CLEAR-COM WIRELESS IFB PTX-3 UHF DIGITAL HYBRID IFB TRANSMITTER INSTRUCTION MANUAL
PTX-3 UHF Digital Hybrid IFB Transmitter Instruction Manual © 2008 Vitec Group Communications Ltd. All rights reserved. Part Number 810401Z Rev. 2 Vitec Group Communications LLC 850 Marina Village Parkway Alameda, CA 94501 U.S.A Vitec Group Communications Ltd 7400 Beach Drive IQ Cambridge Cambridgeshire United Kingdom CB25 9TP Vitec Group Communications Room 1806, Hua Bin Building No. 8 Yong An Dong Li Jian Guo Men Wai Ave Chao Yang District Beijing, P.R.
CONTENTS Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 Digital Hybrid Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Audio Input Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Input Limiter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 DSP Compatibility Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warranty Repairs and Returns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W-ii Non-Warranty Repairs and Returns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W-ii Extended Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W-ii Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS Please read and follow these instructions before operating this product. 1. Read these instructions. 2. Keep these instructions. 3. Heed all warnings. 4. Follow all instructions. 5. Do not use this apparatus near water. 6. Clean only with dry cloth. 7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. 8.
CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN This symbol alerts you to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage within the product's enclosure that might be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock. Do not open the product's case. This symbol informs you that important operating and maintenance instructions are included in the literature accompanying this product.
1 GENERAL TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION INTRODUCTION The PTX-3 adds DSP capability and a convenient LCD interface to this popular IFB transmitter, with the same physical size and interface capabilities. The PTX-3 also offers new features such as selectable LF roll-off and compatibility with some other popular brands. The features include a graphics type backlit LCD display with a menu system. The PTX-3 can be “Locked” to prevent a user from changing any settings but still allow browsing of the current settings.
DIGITAL HYBRID TECHNOLOGY The PTX-3 features Digital Hybrid Wireless* technology for compatibility with some other brands of receivers. The Digital Hybrid system in the PTX-3 overcomes channel noise and compandor artifacts in a dramatically new way, digitally encoding the audio in the transmitter and decoding it in the receiver, yet still sending the encoded information via an analog FM wireless link.
INPUT LIMITER A DSP controlled analog audio limiter is employed before the analog-to-digital converter. The limiter has a range of more than 30 dB for excellent overload protection. A dual release envelope makes the limiter acoustically transparent while maintaining low distortion. It can be thought of as two limiters in series: a fast attack and release limiter followed by a slower attack and release limiter.
POWER DELAY When powering the transmitter on and off, and when switching between the XMIT and TUNE modes, intelligent circuitry adds brief delays in order to allow time for circuits to stabilize, both locally and in the matching receiver. These delays prevent clicks, thumps and other transients in the audio. MICROCONTROLLER The microcontroller oversees most system operations, including RF frequency and output, DSP audio functions, buttons and display, and more.
positions of the individual switches. For detailed information on the setting of these switches see the Installation and Operation section. MODE SWITCHES The MODE switches allow the PTX-3 to accommodate a variety of input source levels by changing the input sensitivity and the pin functions of the input XLR jack. Marked on the rear panel are the most common settings. Each setting is detailed below. Switches 1 and 2 adjust the XLR pin functions while switches 3 and 4 adjust the input sensitivity.
ANTENNA The PTX-3’s ANTENNA connector is a standard 50 ohm BNC connector, which can accept an integral whip or a cable to a remote antenna. FRONT PANEL CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS PTX-3 FRONT PANEL Figure 1-4: PTX-3 Front Panel OFF/TUNE/XMIT SWITCH OFF Turns the unit off. TUNE Allows all functions of the transmitter to be set up, without transmitting. The operating frequency may only be selected in this mode. XMIT Normal operating position.
MAIN WINDOW The Main window is dominated by an audio level meter, which displays the current audio modulation level in real time. Figure 1-5: Main Window In TUNE mode, a blinking capital “T” is displayed in the lower left corner to remind the user that the unit is not yet transmitting. In XMIT mode, the blinking “T” is replaced by an antenna icon. Audio limiting is indicated when the audio bargraph extends all the way to the right and widens somewhat.
In XMIT mode, it is not possible to change the operating frequency. In TUNE mode, the Up and Down buttons may be used to select a new frequency. If the TUNING mode is set to NORMAL, the Up and Down buttons navigate in 100 kHz increments, and MENU+Up and MENU+Down move 16 channels at a time. In any of the various group tuning modes, the currently selected group identifier is displayed to the left of the hex code, and the Up and Down buttons navigate among the frequencies in the group.
Figure 1-8: Setup Window Initially the active menu item is EXIT. Pressing the Up and Down keys permits navigation among the remaining menu items: TUNING, COMPAT and ROLLOFF. Pressing the MENU button selects the current menu item. Selecting EXIT navigates back to the Main window. Selecting any other item navigates to the associated setup screen. ROLLOFF SETUP SCREEN The ROLLOFF setup screen controls the low frequency audio response of the PTX-3 by moving the 3 dB corner of a 4 pole lowpass digital filter.
COMPAT SETUP SCREEN The COMPAT setup screen selects the current compatibility mode, for interoperation with various types of receivers. The available modes are: IFB - IFB compatibility mode. This is the default setting and is the appropriate setting to use with a compatible IFB receiver such as the Clear-Com PRC-2. 400 - Compatibility mode for some non Clear-Com equipment. 100 - Compatibility mode for some older non Clear-Com equipment. 200 - Compatibility mode for some older non Clear-Com equipment.
Figure 1-11: Tuning Setup Screen In the four factory set frequency groups, eight frequencies per group are preselected. These frequencies are chosen to be free of intermodulation products. (Refer to receiver manual for more information). in the two user programmable frequency groups, up to 16 frequencies can be programmed per group. Note: The TUNING Setup Screen only selects the tuning mode (NORMAL or Group tuning) and not the operating frequency.
Figure 1-12: PTX-3 Menu Structure FREQUENCY WINDOW BEHAVIOR, BASED ON TUNING MODE SELECTIONS If NORMAL tuning mode is selected, the Up and Down buttons select the operating frequency in single channel (100 kHz) increments and the MENU+Up and MENU+Down shortcuts tune in 16 channel (1.6 MHz) increments. There are two classes of group tuning: factory preset groups (Grp A through D) and user programmable frequency groups (Grp U and V).
USER PROGRAMMABLE FREQUENCY GROUP BEHAVIOR The user programmable frequency groups “U” or “V” work very similarly to the factory groups with a few exceptions. The most obvious difference is the ability to add or remove frequencies from the group. Less obvious is the behavior of a user programmable frequency group with only one entry, or with no entries.
input, disconnect the power supply, open the unit and move the Ground Lift Jumper to the desired location. Figure 1-13: Jumper in Ground Position Figure 1-14: Jumper in Lift Position Figure 1-15: PTX-3 Ground Lift Jumper 2. Set the MODE switches on the rear panel to match the specific input source to be used. (See MODE Switches.) 3. Insert the power supply plug into the 6-18 VDC jack on the rear panel. 4. Insert the microphone or other audio source XLR plug into the input jack.
7. Press the MENU button to display the Frequency Window and adjust the transmitter to the desired frequency with the front panel Up and Down buttons. 8. Position the microphone. The microphone should be placed where it will be located during actual use. OPERATING NOTES The AUDIO LEVEL control should not be used to control the volume of the associated receiver.
1-16 SYMPTOM POSSIBLE CAUSE Display Dead 1. External power supply disconnected or inadequate. 2. The External DC power input is protected by an auto-reset polyfuse. Disconnect power and wait about 1 minute for the fuse to reset. No Transmitter Modulation 1. Audio input gain setting turned all the way down. 2. Sound source off or malfunctioning. 3. Input cable damaged or miswired. No Received Signal 1. Transmitter not turned on. 2.
SYMPTOM POSSIBLE CAUSE Hiss, Noise or Audible Dropouts 1. Transmitter gain (audio level) far too low. 2. Receiver antenna missing or obstructed (the PRC-2 headset cable is the antenna). 3. Transmitter antenna missing or mismatched. Check that the correct antenna is being used. 4. Operating range too great. 5. Defective remote antenna or cable. Antenna Icon (in Main Window) or Hex Code (in Frequency Window) Blinking 1. PLL is unlocked. Retune transmitter.
BLOCK FREQUENCY ANTENNA ANTENNA RANGE (MHZ) SLEEVE WHIP LENGTH COLOR 21 537.600-563.100 Brown 4.74” 22 563.200-588.700 Red 4.48” 23 588.800-614.300 Orange 4.24” 24 614.400-639.900 Yellow 4.01” 25 640.000-665.500 Green 3.81” 26 665.600-691.100 Blue 3.62” 27 691.200-716.700 Violet (Pink) 3.46” 28 716.800-742.300 Grey 3.31” 29 742.400-767.900 White 3.18” 944 944.100-951.900 Black 2.
2 SPECIFICATIONS Operating frequencies (MHz): Block 21 Block 22 Block 23 537.600 - 563.100 563.200 - 588.700 588.800 - 607.900 614.100 - 614.300 Block 24 614.400 - 639.900 Block 25 640.000 - 665.500 Block 26 665.600 - 691.100 Block 27 691.200 - 716.700 Block 28 716.800 - 742.300 Block 29 742.400 - 767.900 Block 944 944.100 - 951.900 Frequencies Channels per block): 256 Channel spacing: 100 kHz (0.1 MHz) Spurious & Harmonic Suppression: 37 dBc above 1 GHz Frequency Stability: ±.
Audio Frequency Response: 100 Hz to 8 kHz, ±1 dB, IFB MODE system response (see Rolloff) 30Hz to 20kHz ± 1dB, 200 & 400 MODE system response (see Rolloff) Rolloff: Low frequency audio rolloff is Menu selectable for 3 dB down at 35 Hz or 50 Hz Signal to Noise Ratio: 90 dB typical (“A” weighted) RF Power Output: 250 mW (nominal) Output Impedance: 50 Ohms Audio Input Levels: 0 dBu for Line, RTS1 & RTS2, -10 dBu for ClearCom, and -42 dBu mic dry inputs, +/-50VDC max Audio Input Config: Balanced and Unbala
Indicators: Backlit Liquid Crystal Display. Displays modulation meter, frequencies, modes, rolloff, audio level, and tuning groups Front Panel Controls: MENU momentary pushbutton switch Power OFF-TUNE-XMIT, 3 position slide switch Select Up momentary pushbutton switch Select Down momentary pushbutton switch Rear Panel Controls: Input Mode Select, 4 section DIP switch Weight: 9oz Size: 5.25” long (including connectors) x 3.25” wide x 1.
2-4 Vitec Group Communications PTX-3 UHF Digital Hybrid IFB Transmitter
LIMITED WARRANTY Vitec Group Communications (VGC) warrants that at the time of purchase, the equipment supplied complies with any specification in the order confirmation when used under normal conditions, and is free from defects in workmanship and materials during the warranty period.
Telephone for Europe, Middle East and Africa: +49 40 6688 4040 or +44 1223 815000 Telephone for the Americas and Asia: +1 510 337 6600 Email: vitec.support@AVC.de Once the standard warranty period has expired, the User Support Center will continue to provide telephone support if you have purchased an Extended Warranty. For latest contact information please refer to the Service and Support section at www.clearcom.com.
purchase of an extended warranty extends to five years the warranty of any product offered with a standard two-year warranty. The total warranty period will not extend beyond five years. Note: VGC does not offer warranty extensions on UHF wireless intercom systems, or on any product with a 1-year or 90-day warranty. LIABILITY THE FOREGOING WARRANTY IS VGC'S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE WARRANTY.
iv Vitec Group Communications Warranty
