Pliant CRT-900, CRT-900AN, CRT-2400, CRT-2400CE Operating Manual
Radio
Transceiver
OPERATING MANUAL
RT MANUAL
Thank You
We at Pliant® Technologies want to thank you for purchasing CrewCom®. Pliant brings our experience, expertise, and commitment
to quality technology with the new CrewCom System. In order to get the most out of your new CrewCom product, please take a few
moments to read this manual completely so that you better understand the operation of this product. For questions not addressed
in this manual, feel free to review the additional support documentation provided on our website or to contact Pliant’s Customer
Support Department:
Pliant Technologies, LLC
205 Technology Parkway
Auburn, AL 36830 USA
www.plianttechnologies.com
Phone: +1.334.321.1160
Toll-Free: 1.844.475.4268 or 1.844.4PLIANT
Fax: +1.334.321.1162
Copyright © 2018 Pliant Technologies, LLC. All rights reserved. The Pliant®, CrewCom®, and CrewNet™ word marks and the Pliant
“P” logo are trademarks of Pliant Technologies, LLC. Any and all other trademark references within this document are property of
their respective owners.
Model Information
This document applies to CrewCom models CRT-900*, CRT-900AN**, CRT-2400, and CRT-2400CE***.
*CRT-900 model is only available in North America and operates within the 902–928 MHz frequency range.
**CRT-900AN (Oceania) model is approved for use in Australia and New Zealand and operates within the 915–928 MHz frequency range.
***CRT-2400CE model meets the same specications as the CRT-2400 model, and it complies with ETSI standards (300.328 v1.8.1). Non-CE models are non-compliant with
some ETSI standards.
Document Reference: 2018.02 D0000216_A
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RT MANUAL
Table of Contents
Safety Information ................................................................................................................................................1
Safe Operation Recommendations ...................................................................................................................1
Power Information ..........................................................................................................................................2
Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................................3
What’s in the Box? ..........................................................................................................................................3
Additional Items Required ...............................................................................................................................3
CrewCom Overview ........................................................................................................................................3
CrewCom Conguration File Overview .............................................................................................................5
About Network Power .....................................................................................................................................5
Product Overview ..................................................................................................................................................6
RT Top ............................................................................................................................................................6
RT Bottom ......................................................................................................................................................7
RT Setup and Installation ......................................................................................................................................8
Determining the Device Location .....................................................................................................................8
Mounting the RT .............................................................................................................................................8
Connecting to CrewNet ...................................................................................................................................9
Powering the Device .......................................................................................................................................9
Activating the Device ......................................................................................................................................9
Operation ............................................................................................................................................................10
Conguring One or More RTs ........................................................................................................................10
Pinging an RT ...............................................................................................................................................10
Understanding the RT’s LEDs .........................................................................................................................11
Product Support ..................................................................................................................................................13
Returning Equipment for Repair or Maintenance ...........................................................................................13
Maintenance and Storage ...................................................................................................................................14
Cleaning .......................................................................................................................................................14
Temperature and Humidity ............................................................................................................................14
License Information ...........................................................................................................................................15
RF-Exposure Statement .................................................................................................................................16
Warranty Information ..........................................................................................................................................17
Limited Warranty ...........................................................................................................................................17
Parts Limited Warranty ..................................................................................................................................17
Glossary ............................................................................................................................................................18
Index ..................................................................................................................................................................20
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RT MANUAL
Safety Information
Safety Information
The following section details important safety information related to the ownership and operation of the CrewCom Control Unit.
WARNING: Indicates a situation, which, when not avoided, has the potential to result in death or severe injury.
CAUTION:
1. Read these instructions.
2. Follow all instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
Safe Operation Recommendations
• Install and operate in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
• Do not submerge the Control Unit in water.
• Do not set food, water, or other beverage containers on or near the unit.
Indicates a situation, which, when not avoided, results or has the potential to result in minor
injury or product failure or damage.
• Do not place unit in areas where it will be exposed to weather.
• Plug the Control Unit directly into an AC power inlet. Avoid using extension cords to power unit.
• Ensure the power cord remains free from areas of foot trafc. Do not allow power cord to become crimped, twisted, or
frayed.
• Clean by using a dry cloth only. Do not spray household cleaners or water onto the cloth. Never spray household cleaners
or water onto any part of the unit.
• Use only attachments/accessories that are specically made for or certied by Pliant Technologies with the Control Unit.
Any attempt to modify ports in order to use cables or wires that are not manufactured specically for or certied for use
on this system will void the product warranty.
• Unplug the Control Unit during periods of inclement weather and after use.
• Refer all Control Unit service to qualied Pliant Technologies service personnel. There are no user-serviceable
parts inside the CrewCom Control Unit. Opening the product may expose dangerous electrical components, which will
result in product failure. Any attempt to self-service or self-repair the unit will void the product warranty.
• Service is required if the Control Unit receives any type of damage to any of its parts or if it does not operate normally.
For example, if water or any other type of liquid has been spilled on the Control Unit or if it has been exposed to rain or
moisture, then service is necessary. Service is also required if debris or other objects have fallen into the unit or if it has
been dropped.
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Safety Information
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Power Information
WARNING – DANGER! Users should exercise extreme care when working with electricity. Additional care
should be used when working with electricity outdoors during inclement weather. When working
outdoors or near water, always connect the system into a ground-fault interrupting circuit.
AC Power Connection Safety
• When using local power to power the Radio Transciver, always connect the power cord to the CrewCom Radio
Transceiver's external power supply before connecting to the outlet.
• CrewCom Radio Transceivers may be powered by an external power supply. The cord to connect the external power
supply to the mains supply must conform to the following specications:
» The mains power cord shall have an IEC C13 connector at one end and a mains power plug at the opposite end.
» An IEC C13 plug has three pins. The center pin carries the earth/ground. The remaining two pins carry neutral and
live circuits.
» The conductors of the mains cords shall have adequate cross-sectional area for rated current consumption of the
equipment.
» The mains plug that connects to the mains supply must be approved for use in the country in which the equipment
will be used.
» The mains power cord must be an IEC mains 3-Wire grounding power cord complying with standard IEC60320;
IEC320/C13.
» Mains power cords used in the U.S. must also comply with standard UL817.
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Introduction
Introduction
What’s in the Box?
• Radio Transceiver
• USB A to Micro B cable
• Cat 5e cable, 15 ft. (4.6 m)
• Product Overview Guide
• Mounting Hardware/Bracket
• Omni-Directional Antenna (x2)
• Warranty Extension Registration Card
Note: A one-year product warranty is standard with CrewCom products. Follow the product registration
instructions on the Warranty Extension Registration Card and visit www.plianttechnologies.com/customer/
account/login to extend your product warranty to two years at no charge. See page 17 for more
information about Pliant warranties.
Additional Items Required
In addition to your Radio Transceiver, at least one of each of the devices listed below is required to complete your CrewCom System
(sold separately with included components):
• Control Unit
• Radio Pack
• Headset
CrewCom Overview
CrewCom is a versatile yet straightforward communications solution built on an intelligent wireless and wired network-based
distributed system architecture. Innovative technologies have been specically developed to facilitate intercom system growth
and effortless adaptation, along with unparalleled digital wireless reliability for consistent operation, even in the most demanding
production environments.
Decentralized Network Architecture
The CrewCom system utilizes a proprietary network backbone, known as CrewNet™, to coordinate and transport all system timing,
audio, signaling, and controls. This efcient, decentralized resource network delivers increased exibility over that of traditional
technologies, using a distributed network-to-device intelligence within a modular building block structure. System components can
easily be placed where they are needed or scaled to facilitate system growth, reconguration, and effortless adaptation to changing
environments. For increased infrastructure exibility, the CrewNet network is capable of operating over standard Cat 5e (or greater)
and/or Single Mode Fiber (SMF) lines.
Flexible RF Platform
CrewCom’s RF platform is vast and exible to meet the needs of virtually any wireless communication challenge facing production
and entertainment professionals worldwide. Each CrewCom wireless product is available in the 2.4GHz and 900MHz (North
America, Australia, and New Zealand only) ISM bands and any combination of these frequency ranges may be simultaneously
used on the same CrewCom system. CrewCom makes it easy to operate in challenging RF environments by combining support for
multiple simultaneous frequency bands, while also allowing for simple system setup without the need for an RF engineer.
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Introduction
In addition, a more robust RF link enhances RF range and reliability through a newly developed dual carrier double-send
transmission scheme that minimizes the adverse effects of inter-symbol interference. This innovation allows increased useful RF
range and improved performance, especially in large, reective environments.
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Intuitive User Experience
CrewCom’s family of products is designed around a system architecture that offers a high density of users with a more manageable
infrastructure and lower cost per user than typically found in large-scale wireless installations. The CrewCom system not only
consists of a range of wired and wireless hardware products but also incorporates an intuitive software application, known as
CrewWare, working together with the system hardware to enhance the experience of system administrators, designers, integrators,
and users. Each device’s user interface allows a quick learning curve with high functionality, and its ease of use is consistent across
all frequency bands, types of users, and applications.
CrewCom Devices
The following is a list of available CrewCom devices. For more information on each of these products and their conguration
capabilities, visit our website at: www.plianttechnologies.com
• Control Unit (CU) – the 1RU foundational element of the CrewCom system that establishes the CrewNet-based
infrastructure while also providing external connections to common established intercom systems. Unlike traditional
BaseStations, the CU contains no radio and is frequency agnostic, which sets the groundwork for a multi-frequency
capable system. For maximum exibility, any CU can access, control, and monitor any active device across CrewNet. The
CU is available in a “CCU-22” or “CCU-44” model, which simultaneously support up to (2) 2-Wire and (2) 4-Wire or (4)
2-Wire and (4) 4-Wire intercom connections, respectively.
• Radio Transceiver (RT) – a CrewCom radio device that houses a radio (2.4GHz or 900MHz) and its corresponding
antennas, enabling RF communications to CrewCom Radio Packs. Using the CrewNet network as the system’s backbone,
RTs can be positioned throughout a wide coverage area by being linked back to a Control Unit either directly or through
a Hub(s). Connectivity is accomplished using either Cat 5e (or greater) or Single Mode Fiber (SMF).
• Radio Pack (RP) – the direct portable wireless communication device connecting individual CrewCom users to the
CrewCom system. Each RP provides full duplex audio communications and, through customized function buttons, General
Purpose Output (GPO) control and event logging. The RP requires a connected headset and access to a Radio Transceiver
on the CrewCom system. Devices are available in 2.4GHz and 900MHz bands as well as two and four volume/talk button
congurations.
• Copper Hub – a CrewNet-based device with eight ports to allow extended interconnection for a variety of CrewCom
hardware. Ports one through seven are copper (RJ-45, Cat 5e, or greater); port eight can be either an additional copper
port or a duplex LC Single Mode Fiber port, but only one may be used at a time. The Hub provides for extensive system
expansion and exibility.
• Fiber Hub – a CrewNet-based device with eight ports to allow extended interconnection for a variety of CrewCom
hardware. Ports two through eight are duplex LC Single Mode Fiber ports; port one can be either an additional ber port
or a copper port (RJ-45, Cat 5e, or greater), but only one may be used at a time. The Hub provides for extensive system
expansion and exibility.
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RT MANUAL
Introduction
CrewCom Conguration File Overview
The CrewCom system operates using a CrewCom Conguration File (CCF) to coordinate the processes and data that make up the
system’s operation. A default CCF is available for your CrewCom system out of the box to provide your initial settings. You can use
CrewWare to customize your conguration to meet your specic needs beyond the default settings. The CCF stores the settings for
your Conferences and Proles, intercom settings, and connection information for your 2-Wire, 4-Wire, and CrewCom devices.
Conferences and Proles work together to create channels of communication between CrewCom users. They are dened for each
user, stored in the CCF, and available each time you set up. For more information about Conferences and Proles, continue reading
the following sections for their denition.
About Conferences
A CrewCom Conference is an administrator-dened grouping of audio entities (inputs such as Radio Packs, wired intercom ports,
etc.). Audio outputs are then created dynamically by mixing one or more audio entities and routing them to Conference subscribers
accordingly. This method of subscription-based audio using Conferences is very powerful. Point-to-point associations may also be
easily constructed using this method. Each association requires a separate, unique Conference. Conferences in CrewCom are full
duplex (i.e. bidirectional) and there can be a maximum of 1,024.
Default Conferences are included as part of a system’s default conguration. New Conferences can be created using CrewWare.
About Proles
Each CrewCom Radio Pack has a Prole that contains a variety of system settings that are dened as either system-level settings or
user-adjustable settings.
• System-Level – These settings are part of the system’s conguration and are usually assigned by a system administrator
through customization in CrewWare during setup. Find a full list of the system-level settings available for each Radio Pack
in the
CrewWare Operating Manual
• User-Adjustable – A user-adjustable setting is one that is classied as being adjustable by the Radio Pack user and is
limited to local device settings that do not alter the CrewCom Conguration File. The Prole can be used to determine
these settings, but they can also be customized directly from a Radio Pack after a Prole is loaded.
or the
Radio Pack Operating Manual
.
About Network Power
Power-over-CrewNet (PoC) is a proprietary network protocol that carries operating voltage and current to CrewNet-compatible
devices connected to the Control Unit via RJ-45 connections (Cat-5e or greater.) Control Units must receive AC power via the
supplied power cord in order to operate and provide necessary PoC to connected CrewNet-compatible devices. In addition, PoC can
be supplied to devices downstream from a locally powered CrewCom Hub or RT.
For CrewNet-compatible devices using ber connectivity, local power must be supplied to that device using a Pliant 48VDC power
supply (sold separately).
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