Anchor Audio BPW-300 User Manual
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BELT PACK OPERATION
The BPW-300 belt pack has a 6 pin mini-XLR headset jack, channel selector, universal LED indicator light and the PTT (Push To
Talk) button on the top with the POWER/VOLUME CONTROL thumb wheel located on the side.
CHANNEL SELECTOR
To create a belt pack group, each group member must set their Channel Selector to the same number. The PortaCom PRO has
15 available channels to choose from, so you can setup 15 separate groups.
• Select an available channel for the group (1 thru 16 except 9)
• Set each belt pack in the group to the same channel
NOTE: Channel 9 is reserved as the All Call channel & not available for groups.
LISTEN ONLY, ACTIVE & PUSH TO TALK MODE
LISTEN ONLY MODE: When the belt pack is powered on the LED light will show a slow flashing light, you are in Listen Only
Mode. Use this setting when you don't wish to talk on the system, but merely listen.
ACTIVE MODE: Press the PTT button once for Active Mode, the LED light will flash quickly. Active Mode is voice activated, sim-
ply speak into your mic and be heard by the users in your group. Press the PTT button again to return to Listen Only Mode.
CAUTION: In Active Mode excessive background noise can broadcast into mic & trigger voice activation.
PUSH TO TALK MODE: Press & hold the PTT button, like a walkie talkie, the mic will only pick up your voice when the button
is held down. Release the button to return to Listen Only Mode. Use in loud environments so background noise won’t continual-
ly broadcast over your mic. Push To Talk is also recommended if many users are jumping in & out of the conversation.
ALL CALL CHANNEL
All Call allows one user to speak to every user in every group on the system simultaneously regardless of their channel selection.
When All Call is engaged the belt pack LED indicator light will turn amber, this alerts all users that All Call is in use.
• Select channel 9 to engage the All Call feature
• When the All Call operator stops speaking, all other users revert to their original channel
• To disengage All Call select a different channel (other then 9)
RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES
Every PortaCom PRO belt pack includes two rechargeable “AA” NiMH batteries. These batteries are designed to work with the
PortaCom PRO charger to get the most out of your system. To purchase additional batteries please call Anchor Audio.
If the belt pack LED light turns red, or your transmission signal becomes weak, the battery is low and needs to be charged. You
may continue using the belt pack during charging, but this will extend the total charge time.
CHARGING THE BATTERIES
1. Turn the belt pack off (you may leave system on during charging if you wish to continue use)
2. Plug the included AC-300 power adapter into the jack on the side of belt pack and an AC outlet
3. Allow belt pack to charge 7 hours to reach full capacity (charge time will increase if system is in use)
• Amber light indicates the batteries are charging & Green light indicates the batteries are fully charged
• Typical battery life when fully charged = 7 to 8 hours normal use
Users who must leave their charger plugged in (emergency preparedness crews, etc.) are advised to replace the rechargeable
batteries once every 12 months.
AA alkaline batteries can be substituted for the rechargeable batteries. However, connecting the charger when alkaline
batteries are installed could seriously damage your belt pack!
HEADSET OPERATION
PortaCom PRO noise canceling headsets are available with a single (HSW-300) or dual (HW-300) ear piece. In addition, a light-
weight headband style headset (LSW-300) or a concealed single earpiece headset (ESW-300) are also available. All headsets
have 6 pin mini-XLR gold tipped connectors, adjustable microphones and electret condenser type microphone elements.
OPERATION
1. Plug the headset connector into the belt pack headset jack
2. Turn on power & adjust volume on each belt pack in use
3. Select a transmission channel for the group, 1 thru 16 (channel 9 is reserved for All Call)
4. Set each belt pack in the group to the same channel
5. Adjust headset boom so the microphone is located near the mouth
6. Depress the PTT button to start talking, the system is voice activated
HW-300 - Dual-Earpiece
ESW-300 - Concealed
LSW-300 - Light-Weight
LIGHT-WEIGHT SINGLE-EARPIECE HEADSETS
STANDARD NOISE CANCELING HEADSETS
HSW-300 - Single-Earpiece
TROUBLESHOOTING PORTACOM PRO
CAN'T HEAR PERSON SPEAKING? Turn up the listen volume control using the thumbwheel on the side of
the belt pack. If you are in an extremely loud environment, you will need to use the dual muff headset with noise
canceling properties. If you still can't hear the person speaking, you must be out of range and need to move closer.
Check USE switches/use PTT to ensure that unit is transmitting.
MICROPHONE NOT PICKING UP YOUR VOICE? First, check that you have pushed down the PTT button
one click and you are in active mode, note the fast flashing light. Move the mic closer to your mouth and speak up
clearly. You can also adjust the VOX by turning up the mic gain knob.
BACKGROUND NOISE TRANSMITTING ACROSS SYSTEM? Stay in listen mode until you are ready to
speak. Then, push and hold the PTT button to ensure your system is activated only when you speak.
TRANSMISSION IS WEAK? Make certain the batteries are charged by checking for the green battery light.
If batteries are weak, and you need to keep going, either plug the unit into the charger and a wall outlet, or replace
the rechargeable batteries with disposable alkaline batteries.
PROPER INTERCOM ETIQUETTE! The PortaCom PRO is designed to handle two people speaking at once.
Use proper intercom etiquette and wait to break into the conversation when the two people have stopped talking.
If multiple users want to jump into and out of the conversation, use PTT (push to talk).
CAUTION: When storing your system in the PortaCom PRO hard case, place each belt pack into its storage
slot carefully. Turning the thumb wheel during insertion will turn the power on and drain the battery.