Lectrosonics ALP690 Users Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

ALP690

Active LPDA Antenna

Fill in for your records:

Serial Number:

Purchase Date:

Rio Rancho, NM, USA
www.lectrosonics.com

ALP690

Features and Functions

The ALP690 is a high performance LPDA (log periodic
dipole array) antenna with a built-in RF amplifier for
use with wireless microphone receivers on location or
studio production. The antenna design delivers +4 dBd
of passive gain in a directional pattern to extend oper­ating range and suppress signals from the rear.

The antenna is formed with copper traces on a .133”
thick glass epoxy high-pressure thermoset plastic
laminate material with a durable finish. The skeletal
structure reduces wind loading in outdoor use.

RF gain, bandwidth and display brightness are adjust­ed with a membrane switch keypad and LED display
on the control panel.

Active gain can be adjusted from +12dB to -6dB. Posi­tive gain is used to compensate for long coaxial cable
runs between the antenna and a receiver or multicou­pler. Negative gain can be used to offset the natural
pattern gain of +4dBd to achieve a level equivalent to a
dipole antenna, or in special cases where high power
transmitters are being used in close proximity.

When used as an active antenna, the filter bandwidth
is adjustable from 470 MHz at the lower end to either
608 or 700 MHz at the top end, to serve users’ needs
in various markets and locations.

The antenna is powered by DC bias inserted on the
coaxial cable connected to the 50 ohm BNC jack. This
power can be supplied by a Venue Series receiver, an
active multicoupler or an inline BIAS-T.

Settings are made with a

keypad interface on the

control panel.

Power is provided by DC bias

on the output connector

The antenna will automatically switch to the passive
mode when no DC bias power is present on the BNC
connection.

LECTROSONICS, INC.2

Active LPDA Antenna

Reception Pattern

Vertical orientation provides a wide horizontal cover­age pattern and deep nulls directly above and below
the antenna. Viewed from the side, the pattern is
weighted forward with significant rejection at the rear.

Viewed from above, the horizontal coverage pattern
extends across a broad angle.

FCC Notice

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to pro­vide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. The
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or televi­sion reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that which the
receiver is connected

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help

Changes or modifications to this equipment not expressly approved by Lectrosonics, Inc.
could void the user’s authority to operate it.

Rio Rancho, NM 3

ALP690

Powering

Power is provided by 8V to 16V DC bias on the center
conductor of the coaxial cable connected to the BNC
jack. The power can be supplied from an attached
receiver, active multicoupler or the BIAS-T power
inserter.

NOTE: The antenna will automatically switch
to the passive mode whenever no DC bias is
present on the BNC connection

9 to 16 VDC

DC POWER TO ALP690

RF OUT

BIAS-T

ANT AANT B

Antenna Power Jumpers
or switch setting on LCD

VENUE SERIES RECEIVER

OR

BIAS-T

RF OUT

9 to 16 VDC

ANT A

Antenna Power Jumpers

UMC16B MULTICOUPLER

ANT B

LECTROSONICS, INC.4

Active LPDA Antenna

470 608

700 MHz

-10

dB

Mounting

The mounting block
supplied with the
antenna provides
threaded openings
for 1/4-20 and
3/8-16 tripods, and
a 5/8-27 threaded
opening for micro­phone stands.

The mounting block can be rotated 90 degrees by
removing the four screws, rotating the mounting block
and re-assembling.

Retain the four lock nuts with a

wrench or socket and remove the

screws from the opposite side.

Adjusting gain

The RF amplifier applies 12dB of gain. Built-in attenu­ators can be applied in 1dB steps to reduce the gain
from +12dB down to -6dB.

• Positive gain compensates for loss in longer co­axial cable runs between the antenna and receiver

• Reduce the output level of the antenna to the level
of a standard dipole antenna (-4 setting)

• Reduce the output level of the antenna when high
power transmitters are used in close proximity to
the antenna

Press and hold either the UP or DOWN arrow until the
power LED blinks. Release the button and immediately
press the UP or DOWN button to adjust the gain to
the desired setting. When the buttons are released
for about 2 seconds, the setting will be stored and the
display will return to the normal operating mode.

Calculating Needed Gain

Add up the loss caused by long coaxial cable runs,
splitters, etc. between the antenna and the receiver to
determine the total loss and set the gain to compen­sate. For example, consider a 4-way passive splitter
such as the ZFSC41 with 6 dB of loss at each output
and a coaxial cable such as the ARG15 with 2 dB of
loss, for a total loss of 8 dB at the receiver. Set the
gain at 8 to offset the loss.

NOTE: Other mounting configurations are
available using the optional ALPKIT shown in the
Optional Accessories listing.

Display brightness

Press and hold both UP and DOWN arrow buttons un­til the power LED blinks and a b.(x) appears. Release
the buttons and immediately press the UP or DOWN
button to adjust the brightness. When the buttons are
released for about 2 seconds, the display will store the
setting, stop blinking and return to the normal operat­ing mode.

PWR

Adjusting bandwidth

Band pass filters are included in the circuitry to sup­press RF signals above and below the useful band­width of the antenna. The filter bandwidth can be set
to 470 to 608 MHz (F.6) for use in the US, or to 470 to
700 MHz (F.7) for use in export regions.

Press and hold the UP and DOWN arrow buttons until
the power LED blinks and continue to hold them for
another few seconds until the display switches to a
blinking F.7 or F.6. Release the buttons and immedi­ately press the UP or DOWN arrow button to change
the setting. When the buttons are released for about 2
seconds, the setting will be stored and the display will
return to the normal operating mode.

Filter Bandwidths

F.7

10

0

F.6

Rio Rancho, NM 5

ALP690

Optional Accessories

ALPKIT

Includes threaded sleeves and an all-thread stud for
mounting on 1/4-20 and 3/8-16 tripods and 1/2 inch
lighting clamps, and a sleeve adapter threaded for
microphone stands and the 3/8-16 all-thread stud that
comes with the antenna.

Microphone stand adapter, 1

1/2” long. 5/8”- 27 thread on one

end, with 3/8”-16 thread in other

end. Knurled finish.

Threaded adapter for

photo/video tripod

mounting. 1/2” diameter

x 1 3/4” long. 3/8”-16

thread on one end, 1/4”-

20 on the other.

(PART # 26312)

(PART # 26313)

1/4” - 20 threaded adapter

(PART # 28770)

Threaded adapter

for standard lighting
clamps. 1/2” diameter
x 6 inch long. 3/8”-16

thread - both ends.

(PART # 26311)

Specifications

Pattern Gain: +7 dBi (isotropic)
+4 dBd (over dipole)

Passband: Passive: 450 - 850 MHz
Active: 470 - 608 or 470 - 700 MHz, selectable

RF Amplifier Gain Range: -6 to +12 dB in 1 dB steps
Third Order Intercept: +27 dBm @ input; +41 dBm output
Weight: 13 ozs.; 355 grams
Power Requirements: DC bias on center pin of coaxial cable;

8V to 16V DC; 1.5 W max.; polarity protected

The components in the ALPKIT can also be ordered
individually by the part numbers shown above.

COAXIAL CABLES Loss:

ARG2 (2 ft. RG-8/X - Belden 9258) .25 dB

ARG2RT (2 ft. RG174/U - Belden 8216) .50 dB
(right angle connectors)

ARG15 (15 ft. RG-8/X - Belden 9258) 1.4 dB

ARG25 (25 ft. RG-8/U - Belden 9913F) 1.9 dB

ARG50 (50 ft. RG-8/U - Belden 9913F) 2.8 dB

ARG100 (100 ft. RG-8/U - Belden 9913F) 4.6 dB

ARX125 (125 ft. RG-8/X - Belden 9258) 12.5 dB

Mini-Circuits

®

PASSIVE SPLITTERS: Loss:

ZSC24 (2-way) 3.4 dB

ZSC41 (4-way) 6.8 dB

ZSC843 (8-way) 10.2 dB

LECTROSONICS, INC.6

Active LPDA Antenna

Service and Repair

If your system malfunctions, you should attempt to correct or isolate the trouble before concluding that the equip­ment needs repair. Make sure you have followed the setup procedure and operating instructions. Check the inter­connecting cables and then go through the Troubleshooting section in this manual.

We strongly recommend that you do not try to repair the equipment yourself and do not have the local repair shop
attempt anything other than the simplest repair. If the repair is more complicated than a broken wire or loose con­nection, send the unit to the factory for repair and service. Don’t attempt to adjust any controls inside the units. Once
set at the factory, the various controls and trimmers do not drift with age or vibration and never require readjustment.
There are no adjustments inside that will make a malfunctioning unit start working.

LECTROSONICS’ Service Department is equipped and staffed to quickly repair your equipment. In warranty repairs
are made at no charge in accordance with the terms of the warranty. Out-of-warranty repairs are charged at a mod­est flat rate plus parts and shipping. Since it takes almost as much time and effort to determine what is wrong as it
does to make the repair, there is a charge for an exact quotation. We will be happy to quote approximate charges by
phone for out-of-warranty repairs.

Returning Units for Repair

For timely service, please follow the steps below:

A. DO NOT return equipment to the factory for repair without first contacting us by email or by phone. We need

to know the nature of the problem, the model number and the serial number of the equipment. We also need a
phone number where you can be reached 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. (U.S. Mountain Standard Time).

B. After receiving your request, we will issue you a return authorization number (R.A.). This number will help speed

your repair through our receiving and repair departments. The return authorization number must be clearly
shown on the outside of the shipping container.

C. Pack the equipment carefully and ship to us, shipping costs prepaid. If necessary, we can provide you with the

proper packing materials. UPS is usually the best way to ship the units. Heavy units should be “double-boxed”
for safe transport.

D. We also strongly recommend that you insure the equipment, since we cannot be responsible for loss of or dam-

age to equipment that you ship. Of course, we insure the equipment when we ship it back to you.

Lectrosonics USA:

Mailing address: Shipping address: Telephone:

Lectrosonics, Inc. Lectrosonics, Inc. [phone]
PO Box 15900 561 Laser Rd. NE, Suite 102 [phone] Toll-free
Rio Rancho, NM 87174 Rio Rancho, NM 87124 [phone] Fax
USA USA

Web: E-mail:
www.lectrosonics.com [e-mail]

[e-mail]

Lectrosonics Canada:

Mailing Address: Telephone: E-mail:

720 Spadina Avenue, [phone] Sales: [e-mail]
Suite 600 [phone] Toll-free Service: [e-mail]
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2T9 (877-7LECTRO)
[phone] Fax

Rio Rancho, NM 7

LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY

The equipment is warranted for one year from date of purchase against defects in
materials or workmanship provided it was purchased from an authorized dealer. This
warranty does not cover equipment which has been abused or damaged by careless
handling or shipping. This warranty does not apply to used or demonstrator equipment.

Should any defect develop, Lectrosonics, Inc. will, at our option, repair or replace any
defective parts without charge for either parts or labor. If Lectrosonics, Inc. cannot
correct the defect in your equipment, it will be replaced at no charge with a similar new
item. Lectrosonics, Inc. will pay for the cost of returning your equipment to you.

This warranty applies only to items returned to Lectrosonics, Inc. or an authorized
dealer, shipping costs prepaid, within one year from the date of purchase.

This Limited Warranty is governed by the laws of the State of New Mexico. It states the
entire liablility of Lectrosonics Inc. and the entire remedy of the purchaser for any
breach of warranty as outlined above. NEITHER LECTROSONICS, INC. NOR
ANYONE INVOLVED IN THE PRODUCTION OR DELIVERY OF THE EQUIPMENT
SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL,
OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE
THIS EQUIPMENT EVEN IF LECTROSONICS, INC. HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE LIABILITY OF
LECTROSONICS, INC. EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE OF ANY DEFECTIVE
EQUIPMENT.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may have additional legal rights which
vary from state to state.

581 Laser Road NE • Rio Rancho, NM 87124 USA • www.lectrosonics.com
[phone] • fax [phone] • [phone] US and Canada • [e-mail]

8 January 2019