Lectrosonics Long Ranger II User Manual

PORTABLE WIRELESS SOUND SYSTEM

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

and trouble-shooting guide

LECTROSONICS, INC.

Rio Rancho, NM

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for selecting the LONG RANGER II Portable Wireless Sound System. This system
represents over 80 years of combined experience in the design of RF transmitters, receivers and Public
Address systems. The LONG RANGER II sets new standards for operational convenience, flexibility
and mechanical ruggedness. The built-in wireless receiver, the rechargeable power supply and the
high audio output set this system apart from any other portable PA system on the market.

This manual covers the standard LONG RANGER II, optional microphones, transmitters, extension
speakers and the "add-on" 170MINI-LR wireless microphone system.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ................................................ 1

GENERAL TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION ................................ 2

RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES AND EXTERNAL POWER SOURCES .......... 2

CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS ...................................... 3

M170 SERIES TRANSMITTERS ..................................... 5

SYSTEM SETUP RULES .......................................... 6

INITIAL EQUIPMENT ADJUSTMENTS ................................. 7

USING ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS .................................... 8

ADDING A SECOND WIRELESS CHANNEL TO YOUR LONG RANGER II ...... 9

INITIAL ADJUSTMENTS TO THE 170MINI-LR SYSTEM .................... 10

MULTIPLE LONG RANGER II SYSTEMS ............................... 11

MICROPHONE CHOICES .......................................... 12

ACCESSORIES AND REPLACEMENT PARTS .......................... 13

TROUBLESHOOTING ............................................. 14

SPECIFICATIONS ............................................... 15

SERVICE AND REPAIR ........................................... 16

RETURNING UNITS FOR REPAIR ................................... 16

WARRANTY ............................................. Back cover

1

GENERAL TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

The standard LONG RANGER II Portable Wireless Sound System consists of a combination wireless
receiver/amplifier/speaker with a rechargeable battery pack, an M170 belt-pack transmitter and a
microphone. Optional microphones, extension speakers and add-on equipment for a second wireless
channel are available. These items will be discussed elsewhere in this manual.

The LONG RANGER II features a VHF wireless microphone system with a transmitter-to-receiver
operating range of up to 750 feet. The receiver is designed for high selectivity to prevent interference
from other transmitted radio signals. The system is designed and constructed for rigorous portable use
with the antenna integrated into the horn speaker to eliminate damage.

The LONG RANGER II will operate from 8 to 12 hours from the "on-board" rechargeable battery pack
before recharging is necessary. The actual operating time is dependent upon the type of

usage....intermittent or continuous. The unit can also be operated from an external 12 Volt DC source.

An accessory power cord is available to allow operation from a vehicle cigarette lighter receptacle.

The amplifier produces 33 Watts, RMS, into the 8 Ohm horn speaker. The sound output will cover an
area the size of a football field under average outdoor conditions. Several LONG RANGER IIs can be
easily connected together to provide even greater area coverage.

RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES AND EXTERNAL POWER SOURCES

The battery pack in the LONG RANGER II is charged by plugging the CH-40 charger into the jack
labeled CH-40 on the control panel of the LONG RANGER II. Connect the charger into a standard 110
Volt AC outlet. The green lamp beneath the jack will light as long as the batteries are charging. When
the batteries are almost completely charged the green charging light will go out. You may leave the
charger plugged in after the green light has gone out with no danger of damage to the system. In fact,
we recommend charging the system whenever it is not in use, then the system will always be "ready to
go".

Since the LONG RANGER II consumes more power than the CH-40 charger can supply, the batteries
will recharge faster if you turn the LONG RANGER II power off while charging. The batteries normally
require 2 to 6 hours to recharge. If the unit is completely run down, it may require as much as 24
hours to fully charge the batteries. Leave the charger plugged in at least until the green lamp just
below the CH-40 jack goes out.

The LONG RANGER II can be operated from an external 12 Volt DC source such as an automobile
battery or, most commonly, from the cigarette lighter receptacle in your vehicle. To use an external
power source it must be connected into the 12V DC POWER INPUT jack on the LONG RANGER II
front panel. CAUTION--Make sure you comply with the polarity markings on the jack. The correct plug
for making the connections is a Switchcraft S-760 which can be obtained through electronic parts
suppliers. Lectrosonics cord number 21329 is available through your dealer for connecting your unit to
a vehicle cigarette lighter receptacle. When an external power source is connected to the LONG
RANGER II, the on-board battery pack is automatically disconnected.

2

CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS

CONTROL PANEL

WIRELESS MICROPHONE VOLUME

Turns unit power on and off and also functions as the volume control for the internal wireless receiver.

POWER

A red LED that lights when unit power is on.

RF

A green LED that lights when the companion transmitter is turned on and there is sufficient signal for
good system operation. Internal circuits monitor both signal level and interference levels and decide if
the transmitted signal is strong and "clean" enough for satisfactory operation. If not, the green RF LED
will go out and the receiver will "squelch", shutting off the sound output. This action is automatic and
requires no user adjustment.

MOD LEVEL

The red and green MOD LEVEL LEDs continuously indicate the modulation level(audio level) of the
received signal from the transmitter and are used when making initial adjustments to the transmitter.

MIC

This jack is a standard 1/4" phone jack and is used for plugging in the cord from a dynamic microphone
such as the Lectrosonics M121S.

LINE

This mini jack is used for connecting high level, high impedance outputs from tape decks or other
amplifiers. It also may be used for connecting the "earphone" output from portable cassette players.

AUXILIARY INPUT VOLUME

Adjusts the volume of the MIC and LINE inputs.

AUX IN/OUT

An RCA phono jack that functions both as a line level input and line level output. This "omnibus" jack
is primarily used for interconnecting several LONG RANGER IIs together for simultaneous operation.
This jack can also be used with a tape deck to either record from or play back into the LONG RANGER
II. When used with a tape deck or other audio source, the sound output level must be controlled by the
volume control on the tape deck since there is no volume control on the LONG RANGER II for the AUX
IN/out.

CH-40

A special jack used for connecting the CH-40 charger when charging the battery pack. The green LED
located under the jack lights when the batteries are charging. This LED automatically goes out when
the batteries are almost fully charged.

12V DC OUT

A special jack used to supply power to a SR170-LR receiver when that option is installed.

PUSH RE-CIRK-IT

A resettable circuit breaker which protects the internal circuits from damage due to shorts in the
speaker. When the breaker "trips" the center button pops out. To reset the breaker, push the center
button back in. Frequent tripping indicates a fault in the equipment which needs attention.

3

DUAL - CHANNEL READY

EXTERNAL 8 OHM SPEAKERS

LOWER JACK DISCONNECTS MAIN HORN

12V DC

EXTERNAL POWER

LECTROSONICS

RIO RANCHO, N M MADE IN USA

FRONT PANEL

12V DC POWER INPUT

A special jack used to connect an external 12 Volt DC source to the unit to substitute for the "on-board"
battery pack. It is most commonly used for connecting the LONG RANGER II to a vehicle cigarette
lighter receptacle. When an external power source is connected to this jack, the on-board battery pack
is automatically disconnected.

EXTERNAL 8 OHM SPEAKERS

Two jacks which are used to connect external 8 ohm horns or speakers such as the Lectrosonics H300
horn or ES300 column speaker.

EXTERNAL ANTENNA

A standard BNC connector provided to allow the use of an external antenna if required. It is suggested
that you contact the factory for technical assistance if you plan to use the LONG RANGER II in an
operational environment where an external antenna might be needed.

12V DC

OUTPUT

RF

MOD

LEVEL

WIRELESS

MICROPHONE

VOLUME

OFF

Figure 2 - Control Panel Figure 3 - Front Panel

POWER

AUX IN/OUT

CH-40

CHARGER

AUXILIARY

INPUT

VOLUME

CHARGE UNTIL
LAMP GOES OUT

S

H

U

P

R

6

E

C

K

I

R

MIC LINE

T

I

4

M170 SERIES TRANSMITTERS

LAVALIER/HEADSET
MIC JACK

M170-XLR

M170

THUMBSCREW

ON/OFF

POWER

LAMP

INDICATOR

BATTERY

GAIN ADJUST

MIC JACK

LAVALIER/HEADSET

XLR MIC JACK

AUDIO MUTE SWITCH

(M170-LS only)

OFF

ON

Standard LONG RANGER II systems include an M170 belt-pack transmitter which is designed to be
used with a lavalier or headset microphone. The optional M170-XLR transmitter is similar to the M170
but is equipped with two microphone connectors; a locking micro jack for lavalier or headset
microphones and an XLR connector for use with standard low impedance hand held microphones. If
you have one of the other optional Lectrosonics transmitters, consult the supplied manual for that
transmitter for the description and operating instructions.

The BATTERY used in the transmitter should bea9Volt alkaline or lithium battery which will provide
up to 15 hours or more of operation. These are available almost anywhere. Carbon zinc batteries,
even if marked "heavy duty" or "super heavy duty", will only operate up to 4 hours. Make sure
"alkaline" or "lithium" is marked on the battery.

To replace the battery, turn the THUMB SCREW counterclockwise and remove the side cover. The
battery will not go into the compartment if it is put in backwards. Observe the large and small holes in
the battery contact pad.

The BATTERY INDICATOR will light when the transmitter is turned on and will stay lit as long as the
battery is good. If the battery is low, the battery indicator will grow dim and finally go out. Even after
the indicator goes out, there may still be up to an hour or more of use remaining. When the battery is
too low for proper operation, the sound from the wireless system may be intermittent or totally absent.
When the transmitter is first turned on, it may require several minutes to get a "true" battery reading.

The MIC JACK is a locking micro jack that supplies phantom power for electret microphones such as
the M140 lavalier model and the headset models. Insert the microphone plug into this jack and rotate it
clockwise to lock it.

Caution - If the microphone plug is not screwed in tightly,
the audio may become "crackly" as the mic cord is moved.

The microphone cord is the antenna for the transmitter. The standard 3-pin XLR CONNECTOR is
designed for best performance with standard, balanced, 50 to 600 ohm impedance microphones,
although it will work with high impedance microphones. If your microphone has selectable impedance,
set or wire it for 150 or 200 ohms, or set it to the "low impedance" position.

Figure 4 - M170 Transmitters

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