Shure W10BT User Manual

MODEL W10BT TRANSMITTER

The Shure Model W10BT is a body-pack radio
transmitter for use in the Shure Wireless Microphone
System. Small, compact and lightweight, the W10BT is
human-engineered for reliable, unobtrusive operation.
The microphone connector and all operating controls
are located on the upper surface, and the controls are
differentiated in size and shape to minimize incorrect or
accidental movement. (The gain control is generally
only used in setup, and is therefore recessed on the rear
panel.) A rugged belt clip provides secure attachment to
a belt, pocket or waistband. The antenna, a short piece
of thin, highly flexible wire, is an optimum choice for
minimum visibility and maximum durability.

The W10BT uses a standard 9-volt transistor-radio­type battery (alkaline recommended). This long-life bat­tery is available everywhere, and replacement is easily
accomplished through a locking slide-off cover plate; no
screws or hinges are used. A battery test switch and
LED indicator provides information on battery condi-

tion.

The transmitter operates at a single, crystal-

controlled frequency in the VHF-FM band between 150
and 216 MHz. A total of 15 frequencies, computer­selected for interference-free operation, are readily
available, and other frequencies can be ordered on a
special basis. This means that a number of wireless
microphone systems can be operated in a single sound
installation, simultaneously and without intermodula­tion problems.

The W10BT has a maximum output power of 50
milliwatts, based on Federal Communications Commis­sion regulations. This means that the transmitter-to­receiver-antenna distance should be kept as short as
possible, with about 150 meters (500 feet) considered a

maximum. Operation at greater distances -300 meters
(1,000 feet) or more-is often accomplished, but the
determining factors in each installation will be reflec­tions, obstacles and interference.

The transmitter is supplied with a zippered carrying
storage bag and a small screwdriver for adjusting the
transmitter gain.

DESCRIPTION (see Figure 1)
ANTENNA: This is a flexible, 1/4-wave vertically

polarized antenna approximately 30 cm (12 in.) in length
and permanently attached to the bottom surface of the
transmitter. For proper operation, the antenna must be
in the vertical position, not coiled or bundled.

BATTERY (not supplied): Only alkaline (Duracell
MN1604 or equivalent) or heavy-duty nickel-cadmium
(8.4-volt) transistor-radio-type batteries should be used.
A fresh alkaline battery should provide approximately 8

hours of operation, and a fully charged nicad should pro­vide 1-1/2 to 2 hours.

BATTERY COMPARTMENT: Slide-off cover exposes
the battery compartment.

BATTERY TEST Push-Button Switch: Permits checking
the condition of the installed battery when the power
switch is on. The Battery Test LED Indicator will fail to
light if the battery is weak or dead (or if the Power switch
is off). Note that if the battery is tested periodically dur­ing

an impending battery failure can be

use,
detected: the LED will fail to light at 7.25 volts. At that
time, approximately 1 hour of battery life remains
(alkaline batteries only).

BELT CLIP: Permits convenient attachment to the
user’s belt, waistband or other clothing.

GAIN HI/LO Slide Switch: Selects the High Gain posi­tion to boost the signal of low-output (low-impedance)
microphones, or the Low Gain position for high-output

(high-impedance) microphones or musical instruments.
Allows maximum modulation without clipping.

MICROPHONE JACK: This is a 4-pin, miniature, male

Tini Q-G connector designed to mate with Switchcraft
TA4F or equivalent connectors. A built-in 20-kilohm load
resistor provides proper matching for dynamic, ribbon or
condenser microphones. Connector pin 2 supplies

+5-volt bias voltage for condenser microphone phan­tom powering. In addition to microphones with TA4F
connectors, Shure has available an adapter cable with a
standard XLR female connector for use with conven­tional microphones (WA310), and a musical instrument

222 HARTREY AVENUE, EVANSTON, ILLINOIS 60202-3696 U.S.A.

Copyright 1986, Shure Brothers Inc.
27A2313 (FH)

l TELEPHONE: [phone] l CABLE: SHUREMlCRO

Printed in U.S.A.

W10BT TRANSMITTER

FIGURE 1

adapter cable with a 1/4-in. phone plug on the equipment
end (WA300).

MICROPHONE LEVEL Rotary Control: In conjunction
with the Gain Hi/Lo switch, this control provides addi­tional audio level adjustment. A small screwdriver is
supplied to make adjustments.

MICROPHONE ON/OFF Toggle Switch: Permits the
user to “mute” the microphone without turning the
transmitter off. This avoids the “pop” that may accom­pany power turn-on and turn-off, and generally prevents
pickup of unwanted signals by the receiver.

POWER ON/OFF Slide Switch: Applies power to the
transmitter circuitry. The switch is a low-profile type to
minimize accidental turn-off.

SETUP AND CONNECTIONS

With the transmitter POWER ON/OFF Switch in the
OFF position, slide the battery compartment access
cover down and off the transmitter case. Insert a new
9-volt transistor-radio-type battery (Duracell MN1604 or
equivalent) in the compartment. Observe the proper
polarity: the large (negative) terminal in the large chan­nel and the small (positive) terminal in the small channel.
Operation with a full charged, heavy-duty, 8.4-volt nickel­cadmium rechargeable battery is also permissible.
IMPORTANT: Do not use a “conventional” g-volt-sized
nickel-cadmium battery; its 7.2-volt output will operate
the transmitter for about 15 minutes. Carbon-zinc bat­teries will also result in diminished operating life (about
1 hour).

Microphone Connections

The Shure WL83 lavalier condenser microphone or
similar microphones with identical wiring and a Switch-

craft TA4F type connector can be plugged directly into
the transmitter microphone jack. The WL83 will operate
using the transmitter’s regulated +5 Vdc available on
pin 2 (see Figure 2). Self-powered (battery) condenser
microphones can be used with the transmitter on/y if
they can be operated in an unbalanced mode (one side
grounded). Other non-self-powered condenser
microphones may require special wiring; contact
Shure’s Service Department for further information.
Phantom-powered condenser microphones will not
operate with the W10BT.

A high- or low-impedance dynamic or ribbon
microphone with pin 2 output can be directly connected
to the transmitter using the supplied WA310 microphone
adapter cable. The cable has a 3-socket XLR connector

TRANSMITTER CONNECTIONS AND

ACCESSORY WIRING

FIGURE 2

2