Sigtronics S-A-F-E Installation Instructions
Sigtronics S-A-F-E Communicator
Dual Radio Select Panel with VOX Intercom
Installation and Operating Instructions
INTRODUCTION
ATTENTION INSTALLER: To assure a trouble free
installation, please read these entire instructions
through once before beginning.
The Sigtronics SAFE unit, when used with Sigtronics noise
attenuating headsets, provides personnel with the ability to
transmit and receive on two radios at the same time; talk to
each other via a voice activated (VOX) intercom, and monitor
a third radio.
Applications: The unit is designed for airport ground
vehicles, re apparatus, marine emergency equipment,
rescue and ambulance vehicles, and mobile emergency
command centers.
Dual Radio Capability allows the two command headset
positions (ocers) to select which radios to transmit and
receive on independent of the other headsets. Each headset
position has dual volume controls, one for radio reception,
and one for intercom volume level. The third and fourth
headset positions (crew) are slaved to the right side of the
unit and hear whatever radio(s) that side has selected.
Auxiliary Input lets you monitor a third radio.
Voice Activated Intercom (VOX) feature allows “hands free”
communication between headsets connected to the SAFE
unit. Start speaking and the intercom turns on instantly to
relay your message clearly to the other headsets. Stop talking
and it turns o to reduce background noise.
Up to Four Headset Positions can be connected to the SAFE
unit. More headset positions can be achieved by wiring
additional jacks in parallel. Only one headset, however, can
be plugged into paralleled jacks at one time. This paralleled
jack scheme is most commonly used on pumper trucks at the
pump panel. In this case, the driver plugs his headset into the
engineers jack while driving. He then unplugs and plugs into
the pump panel when he arrives on scene.
Universal Radio Interface design to accommodate virtually
any type of communication radio.
Automatic Sidetone Generation allows everyone on the
vehicle to hear both sides of the radio conversations.
Excellent RF Immunity guarantees clean, clear, radio
communications.
Standardized for use with Sigtronics single plug headsets (ie.
SE-8, SE-48, SE-18).
igtronics
S
®
Specialists in “SOUND” Management
178 East Arrow Highway, San Dimas, CA 91773 ( 909 ) 305-9399
Figure 1
A/C Mic Gain Adj. FM Mic Gain Adj.
AUX BOT H
OFF
AUTO REC
OFF
A/C
XMIT
SELE CT
INTE RCO M INTE RCO M
SQ
VOL
FM
CONTROL FUNCTIONS
ON/OFF - Power Switch - In “ON” position; supplies power to
all SAFE circuits. In “OFF” position; disables all unit functions.
VOL - Intercom Volume - Adjusts intercom volume level. Does
not aect radio volume.
SQ - Intercom Squelch - Adjusts VOX operation of the
intercom for variations in background noise levels.
XMIT SELECT - Transmit Select - Used to select which radio
to talk on - A/C (Radio 1) or FM (Radio 2).
BOTH/OFF/AUTO - Receive Select - Used to select which
radio is heard. In “BOTH” position, you hear both the A/C
radio and the FM radio. In “OFF” position you will not hear
either radio. In “AUTO” position, only the radio selected by
the XMIT SELECT switch is heard.
AUX BOT H
OFF
AUTO REC
S-A-F-E
Communicator
ON
OFFVOL
OFF
A/C
XMIT
SELE CT
SQ VOL
VOL
FM
Standard Equipment Included
Description Qty.
S.A.F.E. Intercom Unit 1
Intercom Mounting Bracket 1
Intercom Mounting Thumb Screws 4
Headset Jack Box and Cover with Pre-mounted Headset
Jack
PTT Switch Box and Cover with Pre-mounted PTT
Switch
Headset Hooks 4
Jack Box and Switch Box Cover Screws 12
4
2
AUX/OFF - Auxiliary Select - Turns the auxiliary (third radio)
on or o.
REC VOL - Receive Volume - A general control used to set the
volume level of all three radios.
A/C MIC GAIN ADJ - A/C Radio Microphone Gain Adjustment
- Sets the transmit mic audio level for the A/C radio.
FM MIC GAIN ADJ - FM Radio Microphone Gain Adjustment
- Sets the transmit mic audio level for the FM radio.
page 2
Jack Box, Switch Box, Headset Hook, and Bracket
Mounting Screws
Wire Grommets 6
Jack Insulator Washer, Flat 4
Jack Insulator Washer, Shoulder 4
4 ft. Interface Cable with Fuse 1
4 conductor hook-up wire (Roll) 1
24
Installation Overview
II. HEADSET JACK AND PTT SWITCH INSTALLATION
Installation of the Sigtronics SAFE unit is a four step process:
I. Mount the intercom unit. (Intercom Chassis Installation)
II. Install the headset jacks and PTT switches. (Headset Jack
and PTT Switch Installation)
III. Wire up the jacks and PTT’s. (Headset Jack and PTT Switch
Wiring)
IV. Wire up the radios. (Radio Hook Up)
Do not fear, Sigtronics has simplied the installation process,
to assure perfect operation. Refer to the SAFE Unit Wiring
Diagram (Figure 4). If you have any installation questions or
problems that are not addressed in this manual, feel free to
call our installation hot line number located on the last page
of this manual.
I. INTERCOM CHASSIS INSTALLATION
Intercom Placement:
There are a few factors to consider when selecting a spot for
the SAFE unit:
1. The unit should be placed in such a way that its controls
can be easily seen and operated. Most commonly, this will
be near the vehicle’s communication radio controls.
2. The SAFE unit is designed to be dash mounted (above or
below) or mounted from the vehicle’s ceiling.
3. The location selected requires a minimum area of 4.25 by
7.25 inches.
4. The unit mounting bracket has three sets of mounting
holes, allowing three dierent mounting angles. This
provides for dierent dash slopes as well as dierent
viewing angles.
5. Verify that the rear of intercom unit and cable will not
interfere with the normal operation of any vehicle controls
or the operation of vehicle compartment doors.
Intercom Mounting:
1. Once the intercom position is selected, remove the
mounting bracket from the intercom unit. This is done by
removing the thumb screws on both sides of the unit. Two
on each side.
2. Position the mounting bracket on the selected area in
the vehicle. Mark at least two holes for mounting. Drill
the holes using 1/8 inch drill. CAUTION: Make sure that
neither the drill nor the screws will puncture any vehicle
cabling or components.
3. Attach the bracket to the vehicle using the hex head
screws and a 5/16 inch driver.
4. Plug the SAFE unit interface cable into the back of the unit
and tighten the two connector retaining screws nger
tight.
5. Mount the unit on the bracket at the selected angle and
secure the 4 thumb screws.
Headset Jack Placement:
It is assumed that it has already been determined which positions on the vehicle will have headsets. At this stage, it is helpful to have a headset handy to physically gauge the best place
for a particular jack. There are several things to consider when
selecting a place to mount the headset jacks:
1. In general, for headset positions inside the vehicle, the
jacks should be placed towards the middle between the
user’s positions. They should also be placed up above and
towards the back of the user’s head. This will assure that
the headset cord will not hang between the user and the
vehicle door.
2. The headset jack should be out of the way so that the
headset plug can’t be hit during use or when entering or
exiting the vehicle.
3. The jack position should also take into account how the
headset cord will hang when the headset is in use. The
cord should hang out of the way and should not interfere
with vehicle controls.
4. Verify that the jack placement and headset cable do not
interfere with the normal operation of vehicle doors or
compartments.
FIGURE 2
TAN
INTERCOM PTT SWITCH
OPEN JUMP SEAT WIRING DIAGRAM
5. In vehicles with intercom headset positions installed in
open jump seat locations, the combination of wind, road,
and engine noise, picked up by these jump seat head-sets,
can in some cases produce excessive background noise
in the intercom system. Additionally, wide variations in
engine noise (from idle to high RPM) can falsely trigger
the intercom VOX (voice activated) feature. This is especially true for older vehicles with open jump seats located
next to the vehicle engine. There are two solutions for this
situation. Solution (a) is the recommended one:
a) Order an additional Push-To-Talk (PTT) switch (and
mounting box if needed) for each open jump seat position. These switches can be conveniently mounted at
each jump seat location and wired so that the jump
seat headset microphone is disabled until the switch
is pressed. See Figure 2. The user then presses his PTT
button to talk on the intercom. PTT buttons wired in
this way only activate the intercom. They do not let the
jump seat locations talk on the vehicle radio(s).
b) Order Sigtronics headsets (Models SE-8P, SE-48P, or
SE-18P) with the intercom PTT switch already mounted
on the ear cup for the open jump seat positions. The
TIPRING
BARREL
HEADSET JACK
BLUE
BLACK
page 3
user then presses the PTT button on his headset ear cup
to talk on the intercom. The advantage of this method
is that it eliminates having to mount and wire in additional PTT buttons for the jump seats. Note, however,
most departments prefer to have all the headsets on the
vehicle(s) the same so that any headset can be used in
any position. The headsets with intercom PTT switches
on them cannot easily be used in a position that has
radio transmit capability such as the Driver or Ocer
position.
Sigtronics provides two ways to mount the headset jacks for
the SAFE unit:
1. Mount the jacks in the supplied blue jack boxes.
Advantages:
a) Little or no “behind the panel” space required.
b) No vehicle panel thickness limitation.
c) No large holes are required to be drilled - a real advan-
tage on vehicles with thick metal panels.
d) Complete electrical isolation of the jacks from the vehi-
cles chassis, because the jack box is fabricated out of
non conductive high impact plastic.
2. Mount the jacks directly on the vehicle with a “through the
panel” mounting scheme. Advantages:
a) Smaller space requirement. (Only slightly larger than
the jack itself).
b) Only one hole to drill per jack (1/2 inch).
c) Most of jack is behind panel and out of the way.
Sigtronics recommends that you use the jack box mounting
method, but either approach can be used as well as a combination of both.
If required, additional headset jacks, PTT switches, mounting
boxes, and hardware are available through your Sigtronics
dealer.
Splash Cover (optional):
If a jack is to be mounted outside the vehicle (ie. on or near
a re engines pump panel), a splash cover (purchased sepa-
rately) should be used to keep excess moisture out of the jack
when it is not in use. On other positions, where the headset
is always plugged in, a splash cover is not required.
Jack Box Mounting:
Set the jack box on the mounting surface in the selected area
and mount with two of the hex head self drilling screws. For
most applications* these screws can be installed with no
pre drilling. Just power in the screws with a standard electric
driver with a 5/16” hex bit.
* No pre drilling required for aluminum and steel. 1/8” inch pilot
hole will still be required with some stainless steels.
For most installations the wiring for the headset jack will
come out the back of the jack box. A hole is already provided
SHOULDER
INSULATING
WASHER
TIP
BARREL
RING
HEADSET JACK
FLAT
INSULATING
WASHER
VEHICLE
PANEL
FLAT
METAL
WASHER
NUT –
FIGURE 3
OR – SPLASH COVER AND NUT
in the jack box for this purpose. Of course, you will also have
to drill a similar hole into the vehicle. Use a 5/16 inch drill for
this.
Alternately, the wire can come out of the side of the jack box
if desired. You will have to drill the hole where required. Use
a 5/16 inch drill. Rubber wire grommets are provided for the
wire going through the jack box hole.
Through the Panel Mounting:
For direct mounting of headset jacks on the vehicle panel you
will need to remove the jack from the jack box cover with a
1/2 inch wrench. For normal jack mounting (no splash cover),
the maximum panel thickness is 0.10 inches or a little less
than 1/8 of an inch. If you need the splash cover (optional),
the maximum panel thickness is 0.062 inches or 1/16 of an
inch. NOTE: Longer headset jacks that can accommodate
thicker panels are available from your Sigtronics dealer (order
part number 100418 - maximum panel thickness 0.155” with
splash cover and 0.195” without).
Mounting on the panel requires that you insert the jack
from the back of the panel. Test jack(s) for clearance and t.
Leave room behind - the jack expands when headset plug is
inserted. Make sure the back of the jack does not interfere
with any moving parts of the vehicle.
Drill a 1/2 inch hole in the panel. Install jack with mounting
washers and nut as in Figure 3. Both jack insulating washers
must be used. The Jacks have to be insulated from mounting spot to minimize electrical noise getting into intercom
system. No need to tighten the jack now. You may have to
remove the jack to connect the wires.
PTT Switch Installation:
In order for the Driver or Ocer positions to transmit on the
radio, they will each need a Push-To-Talk (PTT) switch.
The PTT switches should be placed within easy reach of the
users. It is also helpful if they can be easily seen by the users.
The PTT switches can be mounted in the blue ptt mounting
boxes or directly into a panel. If using the ptt boxes, set the
box on the mounting surface in the selected area and mount
with two of the hex head self drilling screws. For most applications* these screws can be installed with no pre drilling.
Just power in the screws with a standard electric driver with
a 5/16” hex bit. * No pre drilling required for aluminum and steel.
1/8” inch pilot hole will still be required with some stainless steels.
page 4
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