Lectrosonics UMCWB User Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

UMCWB and UMCWBL

Wideband UHF Diversity Antenna Multicouplers

• Assembly and Installation

• Antenna Types

Fill in for your records:

Serial Number:

Purchase Date:

Rio Rancho, NM, USA
www.lectrosonics.com

UMCWB

LECTROSONICS, INC.2

UHF Diversity Multicoupler

Table of Contents

General Technical Description ..............................................................................................................................................................4

RF/Power Distribution Module Block Diagram ......................................................................................................................................4

Antenna Input .......................................................................................................................................................................................5

Power Supply ........................................................................................................................................................................................5

Assembly and Installation .....................................................................................................................................................................6

Installing the Receivers .........................................................................................................................................................................6

Installing the Wire Cover .......................................................................................................................................................................7

Installing the Assembled Unit ................................................................................................................................................................7

Antenna Types and Bandwidth ..............................................................................................................................................................8

Antenna Use and Placement .................................................................................................................................................................9

Accessories ..........................................................................................................................................................................................10

Specifications .......................................................................................................................................................................................10

Service and Repair ...............................................................................................................................................................................11

Returning Units for Repair ..................................................................................................................................................................11

Rio Rancho, NM 3

UMCWB

RF FILTERING & DISTRIBUTION

POWER SUPPLY & DISTRIBUTION

Polyfuses

RF

Amp

Splitter

&

Isolator

RF to
Receivers

12V DC
Power to
Receivers

RF

Amp

Diversity RF/Power Distribution Module

11-18 VDC

>2 Amps

A

Antenna

B

Antenna

Ceramic Filters

Main

Polyfuse

Splitter

&

Isolator

General Technical Description

The purpose of wideband architecture is to provide
the flexibility needed to deal with a changing RF envi­ronment, and for mobile productions that cover broad
geographic areas. The UMCWB provides a mechanical
rack mount with power and RF signal distribution for
four diversity compact receivers in a single rack space.
The standard version covers frequency blocks from 21
through 29. The wideband low version covers frequency
blocks from 470 through 26.

The RF multicoupler preserves the sensitivity and
overload performance of the finest receivers. Selective
filtering in the front end attenuates RF signals above
and below the passband to suppress intermodulation
and noise. Following the filters is a low noise RF ampli­fier with gain matched to compensate for the losses in
the splitter that follows.

RF/Power Distribution Module Block Diagram

A precision strip line splitter/isolator divides the RF
signal into four isolated signals preventing spurious
RF coupling between receivers. The splitter/isolator is
termination independent which prevents mismatched
or disconnected RF outputs from affecting the other
receivers.

The assembly is powered from an external source of
11 to 18 VDC with individual auto-reset fuses for each
receiver in the RF/power distribution module. This archi­tecture eliminates ground loops and AC hum that can
occur when the receiver outputs are connected to other
audio equipment operating from a different AC source.

LECTROSONICS, INC.4

Antenna Input

Center pin (+)
Pin diameter .075” (1.8 mm)

Standard 50 ohm BNC connectors are used for the an­tenna inputs and signal distribution. The RF signals are
fed to the receivers via coaxial cables that loop through
the front panel to the receiver inputs. The leads are
labeled as “A” and “B” and routed so that each receiver
has one of each connected for diversity reception.

“B” leads

U-Channel Wire Cover

UHF Diversity Multicoupler

“A” leads

Antenna Inputs

12VDC IN

Power Supply

The multi-coupler is powered by external 12 VDC (11 to
18 VDC is acceptable). The center pin of the input jack
is positive. The power supply must be capable of han­dling up to 2 amps of current. DC power is distributed to
the receivers via rear panel pigtail connectors.

Serial Number

and Frequency

12VDC Receiver Power Plugs

The Lectrosonics PS70 is a switching power supply with
coaxial connector matched to the 12VDC power jack
on the multicoupler. The AC receptacle is a standard,
grounded IEC 60320 C14 inlet socket that will accept
common cords like those used on computer equipment
(AC cord is not included). Output cable is 6 ft. long.

Rio Rancho, NM 5

UMCWB

Assembly and Installation

Assembly of the unit consists of installing the receiv­ers in the frame and connecting the antenna leads and
power cables to each receiver.

“B” Antenna Leads

Power Supply Leads

“A” Antenna Leads

3. Route the antenna leads through the slots on the

front of the frame before mounting the receivers.
Start with the shortest “A” lead and the shortest “B”
lead for the receiver closest to the power supply,
then the next shortest A and B leads for the next re­ceiver, and so forth. Each diversity receiver must be
connected to an “A” lead and a “B” lead for diversity
reception.

Installing the Receivers

1. Remove the U-channel wire cover by completely re­moving the four counter-sunk phillips head screws
from the top of the unit. Underneath the U-channel
wire cover is a rectangular metal bar held down
by five counter-sunk phillips head screws. Loosen
these five screws five to seven turns (it’s not neces­sary to remove them completely.)

Note: Before installing the receivers, be sure to
record the serial numbers and frequencies. This
information is printed on the side panel labels
which won’t be visible after installation.

2. Route the three longest “B” antenna leads behind
the post nearest the housing as shown here. Re­move the screw from the post next to the housing if
necessary to route the longer “B” leads. The short­est “B” lead should be routed along the housing
directly to the front panel.

Three longest “B” leads

“A” leads

Shortest “A” lead

Shortest “B” lead

4. Insert the first receiver into the slot nearest to the

power switch by sliding it under the wiring harness
and the rectangular metal bar. Be sure the front
panel of the receiver is fully inserted into the cutout
on the inside of the front panel. Install the remaining
receivers in the same manner.

Power cables

Cable routing prior to assembly

5. Secure the receivers into the frame by tightening
the five counter-sunk phillips head screws in the
rectangular metal rod. Don’t overtighten!

Shortest “B” lead

With each receiver, route the
“B” antenna cable under the
bar and place it in the gap
next to the screw.

LECTROSONICS, INC.6

UHF Diversity Multicoupler

6. The power cables can be routed outside of the U­channel cover, or routed under the U-channel cover
alongside the antenna leads.

Note: If you opt to run the power cords outside of
the U-channel along the back of the receivers, they
might be unplugged accidentally.

Installing the Wire Cover

Installing the U-channel wire cover can be difficult if the
power cables are routed with the antenna leads under
the U-channel wire cover. The cables must lay flat and
straight, and not overlap to allow the wire cover to lay
flush with the rack mount. The technique described here
is the easiest way to install the U-channel wire cover,

A) Dress the antenna and power cables so that the

bundle is as flat as possible. Make sure no wires
are on top of the metal bar.

B) Starting at the end opposite the power supply, care-

fully place the U-channel wire cover over the wiring
bundle and press down.

C) While keeping downward pressure on the U-chan-

nel, slide it to the left over the wire bundle.

D) As you move the U-channel across the bundle,

dress the cables with your other hand to make sure
the wires remain as flat and neatly aligned as pos­sible. The power cords in particular need to lie flat
and not overlap each other.

E) While holding the U-channel down, insert the four

phillips head screws and tighten them slowly while
watching the wires to make sure none are pinched.

A:

B:

C:

D:

E:

Installing the Assembled Unit

Mount the assembled frame into the rack, connect the
antenna and an appropriate power supply. There are no
special ventilation requirements.

Rio Rancho, NM 7

UMCWB

Antenna Types and Bandwidth

While the wide bandwidth of the multi-coupler is very
convenient, it also requires that the antennas used
with it also have a bandwidth wide enough to cover the
range of the receivers that are installed. If the entire
bandwidth from block 21 through block 29 is to be used,
the best antenna would be one of the ALP Series log
periodic models.

ALP620 Log-periodic antenna

The ALP Series antennas are ideal for use with wide­band multicouplers, offering a directional coverage pat­tern and a gain of 4.5 dBd. Three different models are
available to suit your specific needs.

Whip antennas can only be used if the frequency block
of the antennas is the same as the installed receivers,
or one block higher or lower. For example, block 24, 25
and 26 receivers can be used with block 25 antennas.

The SNA600 dipole antenna folds for storage

To achieve wideband, circular coverage, two SNA600
antennas tuned to different frequency ranges can be
used with an external combiner, however, loss could
occur depending upon how they are positioned and how
much overlap exists in their tuning ranges.

To reduce the interaction between two SNA600 anten­nas, mount them in a vertical orientation, about a half
wavelength apart, so they will be in each other’s null.
In theory, there will be some noise generated by mix­ing the signal from the “out of band” antenna with the
intended one, but it is likely to be inconsequential in
actual use.

Whip antennas can be used as long as the frequency band
matches the receivers installed in the multi-coupler.

If a circular pattern is needed, the SNA600 dipole
model is an excellent choice, however, it is limited to
a 100 MHz bandwidth (about 4 blocks). It is tuned to
match the frequencies of the installed receivers by
adjusting the length of the elements according to the
scale on the body of the antenna. It is supplied with
a mounting strap, hardware and a rotatable mounting
block, and folds for storage.

2-way

combiner

Output to

multicoupler

High freq tuning range

Low freq tuning range

LECTROSONICS, INC.8

Antenna Use and Placement

DIRECT SIGNAL

INDIRECT SIGNAL

DIRECT SIGNAL

INDIRECT SIGNAL

TRANSMITTER

PHASE
CANCELLATION

REFLECTIVE SURFACE

UHF Diversity Multicoupler

Try to position the antennas so that they are not within 3
or 4 feet of large metal surfaces. It is also good to main­tain a direct “line of sight” between the transmitter and
the receiver antennas. In situations where the operating
range is less than about 50 feet, the antenna position­ing is much less critical.

A wireless transmitter sends a radio signal out in all
directions. This signal will often bounce off nearby walls,
ceilings, metal surfaces, etc. and a strong reflection can
arrive at the receiver antenna along with the direct sig­nal. If the direct and reflected signals are out of phase
with each other a cancellation will occur as the signals
mix at the antenna input. The result will be a “drop-out.”

A drop-out usually sounds like a brief noise burst, click,
pop, or something similar. In severe cases, it may result
in a complete loss of the carrier and the sound. A drop­out situation may be either better or worse as a crowd
fills and/or leaves the room, or when the transmitter and
receiver antennas are moved to different locations.

Diversity receiver designs include a method of select­ing or combining two antennas to reduce or eliminate
drop-outs. The antennas must be placed at least a half
wavelength apart to achieve a noticeable reduction in
drop-outs, or better yet, several feet apart.

It is generally best to use two of the same type anten­nas on a diversity receiver, as some designs combine
both antenna signals into a single receiver with a phase
correction between them to maximize the resultant RF
signal. If one antenna signal is significantly stronger
than the other, the signal from the weaker antenna will
do little to prevent multipath drop-outs that occur at the
stronger antenna.

The diagram below depicts a classic multipath drop-out
situation. In some diversity designs, a second antenna
in a different location is selected instead of the first an­tenna, following the logic that a multipath drop-out is not
likely to occur simultaneously at both antennas. Other
designs combine the two antenna signals and control
the phase of one them to make sure they always add to
each to provide a stronger signal.

Rio Rancho, NM 9

UMCWB

Accessories

ARG2 RF coaxial cable assembly, 2ft length,

BNC male connectors

ARG15 RF coaxial cable assembly, 15 ft. length,

BNC male connectors

ARG25 RF coaxial cable assembly, 25 ft. length,

BNC male connectors

ARG50 RF coaxial cable assembly, 50 ft. length,

BNC male connectors

ARG100 RF coaxial cable assembly, 100 ft.

length, BNC male connectors

ALP500 Log periodic dipole array (“shark fin”)

antenna; standard version

ALP620 Log periodic dipole array (“shark fin”)

antenna; “skeletal” body reduces wind
loading in outdoor use

ALP650 Log periodic dipole array (“shark fin”)

antenna; built-in RF amplifier with
adjustable gain

SNA600 Tunable dipole antenna; 100 MHz

bandwidth

PF25 Passive inline filter; 30 MHz bandwidth;

BNC to BNC connectors; bidirectional

PF50 Passive inline filter with bias-T; 50 MHz

bandwidth; BNC to BNC connectors

PS70 Power supply; 100-240 VAC; 13.8 VDC,

2.8 A output

Specifications

RF Gain: 0.5 to 1.5dB

Bandwidth:

UMCWB: 537 to 768 MHz.
UMCWBL: 470 to 692 MHz

RF Outputs: Eight outputs, 50 Ohm, BNC

Isolation between outputs: 25 dB or greater
Any output can be open, shorted
or terminated without affecting other outputs.

Splitter type: Wilkinson 1/4 wave

Filtering: Two pole ceramic filter per antenna

Noise figure: 3.5dB

Third Order Intercept: +27 dBm (input or output)

Power Input: +11 to +18V DC;

Power Consumption: 2 amps max.

Antenna Connectors: 50 ohm BNC

Short Circuit Protection: Auto-reset thermal fuses

Construction: Machined aluminum panels and
housings.

Dimensions: 19” wide, 1.75” high, 6.5” deep

Weight: 5 lbs. (typical) including 4 receivers

Specifications subject to change without notice.

This product meets the CE Compliance Standards - EN55022 and EN50082-1:1998. A copy of the Declaration of
Conformity may be requested from your dealer or by contacting the factory directly:

Lectrosonics, Inc.
Marketing Department
581 Laser Rd. NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 USA
tel: [phone] fax: [phone]

e-mail: [e-mail]

LECTROSONICS, INC.10

UHF Diversity Multicoupler

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 581 Laser Rd. [phone] Toll-free
Rio Rancho, NM 87174 Rio Rancho, NM 87124 [phone] Fax
USA USA

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

Lectrosonics Canada:

Mailing Address: Telephone: E-mail:

49 Spadina Avenue, [phone] Sales: [e-mail]
Suite 303A [phone] Toll-free Service: [e-mail]
Toronto, Ontario M5V 2J1 (877-7LECTRO)
[phone] Fax

Rio Rancho, NM 11

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

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.

8 Jan 2009