Note: the Aviator Transceiver can also be mounted on any hot-shoe or cold-shoe compatible stand.
Note: make sure that your Master
Transceiver and all Receiver units and Slaves
are set to the same Channel before use.
11
MOUNTING THE RECEIVER
1. With your Receiver and flash O, mount
the Receiver to your 1/4˝-20 light stand
or accessory stand. Take care not to
overtighten the Receiver.
2. Slide the Group Switch to A, B, or C to
select the desired Group. (The Group
D setting on the Receiver is for factory
calibration only and is not available
for use.)
3. Slide the Channel Switch to 1, 2,
3, or Auto. (“Auto” is equal to the
Transceiver's Channel “4”.)
Note: make sure that all your FreeWave Aviator units are set to the same channel before use.
12
MOUNTING A HOT-SHOE FLASH TO A RECEIVER/TRANSCEIVER
1. Make sure the flash and Receiver or
Transceiver are turned O.
2. Switch the flash’s locking switch to the
unlocked position.
3. Insert the flash’s hot-shoe foot into
the Receiver or Transceiver’s hot-shoe
mount.
4. Switch the flash’s locking switch to the
locked position.
5. Turn on the flash.
6. Your flash must be in TTL mode in order
to function properly in all modes with
the FreeWave Aviator. (See your flash’s
manual for assistance.)
7. Turn on your Aviator Receiver or
Transceiver by moving the switch to the
On position.
13
USING STUDIO FLASHES WITH A RECEIVER OR TRANSCEIVER
For more complex lighting needs, the
FreeWave Aviator can also trigger studio
flashes independently or alongside hot-shoe
flashes. (Note that TTL compatibility is
only available for TTL-capable flashes.)
Both the Aviator Receiver and Transceiver
have 3.5 mm Sync Ports, and the Receiver
also has a PC Sync Port which allows you to
connect a sync cable to your studio flashes.
Note: the PC Sync Port will also
accept a PC locking cable.
14
Connecting with a 3.5 mm Cable
1. Plug the 3.5 mm cable into the Receiver
or Transceiver’s Sync Port.
2. Plug the other end of the cable into the
studio flash's 3.5 mm jack.
3. If your studio flash has a 1/4˝ monoplug
jack, you will need to use the included
3.5 mm to 1/4˝ monoplug cable.
Connecting with a PC Sync Cable
1. Using a PC Sync to 3.5 mm cable (not
2. Plug the 3.5 mm end of the cable into
3. If your studio flash has a 1/4˝ monoplug
included), plug the PC Sync end into the
Receiver's PC Sync port.
the studio flash's 3.5 mm jack.
jack, you will need to use a PC Sync to
1/4˝ monoplug cable (not included).
ABOUT TTL
The FreeWave Aviator automatically
sets the appropriate flash level using
your camera’s through-the-lens (TTL)
metering system data, calculating the
correct power for all communicating
TTL compatible flashes.
Main TTL Adjustment Screen
The startup or default screen for the
Aviator Transceiver is called the TTL
Screen. Many of the instructions start
out from the TTL Screen, so it will be
helpful to remember how to return to it.
To return to the TTL Screen while in
Master mode (see page 17), simply
press the Option button once or
twice until the screen appears. (If the
device is in Slave mode, you will first
have to return to Master mode.)
Once set, the Aviator Transceiver
retains all changes made to its settings,
even after the device is turned o.
Note: see page 29 for resetting the
Transceiver to factory default settings.
15
SETTING CHANNELS
Setting an Aviator
Transceiver’s Channel
To set the desired Channel,
do the following:
Setting an Aviator Receiver’s Channel
While the Receiver is O, slide the Channel
switch to the desired Channel (1, 2, 3
or Auto). Then turn the Receiver on.
1. From the TTL Screen or the Slave Mode
screen, press Menu to enter Channel
Select.
2. Use the + and − buttons to select the
desired channel from 1-16 (channels
5-16 are only available when using two
Aviator Transceiver units).
3. Press Select to apply the setting.
Note: all devices must be set to the same channel for the system to function properly.
16
Note: “Auto” is equal to the
Transceiver's Channel “4”
Channel
ADJUSTING MASTER/SLAVE MODE ON THE TRANSCEIVER
Using the FreeWave Aviator System
requires at least two units: one Transceiver
set to Master mode and either a Receiver
or a second Transceiver set to Slave mode.
The Transceiver you are using to control
your lighting must be set to Master mode.
To set a Transceiver to either Master
or Slave mode, do the following:
Note: when a Transceiver is set to Slave mode, the Flash/Test button will not function.
1. From the TTL Screen, press Menu
twice. The device’s current mode will
start blinking.
2. Toggle between Master and Slave mode
using the + and − buttons.
3. Press Select when the desired mode is
displayed to apply the setting.
Note: when using a flash in the hot shoe atop
a Transceiver set to Master mode, the flash
will operate as a 4th TTL Group in “fully”
automatic mode. Adjustments are limited
to “fully” TTL (i.e. TTL EV Adjustments are
not available) or Manual power settings.
Master
Mode
17
SETTING FLASH GROUPS
Setting Flash Groups on the
Aviator Transceiver in Master Mode
The Aviator Transceiver allows individual
control of flash settings for groups A, B and
C. It can also fire all groups simultaneously.
To set the mode of a particular
flash group, do the following:
1. Press the desired group to toggle
through the modes, ( between TTL,
Manual and OFF)
18
Flash Group
Mode Setting
Group
A
Slave
Mode
Setting Flash Groups on the
Aviator Transceiver in Slave Mode
When the Transceiver is in Slave mode, set
the desired group by pressing A, B, or C.
Setting the Group on the
Aviator Receiver
Slide the Group switch on the
Aviator Receiver to the desired
Group (either A, B, or C).
To assign multiple Receivers to the same
flash group, simply select the same group
letter for each Receiver in the flash group.
Note: you can combine studio lights
and speedlights within the same flash
group. (Be aware of the independent
recycling time of each flash to ensure
all flash units are ready to fire).
Note: the Group D setting is reserved for
factory calibration and is not available for use.
19
ADJUSTING A FLASH GROUP’S TTL POWER (EV)
Using a Transceiver in Master mode:
1. From the TTL Screen, press Select. The
screen will start flashing.
2. Press A, B, or C to select the desired
flash group. The selected group will
start flashing.
3. Use the + and − buttons to set the EV
(exposure) in TTL mode.
4. Press Select twice when done to apply
the settings.
5. Press /Test to confirm settings.
20
Note: /Test fires a test flash on all
connected hot-shoe lights and studio lights.
It is advisable to always test fire your flashes
after making changes to confirm your settings.
TTL EV
Setting
ADJUSTING A FLASH GROUP’S ZOOM
The FreeWave Aviator has the ability
to refine your flash output by adjusting
a flash group's zoom. This function
controls the concentration and diusion
of light emitted by your flash.
Using a Transceiver in Master mode:
1. From the TTL Screen, press Select
twice to enter Zoom Select.
2. Press A, B, or C to select the desired
Group.
3. Use + and − buttons to set the zoom
level (Auto, 24, 28, 35, 50, 70, 80, or 105
mm) for the selected group (Auto is one
level below 24 mm and appears as “Au”).
4. Press Select when done to apply the
setting.
5. Press /Test to confirm settings.
21
USING TTL RATIO ADJUSTMENT MODES
Ratio Adjustment Mode gives you the
convenience of not having to make
individual adjustments to each flash group.
You can make simple adjustments to the
relationship between Group A and B,
or Groups A, B and C (with Group C
adjusting itself in relation to Group B),
using a FreeWave Aviator Transceiver.
A standard portrait lighting setup uses a
main (or key) light set at 100% power, a fill
light at 50%, and a background light set as
needed. In the device’s Ratio Mode, you
only need to adjust your ratio settings.
The others will self-adjust and maintain
their relative settings automatically.
22
For example, in Ratio A:B Mode, when
setting the ratio as 2/1 (or 2:1), Group A
will be twice as powerful as Group B.
In Ratio A:BC Mode, the device allows
adjustments to the power of Group C
in relation to Group B. Adjustments to
Group C are set in EV. Each EV stop higher
or lower will be either twice or half the
power of the previous stop respectively
(setting the EV to −1 would mean that
Group C is 1 stop less powerful – or half
the power of Group B). The EV can be
adjusted in increments of 1/3 of a stop.
For example, in Ratio A:BC mode, if B is
set to be half (−1 stop) of A, and C is set to
an EV of −1 (1 stop less than B), C would
actually be 1/4 (−2 stops) the power of A.
Group C
(Background Light)
Subject
Camera
Group A
(Key Light)
Group B
(Fill Light)
Typical portrait lighting arrangement
Ratio A:B Mode
Using a Transceiver in Master mode:
Ratio A:BC Mode
Using a Transceiver in Master mode:
6. Press Select when done.
1. Set your TTL-compatible hot-shoe flash
to TTL mode.
2. From the TTL Screen, press Option to
enter Ratio A:B Mode.
3. Press Select to access the ratio
adjustment.
4. Use + and − buttons to adjust the ratio
(up to 7 stops plus or minus).
5. Press Select when done to apply the
setting.
6. Press /Test to confirm settings.
1. From the TTL Screen, press Option
twice to enter Ratio A:BC Mode.
2. Press Select to access the ratio
adjustment.
3. Use + and − buttons to adjust the ratio
(up to 7 stops plus or minus).
4. Press Select to access an EV (exposure
adjustment) to Group C, which will
adjust its power in relation to group B.
5. Use the + and − buttons to adjust the
EV ratio.
7. Press /Test to confirm settings.
Ratio Mode
Indicator
Group A:B
Ratio Setting
Group C
EV Setting
23
CHANGING A FLASH GROUP'S POWER MODE
Set a Flash Group to Manual mode
Using a Transceiver in Master mode:
1. Set your compatible TTL hot-shoe flash
to TTL mode.
2. From the Transceiver's TTL Screen,
press the Select button, and the screen
will begin to blink.
3. Press the desired group button (A, B,
or C) twice to set that group to manual
mode.
4. Use the + and − buttons to adjust the
manual power setting.
24
5. Press Select twice when done to apply
the settings.
6. Press /Test to confirm settings.
Manual Flash Mode
Power Setting
Turn a Flash Group O
Using a Transceiver in Master mode:
1. Press the desired group button (A, B, or
C) to toggle through the power modes
until you reach O.
2. Press /Test to confirm settings.
Flash Group
set to O
USING HIGH SPEED SYNC/SECOND CURTAIN SYNC MODES
The Vello FreeWave Aviator supports
Hi-Speed Sync (HSS) up to 1/8000 of
a second on compatible cameras and
TTL flashes. This means that the entire
duration of the shot, including the flash,
can be as short as 1/8000 of a second.
The FreeWave Aviator also supports
second-curtain sync mode on
compatible cameras and TTL flashes.
Consult your camera’s user manual to
find out how to activate these modes.
Note: these functions work only with compat ible cameras and TTL flashes.
For Nikon
Using a Transceiver in Master mode:
1. From the TTL Screen choose a flash
sync mode by pressing the Flash Sync
Mode [ ] button.
• Second Curtain Sync ( )
Note: High Speed Sync is controlled
directly by t he camera on Nikon
systems – no settings are needed on the
FreeWave Aviator.
Second Curtain
Sync Mode
25
For Canon
Using a Transceiver in Master mode:
2. From the TTL Screen choose a flash
sync mode by pressing the Flash Sync
Mode [ ] button to cycle through
and choose an option.
• Second Curtain Sync ( )
• High-Speed Sync ( )
Note: Canon systems requires setting High
Speed or Second Curtain Sync on the
Transceiver.
26
High Speed
Sync Mode
SETTING AUTO-FOCUS ASSIST (NIKON ONLY)
To configure your Nikon flash's Auto-Focus
Assist (AF Assist) from the Transceiver:
1. Make sure your flash's AF Assist is
turned on (see your flash's manual)
2. From the TTL Screen, press the Menu
button three times
3. Press + or − to turn AF Assist On
or O
4. Press Select to apply the setting.
Note: for turning o a Nikon Camera's
AF light, see your cameras manual.
Note: for Canon systems, AF illumination is controlled directly by the flash (see your flash’s manual)
AF Assist
Setting
27
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
TTL Pass-through
When a Transceiver is set to Master
mode and mounted on your camera, a
hot-shoe flash attached to its hot shoe
receives TTL exposure data from the
Master Transceiver unit to ensure that
your photos will be properly exposed. It
functions as a separate unit, independent
of Groups A, B, and C. Adjustments
to that flash are limited to Auto TTL
(meaning that TTL EV adjustments are
not available) or Manual power settings.
28
Flash Wake-Up
If your flash has a wake-up function
press the /Test button on the
Transceiver to wake your flash.
If your flash does not have a wake-up
function, you may be able to turn o sleep
mode: Refer to your flash’s manual to
find out if you can turn o sleep mode.
RESETTING THE TRANSCEIVER TO FACTORY DEFAULT SETTINGS
The FreeWave Aviator Transceiver
remembers the last Group Mode, Channel,
Zoom and Master/Slave settings when
powered o. To reset your Transceiver
to factory default settings, press and
hold the Menu and Option buttons
together for 3 seconds. The LCD display
should show “All Settings Cleared.”
Reset
Message
Channel1
Master/Slave ModeMaster Mode
Flash Group Power ModeTTL Mode
TTL Mode Power (EV)0.0 EV for Groups A,B, and C
Manual Mode Power1/1 for Groups A,B, and C
Flash ZoomAuto
Ratio A:B Mode1:1
Ratio A:BC Mode1:1 and 0.0EV
Flash Sync ModeFirst Curtain Sync
AF Assist (Nikon Only)On
29
SPECIFICATIONS
Transceiver
Dimensions (W × H × D)2.75˝ × 2.63˝ × 1.25˝ (70 × 67 × 32 mm)
Weight (without battery)4.8 oz. (136 g)
Power2 AA batteries (240 hrs. on standby)
Output3.5mm Sync Port , TTL Pass-through Shoe
Channels16 channels
Groups3 groups (A, B and C)
RangeUp to 300´ (100 m)
Sync SpeedUp to 1⁄8000 second
Flash Sync ModesFirst Curtain Sync and Second Curtain Sync
EV Compensation±3 EV
30
Receiver
1.75˝ × 1.25˝ × 3.19˝ (45 × 32 × 81 mm)
2.4 oz. (68 g)
2 AA batteries (400 hrs. on standby)
TTL hot shoe, PC sync port,
3.5 mm sync port
4 channels
TROUBLESHOOTING
FCC COMPLIANCE
• Check the contact between the light’s
hot shoe foot and the Receiver’s hot
shoe, and between the camera’s hot
shoe and the Transceiver’s hot-shoe
foot.
• Make sure the hot-shoe light’s locking
switch is set to the lock position.
• Make sure that the Receiver is powered
on and at the correct setting.
• Remove the batteries from the
Transceiver and Receiver, wait a moment
and then replace.
• Change the channel by adjusting the
switch on the Receiver and the setting
on the Transceiver to a dierent
combination, taking care to ensure that
both the Transceiver and Receiver are
set identically.
• Ensure that your TTL compatible flash is
set to TTL mode, even when using the
Transceiver to trigger in manual mode.
• After changing settings on the Aviator
Transceiver, push the /Test button to
confirm new settings.
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful
interference.
2. This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
31
ONE-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
This VELLO product is warranted to the original purchaser to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal consumer use
for a period of one (1) year from the original purchase date or thirty (30) days after replacement, whichever occurs later. The warranty provider’s
responsibility with respect to this limited warranty shall be limited solely to repair or replacement, at the provider’s discretion, of any product
that fails during normal use of this product in its intended manner and in its intended environment. Inoperability of the product or part(s) shall
be determined by the warranty provider. If the product has been discontinued, the warranty provider reserves the right to replace it with a
model of equivalent quality and function.
This warranty does not cover damage or defect caused by misuse, neglect, accident, alteration, abuse, improper installation or maintenance.
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, THE WARRANTY PROVIDER MAKES NEITHER ANY EXPRESS WARRANTIES NOR ANY IMPLIED
WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE. This warranty provides you with specific legal rights, and you may also have additional rights that vary from state to state.
To obtain warranty coverage, contact the Vello Customer Service Department to obtain a return merchandise authorization (“RMA”) number,
and return the defective product to Vello along with the RMA number and proof of purchase. Shipment of the defective product is at the
purchaser’s own risk and expense.
For more information or to arrange service, visit www.vellogear.com or call Customer Service at 212-594-2353.