User's Manual

4.9 Connecting to transceiver/antennas
4.9.1 Connecting one transceiver/antenna directly to a transceiver port
A transceiver/antenna connects to the transceiver port on the FS II Base station using a
standard 4-pair CAT-5 data cable with RJ-45 connectors. It may be located up to 1,000
metres from the Base station if 24AWG cable is used or for 500 metres if 26AWG cable is
used creating a coverage area for five FS-BP wireless beltpacks in that location. The port is
able to provide the required power to the transceiver/antenna at a distance of up to 300
metres (approximately 900 feet); beyond that distance, the FS-TA transceiver/antenna must
be locally powered via its in-line external universal power supply.
Note: It is recommended that shielded CAT-5 cable is used.
To know that a transceiver/antenna is active, observe the green power LED and the yellow
signal LED on the face of the unit where the RJ-45 connector is connected. Both must be lit.
Also, wireless beltpacks in the vicinity of the active transceiver/antenna will be connected to
the system and their displays will show labels and other information.
Using both transceiver ports, a Base station may be connected with up to two
transceiver/antennas via a direct connection with the Base station. For the best, most reliable
coverage, it is advisable to use a minimum of two transceiver/antennas in any installation,
positioned in different locations in the coverage area. When more antennas are required to
support a larger coverage area or more wireless beltpacks, an antenna splitter will need to be
introduced between the Base station and the transceiver/antennas.
Note: In some situations, particularly in outdoor venues, interference from non-DECT sources can
severely reduce the range of the system. In these cases we recommend a site survey as
described in Chapter 8, “Installing a System”.
4.9.2 Connecting transceiver/antennas with a splitter (PD2203)
A splitter (PD2203) will connect up to five transceiver/antennas to one of the transceiver ports
on the FS II Base station, creating up to five coverage zones that can be overlapped to make
large areas where FS-BP wireless beltpacks can have continuous coverage. The use of the
splitter also extends the distance that the transceiver antennas can be located from the Base
station to 2,000 metres (6,400 feet) if 24AWG cable is used or 1.000 metres (3,200 feet) if
26AWG cable is used (assuming the same cable type is used to connect the antenna to the
splitter and the splitter to the Base station).
Note: It is recommended that shielded CAT-5 cable is used.
For example, a splitter can be used to connect to an FS II Base station that is located in a
production truck outside an arena or stadium, with a single CAT-5 cable going to the splitter
which is then located just inside the stadium. From that splitter, up to five transceiver/antennas
are distributed throughout the stadium to create wide coverage – each with a run of CAT-5
cable back to the splitter. A similar arrangement may be used in a large theatre or performing
arts facility.
The connection between a transceiver port on the FS II Base station and a PD2203 splitter is
accomplished with standard 4-pair CAT-5 data cable with RJ-45 connectors. It is connected to
the port labeled MATRIX on the splitter. This cable can be as long as 1,000 metres (3,200
feet) if 24AWG cable is used or 500 metres (1,600 feet) if 26AWG cable is used. The splitter
must be locally powered via its DC IN connector, using the in-line external universal power
supply. The RJ-45 ports on the splitter labeled “1” through “5” are the connections to the FS-
TA transceiver/antennas. Transceiver/antennas connected to the splitter can be powered at a
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FreeSpeak II User Guide