Shure W15HT-87 User Guide

MODEL W15HT/87

HANDHELD WIRELESS
MICROPHONE-TRANSMITTER

The Shure Model W15HT/87 is a handheld
microphone and radio transmitter for use with Shure
Wireless Microphone receivers. The W15HT/87 uses the
Shure SM87 supercardioid condenser microphone car­tridge, the heart of one of the finest vocal microphones
available today, as its transducer element. Small, com­pact and lightweight, the W15HT/87 is human­engineered for reliable, unobtrusive operation. The
grille is black Teflon coated, and the case is finished in
satin black enamel and ridged over its length for op­timum gripping. The microphone cartridge is field­replaceable and interchangeable with other Shure
Wireless Microphone cartridges.

All operating controls are located in a single area on
the microphone’s outer surface, and are recessed to
minimize accidental movement. The W15HT/87’s anten­na combines a top-loading RF wire coil of appropriate
gauge and length, and the case section immediately
above the end cap.

The W15HT/87 uses a standard 9-volt transistor­radio-type battery (alkaline, lithium or heavy-duty nickel­cadmium recommended). The long-life alkaline battery

is available everywhere, and replacement is easily ac­complished through a locking end cap. An LED in­dicator provides information on battery condition.

The transmitter operates at a single, crystal­controlled frequency in the VHF band between 150 and
216 MHz. A total of 15 frequencies, computer-selected
for interference-free operation, are readily available,
and other frequencies can be specially ordered. This
means that a number of wireless microphone systems
can be operated in a single sound installation,
simultaneously and without intermodulation problems.

The W15HT/87’s normal operating range is about 100
meters (330 feet). Operation at greater distances-300
meters (about 1,000 feet) or more - is often accomplish­ed, but the determining factors in each installation will
be reflections, obstacles and interference.

The microphone is supplied with a zippered carry­ing/storage bag, a swivel adapter for mounting the
W15HT/87 on most desk and floor stands, a lockplate
for locking the microphone in the “on” position, a small
screwdriver for adjusting the transmitter gain, and a
rubber plug to cover the microphone level adjustment
hole.

DESCRIPTION (see Figure 1)

ANTENNA: The W15HT/87’s antenna system is not
visible. It consists of the case and grille, and a wire coil

inside the end cap.
BATTERY (not supplied): Only alkaline (Duracell

MN1604 or equivalent), lithium (Kodak U9VL or
equivalent), or heavy duty nickel-cadmium (8.4-volt)
transistor-radio-type batteries should be used. A fresh
alkaline battery should provide approximately 12 hours
of operation, lithium about 35 hours, and a fully charg­ed, heavy-duty nicad should provide approximately 3
hours.

BATTERY COMPARTMENT: A locking twist-off end
cap exposes the battery compartment.

BATTERY TEST LED Indicator: Flashes briefly when
the POWER Switch is turned on and a “good” battery is
installed. Indicator will be on and clearly visible in room
light when the battery voltage drops to approximately

7.0 volts.
END CAP: The push-twist-remove end cap functions

as both battery cover and antenna coil holder. Note that
the end cap is color-coded internally to reflect the
W15HT/87’s operating frequency as follows:

Color

Green
Yellow
White-Red

White-Blue
White-Orange 180-182 MHz Brown-Yellow
White-Green
White-Yellow

Frequency

163-168 MHz Brown-Red
168-175 MHz Brown-Blue
175-177 MHz Brown-Orange 192-196 MHz
177-180 MHz Brown-Green

182-185 MHz Gray-Red
185-188 MHz Gray-Blue

Color

Frequency

188-192 MHz
191-195 MHz

196-201 MHz
199-204 MHz
204-210 MHz
210-216 MHz

FREQUENCY NAMEPLATE: Located inside the bat­tery compartment, the nameplate specifies the
W15HT/87’s operating frequency. Note that the

operating frequency must be within the end cap fre­quency range (see above).

GRILLE: Protects the SM87 acoustic transducer of the
W15HT/87, and helps minimize the effects of breath
sounds and wind noise.

222 HARTREY AVENUE, EVANSTON, ILLINOIS 60202-3696 U.S.A. • PHONE [phone] • TELEX 4330191 • FAX [phone]

Copyright 1988, Shure Brothers Inc.
27A2456 (HC)

Printed in U.S.A.

W15HT/87 WIRELESS MICROPHONE

FIGURE 1

MICROPHONE LEVEL Rotary Control: Used in con­junction with the wireless microphone receiver, this
control provides audio level adjustments for various
sound sources. A small screwdriver is supplied to make
adjustments. (NOTE: The supplied screwdriver is
plastic; a metal-blade screwdriver may damage the con­trol.) A rubber plug is provided to cover the adjustment
hole if desired.

MICROPHONE ON/OFF Slide 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 an “open” receiver.

POWER ON/OFF Slide Switch: Applies power to the
transducer and transmitter circuitry. Like the
Microphone On/Off switch, it is a low-profile type and is
oriented perpendicular to the Microphone On/Off
switch to further prevent accidental turn-off.

UPPER CASE: In addition to the controls, this section
contains the transmitter circuitry.

LOCKPLATE: Prevents accidental control movement.

Installed by removing the upper case screw just above
the control area, inserting the lockplate, and replacing
the screw.

SETUP

With the transmitter POWER ON/OFF Switch in the
OFF position, remove the end cap (push in, twist
counterclockwise, and pull). Insert a new 9-volt alkaline
or lithium battery in the compartment (carbon-zinc bat­teries will work, but they provide a diminished operating

life of about 2.5 hours). Observe the proper
polarity:
channel and the small (positive) terminal in the small

channel (see battery compartment label).

the large (negative) terminal in the large

Operation with a fully charged, heavy-duty, 8.4-volt
nickel-cadmium rechargeable battery is also permissi­ble and will provide approximately 3 hours of operation.

IMPORTANT:

nickel-cadmium battery; its 7.2-volt output will not
operate the transmitter properly.

BATTERY CHECK

Turn the POWER Switch on and observe the Battery
Test LED. The LED should light momentarily, indicating
adequate voltage. If it remains lit (clearly visible in nor­mal room light), the battery voltage has dropped below

7.0 volts and the battery should be replaced or recharg­ed (nicad only). If it does not light at all, the battery
should be discarded.

SETTING AUDIO LEVEL

Place the POWER Switch of the receiver in the ON

position. The green POWER LED will light.

Move the microphone POWER ON/OFF Switch to the
On position. Observe the receiver RF SIGNAL LEVEL In­dicator. In the Shure W20R receiver, the yellow signal
LED should be continually lit, indicating adequate RF
signal strength for good transmission. If the LED con­tinually flickers or does not light, consult the
Troubleshooting section of the receiver manual.

In the Shure W25DR receiver, one of the green LED
segments should light, indicating adequate RF signal
strength for good transmission. A yellow LED indication
means less than optimum signal transmission and/or
reception, and a red LED indicates less than satis­factory operation.

Move the W15HT/87’s MICROPHONE ON/OFF
Switch to the ON position. The receiver audio level
display should now respond to varying sound levels.

Do not use a “conventional” g-volt-sized

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