RTS MCE325A5F Programmable user station

MCE325 Programmable User Station

The MCE325 is a versatile user-programmable intercom station capable of communicating with up to four intercom channels. It can operate as a headset station or, combined with the MCS325 modular speaker and an MCP-90 series gooseneck microphone, as a speaker station.
The MCE325 may be used with either two-wire or four-wire intercom lines or a combination of both. It can be interfaced with a variety of external devices including external programme sources, two-way radios, paging systems and satellite circuits.

Features

- Stereo or mono operation
- User programmable functions, microprocessor assisted
- Programming retained when power is shut off
- Speak to two, three or four channels separately or simultaneously
- Push buttons may be programmed for different functions
- Talk buttons offer latching and non-latching modes
- Mic amp limiter-circuit protects against overloads and signal distortion
- Side-tone adjustments for each channel
- Voice activated microphone facility
- Simple IFB (programme interrupt) facility
- Four flashing LEDs identify which channels have audio present
- Call function allows call signal to be sent and received between stations
- Remote “mic-kill” signal (24kHz) generate/recognition facility
- Stereo headphone outlet, Switchcraft 6-pin (5-pin compatible) XLR
- Jack input on front panel for panel-mount gooseneck microphone
- Input and loop-through 3-pin XLR sockets on rear panel
- Auxiliary 25-pin D-sub connector on rear
- Two “Programme” audio jack inputs on rear.
- External device keying (to activate radios/paging systems etc)
- Packaged in a half-rack, 1U metal housing, for durability

The buttons on the the MCE325 have two modes of operation. Printing on the face of each button indicates its function under standard operating mode while printing underneath each button indicates its set-up function. An LED above each button provides status information.
Factory programmed for two-channel operation, with each channel assigned one talk and one listen button. May be re-programmed so each channel selector button controls both talk and listen for a single channel allowing up to four channels to be operated. A kit of buttons is supplied so the user may customise button labelling to suit a particular application.
When the MCE325 is used as a speaker station (combined with an MSC325 speaker and a gooseneck microphone), switching the microphone on automatically dims the speaker by 6dB to reduce the risk of acoustic feedback. This may be increased internally to a maximum of -40dB. Additionally the side-tone trim controls may be adjusted with a small screwdriver to subtract the operator’s voice from the rest of the communications signal.
When used as a headset station, a separate, internal side-tone trimmer adjusts the level of the operator’s microphone heard in the headset.
If a stereo headset is used, Vol 1 adjusts the level of channels 1 and 3 in the left earpiece while Vol 2 adjusts the level of channels 2 and 4 in the right earpiece. With a mono headset the output of Vol 1 and Vol 2 are sent to both earpieces.
Two channels of “programme” audio (A and B) may be injected through a pair of balanced jacks on the rear panel and internally assigned to intercom channels 3 and 4, left or right headphone circuits or speaker output. A pair of jumpers select programme mute (Interrupted Fold Back) when the channel microphone is on. PGM volume control adjusts the programme level going to the headphones and speaker.
Two and four-wire intercom connections are catered for by a combination of a 3-pin XLR and 25-way D-sub connector.
A 5 watt RMS speaker output on the rear provides for connection of an external speaker (8 ohms minimum) and is designed for the MCS325 speaker.
The MCE325 takes its power from the local (230V AC) mains supply. Where there is no AC power available, an external DC source may be connected via the rear panel.
If a microphone elsewhere on the system has been left open in a noisy surrounding, the “mic-kill” facility on the MCE325 can be used to shut down all open microphones on that channel providing the other stations support this feature.

RTS MRT327 Two Channel (Selectable) Station

The MRT327 is microprocessor controlled and can be selected to operate on either of the two available full-duplex intercom channels. The MRT327 may be used as a headset station via the 5-pin XLR outlet on the front panel or as a speaker station by connecting a gooseneck microphone and an MSC325 modular speaker to the 1.5 watts speaker output on the rear panel. It may be used free-standing, or rack-mounted. Alternatively it can be mounted in a console.

Features

- Two channel (selectable) operation
- User programmable functions, microprocessor assisted
- Stereo headphone outlet, Switchcraft 6-pin (5-pin compatible) XLR
- Level control for headset / loudspeaker volume
- Jack input on front panel for panel-mount gooseneck microphone
- Speaker-dim (adjustable -4 to -30dB) when gooseneck in use
- Side-tone adjustment accessed through front panel
- Talk button offers latching and non-latching modes
- Mic amp limiter-circuit protects against overloads and signal distortion
- Call function allows call signal to be sent and received between stations
- Remote “mic-kill” signal recognition
- Intercom input and loop-through sockets on rear panel (3-pin XLR)
- Speaker outlet (1.5W) on rear panel suitable for 8 ohm speaker (e.g. RTS MCS325)
- Packaged in a half-rack, 1U metal housing for durability

The channel-select button allows the operator to decide which of the two available communications channels is active. If simultaneous communications with both channels is required please refer to the RM325 or MCE325 station descriptions.
Headset level is adjusted with the front panel mounted volume control. The level of the operator’s own voice heard in the headset (side-tone) may be internally set via the front panel with a small screwdriver.
Speaker output is activated by the speaker-on button and the level controlled by the front mounted volume control.
Pressing the “Mic On” button allows communication with other stations. The operator may latch the microphone in the open position or choose for it to mute when the channel Talk button is released. Microphone input may be from either a headset or a gooseneck microphone if fitted. Acoustic feedback can be minimised by a combination of the speaker-dim control (adjustable between -4dB and -30dB)and the side-tone adjustment.
Pressing the call button will attract the attention of other operators. If another station calls, the belt-pack’s red LED call light will illuminate.
The MRT327 can recognise 24kHz “mic-kill” signals that switch all open microphones on a communications channel to mute.

RM325 Dual Channel Headset Station

The RM325 offers two independent channels of full duplex-intercom, and provides the necessary amplification to drive stereo or mono headsets. With its comprehensive microprocessor assisted programming the RM325 may be configured to suit different situations. It may be used free-standing, or rack-mounted. Alternatively it can be mounted in a console.

Features

- Stereo or mono operation
- User programmable functions, microprocessor assisted
- Stereo headphone outlet, Switchcraft 6-pin (5-pin compatible) XLR
- Speak to channels 1 and 2 separately or simultaneously
- Separate listen level controls for each channel
- Separate Talk buttons with green LED indicator for each channel
- Talk buttons offer latching and non-latching modes
- Mic amp limiter-circuit protects against overloads and signal distortion
- Side-tone adjustment
- Call function allows call signal to be sent and received between stations
- Remote “mic-kill” signal (24kHz) generate/recognition facility
- Input and loop-through 3-pin XLR sockets on rear panel
- “Programme” audio input (local use only) with dedicated level control
- Powered from TW line or may be powered locally
- Packaged in a half-rack, 1U metal housing, for durability

The operator may adjust the level of channel 1 and 2 in his headset using the two independent volume controls. He or she can communicate on channel 1 and 2 individually or simultaneously using the two separate Talk buttons and may latch the microphone in the open position or choose for it to mute when the channel Talk button is released. The level of the microphone signal (side-tone) heard in the headsets may be adjusted internally.
The call-light button may be used to attract the attention of other users on a selected channel. If another operator calls, the red call-light flashes brightly while a green LED identifies which of the two channels is calling.
If a microphone elsewhere on the system has been left open in a noisy surrounding, the “mic-kill” facility on the BP325 can be used to shut down all open microphones on that channel providing the other stations support this feature.
Balanced programme audio may be injected into the belt-pack through either the jack socket or the AUX connector on the rear panel. Internal jumpers assign programme audio to headphone left, right or both. A dedicated level control allows programme audio to be balanced against intercom audio. This facility is local to the RM325 headset station only and no other user will hear the programme material.
The high bridging impedance of the RM325 (10,000 ohms typically) ensures that system audio levels are not altered as units are taken in and out of circuit.