Clear-Com FreeSpeak Beltpack - Manual (Page 57)

Clear-Com Communication Systems
Eclipse Wireless Communication System 3 - 3
Power LED
This green LED indicates that the transceiver/antenna is receiving
power, either from its local power supply or from the connected CAT-5
cable (distances up to 300 meters, or 925 feet, from the base or the
splitter) being powered via the Eclipse base.
DC In Power Connector
This connector is used to locally power the transceiver/antenna with
the supplied universal power supply. Use of local power is required
when the transceiver/antenna is located more than 300 meters (925
feet) from the Eclipse base or the splitter, and is recommended even
when the transceiver/antenna is closer whenever it is available and
convenient.
CABLING THE TRANSCEIVER/ANTENNAS
Each Eclipse transceiver/antenna receives its necessary data and
digital communications audio via a direct connection with the matrix
E-Que ports. Between these two ports, up to 10 transceiver/antennas
can be supported. A transceiver/antenna may either be directly
connected to an E-Que port using 4-pair CAT-5 data cable with RJ-45
connectors on each end, or it may be connected to the base through
an antenna splitter.
BELTPACK SUPPORT CAPACITIES FOR TRANS-
CEIVER/ANTENNAS
Each transceiver/antenna can support five beltpacks within one
coverage zone. With the supplied omnidirectional antennas, the
coverage pattern is circular or donut-shaped, with a maximum range of
up to 250 meters (800 feet), but with typical range between 50 meters
and 150 meters – depending on the environment in which it is installed.
When designing the system, determine how many beltpack users will
be in or passing through a given coverage zone. If it will be five or
fewer users, then place one transceiver/antenna in the center of that
area. If it is between 6 and 10 users, place two transceiver/antennas
next to each other, both with a direct connection to the Eclipse base or
splitter. In larger systems – approaching 20 beltpacks – it is wiser to
allow one transceiver/antenna for every 3 to 4 users to ensure smooth
handoffs between transceiver/antennas. It is good practice to have
each beltpack “seeing” two or more antennas, so a minimum of two
antennas in any system is to be considered.
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
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