Lectrosonics Octopack User Manual

Octopack

Portable Receiver Multicoupler

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Power and RF Distribution
for SRa Series Compact Receivers

Fill in for your records:

Serial Number:

Purchase Date:

Rio Rancho, NM, USA
www.lectrosonics.com

OCTOPACK

2

LECTROSONICS, INC.

Receiver Multicoupler

FCC Compliance

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must ac­cept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

The Octopack 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. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. Ths equipment generates,
uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance
with the instructions, may cause interference to radio receivers. Changes or modifications to
this equipment not expressly approved by Lectrosonics, Inc. could void the user’s authority to
operate it.

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thisequipmentandreceiver

• Connectthis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

Rio Rancho, NM

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OCTOPACK

Table of Contents

General Technical Description ..........................................................................................................................................................5

Control Panel ......................................................................................................................................................................................6

Battery Panel .......................................................................................................................................................................................7

Side Panel ...........................................................................................................................................................................................7

Receiver Installation...........................................................................................................................................................................8

Receiver Removal...............................................................................................................................................................................9

Antenna Power Jumpers .................................................................................................................................................................10

Antenna Bandwidth and Requirements .........................................................................................................................................11

Antenna/Block Reference Chart......................................................................................................................................................12

Replacement Parts & Accessories .................................................................................................................................................13

Optional Accessories .......................................................................................................................................................................14

Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................................................................................15

Specifications ...................................................................................................................................................................................16

Service and Repair ...........................................................................................................................................................................17

Returning Units for Repair ..............................................................................................................................................................17

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LECTROSONICS, INC.

General Technical Description

RF IN

FILTER

COMPARATOR

RF IN

FILTER

RF OUT

RF OUT

SPLITTER

SPLITTER

DC OUT

BATTERIES

EXT DC

RF

AMP

300 mA

DC (+)

DC (+)

ANT PWR

ENABLE

300 mA

ANT PWR

ENABLE

BLINK: BATTERY

STEADY: EXT DC

POWER LED

RF

AMP

Receiver Multicoupler

To address an increasing demand for more wireless
channels in location production, the Octopack com­bines up to four SRa Series compact receivers into
a lightweight, rugged assembly with self-contained
power supply, power distribution and antenna signal
distribution. This versatile production tool provides
up to eight audio channels in a tiny package ready to
work in applications from production cart to a portable
mixing bag.

High quality antenna distribution requires the use of ul­tra quiet RF amps plus isolated and optimally matched
signal paths through the circuitry to ensure equal per­formance from all connected receivers. In addition, the
amplifiers used must be high overload types to avoid
generating IM (intermodulation) within the multicou­pler itself. Octopack meets these requirements for RF
performance.

The wide bandwidth of the antenna multicoupler allows
the use of receivers over a wide range of frequency
blocks to simplify frequency coordination. Receivers
can be installed in any of the four slots, or a slot can
be left empty with no need to terminate the RF coaxial
connections. The receivers interface with the Octopack
board via the 25-pin Unislot adapter, so in many cases,
the receivers can be moved from the Octopack to a
camera without having to change the adapter.

Antenna inputs are standard 50 ohm BNC jacks. DC
power on the jacks can be switched on for use with
Lectrosonics UFM230 RF amplifiers or the ALP650
powered antenna for long coaxial cable runs. An LED
next to the recessed switch indicates the power status.

The front panel is designed to accept the standard or
the “5P” version of the receiver which provides audio
outputs on the front panel of the receiver. The second
set of audio outputs can be used for a redundant feed
to a recorder in addition to the main outputs that would
typically feed wireless transmitters in a bag system, or
a mixer on a sound cart.

The Octopack housing is constructed of machined alu-

minumwithareinforcedrear/bottompaneltoprotect

the batteries and power jack. The front panel includes
two rugged handles that protect the connectors, re­ceiver front panels and antenna jacks.

Rio Rancho, NM

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OCTOPACK

Control Panel

RF Signal Distribution

Each antenna input is routed through a high quality
RF splitter to coaxial leads on the control panel. Gold
plated right angle connectors mate to the SMA jacks
on SRa Series receivers. Frequencies of the installed
receivers should be within the frequency range of the
antenna multicoupler.

Power Indication

The power switch locks in position to prevent acciden­tal turn off. When power is engaged, the LED next to
the switch illuminates to indicate the source, remaining
steady when external power is selected and blinking
slowly when the batteries are providing power.

Antenna Power

A recessed switch on the left side of the control panel
enables and disables DC power passed from the
power supply to the BNC antenna connectors. This
provides powering of remote RF amplifiers through
the attached coaxial cable. The LED glows red when
power is enabled.

Receiver Versions

SRa and SRa5P versions of the receiver can be
installed in any combination. Earlier versions of the
receivers with fixed antennas cannot be connected to
the multicoupler antenna feeds, however, the power
and audio connections will still be made via the 25-pin
connector.

Switch

Power Status LEDAntenna Power

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LECTROSONICS, INC.