RTS CHG-240 BATTERY CHARGER 4 bay, rapid, for BP-240 batteries

The RTS BTR-240 is a digital, multi-channel, wireless intercom system offering reliable and secure full-duplex communication with up to eight wireless TR-240 beltpacks and an almost unlimited number of half-duplex belt-packs. Operating in the 2.4GHz frequency band, the BTR-240 system is approved for licence-free use in most countries. The system incorporates RTS's unique ClearScan technology which allows users to select the optimal radio frequency (RF) channel for communication at the touch of a button. In operation, users can select between two independent intercom audio channels to talk and listen or just listen only. Audio channels can be selected individually or simultaneously.

The BTR-240 uses multi-level 802.11 wireless security features including data encryption, MAC address filtering and 64-bit audio encryption, to provide a highly secure wireless intercom system.

The system offers stand-alone operation and can also interface with two-wire intercom systems, including Tecpro, ClearCom, RTS TW and Audiocom as well as four-wire systems such as the RTS Matrix. In addition to the external intercom system interfaces, it provides connectivity for auxiliary balanced audio input and output. A speaker output is included for linking to a local monitor speaker.

Although the BTR-240 base station offers a comprehensive range of features, set-up is straight forward. Menu options are viewed on the backlit LCD screen and selection is made using the buttons on either side of the display.

When operating as a stand-alone system, TR-240 beltpacks can communicate with each other on either of the two independent audio intercom channels. In this application, all communication signals are routed via the base station rather than directly from one beltpack to another. The base station can be used to talk to beltpack users on either or both audio channels. A headset input with level control is provided together with a channel select button and microphone On/Off switch.

Interfacing to an external wired intercom is straightforward. Two pairs of male/female 3-pin XLR connectors on the rear panel provide a loop-through port for a two-wire intercom system such as Tecpro or RTS. Sophisticated automatic nulling and echo cancellation techniques make interfacing simple while keeping the signal free from artifacts and delivering clean, intelligible audio. Two RJ-11 sockets provide interfacing to a four-wire system like the RTS Matrix. This operates in tandem with the two-wire interface so both types of wired intercoms can be communicated with simultaneously. Audio levels to and from external wired intercoms are adjustable.

An RJ-45 socket provides a 100BaseT Ethernet connection and enables TR-240 beltpacks, if they are set to operate in 'Wired' mode, to communicate with the base station via a LAN. Programming and updating of the software uses the same port.

Auxiliary audio (for example show-relay) can be injected into the system via a 3-pin combination XLR/jack. Auxiliary audio out is via a 3-pin XLR socket.

The BTR-240 base station comes complete with external 12-15V DC universal power supply.

Reverse TNC connectors positioned at either end of the rear chassis provide connections for the transmit and receive antennae. The antennae can be rear mounted directly on to the connectors or, using the included short coaxial cable link, can be front mounted using the available cut-outs. Using longer coaxial feeder cables, the antennae can be mounted higher up away from the base station, to maximise coverage. Best performance is achieved when the antennae have line of sight to the beltpacks. Walls and other dense objects, human beings included, will reduce signal strength.

TR-240 beltpacks have two independent, full-duplex intercom circuits. When 2-way conversation is not required, they can operate as listen-only stations. Beltpacks may be configured in one of three operating modes: 'Wireless', 'Wired', or 'Master Wireless'.

In 'Wireless' (normal) mode, beltpacks communicate with each other using the BTR-240 base station as a relay. Up to eight beltpacks can operate in full-duplex mode, allowing users to simultaneously talk and listen to other parties on the same intercom circuit. An almost unlimited number of half-duplex beltpacks can be added to the system. In this configuration, communication is still two-way, but not simultaneous, so users can either talk or listen, but not both together.

In 'Wired' mode, the beltpack's radio is de-activated and its Ethernet port switched on, allowing communication with other beltpacks via a single hub or through a building's existing Ethernet infrastructure using two or more hubs. Note that the system is designed to work using Ethernet hubs. Ethernet switches, depending on the design or configuration of the switch, may prevent proper operation. In 'Wired' mode, beltpacks communicate without the need for a BTR-240 base station. Adding a BTR-240 to the system allows a combination of wired and wireless beltpacks to be configured.

In 'Master Wireless' mode, one beltpack is programmed to be the 'Master' and acts both as a beltpack and a mobile base station, replacing the BTR-240 base station. The selected beltpack retains all the functionality of a standard wireless beltpack but gains the ability to perform a ClearScan or to set the optimum RF channel manually. Up to eight full-duplex wireless beltpacks can be used together with the 'Master' unit (9 beltpacks in total). Many more half-duplex beltpacks may be added to the system. A suitable application for a group of beltpacks operating in 'Master Wireless' mode would be as a tour-guide system for noisy environments. The mobile base station would move around the area with the rest of the group allowing all beltpacks to stay within good reception range.

The TR-240 beltpack has a dedicated removable Li-Ion battery pack that provides up to eight hours of un-interrupted operation. The battery pack can be charged directly in the case by plugging the included power adapter into the beltpack or by placing the battery into an optional CHG-240 four-bay charger.

To read about the BTR-240 wireless intercom system in more detail, the comprehensive user manual is may be downloaded as a PDF from the Canford web site: www.canford.co.uk. Enter 'RTS BTR-240 Wireless Intercom System' in the search box.