for: Spill; Func-
tion to Fader (FTF); and Query (?). Using these buttons will affect
the OLED display on multiple fader channels.
When a channel Select button is lit, pressing Spill sends the selected
channel’s audio to adjacent faders for individual audio channel level ad-
justment using two fader channels for a mono or stereo signal or six
fader channels for a 5.1 surround signal.
The FTF button becomes active when the EQ, DYN, or AUX View is ac-
tive. Pressing FTF switches the upper half of multiple fader channel
OLEDs, on channels adjacent to the channel with the lit SEL button, to
show various EQ, dynamics, and Aux master levels which can then be
adjusted using the channel Adjust encoders. The FTF button color indi-
cates which function is currently active (blue = EQ; green = Dynamics;
and yellow = Aux Masters).
The Query/? button is used to show the Delay, Submix, Aux bus, and
Mix Minus bus settings for each channel. Press it once, at any time, and
the button turns green and the upper half of every channel OLED shows
each channel’s Delay setting. Press it again, it turns blue, and the
Submix bus Assignments are shown. Another button press and the but-
ton turns yellow, and the Aux bus assignments are shown. Another
press and it turns magenta, and the mix minus bus assignments are
shown. Press the button one more time to turn off the LED and return
the OLED displays back to their normal view.
The next three grouped buttons are used to bring up the Clip Player
View and to copy and paste channel settings from one input channel to
another (Copy and Paste buttons). The last two dedicated buttons
toggle the Master panel group faders between showing Submix or VCA
fader Groups (SUB GRP and VCA buttons).
Gibraltar IP Mix Engine – The 4RU Mix Engine (Figure 1-2) has the DSP,
signal mixing, and AoIP (Audio over IP) interface functions for the Strata
32. It has these main features:
●QAT Interface card—Left-most card links the Surface and IP Mix
Engine together using two crossover CAT5 cables plugged into
Ports C and D. If the IP Mix Engine needs to be located over 330
feet (100 meters) from the Surface, an optional QOT fiber inter-
face card is required.
●GBR Network Card—Its RJ45 jack connects the Mix Engine to the
rest of the WheatNet-IP (WNIP) network using a CAT6 patch cable
(straight-thru). The GBR card converts the outgoing internal con-
sole signals into WNIP system audio streams and logic commands
and converts the incoming audio streams and logic commands into
the signals that are used internally in the Strata 32 console.
●EQ DSP Card—Has the DSP for the 64 fader channels in the Stra-
ta 32 Surface. This card has no rear panel connections.
●Mix DSP Cards—Two Mix cards are used for all of the various
mixing that occurs within the Strata 32. These cards have no rear
panel connections.
●CPU—One CPU card is standard but a second CPU card can be in-
stalled for redundancy (as shown in Figure 1-2). Each has an RJ45
jack to connect that CPU to the WNIP system for communications
and control. Two DARS (Digital Audio Reference Signal) BNC jacks
are available, if needed, to connect a digital clock reference signal,
but for most users these will not be used or connected.
Figure 1-2 Gibraltar IP Mix Engine
●DC Power Supply—One supply comes standard (a second supply
can be ordered for redundancy, as shown in Figure 1-2). Each
supply has its own IEC AC jack input so the two supplies can be
powered off different AC circuits.
●Fan module—A 1RU fan module must be mounted below the IP
Mix Engine to provide airflow up through the rack to keep the
cards and power supply cool even in a full rack. At least 1RU above
the Mix Engine must be left open to allow hot air an unrestricted
exit out of the rack frame.

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Surface Power Supply – A separate rack-mount +32 volt supply
powers the Strata 32. The SPS-180R (Figure 1-3) is the standard sup-
ply. When redundant power is ordered (an optional feature) a PSR
Rack Mount Unit with two slide-in SPS-432 power supplies is supplied.
The SPS180R and the PSR are each 2RU. Mount the supply in a con-
venient out of the way location within 10 to 15 feet of the rear of the
Surface since the supply comes with a 16-foot DC cable with locking
connectors at each end.
Figure 1-3 SPS-180R Surface Power Supply
Strata 32 Installation Kit – A USB flash drive, with PDF documenta-
tion files and the Wheatstone application installer programs ships with
the Strata 32.
STRATA 32 OVERVIEW
The Strata 32 is the “little brother” to Wheatstone’s IP64 television
console. It incorporates the same IP audio innovations but, unlike the
IP64, which is available in various frame sizes, the Strata 32 packs all of
its control power into a single-size compact 40” (102 cm) wide frame. The
console’s three main hardware components: Strata 32 Surface,
Gibraltar IP Mix Engine, and Surface Power Supply, along with the
optional Stagebox I/O Interface, are all FCC and CE certified.
The Strata 32 Surface is a compact audio-for-video controller. It has
32 physical fader channel strips mounted in four Fader Panels. Each
channel strip has a motorized fader, eight control buttons, and one color
OLED display. The channel strip controls, along with the controls on the
Master and Touchscreen Panels, control the operation of the Gibraltar IP
Mix Engine’s DSP, which contains the mixing and signal processing power
for the Strata 32’s 64 input channels, its two Master outputs, eight Submix
groups, and eight VCA groups, with EQ and Dynamics available on every
channel along with monitoring controls for the control room and two
broadcast studios.
The Strata 32 was designed for newsrooms, production suites, remote
vans, and sports venues. It has dedicated faders for Submix and VCA
groups using layer control, with two master outputs and 32 physical
channel faders. The channel faders are layered into two banks of 32 so an
operator can easily control up to 64 audio inputs by toggling between
layers using dedicated Layer 1 and 2 buttons to instantly switch layers.
The faders are motorized so their physical positions quickly jump as one
switches from showing channels 1 - 32 to showing channels 33 - 64.
The Strata 32 integrates seamlessly with all major production
automation systems since it’s powered by Wheatstone’s award-winning
WheatNet-IP (WNIP) audio network, an AES67-compatible IP audio
ecosystem with online mixing, audio processing, and virtual development
tools which also support direct connection of SIP/VoIP and codec
appliances.
The Strata 32 has access to all of the resources connected to the WNIP
network using channel controls and the touchscreen monitor, which uses
intuitive View Select buttons to instantly display various status and control
screens. The touchscreen monitor can be used to adjust EQ and Dynamic,
set up talkbacks, configure mix-minus feeds and bus matrices, assign mic
mute and Automix groups, and manage console sources and destinations.
Each Fader Panel channel has an OLED display to show relevant status and
operating functions at a glance. The Master Panel has eight OLED displays
to show the status and levels for the sub mix and VCA groups, the master
outputs status, and monitor sources and levels and Wild Meter status.
The Strata 32’s I/O is managed through the WNIP network so there are
no limitations in regards to fixed connection points on the console chassis
itself since there are none! The Strata 32 has access to any source on the
network, and any channel can connect to any audio source or destination,
using any preferred audio format, at any time—regardless of whether it’s
HD/SDI, AES, MADI, AoIP, TDM, or even analog. Unrestricted routing
means any source can be assigned to any channel, as needed. The days of
having to block out channels, based on input type, is a thing of the past,
as is having to repurpose inputs because of physical chassis limitations.
The Gibraltar IP Mix Engine can be mounted within the control room
or in any convenient rack within 330’ (100 m) of the Strata 32 Surface (an
optional Fiber Interface allows for much longer connection distances). Two
Mixer Links (primary & secondary) connect the Surface to the IP Mix
Engine. The IP Mix Engine incorporates a WheatNet-IP (WNIP) interface,
with a gigabit Ethernet jack on a GBR card, to stream audio between the
Strata 32 and the other WNIP devices on the network.
The IP Mix Engine’s CPU includes DARS I/O to synchronize the mix
engine with an in-house 48 kHz reference, although these days more often
the network will have a PTPv2 master clock, networked with the WNIP
system, to synchronize the Strata 32 to a 48 kHz sample rate to
synchronize with your video equipment and other AES67-compatible
devices.
The Strata 32 ships standard with a single output Surface Power
Supply (SPS-180R, shown in Figure 1-3). It includes an IEC AC cord and a
16-foot DC cable with locking connectors to connect the supply to the rear
panel DC IN jack on the Strata 32 Surface.
The Strata 32 console ships with a factory default configuration so it can
be powered up and used straight out of the shipping boxes. The default
settings are easily changed once the console is physical installed and

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networked with one or more Wheatstone Blades, or the Stagebox I/O
Interface, to supply audio I/O for the console. The Strata 32 can then be
configured for use in a newsroom, production suite, remote van, sports
venue, or any number of other applications, using the two Windows PC
apps included with the console (Strata 32 Surface Setup and Navigator)
and/or by using the touchscreen controls. Chapter 3, starting on page 15,
covers how to use the supplied apps to configure the Strata 32.
Strata 32 Accessories
Most WheatNet-IP (WNIP) system peripheral devices can be networked
with the Strata 32 console. Here’s a sampling of the type of devices
available: WNIP Talent stations (TS-4 for guests and TS-22 for hosts),
WNIP button control panels, like the SS-series of rack-mount panels with
scriptable buttons and color OLED displays, Wheatstone GP (General
Purpose) control panels, Vorsis audio processors, WNIP-compatible
peripherals available from Tieline, Eventide, and other vendors, and any
PC or audio server running the WNIP AoIP audio driver.
Several WNIP system apps (PC-XY, MeterApp, and Screenbuilder) can
also be used with the Strata 32 console since it supports ACI (Automation
Command Interface). Wheatstone’s Screenbuilder can also be used to
build custom screens to remotely control the Strata 32’s fader channels
and monitor console signals.
Stagebox I/O Interface (4RU, FCC and CE certified) – Designed for use
in sports venues, newsrooms, and other applications where quick
reconfigurations of mic and line inputs and outputs may need to occur.
Each Stagebox has 32 mic/line inputs on XLR jacks, eight AES inputs on
BNC jacks, 16 analog line outputs on XLR jacks, and eight AES outputs on
BNC jacks, along with one 15-pin D-Sub LIO Logic jack with 12 GPIO logic
ports. These are all on the front panel, along with two Gigabit Network
ports using latching RJ45 jacks, for redundant networking of the Stagebox
with a WNIP network.
WheatNet IP Blades(1RU, FCC and CE certified) – Any WNIP Blade-3
blade can be networked with the Strata 32 console to add rack-mounted
I/O anywhere in a facility. There are dozens of Blade models available to
interface just about every audio format including: all or mixed analog and
AES, MADI, and SDI (one SDI Blade can de-embed up to four SDI inputs).
Most Blades have I/O for 8 x 8 stereo audio signals and 12 GPIO logic
ports on two RJ45 jacks.
WNIP Network
Strata 32 consoles use the WheatNet Audio-over-Internet Protocol
(AoIP) commonly shortened to WNIP network. This protocol allows dozens,
or even hundreds, of devices: Strata 32 consoles, Stagebox I/O Interfaces,
Blades, and other WNIP-compatible devices like PCs and audio servers
using the WNIP audio driver, to share their resources over an AoIP
network that’s both AES67- and ST 2110-30-compatible.
The Strata 32 Surface’s Host Controller, the IP Mix Engine’s CPU and
GBR cards, and all of the Blades and Stageboxes used for audio and logic
I/O, are networked together using one or more AoIP-compatible gigabit
Ethernet switches. Each device connects to a network switch port using a
straight-thru CAT6 cable which can be up to 330 feet (100 meters) in
length. Multiple network switches can be trunked together to expand the
network’s range or to use a star topology to consolidate each studio’s
connections on local in-studio switches into trunk cables going to one or
more main switches in the Technical Operations Center (TOC).
Contact Wheatstone sales or support for a list of recommended network
switches and for configuration settings for AoIP networking for the most
common models. Appendix A also provides additional details on creating
your WNIP network.
Because Strata 32 consoles support WNIP ACI (Automation Control
Interface), remote control and monitoring of the console, and just about
any point in the WNIP network, allows one to use various 3rd party
devices on tablets and PCs, using various software apps, to integrate a
new Strata 32 with existing equipment from various vendors.
Strata 32 consoles also support WNIP SLIO (Software Logic I/O) which
allows playback systems, talent panels, script engines, and GPIO ports to
send/receive logic commands over Ethernet. This also allows one to
interface external “old school” GPIO devices, which don’t support WNIP
SLIO, using the hardware LIO (Logic Inputs/Outputs) ports available on
each Blade and the Stagebox (most Blades have 12 LIO ports).

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STRATA 32 SPECIFICATIONS
All dimensions: Height x Width x Depth
Surface Dimensions
12” (30.5 cm) x 40 3/16" (102 cm) x 26" (66 cm)
Rack-Mount Device Dimensions
Gibraltar IP Mix Engine (4RU): 7” (17.8c m) x 19" (48.3 cm) x
16" (40.6cm). Allow for 18” (45.7cm) of rear clearance for cabling.
Allow 2RU to mount the fan module below the Mix Engine and to mount a
blank panel above the Mix Engine.
SPS-180R Supply (2RU): 3.5" (8.9 cm) x 19" (48.3 cm) x 8" (20 cm)
Allow for 3” (7.6 cm) of rear panel clearance for AC and DC cables.
PSR Rack Case (2RU): 3.5" (8.9 cm) x 19" (48.3 cm) x 16.5” (42 cm)
Allow for 3” (7.6 cm) of rear panel clearance for AC and DC cables.
Stagebox (4RU): 7” (17.8 cm) x 19" (48.3 cm) x 11" (28 cm)
Allow for 3” (7.6 cm) of rear panel clearance for the IEC AC cord.
Power Supplies
Type: Switching
AC input: Detachable IEC cords
AC input: 90-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Surface Supply Output: +32 VDC @ 3 amps
Gibraltar Supply: Slide-in, field replaceable
Power Requirements
Gibraltar IP Mix Engine: <90 watts at 120 VAC / 60 Hz
Strata 32 Surface & Supply:<80 watts at 120 VAC / 60 Hz
Stagebox:<60 watts at 120 VAC / 60 Hz
Environment
Ambient Operating Temperature: > 104°F (40°C)
Cooling: Strata 32 Surface and Stagebox I/O Interface are convection
cooled. The Gibraltar IP Mix Engine comes with a 1RU fan module which
must mount directly below the IP Mix Engine. The SPS-180R and SPS-
432 power supplies each have a built-in cooling fan.
We recommend leaving at least one rack space open above the power
supply, IP Mix Engine, and Stagebox to allow for heat radiation from
those units.
Wheatstone reserves the right to change specifications without notice or
obligation.

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WARRANTY STATEMENT
LIMITED WARRANTY BY WHEATSTONE CORPORATION
1. All equipment sold and shipped to final destinations within the USA and its
possessions are warranted for one (1) full year from the date of purchase
against defects in material and workmanship. All equipment sold and shipped to
final destinations outside the USA and its possessions are warranted for one (1)
full year from the date of purchase against defects in material and workman-
ship.
All repairs to maintain the unit at original specification will be made at no
charge to the original purchaser except for shipping and insurance costs which
are to be prepaid by the owner to the factory in the event the unit cannot be
serviced by an authorized Wheatstone Corporation dealer.
2. This Warranty is subject to the following restrictions and conditions:
a) The owner must have filled out the enclosed Warranty Card and returned
it to Wheatstone Corporation; or, at the time of servicing, the owner must
provide proof of purchase from an authorized Wheatstone Corporation dis-
tributor or dealer.
b) This Warranty is valid for the original purchaser on the unit. Parts used for
replacement are warranted for the remainder of the original warranty pe-
riod. Repair or replacement is at the discretion of Wheatstone Corporation
and is the exclusive remedy hereunder.
c) This Warranty DOES NOT apply to damage or defects resulting from abuse,
careless use, misuse, improper installation, electrical spikes or surges, or
alteration, repair, or service of the unit or equipment by anyone other than
Wheatstone Corporation or its authorized distributor or dealer.
d) This Warranty is void if the serial number has been removed, altered, or
defaced.
e) This Warranty DOES NOT cover loss or damage, either direct or indirect,
arising out of the use, or inability to use this unit, or for shipping or trans-
portation costs to Wheatstone Corporation or its authorized distributor or
dealer.
f) Wheatstone Corporation reserves the right to modify or change any unit in
whole or in part at any time prior to return delivery in order to incorporate
electronic or mechanical improvements deemed appropriate by the
Wheatstone Corporation but without incurring any responsibility for modi-
fications or changes of any unit previously delivered or to supply any new
equipment in accordance with any earlier specifications.
g) THERE ARE NO OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED, IMPLIED, OR STATUTO-
RY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IF, FOR ANY REASON, AN IMPLIED OR
STATUTORY WARRANTY CANNOT BE DISCLAIMED, SAID WARRANTY IS
LIMITED TO THIRTY (30) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE.
WHEATSTONE COPORATION IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ELECTRICAL DAM-
AGE, LOSS OF USE, INCONVENIENCE, DAMAGE TO OTHER PROPERTY, OR
ANY OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE, WHETHER DIRECT
OR INDIRECT, AND WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHER-
WISE. NO REPRESENTATIVES, DEALERS, OR WHEATSTONE PERSONNEL
ARE AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, OR
GUARANTIES OTHER THAN THOSE EXPRESSLY STATED HEREIN.