Zaxcom TRX900AA User manual

1
Table of Contents
KNOWING YOUR TRX-900AA .............................................................................................................................3
MAIN MENU............................................................................................................................................................. 6
Navigating the Main Menu ..................................................................................................................................................................................................6
Exiting the Main Menu ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................6
Audio Gain..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................6
UHF Transmit Frequency ......................................................................................................................................................................................................6
Transport Control.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................6
Timecode Frame Rate ............................................................................................................................................................................................................7
IFB Earpiece Select..................................................................................................................................................................................................................7
Time Left.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................7
Lock Page....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................7
EXTENDED MENU.................................................................................................................................................. 8
Navigating the Extended Menu ..........................................................................................................................................................................................8
Exiting the Extended Menu ..................................................................................................................................................................................................8
High Pass Filter Adjust............................................................................................................................................................................................................8
Limiter..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................8
1K Notch Filter .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................8
2K Notch Filter .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................9
UHF Signal Format..................................................................................................................................................................................................................9
UHF Transmitter Power Level..............................................................................................................................................................................................9
IFB Receive Mode .................................................................................................................................................................................................................10
IFB Voting Enable..................................................................................................................................................................................................................10
IFB Receive to Transmit time............................................................................................................................................................................................11
ZaxNet IFB Receive Frequency.........................................................................................................................................................................................11
ZaxNet IFB Transmit Frequency......................................................................................................................................................................................12
IFB Dropout Compensator.................................................................................................................................................................................................12
IFB Receive Pulse...................................................................................................................................................................................................................12
Power-Up Mode ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................13
Format Recording Card.......................................................................................................................................................................................................13
Time Code Jam Mode .........................................................................................................................................................................................................14
Time Code Source ................................................................................................................................................................................................................14
Time Code Output................................................................................................................................................................................................................14
Group ID..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................15
Unit ID......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................15
Dynamics .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................16
Analog to Digital Converter................................................................................................................................................................................................17
Battery Type ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................17
Recording Mode ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................17
Boot Up Mode .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................18
Mute Switch............................................................................................................................................................................................................................18
Left Right Switch....................................................................................................................................................................................................................18
Side Tone Gain ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................18
IFB Remote Control ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................19
IFB Jam Threshold.................................................................................................................................................................................................................19
QRX Program.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................19
Home Screen Record / Stop..............................................................................................................................................................................................19
Phase Invert Channel...........................................................................................................................................................................................................20
TX Disable ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................20
Low Battery Stop...................................................................................................................................................................................................................20
Record On Bootup ................................................................................................................................................................................................................21
Name........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................21
Encryption Menu...................................................................................................................................................................................................................21
Encryption Code page .........................................................................................................................................................................................................22

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ACCESSORIES ....................................................................................................................................................... 23
STA ADAPTER .....................................................................................................................................................................................................23
STA OPERATIONS...............................................................................................................................................................................................24
Attaching the STA to the TRX-900AA...........................................................................................................................................................................24
Adjusting the Input Level ....................................................................................................................................................................................................24
Powering the TRX-900AA via the STA ..........................................................................................................................................................................24
Audio/Timecode Output Connection...............................................................................................................................................................................24
Timecode Input......................................................................................................................................................................................................................24
Operation of the STA...........................................................................................................................................................................................................24
MSA-100 MUTE SWITCH...................................................................................................................................................................................26
EA-100 EARPIECE ADAPTER ..............................................................................................................................................................................27
MEDIA ..................................................................................................................................................................... 28
Media Capacity......................................................................................................................................................................................................................28
Recording Format..................................................................................................................................................................................................................28
FIRMWARE............................................................................................................................................................. 29
UPDATING TRX FIRMWARE ..............................................................................................................................................................................29
UPDATING AN ERX WITH YOUR TRX-900....................................................................................................................................................30
INPUTTING AUDIO ............................................................................................................................................. 31
WIRING DIAGRAMS............................................................................................................................................. 31
Two Wire Microphone Configuration.............................................................................................................................................................................31
Three Wire Microphone Configuration..........................................................................................................................................................................31
Balanced Line Level and Timecode Input .....................................................................................................................................................................31
Line Level into STA Adaptor ..............................................................................................................................................................................................32
Audio / Timecode out of STA Adaptor...........................................................................................................................................................................32
Timecode Into STA / TCA-100 .........................................................................................................................................................................................32
ANTENNA CUTTING CHART............................................................................................................................33
OPERATING FREQUENCIES............................................................................................................................... 34
ZAXNET REMOTE CONTROL AND TIMECODE...............................................................................................................................................34
UHF AUDIO.........................................................................................................................................................................................................34
SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................................................................................. 35
PRODUCT SUPPORT ........................................................................................................................................... 37
CONSUMER ALERT ..............................................................................................................................................................................................37
ZAXCOM WARRANTY POLICY AND LIMITATIONS ....................................................................................38

3
Knowing your TRX-900AA
1. SSMA Antenna Connector
2. Media Slot Media Slot
To insert a micro SD card, with the screen facing you, turn the card so the finger contacts are facing
to you and down toward the slot. Insert it into the slot and press it down until you here a slight click.
To remove it, press the card in until you hear the same click again.
3. Power Switch
The switch position to the left is OFF and to the right is ON. But if using external power via an STA
adaptor the left position “EXT” is ON.
4. Microphone / Input connector.
5. Dual color Status LED
•Green - Unit is on.
•Red - Unit inexpediently stopped recording.
•Green / Red flickering - Unit is recording.
1 23 4
5
6
7
8
9

4
6. INC / Record Key
•Increases the parameters of a menu item.
•When in the Home Screen pressing and holding it with the Home Screen Record enabled will put
the TRX into record.
•When in the Transport Control Screen while not recording will cause the TRX to play back.
•Press it while playing back to fast forward.
•Press and hold while in the Transport Control Screen to advance to the next segment.
•Press it in the Home Screen to display the current segment number.
7. DEC / Stop Key
•Decreases the parameters of the menu items.
•When in the Home Screen pressing and holding it with the Home Screen Record enabled will stop
the recording.
•When playing back from the Transport Control Screen will cause the TRX to stop.
•Press and hold while in the Transport Control Screen will jump back to the previous segment.
•Holding it while playing back will take you to the start of that segment.
8. Menu Key
•Press it will access the Menu
•Press it again will take you to additional Menu items
•Pressing it while powering up will take you into the Extended Menu
9. Battery Compartment
The TRX-900AA will use 2 AA batteries. You can use alkaline, Lithium or NiMH batteries

Zaxcom TRX-900AA Manual Home Screen
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Home Screen
Frequency – This is theUHF transmit frequency of the TRX-900AA.
If the transmitter is being used in RECORD ONLY mode “NOTX”will be displayed.
ZaxNet Status
•RX – The transmitter is set to receive ZaxNet timecode and commands.
•TX – The transmitter is sending ZaxNet timecode and audio.
•JAM - The transmitter has jammed timecode.
Transport Status - Displays the current mode of the recording feature.
•STOP – Recording / Playback is stopped
•LREC – TRX is recording and LOOP RECORD mode is enabled
•REC – TRX is recording and NON-LOOP RECORD mode is enabled
•WAIT – May appear just before going into record, or if the card is ejected while recording.
Input Audio Meter- Displays the modulation of the inputted audio signal.
In the case of a TRX-900AA with an STA adaptor if the transmitter is set to STEREO mode you would
see both the left and right audio levels.
Gain - “G” Appears when the transmitter is receiving change of gain commands via ZaxNet.
When in the home screen:
•Press and hold the INC key to display the number of record segments are on the card.
Note that regardless of the size of the card it is limited to 256 segments.
•Press and hold the DEC key to display the current battery voltage
•If Home Screen Record is enabled the INC and DEC keys can be used to start the internal recorder.
567.4 RX STOP
ZaxNet Transport
Frequency Status Status
Battery Input Audio Meter Gain
Level Meter Indications
-20, -10, 0 dBFS
G

Zaxcom TRX-900AA Manual Main Menu
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Main Menu
Navigating the Main Menu
•Press the MENU Button to enter the menu.
•To advance to the next menu press the MENU Button again.
Exiting the Main Menu
•To exit the menu at any time press and hold the MENU button for 1.5 seconds
Audio Gain
Analog Gain Digital Gain
This menu sets the gain of the incoming audio. The meter indicates the audio signal it is displayed
horizontally from left to right. If the TRX-900AA has an STA-100 / 150 (analog) attached this menu will not
be functional. In that case the gain is adjusted on the trim pots on the STA. In the case of a STA-042
(digital) the gain would be adjusted with the digital gain menu. The digital gain menu will replace the
analog menu.
UHF Transmit Frequency
This menu sets the UHF transmit frequency of the transmitter.
•Short presses of the INC or DEC key causes the value to change by 0.1 MHz.
•Holding the INC or DEC key causes the value to change by 0.5 MHz.
Transport Control
This page displays the transport status of the transmitter.
The top line displays the current mode: REC, PLAY or STOP followed by the timecode.
The bottom line contains the segment number and the audio level.
Playing back from the transport screen
•Pressing the INC key while stopped will play the segment that is displayed.
•Pressing the INC key while in play mode will fast forward.
•Pressing the DEC key while playing back will stop the playback.
•Holding the DEC key while playing back will take you to the start of that segment.
•Pressing the DEC key while stopped will rewind.
GAIN 20dB
TXFREQ 567.4
STOP 01:02:34:01
001
DGAIN 20dB

Zaxcom TRX-900AA Manual Main Menu
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Timecode Frame Rate
This menu sets the timecode frame-rate that will be recorded.
The TRX-900AA will lock to and record all standard timecode frame rates.
•23.98, 24, 25, 29.97DF, 29.97DF, 30 DF, 30 NDF
IFB Earpiece Select
This menu sets what audio will be outputted from an STA audio out connector or EA-100 adaptor.
•REC/PLAY - Outputs the audio from the SD card - this is the audio that is either currently being
recorded or playing back.
•IFB RX AUDIO - Outputs the audio that is being received from ZaxNet IFB.
•IFB MIX ALL - Outputs a mix of the recording / playback audio and the IFB audio.
•IFB MIX REMOTE - This setting is not functional in the TRX-900AA.
Time Left
This page displays the remaining time left on the card and the time already recorded on the card.
This page will not be displayed if no card is present.
Lock Page
This page enables a lock function to prevent any accidental changes.
When you land on this page the countdown clock will begin. After 5 seconds the
transmitter will lock and the display will indicated LOCKED.
If you exit this screen before the 5 seconds is up the transmitter will not lock.
Even though the key’s will be locked you can press the INC or DEC key to temporarily display the
current battery voltage in place of the battery icon.
To Unlock
•Simultaneously press the MENU and INC keys.
Or
•Powering down the unit will clear the lock.
TIMECODE 23.98
GEN 01:02:34:01
Countdown clock starting at 5 seconds
After the transmitter locks
LOCK 5
LOCKED
01:02:34:01
IFB EARPIECE
REC/PLAY
TIME LEFT 20H
TIME USED 4H

Zaxcom TRX-900AA Manual Extended Menu
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Extended Menu
Navigating the Extended Menu
•Press and hold the MENU key while powering up the unit.
•Pressing the MENU key will advance you to the next menu item.
Exiting the Extended Menu
•Cycle the power
Or
•Hold down the MENU key to get back to the EXTENDED MENU home page then press the INC key.
High Pass Filter Adjust
This menu turns on and adjusts the frequency of the high pass filter.
•The high pass filter range is 30Hz to 220Hz in 10Hz increments.
Limiter
This menu enables/disables and adjusts the limiter. The limiter is pre analog to digital converter.
•Range: -2dB to -30dB in 1dB increments.
When the input signal is too high the audio can clip and results in distortion and popping. The limiter
can be used to prevent clipping.
N
1K Notch Filter
This menu enables/disables the 1K notch filter.
The 1K notch filter is used to eliminate a 1K the test tone being outputted to the STA adaptor or EA-100.
HIGH PASS: OFF
Level when the limiter will act.
LIMITER: OFF
LIMITER: -10dB
FROM FULL SCALE
NOTE:
If you have a STA adaptor attached and you are transmitting in stereo mode - the limiter will be
disabled.
1K NOTCH FILTER
OFF

Zaxcom TRX-900AA Manual Extended Menu
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2K Notch Filter
This menu enables/disables the 2K notch filter.
The 2K notch filter is useful in removing digital RF interference that can be introduced into the
microphone.
UHF Signal Format
This menu adjusts the transmission format
•US MONO - This format is used for mono transmission. It is used by customers in the US and other
countries where a 200 kHz channel is legal.
This setting will be used with 0=US on the Zaxcom ENG receiver or NORMAL on the QRX
•STEREO -This format is used for stereo transmission of a TRX-900AA. It is used by customers in the
US and other countries where a 200kHz channel is legal
This setting will be used with 2=ST on the Zaxcom ENG receiver or NORMAL on the QRX
•EUROPEAN -This format is used for European customers and other countries where a normal width
channel is NOT legal.
This setting will be used with 1=EU on the ENG Zaxcom receiver or NARROW on the QRX
•US MONO-R -Similar to US MONO. This can be used to force mono audio to the right channel.
This setting will be used with 0=USon the Zaxcom receiver
UHF Transmitter Power Level
Available on a TRX-900AA running software version 8.10 or higher
This menu adjusts the UHF transmit power of the transmitter.
•The TRX-900AA can be set at 10, 25, 50mW
TX FORMAT:
US MONO
TX POWER: 50 MW
IMPORTANT: If the Transmission Format set here and the Reception Format on the associated receiver
do not match, the receiver will be unable to correctly decode the audio from this transmitter.
IMPORTANT: Any change to this page REQUIRES a reboot before the new setting takes effect.
2K NOTCH FILTER
OFF