Fire Com UHW-10, UHW-20, FHW-10 Operation Manual

Wireless Headset Series

UHW-10/20 Under the Helmet

FHW-10 Over the Head

Operation Manual

7340 SW Durham Road • Portland, OR 97224 USA

Phone: [phone] • 1-800-527-0555

Fax: [phone] • email: [e-mail]

www.firecom.com

1

Introduction

The UHW/ FHW series are highly reliable wireless communication headsets for fire and
emergency truck operator applications. The UHW/ FHW series provides secured, digitally
encoded interference free communications. When operated as part of a wireless system,
up to 40 headsets can operate interference free in close proximity to each other.

Note: Under certain site conditions, it may be possible to operate up to 50 headsets in
close proximity.

Under-the-Helmet Headsets

Adjustable

headstrap

Volume control

Push-To-Talk (PTT) button

Adjustable headstrap

UHW-10 Under-the-helmet wireless headset with a red momentary PTT button for transmitting
on the vehicle radio.
UHW-20 Under-the-helmet wireless headset with a black momentary PTT button to key the
microphone for intercom communications.

UH

Over-the-Head Headsets

Push-To-Talk (PTT) button

Volume control

Adjustable headband

Adjustable
headband

FH

FHW-10 Over-the-head wireless headset with a red momentary PTT button for transmitting on

the vehicle radio.

All headsets include a microphone with water resistant membrane and mic muff (cover)
with retaining o-ring.

2

Proper Fit

When worn properly, this headset will provide significant hearing protection. If it is not worn
properly, the headset’s effectiveness in reducing harmful noise is severely compromised.

• The length or vertical fit of the headset ear dome is adjusted by the headband or head­strap. Adjust as necessary to achieve a fit that ensures the headset ear dome completely
covers the ear.

• This headset is intended to be a left dress headset.

Rotating the mic boom in order to switch dress direction may damage the
boom or wiring.

Damage to the headband cable may result from rotating the metal head
band on the UH model in the wrong direction.

• For maximum comfort, wear the headset as far back on the head as possible, while ensur­ing the ear dome still completely covers the ear. If discomfort is felt in the jawbone, you are
wearing the headset too far forward.

Caution

This Firecom headset provides 24dB noise attenuation when properly fitted to the user and
worn as instructed. Any modification to the hearing protector such as drilling holes in the
dome, painting or reforming the headband spring, will negatively impact the hearing protector’s
performance and hearing damage could occur.

Federal law requires the following statements:

“Although hearing protectors can be recommended for protection against the harmful effects
of impulsive noise, the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is based on the attenuation of continu­ous noise and may not be an accurate indicator of the protection attainable against impulsive
noise such as gunfire.”

“The level of noise entering a person’s ear, when a hearing protector is worn as directed, is
closely approximated by the difference between the A - weighted environmental noise level
and the NRR.

Example

1. The environmental noise level as measured at the ear is 92dBA.

2. The NRR is 24dB.

3. The level of noise entering the ear is approximately equal to 92dB (A) – NRR or 68dB.

Caution

For noise environments dominated by frequencies below 500 Hz, the C - weighted environ­mental noise level should be used.”

Always wear a hearing protector in areas that have been identified as high noise locations.

3

Headset Power Switch and Volume Control

A power switch is provided on the volume control. This control is located on the bottom side
of the right ear dome on the UHW-10/ 20 headsets, and on the top side of the left ear dome
on the FHW-10 headset. Volume should be set at a comfortably high audio level to optimize
performance but not so high as to cause audio distortion and hearing discomfort.

Operation

The base station should be installed and powered up prior to operating the headset. If the
headset has not been previously paired to the base station, refer to the “Pairing Section” for
pairing instructions. Turn the power switch on, the green LED will normally flash rapidly to
indicate that the headset is attempting to link to the base. The corresponding link LED on the
base station will also be flashing rapidly at this point. After approximately 5 seconds the head­set will link to the base and the green LED will turn on steadily to indicate that the headset is
linked to the base. The headset will also sound a one time double beep on connection to
the base. Once the connection is established, full duplex communication between the base
station and the headset will become possible.

Out-of-Range Warning

The UHW/ FHW wireless headsets incorporate an out-of-range warning as a safety feature to
warn the user against exceeding the coverage range of the headset. The headset will sound
a 1 second cautionary beep every 10 seconds when the headset is at the fringes of the cover­age range and before the headset goes completely out of range and looses its link to the
base. The cautionary beep will stop if the user steps back into range from the base station.

Warning: Firecom recommends that the headset always be operated
within the coverage range to ensure consistent and clear communications
and therefore to ensure the safety of the crew and help them perform
their duties in the safest and most effective manner.

Reconnect Feature

Should the headset go out of range and loose its link to the base station, the headset is
capable of automatically reestablishing its link to the base within 10-15 seconds of the head­set’s coming back into range. However, if the headset is not able to reconnect to the base
station within 5 minutes of loosing its link, the headset will be timed out and powered down
automatically. The user will then have to cycle power to the headset in order to reestablish
the link to the base station.

4

No more than
1/8" from lips

LED Indicators

All headsets have one green and one red externally viewable LED indicator located on the
top side of the left ear dome (same side as boom microphone).

These two LEDs operate as follows:

Power off mode:

• Charging: red LED on.

• Charge complete: red LED off, green LED on.

Power on mode (charger not plugged):

• Headset not linked to base: green LED flashing rapidly, red LED off.

• Headset linked to base: green LED on.

• Low battery, headset linked or not linked to base: green LED flashing slowly, red LED off.

Note: When the battery is low, the headset will also sound an

audible 3 tone pattern once every minute.

• Very low battery, headset not linked to base: green LED flashing rapidly, red LED
flashing slowly.

Note: When the battery is very low, the headset will also sound an audible

6 tone pattern once every minute.

• Very low battery, headset linked to base: green LED on, red LED flashing slowly.

Power on (charger plugged):

• Charging, headset linked to base: green LED on, red LED on.

• Charging complete, headset linked to base: green LED on, red LED off.

• Charging, headset not linked to base: green LED flashing rapidly, red LED on.

• Charging complete, headset not linked to base: green LED flashing rapidly, red LED off.

Microphone Placement

Place the microphone in front of the mouth and no more than 1/ 8" away from the lips as
shown in the diagram below. Placement of the microphone is critical for proper operation of
the noise gating feature.

If the microphone is positioned incorrectly, you
may experience a reduction or interruption in the
audio and or deterioration in clarity of intercom
and radio communication.

5

Mic Muffs

The headset microphone is covered with a washable, replaceable foam mic muff. This mic
muff helps prevent the “pops” and “hisses” that can occur from speaking into a microphone
that is close to the mouth.

To clean or replace the mic muff:

1. Remove the o-ring.

2. Slip the mic muff off the microphone.

3. At this time, you can decide whether

to clean or replace the mic muff.

If you clean the mic muff, use a mild detergent, rinse it out well and let it
dry completely before re-installing it on the microphone.

4. Slide the mic muff on the microphone.

5. Install the o-ring on the mic muff to secure it.

Replacement mic muffs may be ordered from Firecom.

Intercom Communication

The UHW-20 headset has a black momentary PTT button located on the bottom side of the
right ear dome. Press and hold this button to activate the microphone for intercom communi­cation. Radio transmitting is not possible with the UHW-20 model.

The UHW-10 and the FHW-10 models have a red momentary PTT button located on the
bottom of the right ear dome. The microphone on these two models is always live for internal
intercom communications. However, press and hold the red button to transmit over the vehicle
radio. Release the button to terminate radio transmission.

Pairing Procedure

1. Press and hold the pairing button on the front panel of the base station for approximately

5-7 seconds until the yellow LED(s) on the front panel of the base station start flashing,
indicating that the base station has entered pairing mode. Once the base station is placed
in pairing mode, the user has approximately 15 seconds to place the headset in pairing mode.

2. Press and hold the PTT button, turn on power to the headset. After approximately 5 seconds,

the green and red LEDs on the outside of the left ear dome will start flashing in a relatively
fast alternating pattern. Release the PTT button.

3. Monitor the green and red LEDs on the left ear dome of the headset. After about 5-7

seconds, the alternating flashing pattern ends, the green LED will flash rapidly for two seconds
and then the green and red LEDs resume normal operation (as stated in the section titled
“LED Indicators”) to indicate that the headset is paired and linked to the base station. The
respective LINK LED on the base station will illuminate steadily after flashing rapidly for
two seconds to indicate that a link to the headset has been established.

Mic muff

O-ring

Mic boom

6

Charging

Ensure that the headset is fully charged prior to operating for the first time.

All headsets have a 2.1mm panel mounted charger jack located on the right ear dome.
A charger cable assembly with a 2.1mm x 5.5mm plug is provided with the headset. The
unterminated end of the charger cable can be wired to nominal 12V (11-16V) from the
vehicle. Plug the terminated end of the charger cable into the headset charger jack (refer to
the “LED Indicators” section for proper operation of the battery charging red LED indicator.

NOTES:

1. Observe correct polarity when connecting the charger cable

to12V from the vehicle. Connect the white striped black wire
to +12V and the solid black wire to GND. This will result in a
positive center terminal of the 2.1mm charger jack as shown
in the illustration.

2. Firecom does not recommend operating the headset while the headset is being

charged. It is recommended that the headset be charged only when it’s not
being operated and with the power switch on the headset turned off.

Firecom recommends charging the wireless headset on the vehicle by
connecting to the vehicle’s uninterruptible 12V supply (battery). The use of
unregulated 12V AC/DC wall adapters is not recommended. However if an
adapter must be used, Sonetics recommends CUI Inc. EPS120050-P5P 12V

0.5A regulated wall adapter or an approved equivalent.

Reset

In rare cases, resetting the headset may become necessary.

With the power switch turned on, plug the charger plug into the charger jack on the right ear
dome. The system will reset, both red and green LEDs will illuminate for approximately two
seconds after which the headset will resume normal operation.

NOTES:

1. In case the battery is deeply discharged, no LED indication will be possible until

the battery is partly charged to an operable voltage level.

2. Plugging the charger plug into the headset at anytime will cause the headset

to reset even when the headset is linked to a base station. Resetting a
connected headset will result in losing the link for about 10-12 seconds.

Care and Maintenance

To ensure hearing protection and user safety, repairs or replacement of the headset should be
immediately sought if you see any defect such as holes or cracks in the ear domes, ear seals
or headband.

Body oils, perspiration and hair care products will, over time, affect the ear seals. Inspect the
ear seals frequently for signs of wear and replace at approximate 6 month intervals along with
the mic muff (cover).

Do not remove the foam speaker cover.

+

–

7

Never remove the charging cable from the headset by pulling on the cord.
The headset should be unplugged at the jack location by pulling the
charger plug from the jack.

Wipe headset and ear seals with a mild soap and water mixture only. NEVER IMMERSE
ANY PART OF THE HEADSET IN WATER. Although the microphone is water resistant, to

ensure a longer life, keep the microphone away from moisture, when possible.

Do not store in direct sunlight or in areas of high temperature.

Specifications

Headset

Sensitivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104dB re 20 uPa @ 1000 Hz, 1 mW

Frequency Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .300Hz - 3.4 KHz,+/- 3dB

Impedance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 ohms nominal per speaker

Weight (FHW-10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19.50z

Weight (UHW-10/ 20) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17.80z

Microphone

Frequency Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Optimized for speech clarity and noise reduction

Max. Amb. Noise Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125dB SPL re 20 uPa

MIC Sensitivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-44+/- 5db, 0dB=1v / Pa

DC Bias . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Internally biased

Frequency range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .300Hz – 3.4KHz

Noise Canceling . . . . . . . . . . . . .approx. 6.25 db /octave from 3.4 KHz down to 300 Hz

S / N ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60db minimum

Impedance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Internally matched

RF

- Range: 1100' open field, 100' minimum from base station depending on base station
mounting position on the fire or emergency truck.

- Digital encoding for secured communications.

- Interference free communications for up to 40 headsets operating in close proximity.

- Immunity to interference from other communications devices operating in the entire
frequency spectrum from 30 MHz – 18GHz.

FCC/IC Compliance

This device complies with FCC Part 15 Rules and IC RSS-213 Rules. Operation of this is
subject to the following two conditions:

1 This device may not cause harmful interference.

2. This device must accept any interference that may be received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.

8

FCC/IC RF Exposure Warning

- This product complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled
environment.

- This product may not be collocated or operated in conjunction with any other antenna or
transmitter.

- This headset has been tested and meets the FCC RF exposure guidelines. Max. SAR is

0.003 W/ kg.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Firecom can void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment.

Power

- 3.7 V rechargeable lithium ion battery

- 8-10 hours of talk time

- Cycle life: 500 cycles minimum

- Over voltage, under voltage, over current and over temperature protection.

- Charge source: 12V nominal (11-16v), 0.25A minimum

- Charge time: 3 hours max from deeply discharged state

Environmental

- Operating temperature -10 to +70oC

- Storage temperature -25 to +85oC

- Meets standards SAE J1455 and J1113

- Chemical resistance corrosion and humidity per MIL-STD-810

Package Contents

UHW-10 Headset: 105-3092-00

- User’s manual: P/ N 600-0074-00

- Charger cable with 2.1mm plug,9': P/ N 420-0048-00

UHW-20 Headset: 105-3093-00

- User’s manual: P/ N 600-0074-00

- Charger cable with 2.1mm plug,9': P/ N 420-0048-00

FHW-10 Headset: 105-3090-00

- User’s manual: P/ N 600-0074-00

- Charger cable with 2.1mm plug,9': P/ N 420-0048-00

9

Warranty

Two-Year Limited Warranty to the Original Purchaser

Sonetics Corporation warrants to the original purchaser of its products, that they will be free
from defects in materials and workmanship, under normal and proper use, for the period of two
years from date of purchase. Sonetics Corporation will repair or replace, at its option, any parts
showing factory defects during this warranty period, subject to the following provisions.
This warranty applies only to a new product which has been sold through authorized channels
of distribution. All work under warranty must be performed by Sonetics Corporation. All returned
products must be shipped to our address, freight prepaid, accompanied by a dated proof of pur­chase. The purchaser voids this warranty if he, she or others attempt to repair, service or alter the
product in any way. This warranty does not apply in the event of accident, abuse, improper
installation, unauthorized repair, tampering, modification, fire, flood, collision, or other damage
from external sources, including damage which is caused by user replaceable
parts (leaking batteries, etc.). This warranty does not extend to any other equipment or apparatus to
which this product may be attached or connected. The foregoing is your sole remedy for
failure in service or defects. Sonetics Corporation shall not be liable under this or any implied
warranty for incidental or consequential damages, nor for any installation or removal costs or
other service fees. This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, express or implied, including
the warranty of merchantability or fitness of use, which are hereby excluded. To the extent that
this exclusion is not legally enforceable, the duration of such implied warranties shall be limited
to two years from date of purchase. No suit for breach of express or implied warranty may be
brought after two years from date of purchase.

FIRECOM is a division of Sonetics Corporation
7340 SW Durham Road • Portland, Oregon 97224
800-527-0555 • 503-684-6647 • Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail] • www.firecom.com

Copyright © 2008 Sonetics Corporation - All rights reserved.

The information in this document is subject to change without notice.

No part of this document may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent of Sonetics Corporation.

This document is part number 600-0074-00 RevC. Patent pending.