Clear-Com FreeSpeak Antenna Splitter - Manual (Page 138)

Clear-Com Communication Systems
FreeSpeak V2.0 Instruction Manual
8 - 4
If a sixth beltpack user goes into a coverage zone with only one
transceiver/antenna, and that user is out of range from another
transceiver/antenna in the overall system to which that beltpack is
currently connected, it will lose connection with the system. This is
because the tranceiver/antenna has a maximum capacity of five
beltpacks at a time. If one of the existing users in that coverage area
turns off a beltpack or leaves the area, then the sixth beltpack will find
an open slot and will be reconnected with the system.
The proprietary technology within FreeSpeak permits the beltpack user
to go between coverage zones created by different
transceiver/antennas connected to the FreeSpeak basestation, and for
the system to hand over the communication between beltpack and
basestation from one transceiver/antenna to the next one. Thus, a
larger, customizable communications area may be designed.
COVERAGE AREAS UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS
Just as with any other product communicating via radio waves, the
effective distance between the beltpack and the transceiver/antenna
(the range) will differ depending on the particular environment in which
it is being used. Radio waves can be attenuated by walls, floors,
ceilings, trees, shrubbery, the human body (such as an audience), and
numerous other objects. They can be reflected and/or stopped by
metallic objects such as structural beams, safety doors, lighting
equipment and truss, bodies of water, and so on.
Under ideal conditions, the maximum range between a FreeSpeak
beltpack and a transceiver/antenna is 250 meters (about 800 feet).
Typical distances are between approximately 50 meters (about 160
feet) and 150 meters (about 485 feet), depending on the particular
environment.
As the transceiver/antenna requirements for a particular installation
are being determined, keep in mind both the number of beltpack users
who will be working in a particular area (based on the five-beltpack
capacity of each transceiver/antenna), and the layout and potential RF
attenuating and reflecting items in the location. Be conservative in
distance estimates to make sure that enough transceiver/antennas are
included to provide the necessary coverage for the installation. Also
note that additional transceiver/antennas may be added to a
basestation, up to a maximum of 10.
TRANSCEIVER/ANTENNA SETUP RULES AND TIPS
Keep the following general rules and tips in mind:
• Keep antennas high (typically, though lower placements away
from interfering objects can at times be beneficial) and
line-of-sight.
• Keep them away from larger metallic objects and surfaces, and
from lighting truss.