Assistive Listening Systems Venture-Base Transmitter Installation and Operations Manual Gentner Communications Corporation
Copyright Information © Copyright 1997 Gentner Communications Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this manual may be reproduced in any form or by any means without written permission from Gentner Communications Corporation. Printed in the United States of America. Original version, 1/93. Gentner Communications Corporation reserves specification privileges. Information in this manual is subject to change without notice.
Venture-Base Transmitter Installation and Operations Manual
Venture-Base Installation and Operations Manual Page iii Contents Introduction Warranty Registration 1 1 Product Description 2 Accessories 3 Front Panel Controls 3 Back Panel Controls 4 Installation Step 1 — Antenna Connection Step 2 — Audio Connection Step 3 — Apply Power Step 4 — Rack Mounting Option 5 5 7 8 8 Operation Set Audio Level High Pass Switch Set the RF Level Receiver Tuning Reception Check Interference 8 8 9 10 10 10 10 Frequency Chart 11 Service 12 Specifications 12 Notice
Page iv Venture-Base Installation and Operations Manual List of Figures Figure 1. Venture-Base front panel controls Figure 2. Venture-Base back panel controls Figure 3. Remote antenna connection Figure 4. Amplifier connection Figure 5. Y-adaptor connection Figure 6. Venture-Base front panel controls Figure 7. Venture-Base back panel controls ................................ 3 ................................ 4 ................................ 6 ................................ 7 ..........................
Venture-Base Installation and Operations Manual Page 1 Introduction Congratulations on purchasing the Venture-Base Assistive Listening Transmitter. The Venture-Base is the heart of the Gentner Assistive Listening System. As the most advanced device of its type, its design and manufacture result from research with audiologists, sound contractors, consultants and end users. It is designed to provide the highest possible audio and RF performance.
Page 2 Venture-Base Installation and Operations Manual Product Description Making sound clearer for the hearing impaired requires more than just making it louder. The needs of the hearing impaired differ from those with normal hearing. Audio processing is needed to reshape the sound. The most common impairments are reduced sensitivity and dynamic range, and loss of high frequencies. Many of the audio sources have extremely high dynamic range — often difficult to hear under optimal circumstances.
Venture-Base Installation and Operations Manual Page 3 Accessories Several accessory options are available including receivers, headphones, battery rechargers, portable transmitter, etc., to fit your needs. Contact Gentner Communications or your dealer for information. Front Panel Controls The Venture-Base was designed for ease in operation. The Venture-Base front-panel controls (See Figure 1, below.) perform the following functions: Figure 1. Venture-Base front panel controls 1. Power LED.
Page 4 Venture-Base Installation and Operations Manual Front Panel Continued 7. Monitor Level. This control sets the level of the audio at the jack [8]. 8. . This headphone jack provides easy monitoring of transmitter operation. Its output is 1W, capable of driving most headphones. HEADPHONE NOTE: Ensure that the headphone jack does not make metal contact with the face place of the VentureBase. 9. RF. This LED indicates proper RF-circuit function to simplify system troubleshooting (i.e.
Venture-Base Installation and Operations Manual Page 5 4. Tone. This switch sends a 40Hz test tone through the audio circuit to test the transmitter and aid in tuning receivers. To tune receivers, set the transmitter to the desired operating channel, activate the tone, then tune the receiver for clearest reception. (Refer to receiver user’s guide.) 5. Hi Pass. This switch activates the high-pass filter, which rolls off low frequencies below 180Hz (i.e., wind noise and room reverberation).
Page 6 Venture-Base Installation and Operations Manual Figure 3. Remote antenna connection RACK-MOUNTING NOTE: The remote antenna is necessary when rackmounting the transmitter. Position the remote antenna so it is not close to any vertical metal surface. If possible, place it on a horizontal metal surface to provide a ground plane and better performance. Maintaining line of sight with the receivers is not always necessary, but will enhance reception.
Venture-Base Installation and Operations Manual Page 7 Step 2 — Audio Connection The Venture-Base is designed to accommodate almost any type and level of audio source. Microphone Almost any 600 Ohm dynamic or self-powered condenser microphone can be plugged into the balanced XLR connector. When doing so, set the input select switch to MIC. An unbalanced microphone may be used with a suitable adapter. However, Gentner Communications recommends that a balanced microphone be used to eliminate noise pickup.
Page 8 Venture-Base Installation and Operations Manual Figure 5. Y-adaptor connection Installation Continued Speaker Input If no suitable signals are available, the VentureBase can be connected to a speaker-level output (last resort). At these low levels, an amplifier out-put may be very noisy and subject to interfer-ence. Connect directly to the amplifier out, not to the remote speaker. If the transmitter is connected to the remote speaker and noise results, turn down the amplifier.
Venture-Base Installation and Operations Manual Page 9 speak into the microphone or connect an audio source to the sound system. Slowly raise the AUDIO INPUT LEVEL control [4] (See Figure 6, below.) until the amber and green LEDs are ON, and the red LED flashes 5–10 percent [3]. The AUDIO INPUT LEVEL control [4] is typically set between 9 and 3 o’clock.
Page 10 Venture-Base Installation and Operations Manual Operation Continued Set the RF Level Transmitters must never be set to the same frequency in the same location. Channels must be set as far apart from each other as possible. Test the reception with the RF level at one-half or one-quarter [2] power. The lower it can be operated satisfactorily, the less chance there will be for interference with another system. One-half or one-quarter power should cover most classroom applications.
Venture-Base Installation and Operations Manual Page 11 If more than one Venture-Base is to be operating in the same location, try to keep the channels used as far apart from each other as possible. Transmitters should never be set to the same frequency in the same location. FREQUENCY CHART *Frequencies are in MHz Channel 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 *Frequency 216.025 216.075 216.125 216.175 216.225 216.275 216.325 216.375 216.425 216.525 216.575 216.625 216.675 216.725 216.
Page 12 Venture-Base Installation and Operations Manual FCC Service Specifications This transmitter is authorized by rule under the Low Power Radio Service (47 C.F.R. Part 95) and must not cause harmful interference to TV reception or United States Navy SPASUR installations. You do not need an FCC license to operate this transmitter.
Venture-Base Installation and Operations Manual Page 13 ANTENNA: POWER: Modified TNC, 50 Ohm Sub-mini Audio Performance AGC Range 40dB Manual Input Level Control 20dB Signal to Noise Ratio 52dB Transmission Type FM modulation Maximum Deviation +/- 10kHz, 20kHz total Maximum Radiated Power 1600uV/m at 30M Frequency Control Digitally synthesized, crystal controlled Frequency Stability 0.
Page 14 Venture-Base Installation and Operations Manual Corporation could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. If you experience problems with this equipment, contact Gentner Communications Corporation. Aural Exciter® is a Registered Trademark of Aphex Systems, Inc. FCC This transmitter is authorized bu rule under the Low Power Radio Service (47 C.F.R. Part 95) and must not cause harmful intererence to TV reception or United States Navy SPASUR installations.
Venture-Base Installation and Operations Manual Page 15 Warranty Continued THIS WARRANTY IS VOID IF: A. The equipment has been damaged by negligence, accident, act-of-God or mishandling, or has not been operated in accordance with the procedures described in the operating and technical instructions; or, B. The equipment has been altered or repaired by other than Manufacturer or an authorized service representative of Manufacturer; or, C.
