Intelix RF-F User Manual

Specifications

Specifications subject to change without notice.

Maximum Distance* 330 feet

Bandwidth (3 dB) 5 MHz to 900 MHz

Supported Video Channels CATV 2-150, VHF channels 2-13, FM broadcast band

Insertion Loss <9 dB: 5-10 MHz

<3 dB: 10-900 MHz

Return Loss >10 dB: 15-370 MHz

>7 dB: 370-770 MHz
>10 dB: 770-900 MHz

Common Mode Rejection -20 dB or higher at 5-900 MHz

Unshielded Twisted Pair Maximum capacitance: 20 pf/foot
Cabling Specifications Impedance: 100 ohms @ 1 MHz
(24 gauge or lower solid Attenuation: 6.6 dB/1000 ft. @ 1 MHz
copper) Cat 3, Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 7 compatible

Connectors One (1) male F to one (1) RJ45

RJ45 Pinout 7 & 8, pair 4

Temperature Operating: 32 to 104 F (0 to 40 C)

Storage: 14 to 158 F (-10 to 70 C)
Humidity: up to 95%

Enclosure Black plastic

Dimensions 2.5” x 1” diameter

Weight 0.07 lbs (1.05 oz.)

Regulatory Approval FCC, CE

Ordering Information RF: single RF balun in bulk packaging

RF-PAC: two RF baluns in retail-ready packaging

Warranty 2 years

* Distances and picture quality may be affected by cable grade, cable quality, source and

destination equipment, RF and electrical interference, cable patches, channel frequency
and input power. Maximum distance of 330 feet at CATV channel 2. May require tilt
amplifiers at higher frequencies. Intelix specifications are based on straight-through
cabling with standard-grade Cat 5.

Contact Information

Intelix RF Broadband Video Balun

Installation ManualInstallation Manual

Installation Manual

Installation ManualInstallation Manual

The Intelix RF balun passively transmits broadband (RF) video over unshielded twisted
pair cabling, such as Cat 5. Used in pairs, the RF transmits video up to 330 feet, providing
a low-cost, versatile cabling solution which uses a building’s existing structured cabling
system.

The RF is ideal for private RF networks, guestroom TV and internet services, apartments
and condominiums, schools and universities, and corporate audio/visual environments.
The RF is designed for point-to-point connections only.

Installation

Caution: Do not attempt to open the balun housing. There are no user-serviceable parts

To install an RF balun, perform the following steps:

1. Turn off power and disconnect the video equipment by following the
manufacturer’s instructions.

2. Make certain that outlets and cross connects to which you will connect the RF
are configured properly and labeled appropriately to identify the circuit.

Caution: Do not connect the RF to a telecommunication outlet wired to

3. Verify the desired twisted pairs are not being used for other LAN or telephony
equipment.

4. Connect the video input from the source equipment to one of the two baluns. Two
RF’s are needed—one at each end of the run—and are interchangeable.

Caution: Do not mount the balun over equipment ventilation openings. Covering the

5. Connect a 4-pair structured cable, such as Cat 5, to the RJ45 connector on the
balun.

6. Connect the second balun’s video input to the destination equipment.

7. Connect the 4-pair structured cable attached to the first balun to the RJ45
connector on the second balun.

8. Power on the source and destination equipment and test for correct operation.

inside the RF. Opening the unit will void your warranty.

unrelated equipment. Making such a connection may damage the
equipment and/or balun. Please ensure all wiring is “straight-through.”

openings may cause the equipment to overheat.

Intelix

2222 Pleasant View Rd.
Middleton, WI 53562

www.intelix.com

Toll-free: 866-4-MATMIX
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Note: When first powering on the source and destination equipment or

switching video through the balun, there may be a 2-3 second delay
followed by 12 seconds of yellow video. This is normal operation and
the result of the balun correctly syncing to the monitor.

Troubleshooting

If your equipment malfunctions with RF baluns in place, follow the troubleshooting proce­dures below:

1. Perform diagnostics on your video equipment by following the manufacturer’s
instructions.

2. Check all the connections and the structured cabling system. Verify the RJ45 crimp
pattern conforms to either EIA/TIA 568A or 568B standards.

3. Check the pin configuration on the structured cable.

4. The maximum operational distances over which the RF can be transmitted is
dependant on the equipment and cable used. Ensure that the maximum recommended
operational distances have not been exceeded.

5. If the picture is snowy, the signal strength may be insufficient. Increase the
signal power at the head-end using a tilt amplifier or use a higher grade cable.

6. If the picture is overly bright, the signal strength may be too great. Attenuate the
signal by reducing amplifier gain or by inserting a signal attenuator in the link.

7. Check that only twisted pair patch cords are being used.

8. Replace the RF balun with another RF that is known to be working.

9. If you still cannot diagnose the problem, contact Intelix for support.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I crimp an unshielded RJ45 connector onto Cat 5?

Crimping an RJ45 connector onto Cat 5 is a fairly straight-forward task, assuming you have
the proper tools. Keep in mind that baluns require either the EIA/TIA 568A or 568B crimp
pattern, which are the industry standards
for networking.

1. First, strip a portion of the

insulation about 3/4" to expose the
four twisted pairs.

2. Next, untwist the wires and fan

them out so that they match
either the EIA/TIA 568A or 568B
pattern.

3. Evenly trim the wires to about

1/2". Most RJ45 crimp tools
feature a built-in wire trimmer.

4. Insert the trimmed wires into the

RJ45 connector so that each wire
is in its individual slot. Verify each
wire is completely inserted.

5. Finally, insert the RJ45 connector

into the crimp tool and squeeze
firmly.

6. Repeat the above steps on the

other end of the Cat 5 cable and
verify pinout is identical on each

end.

Application Tips

In a point-to-point scenario for CATV (superband and hyperband), VHF, and FM, cable
lengths of up to 150 feet may be achieved without amplification if the nominal input is about
15 dBm. In some applications, a tilt amplifier may be required since the Cat 5 cable losses are
higher than coax at the higher frequencies. Linear gain compensation of up to 20-25 dB at
750 MHz is usually adequate. Conversely, if amplification is used to compensate for losses at
high frequencies and longer distances, it may be necessary to attenuate the lower frequency
and shorter distance signals to avoid over-driving the TV monitors. The Intelix RF may be
used in conjunction with tilt/gain amplifiers, CATV splitters, and splitters with built-in ampli­fiers. The following are some helpful guidelines when planning your cabling:

1. Try for 10 dBmv of signal level at each television channel. Use a little more for big
screen TVs. Measure the signal level at the high and low end of the spectrum to
determine whether a tilt amplifier is needed.

2. When laying out your system, there will be approximately 5dB of signal loss per 100' of
RG6-coaxial cable.

3. Please ensure all splitters and amplifiers are broadband. For Cat 5 installations, splitters
should have 5 MHz to 900 MHz bandwidth with a bi-directional filter at 5 to 50 MHz.

4. Check and make sure that all televisions are set up for the proper frequency spectrum
(i.e. UHF or cable).

5. If extra channels are available, allow 1 to 2 channels spacing between “modulated” and
“active” channels.

6. Always compensate for insertion loss with a good amplifier. There will always be a drop
in signal strength when combining a modulator to an existing system due to insertion
loss from the combiner.

7. When combining an existing signal with a modulated signal, make sure to have equal
signal strength at the point of the combiner so one signal does not degrade the other.

8. When possible, use the lowest frequencies available for the modulated channels. Lower
frequency channels have lower signal loss on the cable runs.

9. When in doubt, run the signal a little high to the television and use an attenuator to lower
the signal strength going into the TV. Attenuators may be combined (i.e. two -3dB
attenuators will = -6dB).

10. Combine the modulator into the video distribution system as far “up-stream” as
possible.

11 . If the system needs to be amplified, use the amplifier as far “up-stream” as possible. For

example, place one amplifier at the head end and one tilt amplifier in each wiring closet
where the baluns are located.

RF Example System Drawing