User Guide

HelixNet Digital Partyline

User Guide

Part Number: 399G229 Rev B

Date: July 17, 2020
 HelixNet | User Guide

Document reference
HelixNet Digital Partyline User Guide
Part Number: 399G299 Rev B

Legal disclaimers
Copyright © 2020 HME Clear-Com Ltd
All rights reserved
Clear-Com and the Clear-Com logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of HM Electronics,
Inc.
The software described in this document is furnished under a license agreement and may be used
only in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
The product described in this document is distributed under licenses restricting its use, copying,
distribution, and decompilation / reverse engineering. No part of this document may be
reproduced in any form by any means without prior written authorization of Clear-Com, an HME
Company.
Clear-Com Offices are located in California, USA; Cambridge, UK; Dubai, UAE; Montreal,
Canada; and Beijing, China. Specific addresses and contact information can be found on Clear-
Com’s corporate website: www.clearcom.com

Clear-Com contacts
Americas and Asia-Pacific Headquarters
California, United States
Tel: +1 510 337 6600
Email: [email protected]

Europe, Middle East, and Africa Headquarters

Cambridge, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1223 815000
Email: [email protected]

China Office
Beijing Representative Office
Beijing, P.R. China
Tel: +8610 59000198/59002608

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Table of contents
1 Introduction 8
1.1 Simple installation 8
1.2 System scalability 8
1.3 Important Safety instructions 8
1.4 Methods of connection: system overview 10
1.5 System Resource 14
1.6 Further Information 15

2 Panels and Interfaces 16

2.1 Main Station/Remote Station: Front panel 16
2.2 Main Station/Remote Channel Keyset and Display 20
2.3 HMS-4X Main Station: Rear Panel 24
2.4 Remote Station rear panel 30
2.5 Speaker Station 33
2.6 HBP-2X Beltpack 40
2.7 HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack 45

3 Installing HelixNet Partyline 54

3.1 Planning your HelixNet Partyline installation 54
3.2 Installing the Main Station/Remote Station 59
3.3 Installing the Speaker Station 59
3.4 Installing the HBP-2X Beltpacks 62
3.5 Installing the HXII-BP-X4 Beltpacks 62
3.6 HelixNet Infrastructure 64
3.7 Converting Analogue Partylines to HelixNet 66

4 IP Network Structure 67
4.1 Multiple Groups in the Same IP Network 67
4.2 Link Local Environments 68

5 Configuring and managing the Main Station from front menus 71

5.1 Using the Menus 71
5.2 Configuring the Audio settings 72
5.3 Selecting Station Settings 77
5.5 Configuring the Control I/O 82
5.6 Configuring Module Settings 85
5.7 Administration 97
5.8 Diagnostics 101

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6 Configuring and Managing the Remote Station from Front Menus 104
6.1 Configuring the audio settings 104
6.2 Selecting Station Settings 108
6.3 Configuring the Channel settings 109
6.4 Configuring the Control I/O 109
6.5 Connecting the Remote Station to a Main Station using LAN 111
6.6 Networking 111
6.7 Administration 112
6.8 Diagnostics 114
6.9 Setting up a Key Expansion Group 116

7 Configuring and managing the Speaker Station from front menus 117
7.1 Using the Menus 117
7.2 Configuring the Audio settings 118
7.3 Station Settings 118
7.4 Connecting the Speaker Station to a Main Station 119
7.5 Networking 119
7.6 Administration 119
7.7 Diagnostics 120

8 Configuring and managing the beltpacks from front menus 121

8.1 Using the Menus 121
8.2 Configuring the Role Settings 122
8.3 Configuring the Audio Settings 122
8.4 Audio Settings for the Microphone 124
8.5 Configuring the beltpack Settings 124
8.6 Configuring the Display Settings 126
8.7 Network - Powerline 128
8.8 Network - Ethernet 128
8.9 Administration 129
8.10 Diagnostics 129

9 Using the Main Station/Remote Station 131

9.1 Using the Gooseneck Mic, Loudspeaker and Headset 131
9.2 Entering and Exiting Menu Mode 133
9.3 Using the Channel Keysets 133
9.4 Using the All Talk Key 134
9.5 Using the SA [Stage Announce] key 134
9.6 Using the RMK [Remote Mic Kill] Key 135
9.7 Line 1 and 2 LEDs 137

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9.8 Line and LAN LEDs 137

10 Using the Speaker Station 138

10.1 Using the gooseneck mic, loudspeaker and headset 138
10.2 Entering and exiting Menu Mode 140
10.3 Using the Channel Keysets 140

11 Using the HBP-2X Beltpack 142

11.1 Using the Beltpack Keysets 142
11.2 Entering and Exiting Menu Mode 143
11.3 Adjusting the Program Feed Volume Level 143

12 Using the HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack 144

12.1 Using the Beltpack Keysets 144
12.2 Entering and Exiting Menu Mode 145
12.3 Adjusting the Program Feed Volume Level 145
12.4 Binaural Audio 145

13 Roles 146
13.1 Roles overview 146
13.2 Example Roles Set Up 147
13.3 Device Default Roles 149
13.4 To Select a Role for a Device 150
13.5 Creating and Editing Roles in the CCM 150
13.6 Roles (System Limits) 152

14 Core Configuration Manager (CCM) 153

14.1 Access the CCM 154
14.2 Minimum Requirements for the CCM 155
14.3 Overview Page 155
14.4 Device Page 156
14.5 General Page 157
14.6 Save/Restore System Settings 159
14.7 Linking Page 160
14.8 Network Page 161
14.9 Ports Page 162
14.10 Roles Page 165
14.11 Assignments Page 166

15 Using the CCM to configure Roles 170

15.1 Editing Main Station roles 170

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15.2 Editing the Keyset 170

15.3 Editing the Station 171
15.4 Editing the Headset 172
15.5 Editing the Microphone 173
15.6 Editing the Program Input 173
15.7 Editing the Stage Announce Output 174
15.8 Editing the Hot Mic Output 175
15.9 Editing the Loudspeaker 175
15.10 General Purpose Input (GPI) and General Purpose Output (GPO) Triggers 176
15.11 Editing Remote Station roles 178
15.12 Editing Speaker Station roles 180
15.13 Editing the beltpack roles 182
15.14 Configure a Stacked Key on a Beltpack using the CCM 184
15.15 Call a Beltpack Using the USB Flasher Feature 185
15.16 Disable Menu Access on any Device from the CCM 186

16 Linking in the Core Configuration Manager (CCM) 188

16.1 A HelixNet Link-Group Overview 188
16.2 Device Configuration in the CCM 189
16.3 Linking Main Stations in the CCM 190

17 Linking Main Stations (Cabling and Linking from Device Menus) 193
17.1 Linking Scenarios 193

18 Pairing Remote Stations, Speaker Stations and HXII-BP-X4 Beltpacks to the

Main Station 199
18.1 Pairing Scenarios 199
18.2 Networking Specifications 204

19 Connecting to other Intercom Systems 206

19.1 Connecting LQ to HelixNet 206
19.2 LQ to HelixNet connectivity 206
19.3 Connecting HelixNet Partyline to Encore® 212
19.4 Connecting HelixNet Partyline to RTS (Telex) two-wire systems 214
19.5 Four-Wire Connection to FreeSpeak II Base II 217
19.6 Connecting HelixNet Partyline to the DX210/DX410 217
19.7 Connecting HelixNet Partyline to Eclipse® 221
19.8 Connecting HelixNet Partyline to Two-Way Radio Systems 225

20 System Specifications 228

20.1 Main Station (HMS-4X) 228

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20.2 Two-Wire Module (HLI-2W2) 231

20.3 Four-Wire Module (HLI-4W2) 233
20.4 Fiber interface module (HLI-FBS) 233
20.5 Remote Station (HRM-4X) 234
20.6 Speaker Station (HKB-2X) 239
20.7 Beltpack (HBP-2X) 242
20.8 Beltpack (HXII-BP-X4) 243
20.9 Network (Ethernet) 245
20.10 Roles (System Limits) 247

21 Glossary 248

22 HMS-4X Main Station Menu Map 250

22.1 HRS-4X Remote Station Menu Map 260
22.2 HKB-2X Speaker Station Menu Map 266
22.3 HBP-2X and HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack Menu Map 269

23 Cabling reference 273

23.1 Interoperability 273
23.2 Clear-Com EthernetCable Recommendations 274
23.3 Clear-Com Microphone Cable Recommendations (Capacitance Versus Distance) 274
23.4 Cable Connections 277

24 Troubleshooting 281

25 Compliance 284

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1 Introduction
This guide is intended to help you install, configure, and use the HelixNet Partyline™ system.
HelixNet Partyline is a digital intercom system designed to combine the simplicity and ease of use
of an analog partyline system with the quality and deployment flexibility of Ethernet networks.

1.1 Simple installation

User stations can be added to the system without configuration

l Simple and fast global web browser or front panel configuration

l All partyline channels are available on every cable

l Easy integration with other 2-wire or 4-wire systems

l Standard Infrastructure:

l Ethernet networks – PoE powered user stations

l XLR Cables – daisy changing and passively splitting

l Digital distribution for low noise floor

Note: Cabling for a HelixNet system should always be screened.

1.2 System scalability

HelixNet Partyline is easily expanded by adding additional HMS-4Xs (up to a maximum of 6) or LQ
devices (up to 3 in a Link-Group).

l 12 or 24 channels per system with optional feature license

l 64 Endpoints (user stations and ports) per HelixNet system

l LQ devices can be mixed in a HelixNet Link-Group for audio port expansion as well as the
optionally licensed Agent-IC mobile app and SIP/VoIP clients.

l Expansion option to enable talk and listen on more than four Channels.

l A choice of beltpacks and the option of wall/desktop Remote Stations that connect to a
system that contains a Main Station

1.3 Important Safety instructions

HelixNet digital Partyline uses cable infrastructure to transport audio and data over a range of
frequencies. The maximum frequency used for transmission is approximately 25MHz. Depending

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on the amount of audio and data transmitted, HelixNet digital Partyline can work with as much as
90dB signal attenuation. However, the receivers are very sensitive and are susceptible to
crosstalk between cables.
Therefore it is important to maintain cable shield integrity through all connectors, splitter
boxes and patch panels.
Read these instructions.
Keep these instructions.
Heed all warnings.
Follow all instructions.
Do not use this apparatus near water.
Clean only with dry cloth.
Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus
(including amplifiers) that produce heat.
Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two
blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong is provided for your safety. If
the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete
outlet.
Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience
receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with
the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to
avoid injury from tip-over.
Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has
been damaged in any way, such as power-cord supply or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled
or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture,
does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
Warning: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this product to rain or moisture.

1.3.1 Safety symbols

Familiarize yourself with the safety symbols in the diagram below.
These symbols are displayed on the apparatus and warn you of the potential danger of electric
shock if the system is used improperly.

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Note: For compliance purposes see Compliance.

1.4 Methods of connection: system overview

HelixNet devices can be connected in several different ways. A combination of these methods can
be used.

1.4.1 Connecting by cable (Powerline)

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In this scenario devices are connected by cable in either a daisy chain or home run fashion. Power
and data are passed down this connection in what is known as a powerline.
See Linking Remote Stations and Speaker Stations for detail on different types of device layout
(topologies).
Up to 20 beltpacks can be connected to one Main Station, and Remote and Speaker Stations can
be included in the powerline.
However, including Remote and Speaker Stations in the powerline will affect the amount of
devices that can be connected, as Main and Remote Stations draw more power than beltpacks.
You can find the URL to an online powerline/distance calculator at the beginning of Installing
HelixNet Partyline

1.4.2 Pairing by LAN

When pairing by LAN, devices are connected to the same network by Ethernet cable (RJ45) and
then paired from the device menus.
See Ethernet point-to-point link for more detail.
Note: Pairing by LAN offers better latency than connecting with cable.

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1.4.3 Connecting more than one Main Station (Linking)

Up to six Main Stations can be linked. In earlier versions of HelixNet (2.0 and below) linking Main
Stations was a way of expanding the Channel capacity of your system (4 Channels on each Main
Station). In HelixNet 3.0 and later, this is no longer necessary as each Main Station already has 12
Channels, with the option of licensing another 12 (24 Channels in total). A system, regardless of
the number of linked HMS units, will have 12 Channels by default with the potential of increasing
that number to 24 with the purchase of a license for each HMS within the Link-Group.
Linking Main Stations in HelixNet has the following benefits:

l More beltpack connections (20 per Main Station)

l System distribution as far as your LAN allows.

l The ability to configure all devices from an Internet browser using the CCM (Core
Configuration Manager).

l Using a role-based setup.

l Expanding a Main Station from four keys to 24 key using the expansion key mode.

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Main Stations can be linked using different methods:

By Ethernet and RJ45 cable in your LAN. See Linking Main Stations (cabling and linking from
device menus).
By fiber cabling between units.

1.4.4 Key Expansion Groups (Main Stations and Remote Stations)

Devices can be set up as a key Expansion Group to allow convenient control of audio from one
device, and to increase the “key” capacity so that a user can view and control more than 4 keys (up
to 24 with 5 expansion panels).
See Setting up a key Expansion Group for detail.

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1.5 System Resource

A HelixNet system/Link Group will support up to 64 endpoints.
Endpoints consume system resources depending on the number of audio paths the endpoint
contains and may include: user stations, assigned interface ports, program audio inputs, LQ,
Agent-IC and SIP accounts.
Exceeding the system endpoint limits will cause a sluggish system response.

1.5.1 Conserving system resource

In larger systems it is recommended to balance the loading of endpoints on the HMS-4X Main
Stations in the Link Group. LQ interface ports and LQ Agent-IC, IVC and SIP accounts load the
resources of the system's Link Master.
HRM-4X Remote Stations include multiple audio interfaces which can be assigned to the system's
channels. When assigned to channels, these use resources. The Remote Station allows you to
disable the unit's program audio input as well as to configure the stage announce output for local
use. In this way you can conserve system resources in larger systems.

1.5.2 System resource meter

There is a resource meter on the main station device icon. This is found in the Overview page of
the CCM. Hover your mouse over this icon to see how many system resource units are in use.

System Resource Units (up to 70)

Color Indication Units

Green ≤ 59 Within system limits

Amber 60 - 63 Approaching limits

Red ≥ 64 Exceeding limits

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1.6 Further Information

For the latest information about HelixNet Partyline, including software updates, see:
helixnet-digital-network-partyline
For information about Clear-Com accessories, including headsets and gooseneck microphones,
see:
http://www.clearcom.com/product/headsets-accessories

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2 Panels and Interfaces

2.1 Main Station/Remote Station: Front panel

Key to Main Station/Remote Station: Front panel

Feature Description

Ear for rack mounting Main Station/Remote Station.

Headset socket (4-pin XLR–M)

Pin Function

1 Mic ground

2 Mic +

3 Earphone ground

4 Earphone

Gooseneck microphone socket (3-pin female Tuchel connector)

Mic control [MIC ON]. Press to activate mic audio.

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Key to Main Station/Remote Station: Front panel

Headset key [HSET]. Press to activate the headset mic. When the headset is
connected, the gooseneck microphone is disconnected. Audio output to the
loudspeaker is diverted to the headphones.

Menu. Press to display the Main Station menus in the display screens [ G ]. Use the
rotary control for each display screen to scroll and select menu items. See Main
Station/Remote Channel keyset

Channel keyset. There is a keyset (set of controls) addressable to any of the

available Channels. See Main Station/Remote Channel keyset

Stage Announce [SA]. Press to talk to connected Public Address (PA) / Stage
Announce (SA) system, See HMS-4X Main Station: rear panel
SA mutes any active Talk key on the station, and transmits audio from either
headset or gooseneck microphone to the SA Output port on the rear of the unit. If
the SA is assigned to a Channel, then any talker within the Channel has their audio
routed to the associated SA Port.
When the SA is pressed, Mic select [MIC ON] is also lit bright red, indicating that mic
audio is active. See Using the SA [Stage Announce] key

Master Station
LEDs for lines 1 and 2 (digital Partylines). The LEDs indicate the status of the
intercom circuit powering. When an LED is lit:

l Green, the line is functioning.

l Amber, the line is busy.

l Red, there is an error or fault on the line.

Remote Station
LEDs for line status and LAN status. The LEDs indicate the status of the intercom
circuit powering. When an LED is lit:
Green, the line is functioning.
Amber, the line is busy.
Red, there is an error or fault on the line.
If there is a fault on a powerline output, the Line STATUS indicator will turn off and

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Key to Main Station/Remote Station: Front panel

the red FAULT indicator will flash. Possible causes of a fault include overvoltage,
overcurrent, short circuit to ground or severe brown-outs.

Loudspeaker. When a headset is connected [ B ] and selected [ E ], loudspeaker

output is diverted to the headphones.

Program feed audio level rotary control [Program].

l To increase the volume of the program feed to the loudspeaker /

headphones, turn clockwise (up to 360°).

l To decrease the volume, turn anticlockwise (up to 360°). As you increase or

decrease the volume, the level control LEDs pass through a range of
indicator colors:

LED color Volume level

Green Low

Amber / Green Low / Medium

Amber Medium

Red / Amber Medium / High

Red High

l To mute or unmute the program audio, push the rotary control.

Loudspeaker / Headphone audio level rotary control [Main]. To increase the

volume to the loudspeaker / headphones, turn clockwise (up to 360°). To decrease
the volume, turn anticlockwise (up to 360°). Push to mute or unmute.
As you increase or decrease the volume, the level control LEDs pass through a
range of indicator colors.

Main Station:
Remote Mic Kill [RMK]. Press to:

l Unlatch all latched talk keys for either all displayed Channels or all Channels
within the system (configurable within the Role)

Remote Station:
Option [OPT] – Can be configured as an RMK button, see Using the RMK [Remote

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Key to Main Station/Remote Station: Front panel

Mic Kill] key.

All Talk. Press to talk to all Channels (intercom devices and systems) connected to
the Main Station.

USB 2.0 (Micro-AB) connector

Note: This connector is not present on the Remote Station.

USB 2.0 (Standard-A) connector.

Note: The Main Station/Remote Station does not have a power switch, button or key. The
system powers up when you connect the power supply. Power up time depends on the
amount of equipment connected.

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2.2 Main Station/Remote Channel Keyset and Display

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Key to Main Station/Remote Station front panel: Channel keyset

Feature Description

Display screen.
There are multiple screensaver options. If the Rotary controls are touched, this
screen also displays the sound level on the Channel (controlled by the rotary) and
the system information icons. See the next table for an explanation of system
information icons.
In Menu mode, the display screens display the four levels of menu. The menu
hierarchy proceeds left to right:

l The top level menu is presented in the first screen (furthest left on the front
panel).

l The lowest level menu is presented in the fourth screen (furthest right on the
front panel).

If the display is in Menu mode, the display screen times out of Menu mode and
displays the Channel label if no key is pressed for 20 seconds.
For more information about Menu mode, see Using the Menus

Rotary control. Turn to increase or decrease the listen volume level for the
Channel. Also, push the control to mute or unmute audio level. In Menu mode, use
the control to scroll menu items. To select menu items, press the control.

Talk key. Press to talk on the Channel and to all nodes (intercom devices and
systems) listening into the Channel.

Call key. Press to send a call signal to all nodes (intercom devices and systems)
listening into the Channel.

If the Main Station/Remote Station remains inactive for 10 minutes, the display screens
Note:
enter screensaver mode, see Setting the screensaver

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Main Station/Remote Station display icons and indicators

Name Icon Description

Channel label A descriptive name for the Channel. The maximum length
is 10 characters.

Channel listen The volume of the Channel audio.

volume level

Link with Appears on the Main Station when linking is enabled.

another HMS

Not linked Appears on the Main Station when a connection to

another Main Station is lost.

Paired Appears on the Remote Station and Speaker Station

when it is connected properly over LAN.

Not paired Flashes on the Remote Station and Speaker Station when
the connection is not configured properly.

Signal strength Appears on the Remote Station, Speaker Station and

beltpack. One to five bars indicate the strength of the
signal from the Main Station.

Locked Locked Appears on the beltpack when you try to access the menu
while the menu has been locked at the Main Station.

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Main Station/Remote Station display icons and indicators

Mute Appears on the Main Station, Remote Station and

Speaker Station when the rotary control for any Channel
on the Main/Remote Station is pressed.

Opto (GPI) Appears on the Main Station and Remote Station close to
the Call or Talk button if it is associated with an Opto.

Relay (GPO) Appears on the Main Station and Remote Station close to
the Call or Talk button if it is associated with a Relay.

Program PGM Appears on the Main Station, Remote Station, Speaker

Station and beltpack when a program input is assigned to
a Channel.

IFB IFB Appears on the Main Station, Remote Station, Speaker

Station and beltpack when a program input is assigned to
a Channel and IFB is enabled.

2W/4W 2W/4W Appears on the Main Station, Remote Station and

Speaker Station when a 2W/4W input is assigned to a
Channel.

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Main Station/Remote Station display icons and indicators

Limiter LIM Appears on the Main Station, Remote Station, Speaker

Station and beltpack when the headset limiter is enabled.

Expansion Appears on the Main Station and Remote Station when

the device is part of an Expansion Group.

Warning Appears on the Main Station, Remote Station, Speaker

Station and beltpack when something is wrong. Warning
messages can be accessed in the Diagnostic menu.

2.3 HMS-4X Main Station: Rear Panel

Key to Main Station: rear panel

Feature Description

Power supply with metal cable clip. The power supply operates at 100 - 240
VAC / 50-60Hz / 250 watts / T 3.15A H 250 V.

Control I/O (25 way female D-type). Use to connect up to 4 relay control outputs
and 4 optically isolated control inputs, see Configuring the Control I/O)

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Key to Main Station: rear panel

Pin Function Pin Function

Pin 1 Relay 1 NC Pin 14 Relay 1 Pole

Pin 2 Relay 1-NO Pin 15 Relay 2 NC

Pin 3 Relay2-Pole Pin 16 Relay 2-NO

Pin 4 Relay 3 NC Pin 17 Relay 3 Pole

Pin 5 Relay 3-NO Pin 18 Relay 4 NC

Pin 6 Relay4-Pole Pin 19 Relay 4-NO

Pin 7 Pin 20 +5V

Pin 8 GND Pin 21 +5V

Pin 9 GND Pin 22 Opto 1-

Pin 10 Opto 1+ Pin 23 Opto 2-

Pin 11 Opto 2+ Pin 24 Opto 3-

Pin 12 Opto 3+ Pin 25 Opto 4-

Pin 13 Opto 4+

Hot Mic output. This connection is a 1/4-in (0.64 cm) phone jack. It provides an
output signal from the selected headset or panel microphone. The Hot Mic output is
always live. Audio from the mic is routed through the Hot Mic output even if the mic
is inactive (off).

Pin Function

Tip Mic

Ring IFB mute signal

Sleeve Ground

SA [Stage Announce] line out (3-pin male XLR).

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Key to Main Station: rear panel

Pin Function

Pin 1 Ground

Pin 2 Positive

Pin 3 Negative

Program Input (3-pin female XLR).

Pin Function

Pin 1 Ground

Pin 2 Positive

Pin 3 Negative

Line 1 (digital Partyline). (3-pin male and female XLR connectors).

Pin Function

Pin 1 Ground

Pin 2 +30V DC and Audio

Pin 3 -30V DC and Audio

Line 2 (digital Partyline). (3-pin male and female XLR connectors).

Pin Function

Pin 1 Ground

Pin 2 +30V DC and Audio

Pin 3 -30V DC and Audio

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Key to Main Station: rear panel

Slots for optional interface modules.

H – Slot 1
I – Slot 2
J – Slot 3
For more information, see HMS-4X Main Station rear panel: Interface modules

Warning: Only connect power supply to earthed supply sockets. Ensure that the power supply is
routed to avoid sharp bends, hot surfaces, pinches and abrasion.
For more safety guidance, see the Safety Instructions at the front of this guide.

Note: The HMS-4X Main Station does not have a power switch, button or key. The system
powers up when you connect the power supply.

2.3.1 HMS-4X Main Station Rear Panel: Interface Modules

Up to three Interface modules (of the same or different types) can be fitted to the extension bay of
the Main Station. When looking at the rear of the Main Station, expansion slot 1 is the left-hand
slot, expansion slot 2 is the middle slot, and expansion slot 3 is the right-hand slot.
Warning: The interface modules are NOT hot pluggable. Ensure that the Main Station is powered
down before inserting or removing modules.

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Interface module Description

Two-wire interface This is a two Channel, 2-wire device that enables interoperability
module (HLI-2W2) with, CellCom® / FreeSpeak®, and HME DX systems, as well as
both Clear-Com and RTS analog Partyline systems.
Note: This module requires a powered analog Partyline.
The module provides two analog Partyline connectors (3 pin female
XLR connectors) with the following pin out:

Pin Function

1 Ground

2 Power [Option for RTS mode: power and audio]

3 Audio

Use HelixNet Main Station menus to set the module for either RTS or
Clear-Com systems. If RTS mode is selected, you can set either:

l Pin 2 for power to mixed audio Channel (1 – 24)

l Pin 3 for power to mixed audio Channel (1 – 24)

l Select either pin and assign required Channel to it.

Four-wire interface This is a two Channel, 4-wire device that enables interoperability with
module (HLI-4W2) the Eclipse® digital matrix system and other four-wire audio sources
such as telephone hybrids, AB-120/-100, PA (Public Address) / SA
(Stage Announce) systems. The module also enables HelixNet-to-
HelixNet connections using four-wire audio ports. Two four-wire
connectors (etherCON type RJ45 socket) are provided with the
following pin out:

Pin Function

1 RS-422 data TX+

2 RS-422 data TX-

3 Audio send +

4 Audio receive +

5 Audio receive -

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Interface module Description

Pin Function

6 Audio send -

7 RS-422 data RX+

8 RS-422 data RX-

Ethernet interface Enables linking of Main Stations, and connection of Remote Stations,
module (HLI-ET2) Speaker Stations and the HXII-BP beltpack via LAN. Contains Two
10/100 Mbps RJ45 etherCON ports.
An LED on the right-hand side above the connector flashes green
when there is network activity.

Pin Name Function

1 TX+ Transmit Data+

2 TX- Transmit Data-

3 RX+ Receive Data+

4 n/c Not connected

5 n/c Not connected

6 RX- Receive Data-

7 n/c Not connected

8 n/c Not connected

Warning: Both ports are configured to bridge traffic from

one port to the other in order to work in a daisy-chained
configuration. Spanning Tree Protocol is not enabled on
these ports, therefore do not connect them both to the
same network.

Fiber interface module Enables linking of Main Stations. Contains two SFP cage slots. The
(HLI-FBS) module is supplied with one transceiver fitted.
Any 100BASE-X SFP can be connected.
An LED at the side of each connector flashes green when there is

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Interface module Description

network activity.

Warning: Both ports are configured to bridge traffic from

one port to the other in order to work in a daisy-chained
configuration. Spanning Tree Protocol is not enabled on
these ports, therefore do not connect them both to the
same network.

2.4 Remote Station rear panel

Key to Remote Station: rear panel

Feature Description

PSU holder for a separate external AC-DC power supply. The external PSU
provides the 48V required and at its input takes 100-240V, 50-60Hz.

Power supply. The power input connector is a low voltage DC connection. It is

48VDC at a max power of 12.95W.

Line 1 (digital Partyline). (3-pin male and female XLR connectors).

Pin Function

Pin 1 Ground

Pin 2 +30V DC and Audio

Pin 3 -30V DC and Audio

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Key to Remote Station: rear panel

Ethernet/Power Over Ethernet (RJ45 connector)

An LED on the left-hand side of the connector illuminates when the link is working.
An LED on the right-hand side of the connector flashes green when there is
network activity.

Pin Name Function

1 TX+ Transmit Data+

2 TX- Transmit Data-

3 RX+ Receive Data+

4 n/c Not connected

5 n/c Not connected

6 RX- Receive Data-

7 n/c Not connected

8 n/c Not connected

When connected over PoE, the Remote Station draws 13 Watts from the PoE
switch.

Control input/output (DB9 connector)

Pin Function

Pin 1 Audio out +

Pin 2 Audio in +

Pin 3 GND

Pin 4 Relay NC

Pin 5 Relay NO

Pin 6 Audio out -

Pin 7 Audio in -

Pin 8 Opto

Pin 9 Relay pole

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Key to Remote Station: rear panel

The audio connections in this connector are wired directly to the SA and program
connectors. Only one or the other can be used at one time.

SA [Stage Announce] line out (3-pin female XLR).

Pin Function

Pin 1 Ground

Pin 2 Positive

Pin 3 Negative

Program Input (3-pin m XLR).

Pin Function

Pin 1 Ground

Pin 2 Positive

Pin 3 Negative

Hot Mic output. This connection is a 1/4-in (0.64 cm) phone jack. It provides an
output signal from the selected headset or panel microphone. The Hot Mic output is
always live. Audio from the mic is routed through the Hot Mic output even if the mic
is inactive (off).

Pin Function

Tip Mic

Ring IFB mute signal

Sleeve Ground

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2.5 Speaker Station

Key to Speaker Station front panel

Feature Description

Tilt adjustable display screen. The following default information is displayed:

l The Channel label.

l The Channel listen (volume) level.

For a full description of the display screen information, see (link…)

In Menu mode, the display screens display the two levels of menu. The menu
hierarchy proceeds left to right:

l The top level menu is presented in the first screen (furthest left on the front
panel).

l The lower level menu is presented in the second screen.

If the display is in Menu mode, the display screen times out of Menu mode and
displays the Channel label if no key is pressed for 20 seconds.
For more information about Menu mode, see Using the Menus

Rotary control. Turn to increase or decrease the listen volume level for the
Channel. Also, push the control to mute or unmute audio level. In Menu mode, use
the control to scroll menu items. To select menu items, press the control.

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Key to Speaker Station front panel

Talk key. Press to talk on the Channel and to all nodes (intercom devices and
systems) listening into the Channel.

Loudspeaker / Headphone audio level rotary control [Main]. To increase the

volume to the loudspeaker / headphones, turn clockwise (up to 360°). To decrease
the volume, turn counter clockwise (up to 360°). As you increase or decrease the
volume, the level control LEDs pass through a range of indicator colors. For more
information, see (link…)

Program feed audio level Trim Pot control [PGM]. To increase the volume of the
program feed to the loudspeaker / headphones, turn clockwise (up to 360°).
To decrease the volume, turn counter clockwise (up to 360°).
To mute or unmue the Channel audio, push the control.

Call key. Press to send a call signal to all Keysets assigned to the same Channel.
There are two Call keys on the beltpack, one for each of the displayed Channels.

Headset socket (4-pin XLR–M)

Pin Function

1 Mic ground

2 Mic positive

3 Earphone ground

4 Earphone positive

Headset/microphone key set. There is a keyset (set of controls) to control the

headset/microphone inputs and menu options. See (link…)

Gooseneck microphone connector (3-pin female Tuchel connector)

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2.5.1 Speaker Station Front Panel Function Buttons

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Key to Speaker Station front panel function buttons

Feature Description

Mic control [MIC ON]. Press to activate mic audio.

Shift key. Press to display two alternative Channels on the Speaker Station
displays.

Menu. Press to display the Speaker Station menus in the display screens. Use the
rotary control for each display screen to scroll and select menu items.

Headset key [HSET]. Press to activate the headset mic. When the headset is
connected, the gooseneck microphone is disconnected. Audio output to the
loudspeaker is diverted to the headphones.

2.5.2 Speaker Station Rear Panel

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Speaker Station rear connectors

Digital Intercom

1 Not connected

2 -30V DC

3 Not connected

4 +30V DC

5 Ground

Power

1 Ground

2 48V DC

For power draw, see the Specifications section in this manual.

2.5.3 S-Mount Rear Panel

The S-Mount is an optional unit that allows you to mount the Speaker Station on a desk or wall.

Note: There are cables pre-installed in the S-Mount that connect to the Speaker Station
terminals.

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Key to S-Mount rear panel keyset

Feature Description

Ethernet/Power over Ethernet connection (RJ45).

Pin Name Function

1 TX+ Transmit Data+

2 TX- Transmit Data-

3 RX+ Receive Data+

4 n/c Not connected

5 n/c Not connected

6 RX- Receive Data-

7 n/c Not connected

8 n/c Not connected

Power connection.
The power input connector is a low voltage DC connection. It is 48VDC at a max
power of 12.95W.

Line 1 Digital Partyline. (3-pin male XLR connector).

Pin Function

Pin 1 Ground

Pin 2 +30V DC and Audio

Pin 3 -30V DC and Audio

Table 1-26 Line 1 pinout

Line 2 Digital Partyline. (3-pin female XLR connector).

Pin Function

Pin 1 Ground

Pin 2 +30V DC and Audio

Pin 3 -30V DC and Audio

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2.6 HBP-2X Beltpack

For information about the HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack, see HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack

2.6.1 HBP-2X User Controls (Front and Side View)

Note: The beltpack has two Keysets, each containing one Call button (E) and one Talk button
(F).

Key to HBP-2X user controls (front and side view)

Feature Description

Menu key. Press firmly to enter Menu mode (see also D,E ). To exit Menu mode,
press the Menu key again.
The display screen times out of Menu mode and displays the Channel label(s) if no
key is pressed for 20 seconds.

USB 2.0 (Micro-AB) connector. Used for the USB light flasher feature. See Call a
beltpack using the USB flasher feature

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Key to HBP-2X user controls (front and side view)

Casing. Metal casing for robust use. For information about the beltclip, beltloops,
and feet, see HBP-2X beltclip, beltloops and feet

Keyset

Rotary control. Turn to increase and decrease the listen volume level for the
Channel.
In Menu mode, you can turn either of the side-mounted rotary controls to scroll
menu items. To select (enter) items, press the right-hand Call key (see E ).

Call key. Press to send a call signal to all Keysets assigned to the same Channel.
There are two Call keys on the beltpack, one for each of the supported Channels.
In Menu mode, press the right-hand Call key to select (enter) menu items (see also
A, D ). Use the left-hand Call key to go back one menu level.

Talk key. Press to talk to all nodes (intercom devices and systems) listening into
the Channel. There are two Talk keys on the beltpack, one for each of the
supported Channels.

Display screen. When the beltpack is not in Menu mode, the labels and volume
level for each of the two Channels supported by the beltpack are displayed on
screen. For a full description of the display screen information, see Main Station
Remote.

Note: The beltpack has two Keysets, each containing one Call button (E) and one
Talk button (F).

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2.6.2 HBP-2X Connectors and Controls (Rear View)

Key to HBP-2X Beltpack (Rear view)

Feature Description

Line (Digital Partyline) (3-pin female XLR connector).

Pin Function

1 Ground

2 +30V DC and Audio

3 -30V DC and Audio

Line (Digital Partyline) (3-pin male XLR connector). Pass-through for daisy chain
connection, see diagram in Topologies.

Pin Function

1 Ground

2 +30V DC and Audio

3 -30V DC and Audio

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Key to HBP-2X Beltpack (Rear view)

Program feed (volume) control wheel. Turn to increase or decrease the overall
listen volume level of the program feed. To assign programs to a Channel, see
Assigning the Program Listen to a Channel and Editing the Program Input.

2.5 mm TRS headset input.

Function

Tip Earphone Positive

Ring Mic Positive

Sleeve Ground

Headset connector (4-pin male or 5-pin female XLR connector).

Pin Function

1 Mic ground

2 Mic positive

3 Earphone ground

4 Earphone positive

Pin Function

1 Mic ground

2 Mic positive

3 Earphone ground

4 Earphone left

5 Earphone right

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2.6.3 HBP-2X Beltclip, Beltloops and Feet (Base View)

Key to HBP-2X Beltpack (Base view)

Feature Description

Beltclip. The beltclip is secured to the unit with three screws, and may be
removed, according to your requirements.

Feet (positions only). The beltpack can also be placed on a level surface (once
the beltclip has been removed). To give the beltpack more grip on the surface,
attach the four rubber feet supplied with the beltpack.

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Key to HBP-2X Beltpack (Base view)

Beltloops (one either side). Use to thread through a belt or strap for securing the
beltpack to a belt or a fixed position.

2.7 HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack

For information about the HBP-2X Beltpack, see HBP-2X Beltpack.

2.7.1 HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack User Controls (Top View)

Note: The beltpack has two Keysets, each containing one Call button (C and D) and one
Talk button (A and B).

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Key to HXII-BP-X4 user controls (top view)

Feature Description

Talk keys. Press to talk to all nodes (intercom devices and systems) listening into
the Channel. There are two Talk keys on the beltpack, one for each of the supported
Channels.

Call keys. Press to send a call signal to all Keysets assigned to the same Channel.
There are two Call keys on the beltpack, one for each of the supported Channels.
In Menu mode, press the right-hand Call key to select (enter) menu items. Use the
left-hand Call key to go back one menu level.

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2.7.2 HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack Connectors and Controls (Front View)

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Key to HXII-BP-X4 user controls (front view)

Feature Description

Channel volume control. Turn to increase and decrease the listen volume level
for the Channel.
In Menu mode, you can turn either of the side-mounted rotary controls to scroll
menu items. To select (enter) items, press the right-hand Call key.
In Menu mode, you can turn either of the side-mounted rotary controls to scroll
menu items. To select (enter) items, press the right-hand Call key.
These controls also adjust binaural audio volume in beltpacks with 5-pin headset
connectors.

Menu key. Press firmly to enter Menu mode. To exit Menu mode, press the
Menu key again.
The display screen times out of Menu mode and displays the Channel label(s) if
no key is pressed for 20 seconds.

Program feed volume controls. Use the up and down arrow buttons to increase
or decrease the overall listen volume level of the program feed. To assign
programs to a Channel, see Assigning the Program Listen to a Channel and
Editing the Program Input

OPT Programmable function key. This button selects the binaural audio
volume adjustment screen on beltpacks with a 5-pin headset connector.

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2.7.3 HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack (Base View)

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Key to HXII-BP-X4 user controls (base view)

Feature Description

Line (Digital Partyline) (3-pin female XLR connector).

Pin Function

1 Ground

2 +30V DC and Audio

3 -30V DC and Audio

etherCon connector. Used for Power over Ethernet (PoE).

Pin Name Function

1 TX+ Transmit Data+

2 TX- Transmit Data-

3 RX+ Receive Data+

4 n/c Not connected

5 n/c Not connected

6 RX- Receive Data-

7 n/c Not connected

8 n/c Not connected

When using PoE, the beltpack draws 4 Watts from the PoW switch.

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Key to HXII-BP-X4 user controls (base view)

USB 2.0 (Micro-AB) connector. Used for the USB light flasher feature. See Call
a beltpack using the USB flasher feature

Headset connector (4-pin male or 5-pin female XLR connector).

Pin Function

1 Mic ground

2 Mic positive

3 Earphone ground

4 Earphone positive

Pin Function

1 Mic ground

2 Mic positive

3 Earphone ground

4 Earphone left

5 Earphone right

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2.7.4 HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack (Beltloops and Clip)

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Key to HXII-BP-X4 beltloops and clip

Feature Description

Beltloops. Use to thread through a belt or strap for securing the beltpack to a belt
or a fixed position. You can also extend the beltloops to allow you to mount the
beltpack on a flat surface.

Beltclip. Use to fasten to a belt or similar structurer. The beltclip also has three
holes for wall mounting.

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3 Installing HelixNet Partyline

This section describes how to install your HelixNet Partyline system. It also provides basic
guidance on planning your installation.
For related information, see Cabling reference and the Online Powerline cable distance calculator
at:
https://clearcom.com/DownloadCenter/technicaldocs/HelixNetCablingCalculator/index.html#/
Tip: For guidance on connecting HelixNet Partyline to other systems, using the optional interface
modules, see Connecting to Other Intercom Systems.

Do not plug any non-approved equipment into HelixNet Partyline.

HelixNet Partyline operates at different voltage levels than analog two-wire Partyline systems.
Do not plug any analog two-wire Partyline equipment into the HelixNet Partyline ports, as this
may cause damage.
For more safety instructions, see Important Safety Instructions

3.1 Planning your HelixNet Partyline installation

3.1.1 Comparing digital with analog cabling

Note: The program is always a participant within a Channel and cannot exist outside of a Channel.

Key to analog and digital cabling comparison diagram

Feature Description

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Key to analog and digital cabling comparison diagram

Example 4-Channel analog Main Station (MS-704 shown).

HMS-4X Main Station (digital Main Station).

Partyline Channel 1

Partyline Channel 2

Partyline Channel 3

Partyline Channel 4

Program Feed
Note: The program is always a participant within a Channel and cannot exist outside of
a Channel.

In a traditional analog Partyline system, one cable is dedicated to each Partyline

Channel. This can make it more difficult to build redundancy or spare capacity into the
installation (owing to the number of connectors / cables dedicated to the delivery of
Channels).
In the HelixNet system, one cable can carry multiple Channels. Because one cable can
carry all Channels, the second connector for each line can either be used for
redundancy (flybacks) or for future extensions / changes to the cabling topology
(layout).
Example analog Partyline devices including RS-701 beltpacks. Analog beltpacks must
be re-cabled to use alternative Channels, requiring the physical re-location of cabling
for new configurations.
To aid switching, Clear-Com sells additional switching equipment (the SB-704 and
RCS-2700 devices). The RS-702 (6-pin XLR) beltpack requires the YC-36 splitter /
combiner to combine 2 Channels into a 6-pin configuration, and multi-conductor
cables.
The RS-703 (3-pin XLR) beltpack requires a TWC-701 device to combine 2 Clear-
Com Channels in a single twisted pair.

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Key to analog and digital cabling comparison diagram

Example digital Partyline devices including beltpacks. Digital beltpacks can support any
of the Partyline Channels (plus Program Feed) whenever they are physically located
on the system.
New configurations of beltpacks and Channels can be deployed without the physical
relocation of assets.
Note: The capabilities of different cable types may impact how far away beltpacks can be
placed from the Main Station, and the topologies you use. For more information about
cabling, see Cabling reference.

3.1.2 Topologies
HelixNet Partyline can be deployed using a wide range of topologies, both complex and
straightforward. The following table describes three standard types of topology:

Topology Description
Daisy- In a daisy-chain topology, the Main Station is connected to the first unit. The units are
chain then connected in a series, using the pass-through connector on the back / rear of the
device to pass on the connection. No termination is required. HXII-BP-X4 beltpacks
require a passive Y splitter for daisy chaining.
Daisy-chains can be either linear or loop back to the Main Station to form a ring for
redundancy.
Star In a star topology, the Main Station is connected to a passive (Y) splitter such as an
XLR Bulkhead or Mult-box. The units are then connected to the splitter point-to-point.

Tree A tree topology is a more complex version of the star topology, using serially connected
passive ( Y ) splitters. The units are connected to each splitter point-to-point (forming a
branch of the tree).

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Key to example system topologies (layouts) diagram

Feature Description
HMS-4X Main Station (digital Main Station) (rear panel).
There are two lines (digital Partylines) on the Main Station, each of which can support
up to 10 digital beltpacks. There are two connectors (3-pin XLR, male and female) for
each line.
Daisy chained beltpacks. To create a ‘daisy chain’ of connected beltpacks:
Connect the first beltpack to the Main Station, using either of the 3-pin XLR connectors
(female or male) on the base of the beltpack.
Pass on the connection to the second beltpack, using the remaining connector as the
pass through.
Repeat for all beltpacks (up to 10) in the chain. No cable termination is required.
Note: For the HXII-BP-X4 beltpacks, you must use a passive Y splitter.
You can locally power an HRM or HKB within a daisy chain. This prevents the normal
draw off the powerline by the locally powered device.

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Key to example system topologies (layouts) diagram

The second layout uses an XLR Bulkhead and a Mult-box (passive (Y) splitters) to
combine:
A daisy chain (with optional redundancy flyback).
Point-to-point connected beltpacks (using the Mult-box).
The XLR Bulkhead and splitters should be screened.
The complexity and variety of layouts does not restrict physical access to Channels.
Because HelixNet Partyline is a digital system, the HelixNet Stations can access any of
the available Channels (plus a Program Feed), however they are connected to the
Main Station, see diagram in Comparing digital with analog cabling.

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3.2 Installing the Main Station/Remote Station

The Main Station/Remote Station is a 19” 1RU-height device that you can install to either:
A standard 19” rack.
A shelf, cabinet or other flat surface.

3.2.1 Main Station Power Up

There is no power switch, button or key on the Main Station. To power up the unit:

1. Connect the power cord to the power supply connector on the Main Station.

Note: The Main Station has a cable retaining clip to secure the power cord. The
retaining clip is detached for shipping and must be refitted.

Note: For the location of the power supply connector, see A in HMS-4X Main
Station: Rear Panel on page 24

2. Connect the power cord to the power source. The unit requires an input voltage between 100
- 240 VAC / 50-60Hz/ 250 watts / T 3.15A H 250 V.

Only connect power supply to earthed supply sockets. Ensure that the power supply is
routed to avoid sharp bends, hot surfaces, pinches and abrasion.
For safety guidance, see the Safety Instructions at the front of this guide.

3.2.2 Remote Station Power Up

The Remote Station is powered by an external power source. This can be:
An external power supply (supplied)
Power over Ethernet (PoE)

Note: To use PoE, you must connect a third-party PoE switch between the Remote Station
and the Main Station.

From the Main Station digital power line.

3.3 Installing the Speaker Station

The Speaker Station can be installed either:

l Mounted in an S-Mount bracket for desktop use

l Mounted in an S-Mount bracket for installation on a wall

l Mounted inside a NEMA standard 4-gang wall box.

Note: The S-Mount bracket is an optional item ordered separately.

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3.3.1 Speaker Station in an S-Mount Bracket

You can adjust the S-Mount bracket by pressing one of the release buttons on either side of the
bracket. You can adjust the bracket in 10-degree steps from 80 degrees to horizontal. Indicators
are present beside the release buttons that show the adjustment steps.
To install the Speaker Station (already fitted inside the S-Mount):

1. Connect a powerline XLR-3 port on the Speaker Station to a powerline XLR-3 port on a Main
Station.

Or

Connect via Ethernet on the Speaker Station to an IP network which the HMS-4X
(HLI-ET2) is also connected to.

2. Connect a headset or microphone to the Speaker Station.

3. Connect power supply to the DC power port on the Speaker Station. (Not necessary if using

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Powerline or PoE.)

3.3.2 Speaker Station in an S-Mount Bracket Wall Installation

When the Speaker Station is fully closed, you can mount it on a wall using the rear keyholes:

1. Space the wall screws to match the distance between the rear keyholes. See the diagram
below.

2. If necessary, remove the Speaker Station from the S-Mount bracket.

3. Hang the S-Mount bracket on the wall screws.

4. Tighten the wall screws.

5. Install the Speaker Station.

3.3.3 Speaker Station Mounted Inside a NEMA Standard 4-Gang Wall Box
To connect the Speaker Station:

1. Connect the Digital Intercom screw terminals on the Speaker Station to a powerline XLR-3
port on an HMS-4X.

Or

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Connect the Ethernet port on the Speaker Station to either the IP network in which
the HMS resides or directly to one of the Ethernet ports on the HMS.

2. Connect a headset or microphone to the Speaker Station.

3. If required, remove the connector from the optional power supply and connect the power
supply to the Power screw terminals on the Speaker Station.

3.4 Installing the HBP-2X Beltpacks

The HBP-2X Beltpack is a device that you can:

l Wear at your belt using the beltclip.

l Install to a shelf or other flat surface.

l Attach to a pole or other fixed upright position.

For more information, see HBP-2X beltclip, beltloops and feet (base view).

3.4.1 Power Up
The HBP-2X Beltpack is powered from the standard mic cable that connects the device with the
HMS-4X Main Station (see below).

3.4.2 Connecting the HBP-2X Beltpack to the Main Station

To connect the HBP-2X Beltpack to the Main Station:

1. There are two powerline connections on the Main Station which can each support up to 10
digital HBP-2X Beltpacks. There are two connectors (3-pin XLR, male and female) for each
line.
Connect the cable to the selected connector on the Main Station.
Note: For the location of Lines 1 and 2 (the powerlines) on the Main Station, see F & G in
diagram in HMS-4X Main Station: rear panel.

2. Connect the cable to the beltpack, using one of the two 3-pin XLR connectors (male and
female) on the base / rear of the beltpack.
For examples of topologies see Topologies.

3.5 Installing the HXII-BP-X4 Beltpacks

The HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack is a device that you can:
Wear at your belt using the beltclip.
Install to a shelf or other flat surface.

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Mount on a table or other flat surface.

For more information, see HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack (beltloops and clip).

3.5.1 Power Up
The HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack is powered from:
The standard microphone cable that connects the device with the HMS-4X Main Station (see
below).
Power over Ethernet (PoE) using a cat5, 5e or 6 cable.

Notes: To use PoE, you must connect a third-party PoE switch between the Main Station and
the HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack.
You can power the HXII-BP-X4 over both microphone cable and PoE. In this case, the
PoE takes priority. After the beltpack boots up, you cannot switch between PoE and
powerline (microphone cable) mode.

3.5.2 Connecting the HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack over Powerline to the Main Station
To connect the HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack to the Main Station:

1. There are two powerline connections on the Main Station which can each support up to 10
digital HXII-BP-X4 Beltpacks. There are two connectors (3-pin XLR, male and female) for
each line.
Connect the cable to the selected connector on the Main Station.

Note: For the location of Lines 1 and 2 (the powerlines) on the Main Station, see F, G
in diagram in (HMS-4X Main Station: rear panel.

2. Connect the cable to the beltpack, using the 3-pin XLR connector on the base / rear of the
beltpack.
For examples of topologies, see Topologies

3.5.3 Powering the HXII-BP-X4 using PoE

To connect the HXII-BP-X4 to the Main Station for PoE:

1. Connect the Main Station to a network switch using the HLI-ET2 Ethernet interface module.

2. Connect the HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack to the PoE switch on the same network as the Main
Station.
Note: The beltpack must be paired to the Main Station.

Important: When using an IEEE-802.3af compliant PoE switch, be sure to note the
switch's power budget. Each HXII-BP-X4 requires 4 Watts of power. Do not exceed

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the power budget of the switch when attaching HXII-BP-X4 beltpacks.

3.6 HelixNet Infrastructure

This section contains guidelines for using HelixNet infrastructure components including cables,
connectors, splitter boxes and patch panels. HelixNet digital Partyline uses cable infrastructure to
transport audio and data over a range of frequencies. The maximum frequency used for
transmission is approximately 25MHz. Depending on the amount of audio and data transmitted,
HelixNet digital Partyline can work with as much as 90dB signal attenuation. However, the
receivers are very sensitive and are susceptible to crosstalk between cables.
Therefore it is important to maintain cable shield integrity through all connectors, splitter
boxes and patch panels.
The symptoms of crosstalk are:

l Main Station front panel LINE LED indicator turns amber or red

l Beltpacks, Remote Stations and Speaker Stations take longer than usual to boot and
connect.

l Beltpack, Remote Station and Speaker Station front panel signal strength indicators show
lower than usual signal strength (zero or one bar).

l Main Station diagnostics screen (Diagnostics->Powerlines) indicates collisions or errors

on the line.

3.6.1 Cables and Connectors

Clear-Com recommends the following shielded cables:

Microphone cables
Belden 9207 and 9463F with the two main conductors connected to XLR pin 2 and 3 and the drain
wire to pin 1.

Cat cables
Belden 1351A or 1533P with the following connections at the XLR connector:

Cat5/5e/6 XLR
White/Orange 1
Orange 1
White/Green 3
Blue 2
White/Blue 3
Green 2

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Cat5/5e/6 XLR
White/Brown 3
Brown 2
Shield/Drain 1

It is important to connect the cable shield or drain wire to the XLR pin 1 to maintain the shield
integrity throughout the cable and connector.

Note: The total amount of cable deployed for a digital intercom line contributes to the total
capacitance of the line, even though some cables might not have a beltpack connected at
the other end. The more capacitance there is, the more attenuation there will be. Clear-
Com recommends that you use the minimum amount of cable. For example, daisy-chain
or split a cable at the far end, close to the beltpacks, rather than make two home runs to a
central patch panel.

3.6.2 Patch Panels

Clear-Com recommends XLR patch panels. These should be made of 3 pin XLR feed-through
adapters (for example, Neutrik NA3MDF) that maintain shield integrity from the back to the front.
These adapters also enable easier rewiring of the back or the front of the panel.

3.6.3 Splitter Boxes

Ensure that you split the digital intercom lines within a shielded enclosure. For example, a 1RU
shielded chassis, such as Middle Atlantic CH1, and daisy-chained XLR connectors (for example,
Neutrik NC3MD or NC3FD).
To prevent crosstalk between lines, ensure that each shielded splitter box contains only one digital
intercom line. If you have to split more than one digital intercom line, use multiple shielded
enclosures.

For more information on cabling see Cable connections.

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3.7 Converting Analogue Partylines to HelixNet

Many Partyline installations use daisy-chained power terminal blocks to passively split analog
Partylines. This way of splitting works relatively well for one HelixNet Main Station. But because
the cable shielding through those blocks is not maintained, it makes the communication much
more sensitive to interference.
Also, crosstalk occurs if two or more Main Stations use terminal blocks that are close to each
other.
To maintain shield integrity, Clear-Com recommends that you:
Place existing terminal blocks in shielded and grounded enclosures
Or
Replace the terminal blocks with shielded and grounded XLR splitter boxes and XLR patch
panels.

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4 IP Network Structure
Connecting into an existing IP network requires planning with your IT department in order to plan
the IP addressing scheme. By default, HelixNet Main Station uses automatic IP addressing
(DHCP) enabled. In order for that to work properly in an existing IP network there must be a
DHCP server handing out IP addresses. If no DHCP server is found, a Main Station will revert to
an unused link-local address in the 169.254.0.0/16 block. (See Link Local Environments for more
information).
Through the Networking menu on the devices, you can disable DHCP and set static IP addresses.
For HelixNet 3.0 and above, it is not necessary for Main Stations or Remote Stations to be on the
same Subnet, the devices will link across your LAN.

4.1 Multiple Groups in the Same IP Network

You can link six Main Stations together to form a Link Group. You must select one of the Main
Stations to be a Link Master. You can have multiple groups in the same network by having multiple
Link-Masters. Each Link-Master heads a group of Main Stations, and does not interfere with other
groups.

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Specification Value

Latency on Powerline 40-80ms (Depends on cable type and length, and how
many devices are connected. The greater the number of
devices, the greater the latency).

Latency over IP Network 30ms + Network Latency (Main Station to Main Station).

Bandwidth used 300 kbps per active Talker, for a maximum of one talker
per device in the system.
Each Beltpack and Speaker Station counts as one
device.
Each Main Station and Remote Station counts as two
devices.
Each HLI-2W2 or HLI-4W2 counts as two devices.

IP version IPv4

4.2 Link Local Environments

4.2.1 What is link-local?
A link-local address is an IP address within the local segment of any network. Routers do not pass
information to these as link-local addresses are not guaranteed to be unique beyond a single
network segment. When first connected to a network, your HelixNet device will attempt to get an
IP address via Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). If no DHCP server is available, the
unit will automatically enter link-local IP mode. A link-local IP address will take the form:
169.254.xxx.xxx.

4.2.2 Working with a Device in Link-Local Mode

Devices will revert to link-local mode if they are configured to DHCP and fail to find a DHCP
address on the network or device they are attempting to connect to. Any DHCP enabled device
connected directly to a device in link-local mode using a standard Ethernet cable will enter link-
local mode automatically.
The HelixNet units will operate in link-local mode, but for optimum performance it is recommended
that they are used with either static or DHCP network settings. In link-local, the address will
change each time the device reboots resulting in potential loss of connection to endpoints.

Note: The easiest way to take a HelixNet device out of link-local mode is to allocate a new IP
address to the unit from the device front menus. Please ensure with your network
administrator that there will be no IP clashes with this address.

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4.2.3 Change the IP Address of a HelixNet Device from the Front Menu Screens
To change a unit’s IP address, you must first disable DHCP. Press the Menu button on front of
device to enter Menu mode.

1. To enable or disable DHCP

a. In Menu mode, select Networking.

Note: The Networking menu only appears if an Ethernet or Fiber interface module is
detected.

b. From the second menu, select Preferences.

c. From the third menu, select DHCP.

d. From the fourth display screen, select one of the following:

n Disabled

n Enabled (default)

2. To edit the IP address

a. In Menu mode, select Networking.

Note: The Networking menu only appears if an Ethernet or Fiber interface module is
detected.

b. From the second menu, select Preferences.

c. From the third menu, select IP Address.

d. From the fourth display screen, edit the IPv4 address.

Note: The HelixNet system uses 10.0.0.x and 172.23.x.x IP address ranges internally
between the Main Station and the Beltpacks, and therefore will not allow setting the
external IP address to anything in that range.
Note: If you change the IP address (either manually or through DHCP), the link between
stations will be broken and you have to reboot the Main Station to link again. The following
message will appear as a banner (inverted text) at the bottom across the four displays on
the Main Station
IP address | changed, | reboot | to link
If that message appears, pressing the Menu key will bring you directly to: Administration-
>Reset->Reboot->Reboot Now

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4.2.4 Accessing the Core Configuration Manager (CCM) of a HelixNet unit in link-
local mode
As an alternative to configuring your device from the front menu screens you can use the browser
based CCM.
To access the CCM of a HelixNet unit in link-local, you must connect to it from a computer that is
also in link-local mode.
A computer can be put into link-local mode by ensuring it is in DHCP mode and connecting it to a
unit that is already in link-local mode with a standard Ethernet cable. The computer will look for a
dynamically generated IP address (DHCP), and when it does not find one will enter link-local
mode automatically.
Once the computer is connected to the HelixNet device and in link-local mode, you can connect to
your unit by opening a browser window on the computer and inputting the unit’s IP address (from
the front panel display) into the address field. This takes you to the Core Configuration Manager
where you can configure the device as usual. See Core Configuration Manager (CCM) for more
detail.

Note: The units will operate in link-local, but for optimum performance it is recommended that
they are used with either static or DHCP network settings.

For the CCM password see CCM Password on page 154

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5 Configuring and managing the Main Station from front

menus
This section describes how to configure the settings and manage the Main Station using Menu
mode. It also shows you how to monitor and diagnose performance issues, using the Diagnostics
menus.
Tip: For a quick reference to the Main Station menus, see Menu maps.

5.1 Using the Menus

To place the Main Station in Menu mode, press the Menu key to the left of the first display screen.
In Menu mode, the display screens display the four levels of menu. The menu hierarchy proceeds
left to right:
The top level menu is presented in the first screen.
The lowest level menu is presented in the fourth screen (furthest right on the front panel).

Note: If Menu mode is locked, you must unlock the menus from CCM before you can enter the
menu. See Administration.

5.1.1 Configuring Settings

To configure settings:

1. For each menu, turn the rotary control clockwise to scroll down the menu items. Turn counter
clockwise to scroll up the menu items.

Off-screen menu items are indicated by arrows at the top and/or bottom of the
screen.

Selected menu items (which create your path through the four menus) are
highlighted in solid yellow.

The fourth menu displays the settings that relate to your previous menu choices
(system features or functionality).

The current setting is indicated by a dotted box around the menu item

2. When you have selected a setting by rotating the right hand rotary control, push that rotary
control to enable the setting on the Main Station.

5.1.2 Exiting Menu Mode

To exit menu mode press the menu key.

Note: If no key is pressed for 20 seconds, the menu will time out and display screens will revert to

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their normal mode of operation.

5.2 Configuring the Audio settings

5.2.1 Audio settings for the headset
To configure the audio settings for the headset:

1. In Menu mode, select Audio Settings and then Headset.

2. To adjust the level of sidetone on the headset:

In the third menu, select Sidetone Gain.

a. In the fourth menu, select one of the following:

n 0dB

n - 6dB

n - 12dB (default)

n - 18dB

b. To enable (confirm) the selected setting, press the rotary control.

3. To limit the audio level delivered to the headphones (or to disable headphone limiting):

a. In the third menu, select Headphone Limit.

b. In the fourth menu, select one of the following:

n Off

n +6dB

n 0dB (default)

n - 6dB

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

Note: When Headphone Limit is set to anything but Off, a LIM indication will be
shown on the leftmost display.

4. To set the Headphone Gain:

a. In the third menu, select Headphone Gain.

b. In the fourth menu, select one of the following:

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n OdB (default)

n +3dB

n +6dB

n +9dB

n +12dB

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

5. To set (or disable) sidetone tracking on the headset:

a. In the third menu, select Sidetone Control.

b. In the fourth menu, select one of the following:

n Tracking - The sidetone volume will follow (track) the Main volume level.

n Non-Tracking - The sidetone volume is set to use the selected level.

n Disabled - Sidetone is disabled.

Note: The default is Tracking.

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

6. To select the type of microphone on the headset:

a. In the third menu, select HS Mic Type.

Note: HS = Headset.

b. In the fourth menu, select either of the following types of microphone:

l Electret (-15dB)

l Dynamic (0dB) (default)

l Dynamic (low)

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

5.2.2 Audio Settings for the Microphone

To configure the audio settings for the microphone:

1. In Menu mode, select Audio Settings and then Microphone.

2. To select the Headroom:

a. From the third menu, select Headroom.

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b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

n Normal (default)

n High - Reduces the analog input gain and increases the digital gain accordingly. That
reduces digital clipping at the A/D converter but increases the noise floor. This setting is
intended for use in environments with very high background noise.

3. To enable or disable the Contour Filter:

a. From the third menu, select Contour Filter

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

n Enabled - The Contour filter is a Clear-Com algorithm enhancing speech intelligibility,

especially when whispering or talking at a low volume.

n Disabled

Note: The default is Disabled.

5.2.3 Audio Settings for the Program Input

To configure the label (name) for the Program Input (Program Feed) gain:

1. In Menu mode, select Audio Settings and then Program Input.

2. From the third menu, select Label.

3. From the fourth menu, select the existing label by scrolling to it and pushing the rotary
controller. Edit the label by rotating the controller to scroll through letters and digits and
pushing to select a letter/digit.

4. When you have done, scroll to Save and push the rotary controller. To exit without saving
changes, go back to the third screen.
To configure the audio setting for the Program Input (Program Feed) gain:

1. In Menu mode, select Audio Settings and then Program Input.

2. From the third menu, select Gain.

3. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

l + 12dB

l + 6dB

l 0dB (default)

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l - 6dB

l - 12dB

4. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

5. The GPO trigger activates a relay when receiving a call or activating a talk on a Partyline
Channel. You can enable or disable the GPO trigger. To configure the audio setting for the
GPO trigger:

a. In Menu mode, select Audio Settings and then Program Input.

b. From the third menu, select GPO Trigger.

c. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

n Enabled (default)

n Disabled

d. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

Note: You can also configure the GPO trigger using Menu Mode > Modules Settings.

To select the VOX:

1. From the third menu, select VOX.

2. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

l Enabled

l Disabled (default)

3. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

To select the VOX Off Delay:

1. From the third menu, select VOX Off Delay.

2. From the fourth menus, select one of the following:

l .5 sec (default)

l 1 sec

l 2 sec

l 3 sec

l 4 sec

3. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

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5.2.4 Audio Settings for Program IFB [Interruptible Foldback]

IFB allows you to temporarily interrupt the continuous program listen (program feed) and speak to
the Channels connected to the program listen. This applies to a Channel to which the Program
Input is assigned. If any participant within the Channel talks, the program is dimmed. See also
Assigning the Program Listen to a Channel.
To configure the audio settings for Program IFB [Interruptible Foldback]:

1. In Menu mode, select Audio Settings and then Program IFB.

2. From the third menu, select IFB Dim Level.

Note: The IFB Dim Level determines the amount that the volume level of the
Program Level is reduced by when it is interrupted by the IFB.

3. From the fourth menu (fourth display screen), select one of the following:

l IFB Disabled (default)

l - 6dB

l -12dB

l -18dB

l -24dB

l Full Cut

4. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

5.2.5 Audio Settings for the SA [Stage Announce] Output

To configure the audio settings for the SA [Stage Announce] Output:

1. In Menu mode, select Audio Settings and then SA Output.

2. From the third menu, select Gain.

3. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

l + 12dB

l + 6dB

l 0dB (default)

l - 6dB

l - 12dB

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4. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

5.2.6 Audio Settings for the Hot Mic Output

To configure the audio settings for the Hot Mic Output:

1. In Menu mode, select Audio Settings and then Hot Mic Output.

2. From the third menu, select Gain.

3. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

l + 12dB

l + 6dB

l 0dB (default)

l - 6dB

l -12dB

4. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

5.2.7 Audio Settings for the Front Panel

To configure the audio settings for the Front Panel:

1. In Menu mode, select Audio Settings and then Front Panel.

2. From the third menu, select Loudspeaker Dim.

3. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

l 0 dB

l -3 dB

l -6 dB (default)

l -12 dB

l -24 dB

4. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

5.3 Selecting Station Settings

5.3.1 Setting Keyset Assignments
To set the Keyset Assignments:

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1. In Menu mode, select Station Settings and then Keyset Assign.

2. From the third menu, select required Keyset (1 – 4).

3. From the fourth menu, select a Channel (1 – 24) to assign to the Keyset.

4. Repeat this procedure for the remaining Keysets.

5. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

5.3.2 Setting Key Latching

To enable or disable front panel keys for latching:

1. In Menu mode, select Station Settings and then Keysets.

2. From the third menu, select either:

Key(s) Description

Talk #1 Talk keys for the available Channels.

Talk #2

Talk #3

Talk #4

SA Out key Key used to talk to a connected public address or Stage Announce
(SA) system.

Note: The All Talk and RMK (Remote Mic Kill) key are also displayed in the list. Those keys
cannot be latched. To find out how to configure the RMK and All Talk keys, see Setting the All Talk
key
Note: The All Talk key allows you to talk to all Channels at once with the push of a button. Select
All Channels to talk to all 12 (or 24 according to license) Channels on your system. Select Visible
Channels to talk to the Channels visible on your four device Keyset screens.

3. In menu mode select Station Settings and then Keysets.

4. From the third menu, select All Talk.

5. From the fourth menu, select All Channels or Visible Channels.

6. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

5.3.3 Setting the All Talk Key

The All Talk key allows you to talk to all Channels at once with the push of a button. Select All
Channels to talk to all 12 (or 24 according to license) Channels on your system. Select Visible

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Channels to talk to the Channels visible on your four device Keyset screens.

1. In menu mode select Station Settings and then Keysets.

2. From the third menu, select All Talk.

3. From the fourth menu, select All Channels or Visible Channels.

4. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

5.3.4 Setting the RMK (Remote Mic Kill) Key

The RMK (Remote Mic Kill) key is used to:
Deselect any latched keyset Talk routes.
Turn off any latched Talk on connected analog Partyline equipment.
To enable or disable the RMK (Remote Mic Kill) key:

1. In Menu mode, select Station Settings and then Keysets.

2. From the third menu, select RMK.

Note: Talk Latch and the SA Output Key are also listed in this menu. See link...

3. From the fourth menu, select either of the following:

l All Channels (12 or 24 according to license)

l Visible Channels (default)

l Disabled

4. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

5.3.5 Setting Display Screen Brightness

By default, the display screens are set for medium brightness. To set the
brightness of the display screens:

1. In Menu mode, select Station Settings and then Display.

2. From the third menu, select OLED Brightness.

3. From the fourth menu, select one of the following brightness settings:

l High

l Medium (default)

l Low

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4. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

5.3.6 Setting Key Brightness

By default, the front panel keys are set to High / Low. To set the brightness of
all front panel keys:

1. In Menu mode, select Station Settings and then Display.

2. From the third menu, select Key Brightness.

3. From the fourth menu, select one of the following brightness settings:

Key(s) Description

The default setting.

High / Low
Keys are lit bright when active and lit dim when inactive.

High / Off Keys are lit bright when active and are unlit when inactive.

Low / Off Keys are lit dim when active and are unlit when inactive.

Off / Off Keys are unlit, whether or not they are active or inactive.

4. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

5.3.7 Setting the Screensaver

The screensaver features the Channel label and is enabled by default. The display screens enter
screensaver mode when the Main Station has been inactive for 10 minutes.
Tip: To exit screensaver mode, press any key on the front.

To enable or disable the screensaver:

1. In Menu mode, select Station Settings and then Display.

2. From the third menu, select Screensaver.

3. From the fourth menu, select:

l Channel Name (default)

l Hostname

l Role Name

l Blank

l Disabled

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4. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

5.4.1 Editing the Channel label

The maximum length for a Channel label is 12 characters. To edit the Channel label:
Note: Channel labels will be dictated by the Link Master when Main Stations are linked.

1. In Menu mode, select Channels and then the name of the Channel you want to edit.

2. From the third menu, select Label.

3. Select Clear and press the rotary control to clear the Channel label.

4. In the fourth menu, the following prompt is displayed above the Channel label:

[Press to edit]

Press the rotary control.

5. The first letter of the Channel label is shown as selected. The following prompt is displayed
above the Channel label:

[Scroll / Press to Select]

Scroll to the character you want to edit by turning the rotary control. To begin editing,
press the rotary control.

6. The character you have selected for editing is shown in a box with a dotted border.

To display alternative characters in the box, turn the rotary control. The range of
available characters comprises the following:

Characters Description / range

Numbers (numeric) 0 to 9

Capital letters = A to Z
Letters
Small letters = a to z

# & *() -_=+ /!@ :

Symbols
Note: You can also select a space.

To select a character, press the rotary control.

7. When you have selected a replacement character, scroll to the next character you want to
edit. When you have finished editing the Channel label, scroll to Save (displayed beneath the
Channel label).

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To save the Channel label, press the rotary control.

5.4.2 Assigning the Program Listen to a Channel

To assign (or unassign) the Program Listen (Program Feed) to a Channel:

1. In Menu mode, select Channels and then the name of the Channel.

2. From the third menu, select Program Listen.

3. From the fourth menu, select either None, or choose from the list of available programs.

Note: The default is None.

4. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

Tip: When you assign the Program Listen to a Channel, PGM is displayed on the display screen
(under the listen level bar, to the left) for that Channel.

5.4.3 Assigning a GPO relay to a Channel

You can assign a relay that is triggered on receiving a call or detecting a talk on a Partyline
Channel. To assign (or unassign) a relay:

1. In Menu mode, select Channels and then the name of the Channel.

2. From the third menu, select GPO on Talk or GPO on Call.

3. From the fourth menu, select either None, or choose from the list of available relays.

Note: The default is None.

4. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

Note: A GPO Trigger initiated by a Program Audio Input VOX can on only be assigned to a GPO on the
same device.

5.5 Configuring the Control I/O

The Control I/O connector (25 way female D-type) on the rear panel allows you to connect up to 4
relay outputs or 4 opto inputs and control them through the Main Station keysets:

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I/O type Description

Opto inputs Opto inputs enable you to connect a foot switch or other control
device and use it to trigger Call or Talk functions.
There is also an option to open the mic. You can use this option
to talk, hands-free to one or more pre-latched channels.

Relay outputs Relay outputs enable you to use Call or Talk keys to trigger any
external device that accepts a standard contact closure (such
as a theater curtain or an On Air light, or the beltpack USB
flasher).

5.5.1 Configuring Opto Inputs

To configure the Control I/O for Opto inputs:

1. In Menu mode, select Control I/O.

2. From the second menu, select Inputs.

3. From the third menu, select one of the following:

l Opto 1

l Opto 2

l Opto 3

l Opto 4

4. From the fourth menu (fourth display screen), select one of the following:

l None

l Call Key 1

l Talk Key 1

l Call Key 2

l Talk Key 2

l Call Key 3

l Talk Key 3

l Call Key 4

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l Talk Key 4

l Mic

5. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

5.5.2 Configuring Relay Outputs

To configure the Control I/O for Relay outputs:

1. In Menu mode, select Control I/O.

2. From the second menu, select Outputs.

3. From the third menu, select one of the four available Relay outputs:

l Relay 1

l Relay 2

l Relay 3

l Relay 4

4. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

l None (default)

l Call Key 1

l Talk Key 1

l Call Key 2

l Talk Key 2

l Call Key 3

l Talk Key 3

l Call Key 4

l Talk Key 4

l SA Key

Note: The number of the key relates to the keyset to which it belongs (for example,
Call Key 1 is the Call key for the first keyset / display screen).

5. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

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5.6 Configuring Module Settings

Up to three optional interface modules can be fitted to the expansion bay of the HMS-4X Main
Station.
Warning: The interface modules are not hot pluggable. Ensure that the Main Station is powered
down before inserting or removing modules.
The Menu mode > Module Settings are used to set up the interface modules.
Tip: For more detailed information about interface modules, including pin out information, see
HMS-4X Main Station rear panel: Interface modules

5.6.1 Configuring a Four-Wire Interface Module

The following procedure shows you how to configure the Module Settings for a Four-wire
interface module.
To configure the Module Settings for a four-wire interface module:

1. In Menu mode, select Module Settings.

2. From the second menu, select one of the two available ports on the two-wire interface
module:

a. Slot 2/Port A 4W

b. Slot 2/Port B 4W

Note: In this example, the four-wire module has been fitted to slot 2 in the expansion
bay. The expansion bay contains three slots.

4W = four-wire.

3. To associate any available Channel with the selected port, or to disable Channels
associations:

a. From the third menu, select Channel Assign.

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

n Disabled (default)

n Channel 1.

n Channel 2.

n Channel 3.

n Channel 4.

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n …

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

4. The Program Output allows a program feed associated with the Channel assigned to the four
wire port to either be delivered to that 4 wire port alongside the other Channel audio or not. To
set the Program Output:

a. From the third menu, select Program Output.

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

n Unmute

n Mute (default)

5. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

6. To set the input level for the four-wire port:

a. From the third menu (third display screen), select Input Gain.

b. From the fourth menu (fourth display screen), select one of the following:

n +12dB

n + 6dB.

n 0dB (default)

n -6dB.

n -12dB

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

7. To set the output level for the four-wire port:

a. From the third menu, select Output Gain.

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

n +12dB

n + 6dB.

n 0dB (default)

n -6dB.

n -12dB

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8. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

9. To set the GPO trigger for the Program Output:

a. From the third menu, select GPO.

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

n Enabled

n Disabled

10. If you are setting up a continuous audio (program) feed using the four-wire interface module,
then you may want to enable the VOX functionality. To help reduce redundant noise, the
VOX functionality automatically deactivates and activates the continuous audio feed, at an
automatically determined volume threshold.

Note: If you assign a program and a four-wire interface to the same Channel, VOX is
automatically enabled.

To enable or disable VOX:

a. From the third menu, select VOX.

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

l Enabled.

l Disabled (default)

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

11. The VOX Delay OFF setting determines the length of time to wait before deactivating the
incoming audio. To set the VOX Delay OFF setting:

a. From the third menu, select VOX Delay OFF.

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

n .5 sec (default)

n 1 sec

n 2 sec

n 3 sec

n 4 sec

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

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5.6.2 Configuring a Two-Wire Interface Module

The following procedure shows you how to configure the Module Settings for a Two-wire interface
module.
Note: The Two-wire interface module must receive power from the Partyline.
To configure the Module Settings for a Two-wire interface module:

1. In Menu mode, select Module Settings.

2. From the second menu, select one of the two available ports on the two-wire interface
module:

Slot 1/Port A 2W

Slot 1/Port B 2W

Note: In this example, the two-wire module has been fitted to slot 1 in the expansion
bay. The expansion bay contains three slots.

2W = Two-wire.

a. To associate any available Channel (or to disable Channels associations) with

the selected port:
From the third menu (third display screen), select Channel Assign.

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

n Disabled (default)

n Channel 1

n Channel 2

n Channel 3

n Channel 4

n ...

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

3. The Program Output allows a program feed associated with the Channel assigned to the four
wire port to either be delivered to that 4 wire port alongside the other Channel audio or not. To
set the Program Output:

a. From the third menu, select Program Output.

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

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n Unmute

n Mute (default)

4. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

5. Auto-nulling helps to reduce echo while talking on a two-wire audio system. To start Auto-
nulling on the selected port:

a. From the third menu, select Auto-Nulling.

b. From the fourth menu, select Start.

Note: Auto-nulling is only applicable to two-wire audio. All Talk routes/keys must be
disabled before Auto-nulling can commence. If an echo persists, ensure all Talk
routes are disabled and re-null the system.

6. The Two-wire interface module is set for Clear-Com systems by default. However, you can
also set the two-wire ports for use with RTS analog Partyline systems. If you are connecting to
an RTS system, you also have a choice of two different pinouts:

RTS pinout option Description

RTS Audio Pin 2 Pin 2 is used for both power and audio.

RTS Audio Pin 3 Pin 3 is used for audio (Pin 2 is used for power only).

Note: For detailed pinout information, see HMS-4X Main Station rear
panel: Interface modules..

To configure the port for either Clear-Com or RTS systems:

a. From the third menu, select Mode.

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

l Clear-Com

l RTS Audio Pin 2

l RTS Audio Pin 3

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

7. To set the Input Gain:

a. From the third menu, select Input Gain.

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

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l +3 dB

l +2 dB

l +1 dB

l 0 dB (default)

l -1 dB

l -2 dB

l -3 dB

8. To set the Output Gain:

a. From the third menu, select Output Gain.

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

n +3 dB

n +2 dB

n +1 dB

n 0 dB (default)

n -1 dB

n -2 dB

n -3 dB

9. To set the GPO trigger for the Program Output:

a. From the third menu, select GPO.

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

n Enabled

n Disabled

10. Enabling RMK [Remote Mic Kill] Input allows an external 2-wire analogue partyline device
such as the main (base) station (MS-702) to send an RMK signal to the digital HelixNet
devices attached to the same HelixNet channel.

Note: If this is enabled and the analog Partyline system is powered down, it will be
interpreted by the HelixNet Main Station as an RMK input and all talk routes will be
switched off.

To enable RMK Input:

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a. From the third menu (third display screen), select RMK Input.

b. From the fourth menu (fourth display screen), select one of the following:

l Enabled

l Disabled (default)

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

11. Enabling RMK [Remote Mic Kill] Output allows you to send an RMK signal from the HelixNet
Main Station to any connected analog 2-wire partyline system.

To enable RMK Output:

a. From the third menu, select RMK Output.

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

l Enabled

l Disabled (default)

To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

12. If you are setting up a continuous audio (program) feed using the two-wire interface module,
then you may want to enable the VOX functionality. To help reduce redundant noise, the VOX
functionality automatically deactivates and activates the continuous audio feed, at an
automatically determined volume threshold.

Note: If you assign a program and a two-wire interface to the same Channel, VOX is
automatically enabled.

To enable or disable VOX:

a. From the third menu, select VOX.

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

l Enabled

l Disabled (default)

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

13. The VOX Delay OFF setting determines the length of time to wait before deactivating the
incoming audio. To set the VOX Delay OFF setting:

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a. From the third menu, select VOX Delay OFF.

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

n .5 sec (default)

n 1 sec

n 2 sec

n 3 sec

n 4 sec

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

5.6.3 Configuring an Ethernet or Fiber interface module

The following procedure shows you how to configure the Module Settings for an Ethernet
interface module.
To configure the Module Settings for an Ethernet interface module:

1. To view status information about Main Stations:

a. In Menu mode, select Networking.

Note: The Networking menu only appears if at least one Ethernet or Fiber interface module is
detected.

b. From the second menu, select Stations. A list of station IDs is given for each
Main Station in the network. Each station ID in the list is preceded by the letter M-
for the Link-Master station itself and S- for all Link-Member (S stands for Slave).

c. From the third menu select the required station ID.

d. From the fourth menu you can view the following:

l Status – Enabled or Disabled

l IP – The IP address.

2. To edit or change the Hostname for your device:

a. In Menu mode, select Networking.

b. From the second menu, select Preferences

c. From the third menu, select Hostname

d. From the fourth menu, select the name by pushing and turning the Rotary controller.

e. Edit the name by turning the controller to select a letter or number and pushing to select it.

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Then turn to scroll through letters. Push to commit.

f. When you have done, scroll to SAVE and push to commit.

3. To enable or disable DHCP:

a. In Menu mode, select Networking.

Note: The Networking menu only appears if an Ethernet or Fiber interface module is detected.

b. From the second menu, select Preferences.

c. From the third menu, select DHCP.

d. From the fourth display screen, select one of the following:

l Disabled

l Enabled (default)

4. To edit the IP address:

a. In Menu mode, select Networking.

Note: The Networking menu only appears if an Ethernet or Fiber interface module is detected.

b. From the second menu, select Preferences.

c. From the third menu, select IP Address.

d. From the fourth display screen, edit the IPv4 address.

Note: You can only edit the IPv4 address if DHCP is disabled.
Note: The HelixNet system uses 10.0.0.x and 172.23.x.x IP address ranges internally between the
Main Station and the Beltpacks, and therefore will not allow setting the external IP address to
anything in that range.
Note: If you change the IP address (either manually or through DHCP), the link between stations
will be broken and you have to reboot the Main Station to link again. The following message will
appear as a banner (inverted text) at the bottom across the four displays on the Main Station
IP address | changed, | reboot | to link
If that message appears, pressing the Menu key will bring you directly to: Administration->Reset-
>Reboot->Reboot Now

5. To edit the Gateway:

a. In Menu mode, select Networking.

Note: The Networking menu only appears if an Ethernet or Fiber interface module is detected.

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b. From the second menu, select Preferences.

c. From the third menu, select Gateway.

d. From the fourth display screen, edit the gateway.

Note: You can only edit the gateway if DHCP is disabled.

6. To edit the Subnet Mask:

a. In Menu mode, select Networking.

Note: The Networking menu only appears if an Ethernet or Fiber interface module is detected.

b. From the second menu, select Preferences.

c. From the third menu, select Subnet Mask.

d. From the fourth display screen, edit the Subnet Mask.

Note: You can only edit the Subnet Mask if DHCP is disabled.

7. To enable or disable linking:

a. In Menu mode, select Networking.

Note: The Networking menu only appears if an Ethernet or Fiber interface module is detected.

b. From the second menu, select Linking.

c. From the third menu, select Link Mode.

d. From the fourth display screen, select one of the following:

l Disabled (default)

l Master

l Member

5. If Member is selected, the menu asks you to pick a Link-Master to connect to in the
Networking>Link To Master menu. It can be done by picking from a hostname list or by
entering an IP address.

5.6.4 Setting up a Key Expansion Group

HelixNet units can be expanded and stacked to allow for visual monitoring and easy control of
multiple Channels. Up to five devices (HMS-4X, HRM-4X) can be stacked in an Expansion Group,
allowing for convenient observation and control of up to 24 Keysets. This gets rid of the need for
multiple key presses and microphones. When using this type of connectivity, the Expanded panels
act as slaves to the Host panel.

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To set up an Expansion Group, once the devices have been connected to the same LAN by
Ethernet cable, you will need to identify a Host device. This is done from the front panel menu of
the device under Station Settings. Then designate the panel(s) to be stacked as Expansion Panel
(s).
Once this set up is established, you will be able to control all Channels from the Host panel.
Volume and buttons are synched.
Unused buttons on Expanded panel are disabled: HSet, Mic On, SA, All Talk, OPT, Main, PGM.

Restrictions:
Devices can only connect as an Expansion Group over LAN, not when connected over digital
Partyline.
HMS-4X or HRM-4X can act as Host Panel.
HMS-4X can only act as a key Expansion Panel to another HMS-4X.
HRM-4X can act as a Key Panel to an HMS-4X and an HRM-4X.
If an HRM-4X is already Paired to an HMS-4X, it will only see Host Panels that are part of the
same group.
If an HRM-4X is not Paired yet to an HMS-4X, it will see all Host Panels in the subnet and will
automatically Pair at the same time if a Host Panel is selected.
An Expansion Group must be set up from the device menus, and cannot be set up from the CCM.

To set up a key Expansion Group (example set-up)

Designate the expansion Host unit:

1. On the Host device, press the MENU button to enter menu mode.

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Note: For each menu, turn the rotary control clockwise to scroll down the menu
items. Turn counter clockwise to scroll up the menu items.

Off-screen menu items are indicated by arrows at the top and/or bottom of the
screen.

Selected menu items (which create your path through the four menus) are
highlighted in solid yellow.

The current setting is indicated by a dotted box around the menu item

When you have selected a setting by rotating the right hand rotary control, press that
rotary control to enable the setting on the Main Station.

2. Navigate to Menu > Networking > Expansion Mode. Select Host.

3. From the 4th screen on the device select Enabled. The device will then be open for expansion.

Note: On both Host and Expansion panels a “stacking” icon will flash until connection is
established.

Stacking icon

Designate the Expansion panel and link it to the host:

4. From the front panel menus of the panel you wish to expand from the host, navigate to Menu
> Networking > Expansion Mode > Expand To Host.

5. Select the required host panel using the rotary controllers, which, providing the devices are on
the same network, will be visible in the 4th screen.

6. The stacking icon will flash in the screen until connection is established. Once the connection

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is established, the icon will show solid.

5.6.5 Viewing the Module Settings: Version Information

The software (firmware) for the ports on the interface module must match that on the HelixNet
Main Station itself.
Note: Ethernet and fiber option modules do not contain software.
To check the software version for the Main Station and each port on the interface module:

1. In Menu mode, select Administration > Software > Current.

2. In the fourth menu, use the rotary control to scroll the displayed software versions.

3. The software versions for each port are listed under Snx, where n indicates the slot number,
and x indicates port A or port B.
The software versions for the two processors in the Main Station (Main Station and IV-Router) are
listed under MS and IVR respectively.

5.7 Administration
5.7.1 In Menu mode > Administration, you can:
l Update and view the current software (firmware)

l Upgrade and view the current licence (how many channels are available)

l Reset the Main Station and audio configuration

l Reboot the Main Station

l Get system logs for diagnostic purposes

l See the CCM login credentials (including password). This option is only available if you
have either not changed the CCM password or reset the main station to factory default

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settings

l Save/restore audio configuration

5.7.2 Viewing the Current Versions of the Software

To view the current versions of the software on the Main Station, see Viewing the Module
Settings: Version information.

5.7.3 Updating the Software

Any beltpacks, Remote Stations and Speaker Stations that are connected to the Main Station are
automatically updated. The units remain non-functional for approximately 5 minutes while they are
updated.
To update the software:

1. After downloading the software update, copy the update to a USB memory stick.

Note: If you are updating from HelixNet 3.0 to HelixNet 3.1 or later, you must update
the .ccb file before you update the .ubifs file.

2. Insert the memory stick into the USB 2.0 (A) connector. See table in Main Station/Remote
Station: Front panel

3. In Menu mode, select Administration and then Software.

4. From the third menu, select Update.

5. The fourth menu displays the new software version information on the USB memory stick. To
start updating the Main Station with the new software, press the rotary control.
The process of updating the software takes several minutes. Please wait while all connected
devices are updated. The following system messages are displayed during the process:

Loading image

Erasing flash

Writing to flash

Verifying flash

Successful

Note: Do not remove the USB memory stick from the Main Station until the software update is
completed, including the update to any connected devices.

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Do not turn off the power to the Main Station during the software (firmware)
update. Turning off the power can damage the device.

Note: The Main Station resets automatically. You are not required to restart the Main Station.
To check that the software upgrade was performed successfully, see Viewing the
current versions of the software.

5.7.4 Upgrading the License on the HelixNet Main Station

The Main Station arrives with a license for 12 Channels. In order to upgrade to 24 Channels you
need to obtain a License code from your Clear-Com dealer. Your dealer will need the system id of
your device, available from the front menu screens.

1. In Menu mode, select Administration and then License.

2. From the third menu, select Current.

3. In the fourth menu, the top item is the system ID. Give this to your dealer to obtain a license to
upgrade.

4. When you have the license code, input it into this screen. The Rotary controller can be used to
scroll to the input code section, and then used to enter the code. Push to select a digit or letter.
Scroll to the required letter. Push to commit information.

5.7.5 Resetting the Main Station

To reset the Main Station to its default (factory mode) settings:

1. In Menu mode, select Administration and then Reset.

2. The third menu displays a selected menu item: Reset to Default.

3. In the fourth menu, select between:

l Reset HMS

l Reset Endpoints

l Reset All

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Type of reset Result of reset

Reset Main Station, including Roles to factory

Reset HMS defaults. This option will also return the
CCM password to the factory default setting.

Reset Endpoints Reset the local configuration for beltpacks,

remote stations and speaker stations (Roles
are not reset)

Reset CCM Pass This option is only available when the CCM
password has been changed. You can use
this setting to reset the password to the default
setting.

Reset All Reset all devices; Roles and local

configuration.

Note: Reset HMS (factory settings) will erase any Role configurations you have made. Please
save Role configurations before doing this.

5.7.6 Manually Rebooting the Main Station

To manually reboot the Main Station:

1. In Menu mode, select Administration and then Reset.

2. The third menu select Reboot.

3. In the fourth menu, select Reboot Now.

When the rotary control is pressed, the display changes to Rebooting … for 2 seconds, and then
the Main Station reboots.

5.7.7 Saving and Restoring the Software Settings

Use this option to save your configuration to a USB stick or restore a previously saved file:

1. Insert a memory stick into the USB 2.0 (A) connector. See table in Main Station/Remote
Station: Front panel

2. In Menu mode, select Administration and then Settings.

3. To save, in the third menu, select Save All. Once you select Save you should not remove the
USB stick right away. Depending on the USB stick it might take up to 5 seconds to complete.

4. To restore all HMS settings, in the third menu, select Restore all.

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a. In the fourth menu, select a file from USB.

b. This restores the Helixnet Base, the Role and the Channel settings from the USB stick to
your system.

5. To restore Roles and Channel names only, in the third menu, select Restore Role/Ch.

a. In the fourth menu, select a file from USB.

b. This restores Role and Channel settings from the USB to your system. Network settings
are NOT restored.

Type of Save Result

Saves your whole configuration; Main Station,

Remote Stations, Speaker Stations,
Save All Roles/Channel names to the USB for future
use. This option also saves 2-wire and 4-wire
port settings and assignment.

Restore All Restores all settings from the file stored on the
USB.

Restore Role/Ch Restores Channel names and Role

configuration only from the file stored on the
USB. Network settings (including Linking
and Expansion) are NOT saved.

5.8 Diagnostics
The Diagnostics menus help you to monitor the performance of the Main Station and diagnose
possible system issues.
If the warning icon shows up in the Main display, warning message will show up here in the
Diagnostics menu.

5.8.1 Viewing hardware Information

To view information about the hardware (PCBs) on the Main Station:

1. In Menu mode, select Diagnostics and then Hardware.

2. From the third menu, select one of the following:

l Main PCB

l Slot 1 PCB

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l Slot 2 PCB

l Slot 3 PCB

Note: Slot 1, Slot 2 and Slot 3 refer to the interface module slots in the Main Station
extension bay. When looking at the rear of the module, slot 1 is the left-hand slot, slot
2 is the middle slot, and slot 3 is the right-hand slot.

The fourth menu displays the Part number, Revision and Serial numbers for the
PCB. The format is similar to the following:

Part xxxxxx
Revision: x
Serial: x

Where x is a numerical value.

5.8.2 Viewing temperature Information

To view the temperature of the Main Station:

1. In Menu mode, select Diagnostics and then Hardware.

2. From the third menu, select one of the following temperature sensors:

l Sensor 1

l Sensor 2

l Sensor 3

The fourth menu displays the temperature, for example:

+30°C

Environmental note:
The recommended operating temperature range for the HelixNet
HMS-4X Main Station is 0 to +40°C. The storage temperature range for the Main
Station is -30 to +70°C.

For more environmental information, see Installing HelixNet Partyline.

5.8.3 Viewing Powerline Information and Status

There are two digital Partylines (Line 1 and Line 2) on the HMS-4X Main Station. Line 1 and Line
2 are also referred to as powerlines.
Each line can support up to 10 beltpacks, Remote Stations or Speaker Stations.
Note: See also F, G and I in Main Station/Remote Station: Front panel-.
To view line information and status:

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1. In Menu mode, select Diagnostics and then Powerlines.

2. From the third menu, select one of the following:

l Powerline 1 (refers to Line 1)

l Powerline 2 (refers to Line 2)

3. The fourth menu displays the status and other measures / information for the powerline. The
status of the powerline is either OK [operating normally], Busy or Error.

For more details of the information displayed, see (link...)

Note: Powerline status is also indicated by the powerline LEDS on the front panel.

Green LED = OK

Amber LED = Busy

Red LED = Error

For more information about powerline diagnostics, see Troubleshooting.

5.8.4 Viewing Keysets Information

To view information about the keysets:

1. In Menu mode, select Diagnostics and then Keysets.

2. From the third menu (third display screen), select a keyset from 1 to 4.

3. The fourth menu (fourth display screen) displays the following status information:

l Name – The Channel name

l Talkers – The number of talkers on the Partyline

l Main Stations – The number of Main Stations listening

l Beltpacks – The number of beltpacks listening on the Partyline

l Remote – The number of Remote Stations listening

l Speaker – The number of Speaker Stations listening

l 2-Wire – The number of 2-wire ports listening

l 4-Wire – The number of 4-wire ports listening

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6 Configuring and Managing the Remote Station from Front

Menus
This section describes how to configure the settings and manage the Remote Station using Menu
mode. It also shows you how to monitor and diagnose performance issues, using the Diagnostics
menus.
Tip: For a quick reference to the Remote Station menus, see Menu maps
For general information about using the menus and configuring settings, see Using the Menus.

Notes: Some of the configuration information for the Remote Station is the same as for the Main
Station. In these case, you are referred to the relevant sections of Configuring and
managing the Main Station from front menus.
If Menu mode is locked, you must unlock the menus from the CCM before you can enter
the menu. See Administration.

6.1 Configuring the audio settings

6.1.1 Audio settings for the headset
To configure the audio settings for the headset, see Audio settings for the headset.
Note: This does not apply to the Remote Station in expansion mode.

6.1.2 Audio Settings for the Microphone

To configure the audio settings for the microphone, see Audio settings for the microphone.
Note: This does not apply to the Remote Station in expansion panel mode.

6.1.3 Settings for Program/Audio in

Program/audio in can be disabled on a HelixNet Remote station if you wish to conserve system
resources on a large system. When disabled, program/audio will not be available to the remote
station.
To configure the audio settings for the program/audio in:

1. In Menu mode, select Audio Settings and then PGM/Audio In.

2. To disable/enable program audio:

a. From the third menu, select Mode.

b. From the fourth menu, scroll to Disabled and select it by pushing the rotary controller

c. To re-enable program/audio, scroll to Enabled and select it by pushing the rotary

controller.

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3. To edit the label for this input:

a. From the third menu, select Label.

b. From the fourth menu, select the existing label by scrolling to it and pushing the rotary
controller. Edit the label by rotating the controller to scroll through letters and digits and
pushing to select a letter/digit.

c. When you have done, scroll to Save and push the rotary controller. To exit without saving
changes, go back to the third screen.

3. To select the gain:

a. From the third menu, select Gain.

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

n + 12dB

n + 6dB

n 0dB (default)

n - 6dB

n - 12dB

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

4. To select the IFB dim level:

a. From the third menu, select IFB Dim Level.

Note: The IFB Dim Level determines the volume level the Program Level is reduced
to when it is interrupted by the IFB.

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

l IFB Disabled (default)

l - 6dB

l -12dB

l -18dB

l -24dB

l Full Cut

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

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5. The GPO trigger activates a relay when receiving audio in above the VOX level on a Partyline
Channel. You can enable or disable the GPO trigger.

a. In Menu mode, select Audio Settings and then Program Input.

b. From the third menu, select GPO Trigger.

c. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

n Enabled (default)

n Disabled

d. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

Note: You can also configure the GPO trigger using Menu Mode > Modules
Settings.

6. To select the VOX:

a. From the third menu, select VOX.

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

n Enabled

n Disabled (default)

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

7. To select the VOX Off Delay:

a. From the third menu, select VOX Off Delay.

b. From the fourth menus, select one of the following:

n .5 sec (default)

n 1 sec

n 2 sec

n 3 sec

n 4 sec

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

6.1.4 Audio Settings for the SA (Stage Announce) Output/4-Wire Out

On remote stations, SA can be disabled from channel assignment. Once SA is assigned to a
channel it becomes a resource consuming output. Not putting SA into channels will conserve
system resources.

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To configure the settings for the SA output:

1. In Menu mode, select Audio Settings and then SA/Audio out.

2. To select the mode:

a. From the third menu, select Mode.

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

n Channel Assigned (default). When this option is selected, SA will be available to

channels.

n SA. When this option is selected, SA will only be available to the SA output on the rear
of the remote station.

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

3. To select the gain:

a. From the third menu, select Gain.

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

n +12dB

n +6dB

n 0dB (default)

n -6dB

n -12dB

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

4. The Program Output setting enables the program to be delivered to this output if it is assigned
to a Channel that also has another program feed assigned. To select the program output:

a. From the third menu, select Program Output.

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

n Unmute (default)

n Mute

n [SA Mode]

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

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5. To associate any available Channel (or to disable Channels associations) with the selected
port:

a. From the third menu, select Channel Assign.

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

n Disabled (default)

n Channel 1

n Channel 2

n Channel 3

n Channel 4

n …

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

6.1.5 Audio Settings for Hot Mic Output

To configure the audio settings for the Hot Mic Output, see Audio settings for the Hot Mic Output.
Note: This does not apply to the Remote Station in expansion mode.

6.1.6 Audio Settings for the Front Panel

To configure the audio settings for the Front Panel, see Audio settings for the Front Panel.
Note: This does not apply to the Remote Station in expansion panel mode.

6.2 Selecting Station Settings

6.2.1 Setting Preferences
To set the Preferences:

1. In Menu mode, select Station Settings and then Preferences.

2. You will see Roles in the third screen.

3. From the fourth screen, select the required Role. Select Local config if you do not wish to use
a Role.

6.2.2 Setting Keyset Assignments

To configure the Keyset Assignments settings, see Audio settings for the headset.

6.2.3 Setting Key Latching

To configure the key latching settings, see Setting key latching.

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6.2.4 Settings the RMK (Remote Mic Kill) Key

To configure the RMK settings, see Setting the RMK (Remote Mic Kill) key.
Note: This does not apply to the Remote Station in expansion panel mode.

6.2.5 Setting Display Screen Brightness

To configure the display screen brightness, see Setting display screen brightness.

6.2.6 Setting Key Brightness

To configure the key brightness settings, see Setting key brightness.

6.2.7 Setting the Screensaver

To configure the screensaver settings, see Setting the screensaver.

6.3 Configuring the Channel settings

6.3.1 Editing the Channel label
To edit the Channel label, see Editing the Channel label.

6.3.2 Assigning the Program Listen to a Channel

To assign the program listen to a Channel, see Assigning the Program Listen to a Channel.

6.3.3 Assigning a GPO Relay to a Channel

You can assign a relay that is triggered on receiving a call or detecting a talk on a Partyline
Channel. See Assigning a GPO relay to a Channel.

6.4 Configuring the Control I/O

The Control I/O connector on the rear panel allows you to connect one relay output or one opto
input and control them through the Remote Station keysets:

I/O Description
type

Opto Opto inputs enable you to connect a foot switch or other control device and use it to
inputs trigger Call or Talk functions. Selecting the 'mic' option here allows the user to utilize a
footswitch to enable talking to the pre-latched channels on the user station - hands
free.

Relay Relay outputs enable you to use Call or Talk keys to trigger any external device that
outputs accepts a standard contact closure (such as a theater curtain or an On Air light).

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6.4.1 Configuring Opto Inputs

To configure the Control I/O for the Opto input:

1. In Menu mode, select Control I/O.

2. From the second menu, select Inputs.

3. From the third menu, select Opto 1

4. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

l None (default)

l Call Key 1

l Talk Key 1

l Call Key 2

l Talk Key 2

l Call Key 3

l Talk Key 3

l Call Key 4

l Talk Key 4

l Mic

Note: The number of the key relates to the keyset to which it belongs (for example,
Call Key 1 is the Call key for the first keyset / display screen).

5. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

6.4.2 Configuring the Relay Output

To configure the Control I/O for the Relay output:

1. In Menu mode, select Control I/O.

2. From the second menu, select Outputs.

3. From the third menu, select Relay 1

4. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

l None (default)

l Call Key 1

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l Talk Key 1

l Call Key 2

l Talk Key 2

l Call Key 3

l Talk Key 3

l Call Key 4

l Talk Key 4

l SA Key

Note: The number of the key relates to the keyset to which it belongs (for example,
Call Key 1 is the Call key for the first keyset / display screen).

5. To confirm the selected setting, press the rotary control.

6.5 Connecting the Remote Station to a Main Station using LAN

To connect the Remote Station to a Main Station:

1. Ensure that the Remote Station is physically connected to the Main Station.

2. In Menu mode, select Networking, and then Pair to Station.

3. From the third menu, select the Station ID to connect to.

To set the preferences:

1. In Menu mode, select Networking, and then Preferences.

From the third menu, select DHCP.

a. Select one of the following:

n Enabled (default)

n Disabled

2. From the third menu, select IP Address, and enter the correct IP address.

3. From the third menu, select Gateway, and enter the correct gateway address.

4. From the third menu, select Subnet Mask, and enter the correct subnet mask.

6.6 Networking
In Menu mode > Networking, you can:

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l See networking settings including Hostname, DHCP, IP address, subnet mask and
gateway.

l Pair to a Main Station.

l Set the expansion mode for your device.

6.6.1 Viewing Network Preferences

To view network preferences:

1. In Menu mode, select Networking > Preferences

You can view the following:

l Hostname

l DHCP enabled or disabled

l IP address

l Subnet Mask

l Gateway

6.6.2 Pairing to a Main Station

To pair to a Main Station:

1. In Menu mode, select Networking > Pair to Station.

2. Select By Name or By Address.

6.6.3 Using Expansion Mode

To enable your Remote Station as a host in expansion mode, or to expand to another device:

1. In Menu mode, select Networking > Expansion Mode.

2. Select Host or Expand to Host.

6.7 Administration
In Menu mode > Administration, you can:

l View the current versions of the software for the system.

l Update the software (firmware).

l Reset the Remote Station to the default (factory mode) settings.

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l Manually reboot the Remote Station.

l Save and Restore the software settings.

6.7.1 Viewing the Current Versions of the Software

To view the current versions of the software on the Remote Station:

1. In Menu mode, select Administration and then Software.

2. From the third menu, select Current.

3. In the fourth menu, use the rotary control to scroll the displayed software versions. The
software versions for the HelixNet system and Remote Station are shown.

6.7.2 Updating the Software

Software can be updated from a Main Station or locally in the USB connector on the front of a
Remote Station. Updating from the Main Station is recommended when possible.
To update the software:

1. After downloading the software update, copy the update to a USB memory stick.

2. Insert the memory stick into the USB connector.

3. In Menu mode, select Administration and then Software.

4. From the third menu, select Update.

5. The fourth menu displays the new software version information on the USB memory stick. To
start updating the Main Station with the new software, press the rotary control.
The process of updating the software takes several minutes. The following system messages are
displayed during the process:

Loading image

Erasing flash

Writing to flash

Verifying flash

Successful

Do not turn off the power to the Remote Station during the software (firmware) update.
Turning off the power can damage the device.
Notes: Do not remove the USB memory stick from the Main Station or Remote Station until the
software update is completed.
The Remote Station resets automatically. You are not required to restart the Remote

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Do not turn off the power to the Remote Station during the software (firmware) update.
Turning off the power can damage the device.
Station. To check that the software upgrade was performed successfully, see Viewing the
current versions of the software.

6.7.3 Resetting the Remote Station to Default Settings

To reset the Remote Station to its default (factory mode) settings:

1. In Menu mode, select Administration and then Reset.

2. The third menu displays a selected menu item: Reset to Default.

3. In the fourth menu, select Reset Now.

6.7.4 Manually Rebooting the Remote Station

To manually reboot the Remote Station:

1. In Menu mode, select Administration and then Reset.

2. The third menu select Reboot.

3. In the fourth menu, select Reboot Now.

When the rotary control is pressed, the display changes to Rebooting … for 2 seconds, and then
the Remote Station reboots.

6.7.5 Saving and Restoring the Software Settings

To save or restore the software settings:

1. In Menu mode, select Administration and then Settings.

2. To save, in the third menu, select Save. Once you select Save you should not remove the
USB stick right away. Depending on the USB stick it might take up to 5 seconds to complete.

a. In the fourth menu, select either saving to a USB stick or saving locally.

3. To restore, in the third menu, select Restore.

a. In the fourth menu, select either restoring from a USB stick or restoring from a list of files.

6.8 Diagnostics
The Diagnostics menus help you to monitor the performance of the Remote Station and diagnose
possible system issues.

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6.8.1 Viewing Powerline Information and Status

To view line information and status:

1. In Menu mode, select Diagnostics and then Powerlines.

2. From the third menu, select Powerline 1.

3. The fourth menu displays the status and other measures / information for the powerline. The
status of the powerline is either OK [operating normally], Busy or Error.

For more details of the information displayed, see Menu maps.

Note: Powerline status is also indicated by the powerline LEDS on the front panel.

Green LED = OK

Amber LED = Busy

Red LED = Error

For more information about powerline diagnostics, see Troubleshooting.

6.8.2 Viewing Network Information

To view network status information:

1. In Menu mode, select Diagnostics and then Network.

2. To view status information about the powerline:

a. From the third menu, select Powerline.

b. On the fourth menu, the IP address is given.

3. To view status information about the Ethernet:

a. From the third menu, select Ethernet.

b. On the fourth menu, the IP address is given.

6.8.3 Viewing Keyset Information

To view information about the keysets:

1. In Menu mode, select Diagnostics and then Keysets.

2. From the third menu, select a keyset from 1 to 4.

3. The fourth menu displays the following status information:

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l Name – The Channel name

l Talkers – The number of talkers on the Partyline

l Main Stations – The number of Main Stations listening

l Beltpacks – The number of beltpacks listening on the Partyline

l Remote – The number of Remote Stations listening

l Speaker – The number of Speaker Stations listening

l 2-Wire – The number of 2-wire ports listening

l 4-Wire – The number of 4-wire ports listening

6.9 Setting up a Key Expansion Group

See Setting up a key Expansion Group.

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7 Configuring and managing the Speaker Station from front

menus
This section describes how to configure the settings and manage the Speaker Station using Menu
mode. It also shows you how to monitor and diagnose performance issues, using the Diagnostics
menus.
Tip: For a quick reference to the Speaker Station menus, see Menu maps.
For general information about using the menus and configuring settings, see Using the Menus.
There is a next and a back activated by pressing the rotary encoders (right one for next, left one for
back). There are two levels of the menu, one on the left screen and one on the right. Next and back
shifts the menu by one level down or up.

7.1 Using the Menus

To place the Speaker Station in Menu mode, press the Menu key. The Speaker Station menus
appear in the display screens.

Notes: The Speaker Station menu comes up in the Roles menu by default.
If Menu mode is locked, you must unlock the menus from CCM before you can enter the
menu. See Administration.

7.1.1 Configuring Settings

To configure settings:

1. For each menu, turn the rotary control to scroll the menu items. Turn the rotary control:

l Counter-clockwise to scroll up the menu items.

l Clockwise to scroll down the menu items.

To return to the previous level of menu, press the left-hand rotary key.
To go to the next level of menu, press the right-hand rotary key.
Selected menu items are highlighted in solid yellow.

2. When you have selected a setting, press the right-hand rotary key to enable the setting on the
Speaker Station.

7.1.2 Exiting Menu Mode

To exit Menu mode do either of the following:
Press the Menu key.

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Wait until Menu mode times out. If you fail to press any key on the Speaker Station for 20 seconds,
the display screen reverts to showing the standard Channel information.

7.2 Configuring the Audio settings

7.2.1 Audio settings for the headset
To configure the audio settings for the headset, see Audio settings for the headset.

7.2.2 Audio Settings for the Microphone

To configure the audio settings for the microphone, see Audio settings for the microphone.

7.2.3 Audio Settings for the Front Panel

To configure the audio settings for the front panel, see Audio settings for the Front Panel.

7.3 Station Settings

7.3.1 Setting Keyset Assignments
To configure the Keyset Assignments settings, see Setting Keyset Assignments.

7.3.2 Setting key latching

To configure key latching, see Setting key latching.
You can also configure key latching so that the Talk keys automatically unlatch whenever the Shift
key is pressed. To do so:

1. In Menu mode, select Station Settings and then Keysets.

2. From the third menu, select Unlatch on Shift.

3. From the fourth menu select:

l Enabled (default)

l Disabled

7.3.3 Setting display screen brightness

To configure display screen brightness, see Setting display screen brightness.

7.3.4 Setting key brightness

To configure key brightness, see Setting key brightness.

7.3.5 Setting the screensaver

To configure the screensaver, see Setting the screensaver.

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7.4 Connecting the Speaker Station to a Main Station

To connect the Speaker Station to a Main Station, see Connecting the Remote.

7.5 Networking
In Menu mode > Networking, you can:

l See networking settings including DHCP, IP address, subnet mask and gateway.

l Pair to a Main Station.

7.5.1 Viewing Network Preferences

To view network preferences:

1. In Menu mode, select Networking > Preferences

You can view the following:

l DHCP enabled or disabled

l IP address

l Subnet Mask

l Gateway

7.5.2 Pairing to a Main Station

To pair to a Main Station:

1. In Menu mode, select Networking > Pair to Station.

2. Select By Name or By IP Address.

7.6 Administration
7.6.1 Viewing the current versions of the software
To view the current version of the software, see Viewing the current versions of the software.

7.6.2 Updating the Software

To update the software, see Updating the software.

Note: You can only update the Speaker Station software from the Main Station.

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7.6.3 Resetting the Speaker Station to Default (Factory Mode) settings.

To reset the Speaker Station to its default (factory mode) settings see:

1. In Menu mode, select Administration and then Reset.

2. The third menu displays a selected menu item: Reset to Default.

3. In the fourth menu, select Reset Now.

7.7 Diagnostics
7.7.1 Viewing network information
To view network information, see Viewing network information.

7.7.2 Viewing Keysets Information

To view key sets information, see Viewing keyset information.

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8 Configuring and managing the beltpacks from front menus

This section describes how to configure the settings and manage the beltpacks using Menu mode.
It also shows you how to monitor and diagnose performance issues, using the Diagnostics
menus.
Tip: For a quick reference to the Main Station menus, see Menu maps.

8.1 Using the Menus

To place the beltpack in Menu mode, press the Menu key on the top of the beltpack.

Notes The Beltpack menu shows the Roles menu by default.

:
If Menu mode is locked on the beltpack, you must unlock the menus from CCM before you
can enter the menu. See Administration.

To enter the menu mode from the Roles screen, press the left hand Call button.

8.1.1 Configuring settings

To configure settings:

1. For each menu, turn either of the side-mounted rotary controls to scroll the menu items. Turn
the rotary control:

l Counter-clockwise to scroll up the menu items.

l Clockwise to scroll down the menu items.

Off-screen menu items are indicated with arrows at the top and / or bottom of the display screen.
Back (with an arrow pointing left) indicates a previous level of menu.
To return to the previous level of menu, press the left-hand Call key.
An arrow pointing right indicates another level of menu under that menu item.
To go to the next level of menu, press the right-hand Call key.
Selected menu items are highlighted in solid yellow.

2. The final level of menu (the second or third display screen) displays the settings that relate to
your previous menu choices (system features or functionality).
The current setting is indicated by a dotted box around the menu item
When you have selected a setting, press the right-hand Call key to enable the setting on the Main
Station.

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8.1.2 Exiting Menu mode

To exit Menu mode on the beltpack, do either of the following:
Press the Menu key.
Wait until Menu mode times out. If you fail to press any key on the beltpack for 20 seconds, the
display screen reverts to showing the standard Channel information.

8.2 Configuring the Role Settings

To configure the Role settings for the headset

1. In Menu mode press the left-hand Call Key and then select Roles.

2. Select the required Role.

3. To confirm the selected setting, press the right-hand Call key.

4. The beltpack applies the setting and reverts to the standard display screen.

8.2.1 Viewing Hostname

The hostname (the unique name given to any device on a network) of your beltpack can be seen in
the Roles section of the menu.
To view the hostname for your beltpack:

1. In Menu mode press the left-hand Call Key and then select Roles.

2. The device’s hostname can be seen at the top of the list of available Roles.

Note: You cannot change the hostname from this screen. The hostname for beltpacks must be
changed from the browser-based Core configuration Manager (the CCM). From the
Overview page of the CCM, click on any device image to access configuration details for
that device’s hostname.

8.3 Configuring the Audio Settings

To configure the audio settings for the headset:

1. In Menu mode press the left-hand Call Key and then select Audio Settings.

2. To adjust sidetone gain on the headset:

a. Select Sidetone Gain.

b. Select one of the following:

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n 0dB

n - 6dB

n -12dB (default)

n -18dB

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the right-hand Call key.

Go back to the previous menu level by pressing the left-hand Call key.

3. To limit the maximum audio level that can be delivered to the headphones:

a. Select Headphone Limit.

b. Select one of the following:

n Off

n +6dB

n 0dB (default)

n - 6dB

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the right-hand Call key.

Note: When Headphone Limit is set to anything except Off, a LIM indication will show
up at the top right of the display.

Go back to the previous menu level by pressing the left-hand Call key.

4. Sidetone tracking means that the sidetone level varies according to the main volume level. To
set (or disable) sidetone tracking on the headset:

a. Select Sidetone Control.

b. Select one of the following:

n Tracking (default)

n Non-Tracking

n Disabled

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the right-hand Call key.

Go back to the previous menu level by pressing the left-hand Call key.

5. To set the type of mic on the headset:

a. Select HS Mic Type.

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b. Select either of the following types of mic.

n Electret (-15 dB)

n Dynamic (0 dB) (default)

n Dynamic (low). This setting corresponds to -10 dB gain on HBP-2X and -15 dB gain on
HXII-BP-X4.
Note: In electret mode, phantom power is provided for an electret mic. In dynamic
mode, no phantom power is provided. Mic input levels are also adjusted between the
different modes to suit the different mic types.

c. To confirm the selected setting, press the right-hand Call key.

8.4 Audio Settings for the Microphone

To configure the audio settings for the microphone:

1. In Menu mode, select Audio Settings.

Note: The Headroom setting is only available on the HBP-2X Beltpack

2. To select the Headroom:

a. From the third menu, select Headroom.

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

n Normal (default)

n High

3. To enable or disable the Contour Filter:

a. From the third menu, select Contour Filter

b. From the fourth menu, select one of the following:

n Enabled

n Disabled (default)

8.5 Configuring the beltpack Settings

In Menu mode > Beltpack Settings, you can:

l Assign Channels to the left and right beltpack keysets (set of controls).

l Enable (or disable) Talk key latching.

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l Enable (or disable) beltpack vibration when a call signal is received.

l Enable (or disable) the USB flasher mode for the beltpack.

l Tip: For a quick reference to the keysets on the beltpack, see HBP-2X user controls (front
and side view) or HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack user controls (top view).

8.5.1 Assigning Channels

You can assign any two available Channels to the beltpack (including the same Channel to both
keysets).
To assign a Channel:

1. In Beltpack Settings select Left Channel or Right Channel.

2. Select one of the available Channels (or none):

3. To confirm the selected setting, press the right-hand Call key.

8.5.2 Setting Talk Key Latching

To enable (or disable) Talk key latching:

1. In Beltpack Settings select Right Talk Latch or Left Talk Latch

2. Select one of the following:

l Latching (default)

l Non-Latching

l Disabled

Note: The setting applies to both Channels on the beltpack.

3. To confirm the selected setting, press the right-hand Call key.

8.5.3 Setting USB Flasher Mode

To enable (or disable) USB Flasher mode

1. In Beltpack Settings select either Left Keyset or Right Keyset

2. Select USB Flasher

3. Select one of the following:

l Disabled (default)

l Blinking

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l Solid

4. To confirm the selected setting, press the right-hand Call key.

8.5.4 Setting the Beltpack to Vibrate When Called

To enable (or disable) vibration when a Call signal is received:

1. In Beltpack Settings select Vibrate on Call.

2. Select one of the following:

l On

l Off (default)

3. To confirm the selected setting, press the right-hand Call key.

8.6 Configuring the Display Settings

In Menu mode > Display Settings, you can:

l Set the brightness of the display screen.

l Set the brightness of the Talk and Call keys.

l Enable (or disable) the screensaver.

l Rotate the display.

8.6.1 Setting Display Screen Brightness

By default, the display screen is set to medium brightness. To set the brightness of the display
screen:

1. In Menu mode, press the left-hand Call Key and then select Display Settings.

2. Select OLED Brightness.

3. Select one of the following:

l High

l Medium (default)

l Low

4. To confirm the selected setting, press the right-hand Call key.

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8.6.2 Setting the Brightness of the Talk and Call Keys

By default, the Talk and Call keys are lit when active (on) and dim when inactive (off) (High /
Low).
To set the brightness of the Talk and Call keys:

1. In Menu mode, press the left-hand Call Key and then select Display Settings.

2. Select Key Brightness.

3. Select one of the following brightness settings:

Key(s) Description

High / Low Keys are brightly lit when active (on) and dim when inactive (off).
(default)

High / Off Keys are lit when active (on) and are unlit when inactive (off).

Low / Off Keys are lit dim when active (on) and are unlit when inactive (off).

Off / Off Keys are unlit, whether or not they are active (on) or inactive (off).

4. To confirm the selected setting, press the right-hand Call key.

8.6.3 Set Rotate Display

You can set the beltpack display to rotate according to its physical position.

1. In Menu mode, press the left-hand Call Key and then select Display Settings.

2. Select Rotate Display.

3. Select one of the following:

l Enabled

l Disabled (default)

8.6.4 Setting the Screensaver

The screensaver is displayed on screen after 10 minutes of inactivity on the beltpack. To enable
(or disable) the screensaver:

1. In Menu mode, press the left-hand Call Key and then select Display Settings.

2. Select Screensaver.

3. Select one of the following:

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l Channel Name (default)

l Hostname

l Role Name

l Blank

l Disabled

4. To confirm the selected setting, press the right-hand Call key.

8.7 Network - Powerline

Note: This section applies only to the HBP-2X Beltpack and the HXII-BP-X4 when powered by
powerline.

In Menu mode > Network, you can view the IP address of the beltpack:

1. In Menu mode, press the left-hand Call Key and then select Network.

8.8 Network - Ethernet

Note: This section applies only to the HXII-BP-X4 when powered over Ethernet.

In Menu mode > Networking, you can:

l See networking settings including DHCP, IP address, subnet mask and gateway.

l Pair to a Main Station.

8.8.1 Viewing Network Preferences

To view network preferences:

1. In Menu mode, select Networking > Preferences

You can view the following:

l DHCP enabled or disabled

l IP address

l Subnet Mask

l Gateway

8.8.2 Pairing to a Main Station

To pair to a Main Station:

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1. In Menu mode, select Networking > Pair to Station.

Select By Name or By IP Address.

8.9 Administration
In Menu mode > Administration, you can:

l View the current version of the software on the beltpack.

l Reset the beltpack to default (factory mode) settings.

l The beltpacks receive updated (default) Channel label information. Other local beltpack
settings will not be reset if the Main Station is reset to default settings.

8.9.1 To View the Current Version of the Software on the Beltpack:

1. In Menu mode, press the left-hand Call Key and then select Administration.

2. Select Software Version.

3. The current version of the software is displayed. The software version information will appear
similar to the following example:

npl-x.x.xx.xxxx, uboot

Where x is a numerical value.

8.9.2 Resetting the Beltpack to Default (Factory Mode) Settings

To reset the beltpack to default (factory mode) settings:

1. In Menu mode, press the left-hand Call Key and then select Administration.

2. Select Reset to Default.

3. Reset Now is displayed (shown as selected). To reset the beltpack, press the right-hand Call
key.
Note: Resetting the beltpack to default (factory mode) settings will delete any IP settings, and
remove the pairing with the Main Station.

8.10 Diagnostics
The Diagnostics menus help you to monitor the performance of the beltpack and diagnose
possible system issues.

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8.10.1 Viewing Information About the Hardware (Main PCB) on the Beltpack
To view information about the Part, Revision and Serial number of the main PCB on the
beltpack:

1. In Menu mode, press the left-hand Call Key and then select Diagnostics.

2. Select Hardware > Main PCB.

The Part, Revision and Serial number for the PCB are displayed. The format is
similar to the following:

Part xxxxxxx
Revision: x
Serial: x

Where x is a numerical value.

8.10.2 Viewing Powerline Information and Status

To view powerline information and status:

1. In Menu mode, press the left-hand Call Key and then select Diagnostics.

2. Select Powerline.

The status and other powerline information are displayed. For more information, see
Menu maps.

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9 Using the Main Station/Remote Station

This section describes how to use the Main Station/Remote Station, after your HelixNet Partyline
system has been installed and configured.
For more information about integrating and using HelixNet Partyline with your existing intercom
infrastructure, see Installing HelixNet Partyline.
Tip: For a quick reference to the functionality of the HMS-4X Main Station, the optional interface
modules and the beltpacks, see Panels and Interfaces.

9.1 Using the Gooseneck Mic, Loudspeaker and Headset

To use a gooseneck mic to talk to connected intercom users, devices (including beltpacks) and
systems:

1. Connect the gooseneck mic, using the gooseneck mic connector (3-pin female Tuchel
connector) on the left of the front panel.

Note: For the location of the gooseneck mic connector, see C in Main
Station/Remote Station: Front .

2. To talk to other intercom users and devices:

a. Press the appropriate Talk key

When the mic (gooseneck or headset) is live, the Mic On key is activated
automatically.

b. Speak into the mic.

Use the front panel loudspeaker to listen to connected intercom users, devices and the Program
Feed.
To adjust the volume level:

3. Adjust the volume of all incoming audio by turning the loudspeaker rotary control [Main],
located to the left of the loudspeaker.

Adjust the volume of the Program Feed in relation to the overall volume level by
turning the auxiliary loudspeaker rotary control [Prog], located to the right of the
loudspeaker. The Prog volume control is subordinate to the Main volume control.

To increase the volume level, turn the rotary control(s) clockwise. To decrease the
volume level, turn the rotary control(s) counter-clockwise.

Note: When you connect a headset, incoming audio is routed to the headset instead

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of the loudspeaker.

Note: You can mute the speaker by pressing the rotary control.

As you increase or decrease the volume, the level control LEDs pass through a range
of indicator colors:

LED color Volume level

Green Low
Amber/Green Low/Medium
Amber Medium
Red/Amber Medium/High
Red High

To use a headset to talk and listen to connected intercom users, devices and systems:

1. Connect the headset, using the headset connector (4-pin XLR–M) on the far left of the front
panel.

The Headset key is automatically activated. Incoming audio is routed to the headset
instead of the loudspeaker.

Note: For the location of the headset connector and the headset key, see B & E in
Main Station/Remote Station: Front.

To configure audio settings for the headset, see Audio settings for the headset.

2. To talk to other intercom users and devices:

a. Press the appropriate Talk key.

When the microphone (gooseneck or headset) is live, the Mic On key is activated
automatically.

b. Speak into the microphone.

3. To adjust the volume level of incoming audio to the headset..

a. Adjust the volume of all incoming audio by turning the loudspeaker rotary control [Main].
The control is located to the left of the loudspeaker.

a. Adjust the volume of the Program Feed in relation to the overall volume level by turning
the auxiliary loudspeaker rotary control [Prog. The control is located to the right of the
loudspeaker.
The Prog volume control is subordinate to the Main volume control.

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9.1.1 Switching between the headset mic and the gooseneck mic
When both a Headset microphone and a gooseneck microphone are connected, press the
Headset key to activate the headset mic.
Press the Headset key again to switch to the gooseneck mic (and deactivate the headset mic).
Tip: To find out more about Clear-Com accessories, including headsets and gooseneck
microphones, see http://www.clearcom.com/product/accessories.

9.2 Entering and Exiting Menu Mode

9.2.1 Use Menu mode to:
Configure the settings for the Main/Remote Station, including Channel and audio settings.
Administrate the system, monitor system performance and diagnose system issues.
Perform software updates.
In Menu mode, the display screens display the four levels of menu. The menu hierarchy proceeds
left to right:
The top level menu is presented in the first screen (furthest left on the front panel).
The lowest level menu is presented in the fourth screen (furthest right on the front panel).
To place the Main/Remote Station in Menu mode, press the Menu key to the left of the first (left)
display screen. To exit Menu mode, do either of the following:
Press the Menu key again.
Wait until Menu mode times out. If you fail to press any key on the front panel for 20 seconds, the
display screens revert to showing the standard Channel information, see (link…)

9.3 Using the Channel Keysets

A keyset (set of controls) is located next to each of the four display screens. In operating mode,
each keyset is dedicated to the control of one of the four assigned intercom Channels. For details
of the standard on screen information for each Channel, see table in Main Station/Remote
Channel keyset and display.

Note: To change (edit) the Channel label (name), see Editing the Channel label.
The display screens enters screensaver mode (if enabled) if the Main/Remote Station
remains inactive for 10 minutes. Press any key to leave screensaver mode.

To send a call signal to all the connected devices on that Channel, press the Call key.
To talk to the all the devices on that Channel:

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1. Press the Talk key. When the gooseneck or headset mic is live, the Mic On key is activated
automatically.

2. Speak into the headset or gooseneck mic (see also (link…)

To adjust the volume of incoming audio per channel, turn the rotary control. Turn the rotary
control clockwise to increase the volume, and counter-clockwise to decrease volume. The current
volume level is shown on screen.
To mute incoming audio per channel, press the rotary control. The display screen displays the
muted volume bar.
To unmute incoming audio (restoring the audio to its previous volume level), press the rotary
control again.

Note: In Menu mode, the rotary control for each Channel keyset is used to scroll and select
menu items. For more information, see Editing the Channel label.

9.4 Using the All Talk Key

To talk to all connected intercom users, devices and systems, excluding the SA (Stage
Announce) facility:

1. Press the All Talk key to the right of the fourth (last) display screen.

Talk keys for all Channels are activated automatically.

When the mic (gooseneck or headset) is live, the Mic On key is also activated
automatically.

2. Speak into the headset or gooseneck mic - see also Using the gooseneck mic, loudspeaker
and headset.

Note: All Channels will enable you to talk to 12 (or 24, according to license) Channels. Visible
Channels will enable you to talk to the four visible Channels.

9.5 Using the SA [Stage Announce] key

Use the SA [Stage Announce] key to speak to an attached SA or Public Address system
(sometimes simply a loudspeaker within the studio, theater or event area).To make a studio /
public announcement:

1. Press the SA key to the right of the fourth (last) display screen.

When the mic (gooseneck or headset) is live, the Mic On key is also activated
automatically.

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2. Speak into the headset or gooseneck mic - see also Using the gooseneck mic, loudspeaker
and headset.

9.6 Using the RMK [Remote Mic Kill] Key

Use the RMK [Remote Mic Kill] key to:
Send a message to all connected HelixNet Partyline devices to deselect any latched (active) Talk
keys.
Turn off any latched Talk keys on connected analog Partyline beltpacks and stations.

Note: The OPT key can be used in HelixNet 3.0 and above. The Remote Station must have a
Role selected to use this function. To enable the key, navigate to the Roles page in the
CCM, the browser-based configuration tool served by your device.

To enable the OPT (RMK) key on a Remote Station:

1. Input the IP address of your device into the URL field on a browser. The IP address is found in
the 4th screen on the front of your device: MENU > Networking > Preferences > IP address.

2. This takes you to the Overview page in the Core Configuration Manager (CCM). Navigate to
Roles > Remote Station > Role > Station > OPT (RMK) Key in the CCM and select the
option by clicking on it.
For CCM username and password see CCM password.

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3. Select required option: All Channels to activate RMK on 12 or 24 Channels, Visible

Channels to activate RMK on the Channels visible on your device only, or Disabled (default
setting).
Enabling this option in the CCM takes effect immediately on your system, provided the Role is
selected on your device. For more information on Roles see (link...)

Note: All Channels will turn off Talk keys on 12 (or 24 according to license) Channels. Visible
Channels will turn of Talk keys on the four Channels you can see on the front of the

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device.

9.7 Line 1 and 2 LEDs

Note: This section only applies to the HelixNet Main Station.
The beltpacks, Remote Stations and Speaker Stations are connected by one of the two lines to
the Main Station.
The color of the Line 1 and Line 2 LEDs to the left of the front panel loudspeaker indicate the
service status of each powerline:
Green LED = OK
Amber LED = Busy
Red LED = Error
For more information:
About the service status of Lines 1 and 2, see Viewing powerline information and status.
About monitoring system performance and diagnosing system issues on the Main Station, see
Diagnostics.

9.8 Line and LAN LEDs

Note: This section only applies to the HelixNet Remote Station and Speaker Station.

The Remote Station has a line LED that indicates the status of a powerline connection to the Main
Station. The LAN LED indicates the status of the Ethernet connection, if present.
The color of the Line and LAN LEDs to the left of the front panel loudspeaker indicate the service
status:
Green LED = OK
Amber LED = Busy
Red LED = Error

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10 Using the Speaker Station

This section describes how to use the Speaker Station, after your HelixNet Partyline system has
been installed and configured.
For more information about integrating and using HelixNet Partyline with your existing intercom
infrastructure, see Installing HelixNet Partyline.

10.1 Using the gooseneck mic, loudspeaker and headset

To use a gooseneck mic to talk to connected intercom users, devices (including beltpacks) and
systems:

1. Connect the gooseneck mic, using the gooseneck mic connector (3-pin female Tuchel
connector) on the left of the front panel.

Note: For the location of the gooseneck mic connector, see Speaker Station.

2. To talk to other intercom users and devices:

a. Press the Talk Key.

When the mic (gooseneck or headset) is live, the Mic key is activated
automatically.

b. Speak into the microphone.

Use the front panel loudspeaker to listen to connected intercom users, devices and
the Program Feed.

To adjust the volume level:

3. Adjust the volume of all incoming audio by turning the loudspeaker rotary control [Main],
located in the center of the panel.

To increase the volume level, turn the rotary control(s) clockwise. To decrease the
volume level, turn the rotary control(s) counter-clockwise.

Note: When you connect a headset, incoming audio is routed to the headset instead
of the loudspeaker.

Note: You can mute the speaker by pressing the rotary control.

As you increase or decrease the volume, the level control LED passes through a
range of indicator colors.

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LED color Volume level

Green Low

Amber/Green Low/Medium

Amber Medium

Red/Amber Medium/High

Red High

To use a headset to talk and listen to connected intercom users, devices and systems:

1. Connect the headset, using the headset connector (4-pin XLR–M) on the far left of the front
panel.

The Headset key is automatically activated. Incoming audio is routed to the headset
instead of the loudspeaker.

Note: For the location of the headset connector and the headset key, see Speaker
Station.

To configure audio settings for the headset, see Audio settings for the headset.

2. To talk to other intercom users and devices:

a. Press the appropriate Talk key.

When the microphone (gooseneck or headset) is live, the Mic key is activated
automatically.

b. Speak into the microphone.

3. To adjust the volume level of incoming audio to the headset:

a. Adjust the volume of all incoming audio by turning the loudspeaker rotary control [Main].
The control is located to the left of the loudspeaker.

b. Adjust the volume of the Program Feed using the PGM Trim Pot.

10.1.1 Switching Between the Headset Mic and the Gooseneck Mic
When both a Headset microphone and a gooseneck microphone are connected, press the
Headset key to activate the headset microphone, and press the Mic key to activate the
microphone.

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Tip: To find out more about Clear-Com accessories, including headsets and gooseneck
microphones, see http://www.clearcom.com/product/accessories.

10.2 Entering and exiting Menu Mode

Use Menu mode to:
Configure the settings for the Speaker Station, including Channel and audio settings.
Administrate the system, monitor system performance and diagnose system issues.
In Menu mode, the display screens show two out of four levels of menu. The menu hierarchy
proceeds left to right:
The top level menu is presented in the first screen (left on the front panel).
The second level menu is presented in the second screen (right on the front panel).
Note: Press the right-hand rotary control to shift to the next menu level.
To place the Speaker Station in Menu mode, press the Menu key to the left of the first (left)
display screen. To exit Menu mode, do either of the following:
Press the Menu key again.
Wait until Menu mode times out. If you fail to press any key on the front panel for 20 seconds, the
display screens revert to showing the standard Channel information:

l Channel label (name).

l Listen (volume) level.

Tip: For more detailed information about using the Speaker Station menus, see Configuring and
managing the Main Station from device menus.
This section describes how to use the Speaker Station, after your HelixNet Partyline system has
been installed and configured.
For more information about integrating and using HelixNet Partyline with your existing intercom
infrastructure, see Installing HelixNet Partyline.
Tip: For a quick reference to the functionality of the Speaker Station, the optional interface
modules and the , see Panels and Interfaces.

10.3 Using the Channel Keysets

A keyset (set of controls) is located next to each of the two display screens. In operating mode,
each keyset is dedicated to the control of one of the four assigned intercom Channels. You can
also use the shift key to switch to the other channels configured on keysets 3-4. For details of the
standard on screen information for each Channel, see Speaker Station front panel function
buttons.

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Note: To change (edit) the Channel label (name), see Configuring the Channel settings.The
display screens enters screensaver mode (if enabled) if the Main Station remains inactive
for 10 minutes. Press any key to leave screensaver mode.

To send a call signal to all the connected devices on that Channel, press the Call key.
To talk to all the devices on that Channel:

1. Press the Talk key. When the gooseneck or headset mic is live, the Mic On key is activated
automatically.

2. Speak into the headset or gooseneck mic - see also Using the gooseneck mic, loudspeaker
and headset.
To adjust the volume of incoming audio, turn the rotary control. Turn the rotary control clockwise
to increase the volume, and counter-clockwise to decrease volume. The current volume level is
shown on screen.
To mute incoming audio, press the rotary control. The display screen displays the muted volume
bar.
To unmute incoming audio (restoring the audio to its previous volume level), press the rotary
control again.

Note: In Menu mode, the rotary control for each Channel keyset is used to scroll and select
menu items. For more information, see Using the Menus.

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11 Using the HBP-2X Beltpack

This section describes how to use the HBP-2X Beltpack, after your HelixNet Partyline system has
been installed and configured.
For more information about integrating and using HelixNet Partyline with your existing intercom
infrastructure, see Connecting to other Intercom Systems.
Tip: For a quick reference to the functionality of the HBP-2X Beltpack, the HMS-4X Main Station,
and the optional interface modules, see Panels and Interfaces.

11.1 Using the Beltpack Keysets

The HBP-2X Beltpack supports two Partyline Channels, with a separate keyset (set of controls)
dedicated to the control of each Channel:
The left-hand keyset controls the first (top) Channel displayed on screen.
The right-hand keyset controls the second (bottom) Channel displayed on screen.
For details of the standard on screen information for each Channel, see Main Station/Remote
Channel keyset and display.

Note: For more information about using the beltpack in Menu mode, see Configuring and
managing the beltpacks from front menus.

The display screens enter screensaver mode (if enabled) if the beltpack remains inactive for a
period of time. Press any key to exit screensaver mode.
To send a call signal to all the connected devices (beltpacks and Main Station) on that Channel,
press the Call key.
To talk to all the devices connected to the Channel:

1. Connect a headset, using the 4-pin XLR–M connector on the base / rear of the beltpack.
Note: .

Note: For the location of the headset connector and the headset key, see E in HBP-2X
connectors and controls (rear view).

2. Press the Talk key.

3. Speak into the headset mic.

To adjust the volume of incoming audio for a Channel, turn the appropriate side-mounted rotary
control.
Turn the rotary control clockwise to increase the volume, and counter-clockwise to decrease
volume. The current volume level for the Channel is shown on screen.

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11.2 Entering and Exiting Menu Mode

Use Menu mode to:
Configure the settings for the Beltpack, including Channel and audio settings.
Monitor beltpack performance and diagnose issues.
To enter Menu mode, press the Menu key. To exit Menu mode, press the Menu key again.
For more information about using Menu mode on the beltpack, see Configuring and
managing the beltpacks from front menus. For information on changing the beltpack IP
address, see Change the IP address of a HelixNet device from the front menu screens.

11.3 Adjusting the Program Feed Volume Level

To adjust the listen level (volume) of the Program Feed to the beltpack, turn the rear / base rotary
control.
Turn upwards to increase the listen level (volume), and downwards to decrease the listen level
(volume).
While the listen level is adjusted, the listen level for the Program Feed replaces the standard
Channel information on screen.
The Main Station is used to assign the Program Feed to Channels. For more information, see
Assigning the Program Listen to a Channel.

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12 Using the HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack

This section describes how to use the HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack, after your HelixNet Partyline system
has been installed and configured.
For more information about integrating and using HelixNet Partyline with your existing intercom
infrastructure, see Connecting to other Intercom Systems.
Tip: For a quick reference to the functionality of the HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack, the HMS-4X Main
Station, and the optional interface modules, see Panels and Interfaces.

12.1 Using the Beltpack Keysets

The HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack supports two Partyline Channels, with a separate keyset (set of
controls) dedicated to the control of each Channel:
The left-hand keyset controls the first (top) Channel displayed on screen.
The right-hand keyset controls the second (bottom) Channel displayed on screen.
For details of the standard on screen information for each Channel, see Main Station/Remote
Channel keyset and display.

Note: For more information about using the beltpack in Menu mode, see Configuring and
managing the beltpacks from front menus

The display screens enter screensaver mode (if enabled) if the beltpack remains inactive for a
period of time. Press any key to exit screensaver mode.
To send a call signal to all the connected devices (beltpacks and Main Station) on that Channel,
press the Call key.
To talk to all the devices connected to the Channel:

1. Connect a headset, using the 4-pin XLR–M connector on the base / rear of the beltpack.

Note: For the location of the headset connector and the headset key, see D in
HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack (base view).

2. Press the Talk key.

3. Speak into the headset mic.

To adjust the volume of incoming audio for a Channel, turn the appropriate side-mounted rotary
control.
Turn the rotary control clockwise to increase the volume, and counter-clockwise to decrease
volume. The current volume level for the Channel is shown on screen.

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12.2 Entering and Exiting Menu Mode

Use Menu mode to:
Configure the settings for the Beltpack, including Channel and audio settings.
Monitor beltpack performance and diagnose issues.
To enter Menu mode, press the Menu key. To exit Menu mode, press the Menu key again.
For more information about using Menu mode on the beltpack, see Configuring and
managing the beltpacks from front menus.
For information on changing the beltpack IP address, see Change the IP address of a
HelixNet device from the front menu screens

12.3 Adjusting the Program Feed Volume Level

To adjust the listen level (volume) of the Program Feed to the beltpack, use the up and down
controls on the front of the beltpack. See HXII BP X4 Beltpack.
Use the up arrow control to increase the listen level (volume), and use the down arrow control to
decrease the listen level (volume).
While the listen level is adjusted, the listen level for the Program Feed replaces the standard
Channel information on screen.
The Main Station is used to assign the Program Feed to Channels. For more information, see
Assigning the Program Listen to a Channel.

12.4 Binaural Audio

The HXII-BP-X5 beltpack with 5-pin headset connector has a binaural audio adjustment for the
left and right earphone. This means that you can separately adjust the audio volume level in the left
and right earphone. To adjust the left or right hand earphone volume:

1. Press the OPT button on the beltpack.

2. Use the left and right rotary controllers to balance the volume of the left and right channels
respectively. Turn the rotary control clockwise to balance the volume to the right ear, and
counter-clockwise to balance the volume to the left ear. The current balance level for each
Channel is shown on screen.

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13 Roles

13.1 Roles overview

A Role is a pre-set configuration that includes Channel assignment, audio settings, IFBs, relays
etc. Each HelixNet device has a default Role that can be used as it is or modified to fit
requirements. Each Role can be given a name (a label) that corresponds to a common user
workflow, such as producer, director, A1, etc.
When adding new Roles, you will modify an existing template, using either the default Role for that
device, or another Role that you have already made. Default Roles can be modified but not
deleted or loaded to devices, you will always work with a copy. Default Roles can be returned to
factory settings if required.
To use Roles, you must have HelixNet 3.0 or above installed on your Main Stations.
Roles are created and edited in the Core Configuration Manager (CCM) and are a feature of
HelixNet 3.0 and above. Once created in the Roles page, a Role will be available for selection
from any device which is connected to your HelixNet system. Roles can be configured for:
Main Stations
Remote Stations
Speaker Stations
Beltpacks.
Roles can be created, cloned, edited and deleted in the Roles page.
Each device has a set of configuration options relevant to that unit. Configurable details include
keysets, audio settings, program feeds and relays.
Note: A Role can be selected by many devices.
Roles can be created in the CCM at any time, but to use the Roles, devices must be connected to
your system (for more information, see Linking Main Stations (cabling and linking from device
menus).
To create and use Roles

1. Open the CCM by typing the Main Station’s IP into the URL field of a browser.

2. For username and password see: CCM password.

3. Go to the Roles page in the CCM by clicking on the Roles button in the top navigation bar.

4. Add or clone a Role or Roles.

5. Configure Role parameters (you can use editable default settings).

6. Select a Role from the device panel menus and load that Role to the device.

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Once a role has been selected on a device, this role will persist over power cycles until a new role
is selected or the device is returned to factory settings.
Each device has the ability to operate a configuration local to that device (local config), or a
selected role that can be pre-configured in the CCM.
If a Role is edited in the device menus rather than the CCM, these changes will be reflected in the
CCM. The latest configuration change, whether this is made in the CCM or from the device will
dominate, neither interface has precedence.

Roles contain Roles do NOT contain

Audio settings Network settings (IP address, DHCP etc.)

Keyset Assignment Pairing information (HKB and HRM over IP)

Station settings Linking information (Link Master/Link Member)

Program feed assignment Expansion information (Host/Expanded panel)

GPIO configuration 2W/4W module assignment

13.2 Example Roles Set Up

The following tables give an example of how roles could be set up in a working scenario.

Device type Device hostname Roles available for Role selected by

selection device

Main Station main_station_1 Local config Director 1

Director 1

Director 2

Sound booth

main_station_2 Local config Sound booth

Director 1

Director 2

Sound booth

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Roles available for Role selected by

Device type Device hostname
selection device

Remote Station remote_station_1 Local config Green room

Green room

Roles available for Role selected by

Device type Device hostname
selection device

Speaker Station speaker_station_1 Local config Local config

None configured

Roles available for Role selected by

Device type Device hostname
selection device

Belt pack HBP-2X xxxxxxxxx Local config Lighting 1

Lighting 1

Lighting 2

Sound 1

Sound 2

HXII-BP-X4
Local config Lighting 1
xxxxxxxxx

Lighting 1

Lighting 2

Sound 1

Sound 2

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Note: A Role can be selected by many devices

For more detail on setting up Roles see Using the CCM to configure Roles.

Note: Program input feeds are an exception in this screen, they will always be associated with a
device rather than a Role.

13.3 Device Default Roles

Each device type has a default configuration which can be edited and/or cloned, but not deleted.
When creating new Roles you will always use an existing Role as a template. The default Role is
editable, so you can create Roles based on a default Role edited to reflect your system
requirements.
If you edit the default Role of any device, this configuration will persist until the device is returned to
factory settings in the General > Maintenance page of the CCM.

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13.4 To Select a Role for a Device

Select a role for a device from the display panels on that device. Go to Menu > Station Settings >
Preferences > Roles to select a role.

1. On the device, press the MENU button to enter menu mode.

2. For each menu, turn the rotary control clockwise to scroll down the menu items. Turn counter
clockwise to scroll up the menu items.

Off-screen menu items are indicated by arrows at the top and/or bottom of the
screen.

Selected menu items (which create your path through the four menus) are
highlighted in solid yellow.

The current setting is indicated by a dotted box around the menu item

3. When you have selected a setting by rotating the right-hand rotary control, press that rotary
control to enable the setting on the Main Station.
Beltpacks will display a Role selection screen when first powered up. Simply select the required
Role.
For more information, see Using the Menus.

13.5 Creating and Editing Roles in the CCM

Use the ADD button to create a new role with a new label based on a default template. This is the
easiest way to create roles quickly with different labels, for example Camera, Sound, Production
and so on.
Use the CLONE button to copy an existing Role. This is the easiest way to create copies of Roles
with the same label (appended by one), for example Camera1, Camera2, Camera3 and so on.

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1. Navigate to the Roles page in the CCM. When creating Roles you will always use an existing
Role as a template.

2. Click ADD.

An overlay screen will appear on the page.

3. From the left of the screen, select the HelixNet device type you require. Give the device a
name in the Label field. Select a template Role from the drop-down box.

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4. Click Add. This creates a new role which you will see on the left side of the page under device
type.

5. To edit a Role, click on it on the left side of the page so it has an orange highlight. Then access
configuration parameters on the center right of the page.
Note: Roles can be deleted in this page. You cannot delete the default Role

13.6 Roles (System Limits)

A HelixNet Link Group has a hard limit of 100 Roles. This includes default Roles.

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14 Core Configuration Manager (CCM)

You can configure and control HelixNet units from the web-based Core Configuration Manager.
This includes:
Linking Main Stations
Configuring of audio and signalization routing throughout the HelixNet Link-Group:

l Creating configuration Roles for HelixNet devices (Main Stations, Remote Stations,
Speaker Stations and beltpacks)

l Assigning Roles to devices

l Saving and changing configuration Roles for devices

System monitoring and control. The CCM provides a real-time visual representation of your
working intercom system on the Assignments page.
Access to device control menus can be restricted from the CCM.
Upgrading units.

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Note: You can also configure and control HelixNet units using the front panel menu interfaces
on each unit. See:
Configuring and managing the Main Station from front menus
Configuring and managing the Remote Station from front menus
Configuring and managing the Speaker Station from front menus
Configuring and managing the beltpacks from front menus
Using the HBP-2X Beltpack
Using the HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack
Note: Some functionality (for example, creating Roles) is only available from the CCM.

14.1 Access the CCM

To access the Core Configuration Manager (CCM), enter the IP address of the HelixNet Main
Station, as displayed on the front panel, into the URL field of your browser. If the unit is reachable
over your network, this will take you to the Overview page of the CCM that is served by the unit.

14.1.1 CCM Password

CCM username: admin
CCM password:
The default unique password is based on the device serial number. To find the default password
navigate to: Front panel menu>Networking>CCM Access>Default password [unique
password].
The default unique password is available in the front panel menu of the device UNTIL you change
it in the CCM. If you change the password it is no longer available in the front panel menus. If you
lose the password you need to reset it from the front panel menu in order to gain access to the
CCM.

Change the CCM password from the default setting:

In the CCM, navigate to: Device>General>Change password.

Reset the CCM password from the front panel menus

Press the menu button on the main station. Navigate to: Administration>CCM Access>Reset
CCM Password.
Once you have reset the password, it is available for you to view under Networking in the front
panel menu.

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14.2 Minimum Requirements for the CCM

The CCM is supported on the latest versions of all major web browsers including Google Chrome,
Safari, Firefox, Internet Explorer.

Note: Any IP connectivity in HelixNet requires an Ethernet module in the Main Station.

14.3 Overview Page

Note: There is a navigation bar at the top of the page: Overview, Device, Roles Assignments
and Accounts.

As HelixNet Main Stations are added to the group, they appear in this screen. To access the
configuration and control options for any one of the units in the group, click on the device within the
Overview page. Linked units can be configured either from the host device, or by proxy from this
screen.
In this page, Devices, in the upper part of the screen represents the linked Main Stations.
Endpoints, in the lower part of the screen, are the devices which are paired or powerlined to the

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Main Stations. For example, these could be Remote Stations, Speaker Stations and Beltpacks. In
this screen, clicking on a Main Station image will offer comprehensive configuration options.
Clicking on an Endpoint allows you to change its name or Role and to reboot or reset to default.
There is also a troubleshooting option. Click on device images to explore configuration options
available for different devices on this page.
There is a system resource meter on the Main Station device icon.

Note: The Home button takes you to the General page of the Main Station your browser is
connected to (the host device) which has an orange highlight.

Main Station device image shows:

Hostname

Model

IP address (orange highlight if this is the device

your browser is pointing to, the host device)

Modules installed on Main Station

System resource meter

Endpoint device image shows:

Hostname

Selected Role

Model

Main Station the device is connected to.

14.4 Device Page

From the Device page of a Main Station, you can access general functions relating to the device
your browser is pointing to (the host device) and also link devices.
There are four buttons in the left margin, below the device image; General, Linking, Network and
Ports. Click on a button to access a configuration page.

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14.5 General Page

14.5.1 Changing a device hostname from the Device page
To change a device name, click on the existing name and enter a new one. Either press the
<ENTER> key or click the blue check mark to apply changes.
When using hostnames, it is advisable to follow the usual conventions for giving labels to devices
used in electronic communication. For instance; do not use spaces, do not rely on case sensitivity,
and make the name meaningful in a way appropriate to the context. This field can be up to 14
characters.

14.5.2 License
Your HelixNet Main Station arrives with a license for 12 Channels. To increase capacity to 24
Channels, please contact your Clear-Com dealer. You will need to provide your system ID, listed
in this section of the CCM. When you receive a license code from them, input it here to increase
available Channels. Each linked device must be licensed from the home page of the host device,
units cannot be licensed by proxy.
In a Link Group, each device must be licensed. If one unit has only 12 Channels and the rest have
24, the whole group will use only 12 Channels by default.
The device system ID can also be found in the device menus screens
(Administration/License/Current).

14.5.3 Upgrade (Firmware)

Note: HelixNet linking must be reconfigured after an upgrade from a previous HelixNet version.

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To upgrade your device, you must import the upgrade file provided by Clear-Com. You will do this
on this page. A linked HelixNet Main Station must be upgraded from the host device (the device
that the browser is currently addressing). The units cannot be upgraded by proxy.
Upgrading to HelixNet 3.1 or later requires the following upgrade files:
A .cbb file that covers HMS-4X and all other HelixNet devices except for the HXII-BP.
A ubifs.gz that covers the HXII-BP.

Note: When upgrading your Main Station, any units connected to it (Remote Stations,
Speaker Stations and beltpacks) will also be upgraded. Please make sure you wait until
total upgrade is complete. Only the Computer to HelixNet Main Station transfer is
shown in this screen. Please check progress of additional devices on the device menu
screens. Connectivity during upgrade will be sluggish. DO NOT POWER CYCLE the
device during upgrade.
Note: All devices in a Link-Group MUST be running the same version of the software.
Note: As part of your system housekeeping, you MUST make a new configuration backup file
when you upgrade your system. The old configuration file will not work on the upgraded
system.

1. Navigate to Home > General in the CCM.

2. Expand the Upgrade option (click on ‘+’).

3. Click Select File and navigate to the upgrade file (.gz extension). Select the upgrade file to
upload it.

4. When the upgrade file is loaded, Upgrade will light up. When this happens, click on it to
upgrade. When the upgrade is finished, the unit will reboot by itself.

14.5.4 Change Password

Change the password to the Core Configuration Manager local to that device.

14.5.5 Maintenance
Reset the unit to factory settings, or reboot the system.

Note: In this context, Reset to Default will erase all Role and Channel information. Channels
will return to Channel ‘n’ where ‘n’ is 1 to 24. Roles will revert to factory default settings

To reset Hostname, network, linking, pairing and expansion settings use the device front panel
menus. See Resetting the Main Station to default (factory mode) settings.

Note: If the device is a Link-Master it will also erase the Roles of any linked devices.

Please be sure to save any Role configurations you wish to keep before using Reset to
Default.

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Support Info provides a ‘snapshot’ of the device’s operational information for troubleshooting
purposes. A file containing Support Info can be sent to Clear-Com engineers or help desk to aid
diagnosis of problems.

14.5.6 Synchronize Timestamps

The Sync Time feature synchronizes the time clock on the Main Station with the clock on the
computer. This time is retained by the Main Station, synchronized, and distributed to all the
endpoints supported by the Main Station.
Note: Clear-Com recommends that you sync time before taking support information.
Note: Expected system battery life: 10 years.

Sync timestamps from the Core Configuration Manager (CCM)

In the CCM navigate to: Device > General > Maintenance > Sync Clock.

14.6 Save/Restore System Settings

This is where you will save your configuration to an external storage device. Clicking the green
Save All button will cause a backup file to be saved to the download directory. From there it can
be renamed and saved as required.

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When restoring configuration from an external file, clicking on the red Restore Channels / Roles
button will allow you to navigate to the location of the saved file. The file has a .cca extension.
Select the file to restore it. If the restore is successful you will see a ‘successfully restored’
message.
Save All Saves your whole configuration; Main Station, Remote Stations, Speaker Stations,
roles/Channel names to the USB for future use. This option also saves 2-wire and 4-wire port
settings and assignment. Network settings (including Linking and Expansion) are NOT saved.
Restore Roles / Channels will restore Channel names and role configuration only.
To Restore All you must use the Main Station front panel menus. See Saving and Restoring the
Software Settings on page 100for details.

14.7 Linking Page

This is where the linking mode of the HelixNet Main Station is set to either Link-Master or, if
connecting to a Link-Group, Link-Member. When linking a Link-Member to a Link-Master you will
provide the device with the Link-Master IP or Hostname in this page. If you wish to re-configure a
Link-Group, you will change the link status of the device in this page, which will have the effect of
removing it from the group.

Note: A device’s Hostname is available in the General page of the CCM

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For more information about Linking see Linking in the Core Configuration Manager (CCM).

14.8 Network Page

This is where you configure LAN/WAN connectivity mode. Choose between static and DHCP.

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Note: The HelixNet units will operate in link-local mode, but for optimum performance it is
recommended that they are used with either static or DHCP network settings. In link-local,
the address will change each time the device reboots resulting in potential loss of
connection to endpoints

For more information, see Network Structure.

14.9 Ports Page

This is where the audio ports settings are configured.

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14.9.1 Editing Module Slots 1–3

Module slots 1 – 3 in the CCM correspond to the modules installed on the back of your Main
Station. If module configuration in the CCM does not match what is on the device, a warning
message will be given in the CCM.
For each module, chose between 3 types:

l None/Ethernet/Fiber

l 2-wire

l 4-wire

None/Ethernet/Fiber
There are no configuration options associated with this module type.

2-wire
For each XLR port (A & B) configure the following to connect 2 audio Channels to analogue
Partylines:

Setting Options

Label Use to give the port a meaningful name

Channel Assignment Choose one from total Channels (12 or 24 depending on license)

Program Output Mute (default)

Unmute

Mode Clear-Com (default)

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Setting Options

RTS 2-pin
RTS 3-pin

Input Gain -3 dB – 3 dB (default = 0)

Output Gain -3 dB – 3 dB (default = 0)

RMK Input Enabled (default)

Disabled

RMK Output Enabled (default)

Disabled

VOX Enabled (default)

Disabled

VOX Off Delay 0.5 s (default) – 4.0 s

GPO Trigger Enabled (default)

Disabled

Auto-Nulling Start or Stop

4-wire
For each RJ45 port (A & B) configure the following to connect two Channels to an Eclipse Matrix
or any 4-Wire device.

Setting Options

Label Use to give the port a meaningful name

Channel Assignment Choose one from total Channels (12 or 24 depending on license)

Program Output Mute (default)

Unmute

Input Gain -3 dB – 3 dB (default = 0)

Output Gain -3 dB – 3 dB (default = 0)

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Setting Options

VOX Enabled
Disabled (default)

VOX Off Delay 0.5 s (default) – 4.0 s

GPO Trigger Enabled

Disabled (default)

14.10 Roles Page

To access the Roles page, select Roles from the top navigation bar. On this page you will create,
delete, clone and edit Roles.
Roles available for editing, cloning and configuration are in the left margin of the page. Role
parameters available for configuration are on the right of the page.
To create a Role , click the device type you require on the left hand side of the page (Main Station,
Remote Station, Speaker Station or beltpack), choose a template (in the first instance this will be
the Default role for that device) and click ‘ADD’.
To edit a Role click on the required Role in the left of the page. When it is selected for editing, it will
have an orange highlight.
Note: Changes made to Roles here are live.

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14.10.1 Audio Assignment

In HelixNet 3.0 or later, audio assignment is achieved in the Roles page. You will assign audio to a
Channel on a Keyset. For a description of a Keyset (available on the front panel of all devices) see
Main Station Remote. A Main Station, a Remote Station and a Speaker Station have 4 Keysets on
each device. Beltpacks have two Keysets on each device (beltpacks can also have many
Channels stacked on one key).

14.11 Assignments Page

The Assignments page has three main functions in HelixNet 4.0. From this page in the CCM you
can:
Change Channel names
See a real-time, visual representation of devices and Roles in use. Any changes to the
configuration are reflected immediately in this page and the working system.
Add or remove Helixnet ports and LQ ports in and out of Helixnet channels.

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This page toggles between Hostname view and Roles view.

14.11.1 Hostname View

A Hostname is the name given to a physical device in the system, and is the label used for network
communication. Main Station Hostnames can be changed in the Home page of the CCM. See
Device page. Other device Hostnames (Endpoints) can be changed from the Overview page.
Click on any device image to select it.
Program inputs, 2W ports, 4W ports and SA Audio Output are displayed with a default label that
can be changed from the Roles Page.

14.11.2 Roles View

Roles view indicates the configuration details of Roles selected on devices. Roles view changes
as different configurations are selected and loaded. Program inputs, 2W ports, 4W ports and SA
Audio Output are displayed with a default label that can be changed from the Roles Page.

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14.11.3 Channels
Any audio routed through the HelixNet system is contained within a Channel. Channels operate
as virtual Partylines; audio sources assigned to a Channel will be able to talk and listen to all other
sources assigned to the same Channel. You can use the + button to add ports to a channel.

14.11.4 To Rename a Channel

1. In the Assignments page, click on the blue Channel name to select it

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2. Enter the new name.

3. Click the blue check mark or <Enter> to submit change.

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15 Using the CCM to configure Roles

15.1 Editing Main Station roles

You can edit any Main Station Role including default Roles in the CCM.

15.2 Editing the Keyset

Each device has four Keysets, one for each Channel. The Keyset is used to control the Channel.
You can configure:
Which Channel is assigned to the Keyset
If the Talk key on the Keyset is latching or non-latching

1. From the drop-down list of Roles, select the Role you wish to edit.

2. Select Keyset.

3. Select the key you wish to edit (Channel 1, 2, 3, or 4).

4. To assign a different Channel to the key, click Key Assignment.

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5. Select the Channel you require, and then click Done.

6. To configure Talk key operation, click Talk Key, and select Latching (default), Non-Latching
or Disabled.

7. Repeat the above steps for each Keyset.

15.3 Editing the Station

1. From the top left of the Roles screen, select Main Station (HMS).

2. From the drop-down list of roles, select the role you wish to edit.

3. Select Station.
You can configure the following:

Setting Options

Description Enter station description

Display Brightness Low

Medium (default)
High

Key Brightness High/Low. The default setting. Keys are lit bright when active and lit
dim when inactive.
High/Off. Keys are lit bright when active and are unlit when inactive.
Low/Off. Keys are lit dim when active and are unlit when inactive.
Off/Off. Keys are unlit, whether or not they are active or inactive.

Screensaver Channel Name (default)

Hostname
Role Name
Blank
Disabled

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Setting Options

RMK Key (Remote Visible Channels(default)/All Channels/Disabled

Microphone Kill) “Visible Channels” will select Channels visible on device Keysets.
“All Channels” will select all Channels available on the device; 12 or
24.

Menu Access Enabled (default)

Disabled

All Talk key talks to Visible Channels(default)/All Channels

“Visible Channels” will talk to Channels visible on device Keysets.
“All Channels” will talk to all Channels available on the device (12 or
24 depending on your license).

4. For each setting, select the option you require.

15.4 Editing the Headset

1. From the top left of the Roles screen, select Main Station (HMS).

2. From the drop-down list of roles, select the role you wish to edit.

3. Select Headset.
You can configure the following:

Setting Options

Sidetone Gain Adjust slider control from -18dB to 0dB (Default -12dB)

Headphone Gain 0db (default) to 12dB

Headphone Limit Off

+6dB
0dB (default)
-6dB

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Setting Options

Sidetone Control Tracking (default)

Non-Tracking
Disabled

HS Mic Type Electret(-15dB)

Dynamic (0dB) (default)
Dynamic (low)

4. For each setting, select the option you require.

15.5 Editing the Microphone

1. From the top left of the Roles screen, select Main Station (HMS).

2. From the drop-down list of roles, select the role you wish to edit.

3. Select Microphone.
You can configure the following:

Setting Options

Headroom Normal (default)

High

Contour Filter Enabled

Disabled (default)

4. For each setting, select the option you require.

15.6 Editing the Program Input

1. From the top left of the Roles screen, select Main Station (HMS).

2. From the drop-down list of roles, select the role you wish to edit.

3. Select Program Input.

You can configure the following:

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Setting Options

Label Use to give the program input a meaningful name

Gain Adjust slider control from -12dB to 12dB (Default 0dB)

VOX Disabled (Default)/Enabled

VOX Off Delay 0.5s (Default) – 4 s

IFB Dim Level IFB Disabled

-6 dB
-12 dB
-18 dB
-24 dB
Full Cut

Channel Assignment Select a Channel from the list of Channels.

GPO trigger Enabled/Disabled (Default)

4. For each setting, select the option you require.

Note: When assigning a program input to a Channel in the CCM, the system assumes that
program input is associated with a device. This will be reflected in the Assignments page
in the CCM, where a program input is assigned to a Channel, the device hostname
rather and the Role name will be visible in Roles view
Note: When controlling an IFB dim level on a Program Input you must edit the Role for the
device the Program Input comes in on. For instance, if the Program Input is attached to
the Main Station, you will edit the Role for that Main Station and this will control the dim
level on Remotes, Speaker Stations and beltpacks connected to the Main Station

15.7 Editing the Stage Announce Output

1. From the top left of the Roles screen, select Main Station (HMS).

2. From the drop-down list of roles, select the role you wish to edit.

3. Select Stage Announce Output.

You can configure the following:

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Setting Options

Label Give the output port a meaningful name

Gain Adjust slider control from -12dB to 12dB (Default 0dB)

Mode Channel Assign/SA. Selecting SA means that the audio

feed is only available to the SA output port on the rear of the
Remote Station and is not available to place in channels.
This option is selected if you are trying to conserve system
resources, as the audio feed, once placed in a channel, will
consume resources.

SA Button Latching/Non-Latching (default)

4. For each setting, select the option you require.

15.8 Editing the Hot Mic Output

1. From the top left of the Roles screen, select Main Station (HMS).

2. From the drop-down list of roles, select the role you wish to edit.

3. Select Hot Mic Output.

You can configure the following:

Setting Options

Gain Adjust slider control from -12dB to 12dB (Default 0dB)

4. For each setting, select the option you require.

15.9 Editing the Loudspeaker

1. From the top left of the Roles screen, select Main Station (HMS).

2. From the drop-down list of roles, select the role you wish to edit.

3. Select Loudspeaker.
You can configure the following:

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Setting Options

Dim 0 dB (default)
-3 dB
-6 dB
-12 dB
-24 dB

4. For each setting, select the option you require.

15.10 General Purpose Input (GPI) and General Purpose Output

(GPO) Triggers
The GPIs and GPOs can be used to link the system to an external appliance.
The GPI (Opto) enables a Talk or Call button press on any one of the 4 keysets local to the
selected device to be triggered by an external appliance (such as a foot pedal). This option can
also be used to open the mic on the Main Station. You can use the 'mic open GPI' to talk to one or
more pre-latched channels hands-free.
The GPO (Relay), sends a signal to an external appliance (such as a light switch) that is triggered
from the 4 local keysets or (in contrast to the GPO) a signal that is not local to the selected device.
A GPO can be triggered by:
Talk or Call button press from any Channel on the system
A call signal
Detection of audio of any kind on a Channel (VOX).
Note: A GPO Trigger initiated by a Program Audio Input VOX can on only be assigned to a GPO on the
same device.

15.10.1 Editing the GPI (Opto)

1. From the top left of the Roles screen, select Main Station (HMS).

2. From the drop-down list of roles, select the role you wish to edit.

3. Select GPI (Opto).

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4. For each GPI select the local keyset (1 – 4) and you wish to activate (Talk or Call). If you wish
to open the microphone, select Mic.

15.10.2 Editing the GPO (Relay)

1. From the top left of the Roles screen, select Main Station (HMS).

2. From the drop-down list of roles, select the role you wish to edit.

3. Select GPO (Relay).

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4. For each GPO, select the signal(s) that you wish to trigger the external appliance, Local Key
Assignment, Detection of Talk from any device and/or Detection of Call from any device.

5. Select the Channel you require then click Done.

15.11 Editing Remote Station roles

15.11.1 Editing the Keyset
See Editing the keyset.

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15.11.2 Editing the Station

1. From the drop-down list of roles, select the role you wish to edit.

2. Select Station.
You can configure the following:

Setting Options

Description Enter station description

Display Low
Brightness Medium (default)
High

Key Brightness High/Low. The default setting. Keys are lit bright when active and lit dim
when inactive.
High/Off. Keys are lit bright when active and are unlit when inactive.
Low/Off. Keys are lit dim when active and are unlit when inactive.
Off/Off. Keys are unlit, whether or not they are active or inactive.

Screensaver Channel Name (default)

Hostname
Role Name
Blank
Disabled

OPT (RMK) Key Disabled (Default)/All Channels/Visible Channels. This option allows you to
enable RMK on remote stations. See

Menu Access Enabled (default)

Disabled

All Talk key talks

Visible Channels (Default)/All Channels
to:

3. For each setting, select the option you require.

Note: Each device has the capacity for either 12 or 24 Channels (depending on license). These
will all be enabled if you choose ‘All Channels’. “Visible Channels” enables only those
Channels selected and visible on device Keysets

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Editing the Headset

See Editing the headset.

Editing the Microphone

See Editing the microphone.

Editing the Program Input/Audio In

Program Audio on the Remote Station

Enabled/Disabled. If Disabled, the program feed is not

available to the Remote Station. This option is used if you
PGM Enabled wish to conserve system resources. A program feed, once
placed in a channel, becomes a resource consuming
output.

Select a Channel from the list of Channels. This option is

Channel Assignment only available if the program feed is enabled on the Remote
Station (PGM Enabled).

See Editing the program input/audio

Editing the Stage Announce Output/Audio Out

See Editing the stage announce output/audio out.

Editing the Hot Mic Output

See Editing the hot mic output

Editing the Loudspeaker

See Editing the loudspeaker

Editing the GPI (Opto)

See Editing the GPI (Opto)

15.12 Editing Speaker Station roles

15.12.1 Editing the Keyset
See Editing the keyset

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15.12.2 Editing the Station

1. From the drop-down list of roles, select the role you wish to edit.

2. Select Station.
You can configure the following:

Setting Options

Description Enter station description

Display Low
Brightness Medium (default)
High

Key Brightness High/Low. The default setting. Keys are lit bright when active and lit dim
when inactive.
High/Off. Keys are lit bright when active and are unlit when inactive.
Low/Off. Keys are lit dim when active and are unlit when inactive.
Off/Off. Keys are unlit, whether or not they are active or inactive.

Screensaver Channel Name (default)

Hostname
Role Name
Blank
Disabled

Menu Access Enabled (default)

Disabled

Unlatch on Shift Enabled (default)

Disabled

3. For each setting, select the option you require.

Editing the Headset

See Editing the Headset.

Editing the Microphone

See Editing the Microphone.

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Editing the Loudspeaker

See Editing the Loudspeaker.

15.13 Editing the beltpack roles

15.13.1 Editing the Keyset
Each beltpack has two keysets, one for each selected Channel. The keyset is used to control the
Channel. You can configure:
Whether the talk keys are stacked
Which Channel is assigned to the keyset
If the Talk key on the keyset is latching or non-latching

1. From the top left of the Roles screen, select Beltpack (HBP).

2. From the drop-down list of roles, select the role you wish to edit.

3. Select Keyset.

4. Select the key you wish to edit.

5. To set a key as stacked, select the Stacked Key checkbox. For detail on setting stacked keys
see Configure a stacked key on a beltpack using the CCM.

6. To assign a different Channel to the key, click Key Assignment.

7. Select the Channel you require, and then click Done.

8. To configure Talk key operation, click Talk Key, and select Latching (default), Non-Latching
or Disabled.

9. Repeat the above steps for each keyset.

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10. Set USB Flasher Mode (default Disabled). For more detail on USB flasher functionality see
Call a beltpack using the USB flasher feature

15.13.2 Editing the General Settings

1. From the drop-down list of roles, select the role you wish to edit.

2. Select Station.
You can configure the following:

Setting Options

Description Enter station description

Display Low
Brightness Medium (default)
High

Key Brightness High/Low. The default setting. Keys are lit bright when active and lit dim
when inactive.
High/Off. Keys are lit bright when active and are unlit when inactive.
Low/Off. Keys are lit dim when active and are unlit when inactive.
Off/Off. Keys are unlit, whether or not they are active or inactive.

Vibrate on Call Enabled

Disabled (default)

Rotate Display Enabled

Disabled (default)

Screensaver Channel Name (default)

Hostname
Role Name
Blank
Disabled

Menu Access Enabled (default)

Disabled

3. For each setting, select the option you require.

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Editing the Headset

See Editing the headset.

Editing the Microphone

See Editing the microphone.

15.14 Configure a Stacked Key on a Beltpack using the CCM

You can configure stacked keys on a beltpack, putting two or more Channels on the same key.
This enables the beltpack user to talk and listen to two groups simultaneously. Pressing the Talk or
Call button on the beltpack will initiate a talk or call to all the Channels on the stacked key. If any
Channel user activates a call to the beltpack, the Call label will flash and vibrate if enabled.
Beltpack stacked keys can only be configured through the Core Configuration Manager (CCM).
To configure a stacked key on a beltpack:

1. Navigate to Roles >Beltpack (HBP) > Role > Keysets and select the Channel Tab you wish
to stack a key on.

2. Click the Stacked Key checkbox. This automatically unassigns any Channels already on this
Keyset.

3. Click Key Assignment

4. Select all the Channels you wish to assign to the Keyset. Click Done. The Channels will be
stacked on the Keyset.

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5. Set the Talk Key as required.

15.15 Call a Beltpack Using the USB Flasher Feature

To use this feature you will need a USB-powered light and a micro-to-type A USB adapter.

1. Set the USB flasher functionality in the beltpack Role.

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2. Call the beltpack and see the light flashing.

15.16 Disable Menu Access on any Device from the CCM

You can disable menu access to any device, from a Main Station to a Beltpack, in the Roles page.

1. Navigate to Roles > Device > Role > Station > Menu Access

2. Select required access mode. <Enter> to select option.

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16 Linking in the Core Configuration Manager (CCM)

Main Stations can be linked from the CCM. Each Main Station has 12 Channels with the option of
licensing 12 more (24 in total). When linking Main Stations, Channels with the same number are
merged together into one Channel. Linking Main Stations will also have the effect of increasing
your I/O and device module options (more beltpacks and a larger area covered).

Note: Linked Main Stations should have the same amount of licensed Channels. If you link a 24
Channel device to a 12 Channel device the system will default to 12 Channels only. To
buy a license for more Channels see License.

Main Stations can still be linked from the device menus. See Linking Main Stations (cabling and
linking from device menus)

16.1 A HelixNet Link-Group Overview

A HelixNet Link-Group can contain up to six Main Stations.
A Link-Group must have one device designated as Link-Master.
The Link-Group performs a “best effort” approach to creating a mesh network between all the
devices within the group.

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16.1.1 The Link-Master

The Link-Master designation serves three main purposes:

1. It facilitates Link-Group membership.

2. It is the owner of configured Role information, meaning that Roles will only persist (be
maintained consistently) if the Link-Master is operational.

3. It is responsible for the synchronization and distribution of both configuration (Roles) and
device availability status throughout the Link-Group.

Notes: Clear-Com recommends that the IP address of the Link-Master is allocated statically.
When allocated by DHCP, the IP address can change. If this happens the Link-Members
will no longer be able to reach the Link-Master device, and Role information may not be
persisted.
Any device can be set to Link-Master or Link-Member. The default setting for HelixNet
linking mode is Link Disabled.
Linked Main Stations need 2–5 Mbps of bandwidth

16.1.2 The Link-Members

HelixNet devices that are not identified as master will have the designation of Link-Member.
Joining a device to a Link-Group requires that device to be set to Link-Member which will prompt
the user to enter the IP address of the Link-Master.

16.2 Device Configuration in the CCM

Note: Any IP connectivity requires an Ethernet or Fiber module fitted to the Main Station.

Once the units have joined a Link-Group, the devices can be configured either directly or by proxy.
The host device is the unit which a browser is currently directed to.
The Home button will always take you to the host device’s configuration page.
Proxy configuration can be accomplished by clicking on any device within the Overview page.

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Note: The host device will always have an orange highlight in the CCM.

16.3 Linking Main Stations in the CCM

Main Stations to be linked in the CCM should first be connected by LAN to the same network and
able to see each other.
In order to create a Link-Group in the CCM, you must designate one unit as Link-Master. The
other units are designated Link-Member and are joined to the Master via the Master’s IP address.
This is achieved in the Linking page of each unit.

1. From a browser, access the CCM of HelixNet Main Station #1 by typing its IP address into the
URL field.
Note: The unit’s IP address can be found in the device’s display screens: Menu > Networking >
Preferences > IP address. For username and password see CCM password.
Note: The Link-Master IP must be statically allocated to prevent loss of service.

2. Navigate to Home > Linking in the CCM. From the drop-down box select Link-Master and
click Apply Changes. This designates this unit as Link-Master.
Note: The default linking mode is: Link Disabled. When a device has been designated either Link
Master or Link Member it will be looking for a pairing and a link icon will flash in the device screens.
Linking Disabled prevents this.

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3. From a new browser window, access the CCM of device #2 by typing the unit’s IP address
into the URL field.
You will have to enter the username and password for the device.
Navigate to Home > Linking and select Link-Member from the drop down box.

4. You will be prompted for the IP address (or hostname) of the Link-Master. Within the Master
IP address field, enter the IP address of device #1. Click on blue check mark or <ENTER> key
to submit.

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Either accept the default Link Group Member ID (orange highlight) or select a new one by
clicking on it. Click Apply Changes. This links this device to the Link Master.

5. Navigate to the Overview page (top navigation bar). Both HelixNet devices are now displayed
on this page.

6. Repeat steps 3) to 6) for a third device if required.

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17 Linking Main Stations (Cabling and Linking from Device

Menus)
This section describes how to link Main Stations using the device menus rather than the Core
Configuration Manager. You can connect Main Stations directly using Ethernet or Fiber, or
connect them over a LAN via Ethernet.
Up to six Main Stations can be linked.
Main Station linking is achieved using interface modules fitted to the extension bay of the Main
Station. There are two modules:
Ethernet interface module (HLI-ET2). This module provides an Ethernet connection between
Main Stations.
Fiber interface module (HLI-FBS). This module provides a Fiber connection between Main
Stations.
Each Main Station has 12 Channels, and can connect up to 20 beltpacks.

Note: If you change the network topology between any two stations, you must reboot the
stations

Warning: Both ports are configured to bridge traffic from one port to the other in
order to work in daisy-chain. Spanning Tree Protocol is not enabled on those ports,
therefore do not connect them both to the same network.

17.1 Linking Scenarios

Main Stations are connected together using CAT, CAT5e or CAT6 shielded cable. They can also
be connected using fiber. There are various topologies that you can create. Some of these are
illustrated below.

17.1.1 Linking Two Main Stations over LAN

1. Insert an HLI-ET2 Ethernet interface module in each station. Use any of the three slots
available.
Note: Ensure that the Main Station is powered down before inserting modules.

2. Connect a regular Ethernet cable (for example, CAT5, CAT5e, CAT6, CAT6e) from one HLI-
ET2 port on one station to one HLI-ET2 port on the other station.

3. Power up both stations. Verify that the green LED on each HLI-ET2 port is flashing.

4. On one HMS go to Networking->Linking->Link Mode menu and select Master.

5. On the other HMS go to Networking->Linking->Link Mode and select Member. Then in

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Networking->Link to Master select the Master HMS you identified in the previous step.
Note: In HelixNet 3.0 or later each Main Station has 12 Channels. Linking Main Stations will
have the effect of giving you more I/O and module options.
Note: You should see a Link icon

on the Main Station display

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17.1.2 Linking Two Main Stations with Fiber

1. Insert an HLI-FBS Fiber interface module in each station. Use any of the three slots available.
Note: Ensure that the Main Station is powered down before inserting modules.

2. Ensure that an SFP Transceiver is connected into one HLI-FBS module port on each station.

3. Connect Two Fibers from one HLI-FBS port on one station to one HLI-FBS port on the other
station. If using Duplex LC/SC connectors, make sure that Tx on one goes to Rx on the other.

4. Power up both stations. Verify that the green LED on each HLI- FBS port is flashing.

5. On one HMS go to Networking->Linking->Link Mode menu and select Master.

6. On the other HMS go to Networking->Linking->Link Mode and select Member. Then in

Networking->Link to Master select the Master HMS you identified in the previous step.

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Note: You should see a Link icon

on the Main Station display.

Note: In HelixNet 3.0 each Main Station has 12 Channels. Linking Main Stations in 3.0 will
have the effect of giving you more I/O and module options

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17.1.3 Linking Main Stations in a Daisy Chain

You can daisy chain stations following all the instructions of the previous sections using the second
port on one of the HLI-ET2 or HLI-FBS module to connect to a third station. Then enable linking on
the third station. The advantage of daisy chain is that it does not require any additional equipment
for interconnection. The disadvantage is that if you disconnect or power down a station in the
middle it will break the chain and prevent audio from prevent audio from passing between the units
either side of the break.
You can also mix Ethernet and Fiber in the chain using an additional slot in a station in the middle
of the chain.
Alternatively, you can save a slot by using an HLI-FBS module in the middle station, populating
one port with a fiber SFP transceiver and one port with a 10/100Base-T electrical SFP
transceiver.

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17.1.4 Resource Sharing Between Linked Stations

When Channels are linked, Channels of the same number (1–24) will merge their audio together.
This means that any audio available on separate Main Stations will be heard in the Channel of the
same number on a linked Main Station.
If linked Main Stations do not have the same number of licensed Channels (12 or 24), all devices
will default to 12 Channels.

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18 Pairing Remote Stations, Speaker Stations and HXII-BP-

X4 Beltpacks to the Main Station
This section describes how to pair Remote and Speaker Stations to Main Stations. You can
connect Remote and Speaker Stations on one of the Digital Intercom Lines, point-to-point to a
Main Station Ethernet interface module (HLI-ET2) or over an IP network.
Linking to a Main Station over an IP network requires an Ethernet interface module fitted to the
extension bay of the Main Station (HLI-ET2).

Note: If the IP address on a Remote Station or Speaker Station changes, you must either reboot
the Remote Station or disable and then re-enable the DHCP on the Remote Station.

Warning: Digital intercom lines and the Ethernet connections are mutually exclusive on
Remote and Speaker Stations. If both are connected it will be detected as a fault,
communication over both ports will stop and both status LEDs will blink RED. This
requires a reboot of the station using Administration > Reset > Reboot

Warning: When changing the connection from digital intercom line to Ethernet or vice-
versa, you must disconnect one cable and then wait until the unit has detected a loss of
connection before connecting the other cable. Otherwise, they will briefly be detected as
both connected.

Warning: When changing the power connections to a Remote Station, a network storm
error message may appear. If so, disconnect the power cable, and reboot the Remote
Station.

18.1 Pairing Scenarios

There are various topologies that you can create. Some of these are illustrated below.

18.1.1 Digital Partyline Intercom

Remote and Speaker Stations have Digital Intercom 3-pin XLR connectors (female and male) and
can connect to Main Stations along with beltpacks.

Menu: A Remote or a Speaker Station draws current equivalent to three beltpacks when the
loudspeaker is in use. If the Remote or Speaker Station is locally powered using a power
supply, it does not draw current from the digital intercom line.

1. Connect an XLR cable from a Main Station to the Remote or Speaker Station.

2. Power up the Main Station and verify that the Line 1 and Line 2 status LED are green on Main
Station.

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3. On a Remote Station you can verify that the Line status LED is steady green.

18.1.2 Ethernet Point-to-Point Link

Remote Stations, Speaker Stations and HXII-BP-X4 beltpacks have RJ45 Ethernet connectors
and can connect to Main Stations over Ethernet.

1. Insert an HLI-ET2 Ethernet interface module in the Main Station. Use any of the three slots
available.

Note: Ensure that the Main Station is powered down before inserting modules.

2. Connect a regular Ethernet cable (for example, CAT5, CAT5e, CAT6, CAT6e) from one HLI-
ET2 port on one station to the Remote or Speaker Station.

3. Connect an external AC/DC power adapter to the Remote or Speaker Station

4. Power up both Stations. Verify that the green LEDs on the HLI-ET2 port and on the Remote
or Speaker Station are on.

5. Go to Networking->Pair to Station->By Name on the Remote or Speaker Station. You

should see one entry indicating that the Remote or Speaker Station has properly detected the
Main Station. Select this entry.

6. Go to Station Settings->Keyset Assign and assign Channels to any keyset, or use the CCM
to create Roles.

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18.1.3 Local IP Network

1. Insert an HLI-ET2 Ethernet interface module into the Main Station. Use any of the three slots
available.

Note: Ensure that the Main Station is powered down before inserting modules.

2. Connect a regular Ethernet cable (for example, CAT5, CAT5e, CAT6, CAT6e) from one HLI-
ET2 port to an Ethernet Switch and connect Remote or Speaker Stations to Ethernet Switch
as well.

3. Connect an external AC/DC power adapter to the Remote or Speaker Station or connect
them on a Power over Ethernet (PoE) port on the Ethernet Switch.

4. Power up all Stations. Verify that the green LED on the HLI-ET2 port and on the Remote or
Speaker Station is on.

5. Go to Networking->Pair to Station->By Name on each Remote and Speaker Station. You

should see one entry indicating that the Remote or Speaker Station has properly detected the
Main Station. Select this entry.

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6. Go to Station Settings->Keyset Assign and assign Channels to any keyset, or use the CCM
to create Roles.

18.1.4 Remote IP Network

Remote and Speaker Stations can connect to a Main Station that is not within the same network
Broadcast Domain.

1. Insert an HLI-ET2 Ethernet interface module in the Main Station. Use any of the three slots
available.

Note: Ensure that the Main Station is powered down before inserting modules.

2. Connect a regular Ethernet cable (for example, CAT5, CAT5e, CAT6, CAT6e) from one HLI-
ET2 port to a Router/Gateway. Make sure you know the Gateway IP address for that first
subnet.

3. Connect Remote or Speaker Stations to a Router/Gateway. Make sure you know the
Gateway IP address for that second subnet.

4. Connect an external AC/DC power adapter to the Remote or Speaker Station or connect
them on a Power over Ethernet (PoE) port on the Ethernet Switch.

5. Power up all Stations. Verify that the green LED on the HLI-ET2 port and on the Remote or
Speaker Station is on.

6. On the Main Station, go to Networking->Preferences->IP Address and note the IP address

of the Main Station. Make sure that Networking->Preferences->Gateway and Networking-
>Preferences->Subnet match that of your local subnet, including the Gateway setting.

7. On each Remote and Speaker Station make sure that all Networking > Preferences match

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that of your remote subnet, including the Gateway setting.

8. On each Remote and Speaker Station go to Networking->Link to Station->By Address and

enter the IP address of the Main Station.

9. Go to Station Settings->Keyset Assign and assign Channels to any keyset, or use the CCM
to create Roles.

18.1.5 Mixed Linking

Here is one example of how all the previous linking could be mixed with Main Station Linking.

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18.2 Networking Specifications

Specification Value

Latency on Powerline 40-80ms (depends on the distance and the number of Devices
(HBP, HRM, HKB) on the line. More distance or more Devices
means more latency)

Latency over IP Network 30ms + Network Latency

Bandwidth used HRM-4X: 600 kbps to the Main Station, 2.5 Mbps from the Main
Station.
HKB-2X: 300 kbps to the Main Station, 1.5 Mbps from the Main
Station.

IPv4 UDP Port 6001 (Digital Intercom)

UDP Port 5353 (mDNS)
TCP Port 6001 (Digital Intercom)
TCP Port 655 (HMS linking)

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Specification Value

TCP Port 80 (HTML, CCM, Expansion)

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19 Connecting to other Intercom Systems

This section provides basic guidance on connecting your HelixNet Partyline system to a range of
other intercom systems, including:

l Two-wire cabled Partyline systems (RTS and Clear-Com Encore®).

l Four-wire wireless systems (FreeSpeak II the DX210).

l Digital matrix systems (Eclipse® MVX four-wire).

l Two-way radio systems.

l Linking to LQ devices.

The HMX-4X Main Station is connected to these systems using the optional Two-wire and Four-
wire interface modules.

19.1 Connecting LQ to HelixNet

19.1.1 About LQ™
LQ™ linking facilitates interfacing to any 2-wire partyline, 4-wire and 4-wire+GPIO endpoints either
local or remote over any IP network.
The product line provides a unique combination of low latency with exceptional audio quality and
an intuitive, easy to use design.

19.2 LQ to HelixNet connectivity

Linking one or more LQ units to a HelixNet Main Station (HMS) in a Link-Group is a way of greatly
increasing the number of I/O interfaces available in your HelixNet intercom system.
Linking HelixNet and LQ also brings Agent-IC, SIP and Eclipse (IVC) connectivity into your
HelixNet system.

19.2.1 HelixNet/LQ Link-Group

Once an LQ unit is linked to an HMS in a Link-Group, all ports on the LQ unit are visible in the CCM
and available to be placed in a HelixNet Channel. Once a port is in a Channel, audio from that port
can be routed anywhere within the system.

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Connecting an HMS and an LQ unit also brings the possibility of Agent-IC, SIP and IVC
connectivity into your HelixNet intercom system (according to license for Agent-IC and SIP).

Notes A HelixNet/LQ Link-Group supports up to 5 linked Main Stations and up to 5 linked LQ

units to a Link Master (to a maximum of 6 devices in total).
The HMS must always be the Link-Master in a HelixNet/LQ Link-Group.

The following limitations are imposed when LQ devices are linked to a HelixNet Link-Group:

l Creation or use of Direct Connections

l Interconnection of Clear-Com panels over 4-wire

l No SIP hang up capability through the HMS Front panel

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19.2.2 Connecting HelixNet and LQ Using an Analog Connection

Interconnecting HelixNet and LQ equipment using either 4-wire or 2-wire interfaces is possible
and only serves as a means of transporting one channel of audio along with call signalization per
connection.

For more information, see Program a HelixNet/LQ Link-Group.

19.2.3 Programming a HelixNet/LQ Link-Group

The HelixNet Main Station that has been designated as the Link-Master must be reachable on an
IP network by all other Link-Members.

Note: The HLI-ET2 module must be fitted to the HelixNet Main Station for IP connectivity

To access the Core configuration manager (CCM), input the IP address of each device into the
address field of a browser. Enter the default login credentials: admin, admin.
Once LQ and HelixNet devices have been joined to a Link-Group, they can be monitored and
configured from any device within that group.
An LQ/HelixNet Link-Group supports up to 3 linked HelixNet Main Stations and up to 3 linked LQ
units (a maximum of 6 devices in total).

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19.2.4 Creating a HelixNet/LQ Link-Group

1. To access the HelixNet Core Configuration Manager, enter the IP address of the HelixNet
Main Station, as displayed on the front panel, into the address field of your browser. If the unit
is reachable over your network, this will take you to the Overview page of the CCM that is
served by the unit.
Note: For CCM username and password see CCM password.

2. Ensure the HelixNet device is set to Link-Master in the CCM of the Main Station. Navigate to
Device/Linking/Link-Group Role.

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Note: Default Link-Group Role for an HMS is Disabled.

Note: The host device is the device your browser is currently pointing to.

3. To access the LQ CCM, enter the IP address of the LQ device, as displayed on the front panel,
into the address field of your browser. If the unit is reachable over your network, this will take
you to the Overview page of the CCM that is served by the unit.

4. Set Link-Group Role of LQ unit to Link-Member. Navigate to Device/Linking/Link-Group

Role.

5. Enter the Link-Master IP address.

6. For each device to be added to the Link-Group, input the device IP into the browser’s address
field to access the CCM, designate the device as Link-Member and give it the Link-Master IP
address (this links the device to the group).

Note: Once you have linked the members to the master, all devices in the Link-Group
will be visible in the Overview page of the CCM.

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7. Navigate to the Assignments page to create, configure and view how audio is routed
throughout the system. All ports on the LQ units will now be visible and available for
assignment into one or more channels.

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19.3 Connecting HelixNet Partyline to Encore®

19.3.1 About Encore

Encore is the plug-and-play analog two-wire Partyline system from Clear-Com.
Clear-Com Encore is widely used in theaters, schools, local broadcast stations, churches and
other small to mid-size live productions.
Two and four Channel versions of the Encore Main Stations and Remote Stations are available.
Tip: For more information about Encore, see your Encore documentation or visit the Analog
Partyline Intercom pages on the Clear-Com website:
http://www.clearcom.com/product/Partyline

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19.3.2 Quick Reference: Connecting to Encore

19.3.3 Connecting to an Encore Main Station

Notes: The following procedure assumes that a two-wire interface module has been fitted to the
HMS-4X Main Station. For more information about interface modules, see HMS-4X
Main Station rear panel: Interface modules
A HelixNet system with HLI-2W2 must be able to receive power from an analog
Partyline

To connect your HelixNet Partyline system to an Encore Main Station (for example, the four
Channel MS-704):

1. On the HMS-4X Main Station, configure the Module Settings for the two-wire interface
module (Menu mode > Module Settings). For the full procedure, see Configuring a Two-wire
interface module

Note: Check that the two-wire module is configured for Clear-Com systems (the
default) and run the Auto-null. Auto-nulling helps to reduce echo while talking on a
two-wire audio system. You must run auto-null every time you change the cabling.

2. Physically connect the HMS-4X Main Station to the Encore Main Station, using the 3-pin XLR
connectors:

l On the HMS-4X Main Station two-wire interface module.

l On the back panel (rear) of the Encore Main Station.

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There are four Channels (A, B, C and D), comprising two 3-pin XLR connectors, on
the MS-704.

Connect to the selected Channel using standard microphone cabling.

Note: The Two-wire module will not function without an attached power supply on the
analog side of the interface.

Ensure that the connection is terminated (using the termination switch beside the
connectors). The default position for the switch is on.

To adjust nulling on a Channel on the Encore Main Station (MS-704):

1. Turn the screwdriver-adjustable Sidetone Adjust control (just below the headset connector)
to the appropriate level.

2. Turn the screwdriver-adjustable Listen level control (the null control, located just below the
Channel Talk button and Call LED) for the Channel to the appropriate level.

Tip: If the headset microphone is being used, hum or gently scratch the mic for a
continuous signal source to null on. If a good null is not attainable, switch the Long /
Short DIP switch for the Channel to its opposite setting. Use the setting that
produces the best audio quality.

To optimize audio quality, you may also want to adjust the Audio Settings on the
HMS-4X Main Station. For more information, see Configuring the Audio Settings.
Tip: The amount of null that is required changes when you add or remove devices, or
alter the length of the cabling. For optimum performance, Clear-Com recommends
that you adjust the nulling every time you make a change to the system configuration.
Note: Ensure that all Talk keys/routes are disabled before auto-nulling commences.

19.3.4 Connecting to Encore Remote Stations

Connecting to an Encore Remote Station (for example, the RM-704) is similar to connecting to an
Encore Main Station (see Quick reference: Connecting to Encore)
You will require a separate power supply, for example, the PS-702 (two Channel) or PS-704
(four Channel) power supply, to power the Remote Station which is unpowered and any
connected wired beltpacks.

19.4 Connecting HelixNet Partyline to RTS (Telex) two-wire systems

19.4.1 About RTS two-wire systems
HelixNet Partyline is also designed for interoperability with RTS (Telex) TW (two-wire) analog
Partyline systems from Telex.

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RTS two-wire systems include fully programmable intercom (main) stations, remote Speaker
Stations, two-wire beltpacks, and two-wire power supplies.

19.4.2 Quick Reference: Two-Wire Connection to RTS 2W system

19.4.3 Connecting to an RTS (Telex) Intercom Station

To connect your HelixNet Partyline system to an RTS intercom station (in this case,
the 2 Channel MCE325 user station):

1. On the HMS-4X Main Station, configure the Module Settings for the two-wire interface
module.

For the full procedure, see Configuring a Two-wire interface module.

Ensure that you:

l Configure port(s) for RTS systems. You can select from two different pinouts when
connecting to an RTS two-wire system:

RTS pinout option Description

RTS Audio Pin 2 Pin 2 is used for both power and audio.

Pin 3 is used for audio (Pin 2 is used for

RTS Audio Pin 3
power only).

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l Run auto-null. Auto-nulling helps to reduce echo while talking on a two-wire audio system.
You must run auto-null every time you change the cabling.

2. Physically connect the HMS-4X Main Station to the RTS intercom station (MCE325). The two
Channels of RTS TW intercom must be split prior to connection with either of the Two-wire
module ports. RTS Audio Pin 2 carries the power that is required for the Two-wire module.

Powering the connection:

You must power the connection between the systems using either a dedicated power
supply or an RTS power supply.

Connecting to the MCE325 device:

There are three 3-pin XLR connectors on the rear panel of the MCE325 device. In
two-wire mode:

l The left and right-hand connectors are used for intercom Channels 1 and 2 input/ output.

l The center connector is used for Channels 3 and 4 input / output.

l Connect to the selected Channel using standard microphone cabling.

Note: The MCE325 is designed for use with intercom lines with a 200-Ohm line
terminating impedance. A 200 Ohm termination plug is connected to the center 3-pin
XLR connector to prevent Channels 3 and 4 from oscillating when the MCE325 is in
two-Channel mode.

3. On the RTS device (in this case, the MCE325), adjust the nulling (if necessary) on the
Channel to which the HMS-4X Main Station is connected.

Nulling helps to reduce echo while talking on a two-wire audio system. A sidetone
nulling trimmer (control) is provided for each of the four Channels on the device.

To adjust a sidetone nulling trimmer:

a. Turn the speaker switch on (even if an external speaker is not connected). This
turns off the internal sidetone trimmer, which controls the sidetone level in
headsets.

b. Turn on the microphone. Activate the relevant Talk button and speak into the
microphone.

c. To minimize echo, adjust the sidetone nulling trimmer (located under the CH1
and CH2 rotary controls).

Note: The default setting for each trimmer is for maximum nulling of the

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microphone signal when a 200-ohm resistance terminates the Channel.

However, you may have to adjust the nulling according to the system
configuration.

19.5 Four-Wire Connection to FreeSpeak II Base II

FreeSpeak II is a five-channel, full-duplex wireless intercom solution (1.9 GHz & 2.4 GHz), ideal
for large-scale, complex designs or specialized applications.
To connect your HelixNet Partyline system to a FreeSpeak II Base II, using a four-wire
connection:

1. From the FS II Base II Station Core Configuration Module (CCM), select Home > Ports > to
panel.

2. Connect the HMS-4X Main Station and the FreeSpeak II Base II, using four-wire straight
CAT5 cabling.

3. Adjust the audio levels as required.

19.6 Connecting HelixNet Partyline to the DX210/DX410

19.6.1 About the DX210
The Clear-Com HME DX210 is a 2 Channel wireless intercom system. The base station (Main
Station) supports up to 15 beltpacks or all-in-one headsets (headsets operating as beltpacks).
The DX210 supports Clear-Com and RTS cabled two-wire intercom systems, and also has four-
wire and auxiliary audio connections.
The DX210 operates in the license-free 2.4GHz band, and has provisions for spectrum-friendly
co-existence with other devices in the same band.
Note: Settings for the DX210 and the DX410 are the same.
Tip: For more information about the DX210, see your DX210 documentation or visit the wireless
intercom pages on the Clear-Com website: http://www.clearcom.com/product/wireless

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19.6.2 Quick Reference: Two-Wire Connection to DX210

19.6.3 Two-Wire Connection to the DX210

To connect your HelixNet Party-line system to the DX210 base station (Main Station), using a two-
wire connection:

1. On the HMS-4X Main Station, configure the Module Settings for the Two-wire interface
module. For the procedure, see Configuring a Two-wire interface module

Note: Check that the two-wire module is configured for Clear-Com systems (the
default) and run Auto-null. Auto-nulling helps to reduce echo while talking on a two-
wire audio system. You must run auto-null every time you change the cabling.

2. On the rear panel of the DX210 base station, ensure that the Clear-Com / RTS button is set
to Clear-Com mode (the out position).

3. Physically connect the HMS-4X Main Station to one of the two intercom Channels on the
DX210 base station (Main Station).

Powering the connection:

You must power the connection between the systems using either a dedicated power
supply (such as the PK-7, PS-702, or PS-704), or a powered Encore Main Station
(such as the MS-702 or MS-704).

Tip: For more information about the dedicated power supply devices (PK-7 or PS-
70x devices) from Clear-Com, see

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http://www.clearcom.com/product/Partyline/power-supplies

Tip: For more information about the dedicated power supply devices (PK-7 or PS-
70x devices) from Clear-Com, see
http://www.clearcom.com/product/Partyline/power-supplies

Connecting the systems:

Use standard microphone cable to connect the two systems. 3-pin XLR connectors
are located:

l On the HMS-4X Main Station two-wire interface module.

l On the back panel (rear) of the DX210 base station.

Two 3-pin XLR connectors (one male, one female) are provided for each of the two
intercom Channels (IC1 and IC2) on the base station.

4. On the front panel of the DX210 base station, press the SELECT button for the connected
intercom Channel (either IC1 or IC2).

The 2-W (two-wire) LED next to the SELECT button is lit green.

Note: If power is not detected at the connector, the 2-W LED is lit red. No audio can
be transmitted between the systems. When the HMS-4X Main Station is powered,
power is supplied to the connection and the 2-W LED is lit green.

5. Apply auto-nulling to the connected Channel (either IC1 or IC2) on the DX210 base station.
Auto-nulling helps to reduce echo while talking on a two-wire audio system. To apply auto-
nulling:

a. Insert a pen or similar pointed object into the AUTO-NULL hole on the front panel.

b. Press and hold AUTO-NULL for 2 seconds.

Note: Before applying auto-nulling, ensure that there are no open microphones on
the wired intercom. If users are wearing headsets, you must notify them of the audio-
sweep that precedes the application of auto-nulling.

1. Adjust the two-wire intercom receive and send levels (in / out levels), using the 2-W INPUT
and 2-W OUTPUT controls for the connected Channel (IC1 or IC2) on the DX210 base
station front panel. For more information, see your DX210 documentation.
Tip: To optimize audio quality, you may also want to adjust the Audio Settings on the HMS-4X
Main Station. For more information, see Configuring the Audio Settings.

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19.6.4 Quick Reference: Four-Wire Connection to DX210

19.6.5 Four-wire Connection to the DX

To connect your HelixNet Partyline system with a DX base station, using a four-wire connection:

1. On the HMS-4X Main Station, configure the Module Settings for the Four-wire interface
module. See Configuring a Four-wire interface module.

2. Connect the HMS-4X Main Station and the DX base station, using four-wire crossover CAT5
cabling.

Note: For pinout information for the two systems, see the quick reference diagram in
Configuring the Audio Settings.

RJ45 connectors are located:

l On the HMS-4X Main Station Four-wire interface module.

l On the back panel (rear) of the DX base station.

There is an RJ45 (four-wire) connector for each of the intercom Channels on the DX
base station (IC1 and IC2). Connect the systems with a four-wire crossover CAT5
cable.

3. Adjust the In/Out volume levels, using the DX front panel display. For more information, see
your DX documentation.
Tip: To optimize audio quality, you may also want to adjust the Audio Settings on the HMS-
4X Main Station. For more information, see Configuring the Audio settings.

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19.7 Connecting HelixNet Partyline to Eclipse®

19.7.1 About Eclipse

Eclipse is the digital matrix system from Clear-Com. A wide choice of system frames, system
cards and modules enables the unification of multiple intercom systems (digital, analog, wired and
wireless) in a single intercoms infrastructure.
Eclipse is configured, managed and maintained using the intuitive Eclipse Configuration Software
(EHX). The Production Maestro® software provides a centralized routing tool, to assist with four-
wire configurations. Logic Maestro is a graphical programming tool for EHX, simplifying the design
and programming of complex logical functions.
The following procedures reference the following Eclipse devices:
The Eclipse or Eclipse-HX system frame. For example, the Eclipse Median is a 6RU frame that
houses 2 CPU and 7 matrix slots with 8 built-in interface module slots.
The CCI-22 interface module. The CCI-22 is the two-wire party-line interface (Clear-Com and /
or RTS) to Eclipse. EHX views a direct, four-wire HelixNet Party-line connection with the system
frame as a ‘virtual’ CCI-22 connection.
Tip: For more information about Eclipse, see your Eclipse / EHX documentation or visit the digital
matrix pages on the Clear-Com website: http://www.clearcom.com/product/digital-matrix.

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19.7.2 Quick Reference: Two-Wire Connection to Eclipse

19.7.3 Two-Wire Connection to an Eclipse or Eclipse-HX System Frame

To connect your HelixNet Partyline system to an Eclipse or Eclipse-HX System, using a two-wire
connection:

1. On the HMS-4X Main Station, configure the Module Settings for the Two-wire interface
module. For the procedure, see Configuring a Two-wire interface module.

Note: Check that the two-wire module is configured for Clear-Com systems (the
default) and run Auto-null. Auto-nulling helps to reduce echo while talking on a two-
wire audio system. You must run auto-null every time you change the cabling.

2. Physically connect the HMS-4X Main Station (HLI-2W2) to the CCI-22 dual-Channel party-
line interface module.

The CCI-22 may be fitted:

l Directly to an Eclipse or Eclipse-HX System.

l An interface frame (such as the IMF-3 or IMF-102), connected to the Eclipse matrix.

Tip: For more information about installing and using the CCI-22, see the CCI-22 Manual, or go to:
http://www.clearcom.com/product/digital-matrix/interface-modules/cci-22

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Powering the connection:

You must power the connection between the HMS-4X Main Station (HLI-2W2) and
the CCI-22 using either a dedicated power supply (such as the PK-7, PS-702, or PS-
704), or a powered Encore Main Station (such as the MS-702 or MS-704).

Tip: For more information about the PK-7 or PS-70x power supply devices from Clear-Com, see
http://www.clearcom.com/product/Partyline/power-supplies

Connecting the systems:

There are two parallel DB-9M Interface I/O connectors on the CCI-22. The two-wire
module on the HMS-4X Main Station features two 3-pin XLR connectors. For more
information about wiring the connection, see:

l Quick Reference: Two-Wire Connection to Eclipse on page 222

l The CCI-22 Manual.

3. Apply nulling to the connected Channel on the CCI-22. To null the Channel:

a. Insert the accessory earphone into the front-panel Test jack. A test tone, for all
frequencies, is produced every 0.5s.

b. While listening to the test tone, adjust the R (Resistance) control until the tone is at a
minimum.

c. Repeat Step b. for the L (Inductance) and C (Capacitance) controls. These controls
compensate for each component of the line’s impedance, providing the best possible null.

Because the R, L and C controls interact, you may have to adjust these controls
several times to minimize the test tone / achieve a deep null.

Note: The null circuit on the CCI-22 is effective on line lengths between 0 - 4000 feet
(1200m) with impedances in the range of 120 to 350 ohms. Nulling can reduce local
audio in the received signal by < 30 dB over the 200 Hz - 8 kHz frequency range.

Tip: For more information on the CCI-22 nulling circuit, see the CCI-22 Manual.

4. If necessary, adjust the In/Out level controls on the CCI-22 (Send and Recv, located on the
front panel next to the R, L and C nulling controls).

Note: The Send level control affects the level of the audio signals from the

Eclipse Matrix to the external party-line, and the Recv control affects the level of the
audio from the party-line into the matrix. The Send and Receive controls have a
range of ± 13 dB.

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Tip: For more information about managing the HelixNet to Eclipse connection in EHX, see your
EHX documentation (including Help).

19.7.4 Quick Reference: Four-Wire Connection to Eclipse

19.7.5 Four-Wire Connection to Eclipse

To connect your HelixNet Partyline system to an Eclipse or Eclipse-HX System, using a four-wire
connection:

1. On the HMS-4X Main Station, configure the Module Settings for the four-wire interface
module. For the procedure, see Configuring a Four-wire interface module.

2. Connect the HMS-4X Main Station directly to the MVX-A16 card (the 16 port audio and data
card set) with standard CAT5 cable.

Note: For pinout information for the two systems, see the quick reference diagram in
Four-wire connection to Eclipse.

RJ45 connectors are located:

l On the HMS-4X Main Station four-wire interface module.

l On the rear panel of the MVX-A16 card.

Tip: To optimize audio quality, you may want to adjust the Audio Settings on the HMS-4X Main
Station. For more information, see Configuring the Audio settings.
Tip: For more information about managing the HelixNet to Eclipse connection in EHX, see your
EHX documentation (including EHX Help.)

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19.8 Connecting HelixNet Partyline to Two-Way Radio Systems

Two-way radio systems (also known as walkie-talkies) are widely used for wireless
communication where quick deployment is a required.
HelixNet can interface to a two-way radio system audio along with transmit key control.
The following examples show how you can setup HelixNet to activate a relay on a Main Station or
a Remote Station every time someone activates a Talk key on the selected Partyline Channel.
Note: HelixNet provides and expects 4W audio at line level (0dBu).

19.8.1 Quick Reference: Four-Wire and Control Connection to Radio System

19.8.2 Four-Wire and Control Connection to Radio System

To connect the HelixNet Partyline to a radio system using four-wire:

1. In the Modules Settings menu, select Slot n/Port A/B 4W > Channel Assign > Channel # to
assign the 4W port to a Channel, for example Channel A.

2. In the Modules Settings menu, select Slot n/Port A/B 4W > GPO Trigger > Disable to set
GPO Trigger to Disable for that 4W port.

3. In the Channels menu, select Channel # > GPO on Talk > Relay # to select a Relay.

4. Connect the 4W audio and the configured Relay to the radio base station.

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19.8.3 Quick Reference: Two-Wire and Control Connection to Radio System

19.8.4 Two-Wire and Control Connection to Radio System

The two-wire connection uses a TW-47 radio interface. Because this has no power supply, you
must use an Encore Main Station to supply power. You can also use an alternative source of
power, such as a PK-7, PS-702 or PS-704.
The diagram in Quick reference: two-wire and control connection to radio system shows a system
using an Encore Main Station.
To connect the HelixNet Partyline to a radio system using two-wire:

1. Connect the HelixNet Partyline to the Encore Main Station. For details, see Connecting to an
Encore Main Station.

2. In the Modules Settings menu, select Slot n/Port A/B 2W > Channel Assign > Channel # to
assign the 2W port to a Channel, for example Channel A.

3. Connect the Encore Main Station to the TW-47 radio interface.

4. Connect the TW-47 radio interface to the radio base station.

5. To trigger the PTT on the radio base, press the CALL button on the HelixNet channel.

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19.8.5 Quick Reference: Remote Station Connection to Radio System

To connect the HelixNet Remote Station to a radio system using four-wire:

1. In the Audio Settings menu, select PGM/Audio In > GPO Trigger > Disable.

2. In the Audio Settings menu, select SA/Audio Out Mode > Channel Assign.

3. Assign the SA/Audio Out to a Channel.

4. In the Channel configuration select the Remote Station Program under the Program Listen
menu.

5. In the Channels menu, select Channel # > GPO on Talk > Relay 1.

6. Connect the audio and the Relay to the radio base station.

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20 System Specifications

20.1 Main Station (HMS-4X)

Connectors

Specification Description / value

2 x Intercom Powerline Outputs Four 3-pin XLR. Two male and two female.

Headset 4-pin XLR–M

USB USB Type A and Micro-AB

Program 3-pin XLR–F

SA (Stage Announce) 3-pin XLR–M

Hot Mic / IFB Interface 1/4 in. (0.64 cm) phone jack

GPIO 25-way D-type female

20.1.1 Headphone Amplifier

Specification Description / value

Load impedance 32Ω

Output level +12dBu before clipping

Sidetone -12dB (selectable)

The following specified for a route from a 4-wire input @ 0dBu in

Max gain 0dB

Frequency response 40Hz - 10kHz ± 3dB

Distortion <0.1% THD @ 1kHz

Noise <-65dBu

Headphone limiter 0dBu (selectable)

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20.1.2 Microphone Pre-Amplifier

Specification Description / value

Headset Mic impedance: 200Ω (Dynamic)

Headset Mic Voltage 1.7V (Electret selectable)

Limiter +23dB

The following specified for a route to 4-wire output @ 0dBu out

Mic gain 60dB (dynamic) 45dB (electret)

Frequency response 300Hz – 10kHz ± -3dB (contoured for intelligibility)

Distortion <0.2% THD @ 1kHz

Noise- <-55dBu dynamic, <-65dBu electret

20.1.3 Loudspeaker Amplifier

Specification Description / value

Load impedance 8Ω

Output level +18dBu before clipping

Max gain 18dB

The following specified for a route from a 4-wire input @ 0dBu in

Frequency response 200Hz - 10kHz ± 3dB

Distortion <1% THD @ 1 kHz

Noise <-50dBu

20.1.4 Program Audio Line Input

Specification Description / value

Maximum level before clipping 18dBu

Nominal input level 0dBu (selectable)

Input impedance >= 10KΩ

Routed to a 4-wire output @ 0dBu

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Specification Description / value

Frequency response 20Hz - 10kHz ± 3dB

Distortion <0.2% THD @ 1kHz

Noise <-65dBu

20.1.5 Stage Announce Outputs

Specification Description / value

Maximum level before clipping 18dBu

Nominal output level 0dBu (selectable)

Output impedance <= 100Ω

The following specified for a route from a dynamic headset

Frequency response 300Hz – 12kHz ± 3dB

Distortion <0.1% THD @ 1kHz

Noise <-55dBu

20.1.6 Hot Mic Output

Specification Description / value

Maximum level before clipping 12dBu

Nominal output level 0dBu (selectable)

Output impedance <= 100Ω

The following specified for a route from a dynamic headset

Frequency response 300Hz - 12kHz ± 2dB

Distortion <0.2% THD @ 1kHz

Noise <-55dBu

20.1.7 Ethernet
Specification Description / value

Fast Ethernet standard 100BaseT only, Auto MDIX

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20.1.8 Mains Power

Specification Description / value

Input voltage range 100 – 240VAC

Input frequency range 50 – 60Hz

Input power <=250W

Input power connector IEC-C14

l Power (normal): 80 - 250W

l BTU (normal):275 - 850 BTU/hr

Practical power range
l Dependent on hosted modules and connected
beltpacks

20.1.9 Environmental
Specification Description / value

Temperature 0˚C - 40˚C (32˚F - 104˚F)

Humidity 0 - 90% relative humidity

20.1.10 Dimensions and Weight

Specification Description / value

Dimensions 19in W x 1.75in H x 13in D (483 mm x 44 mm x 330 mm)

Weight 5.83lbs. (2.65kg)

20.2 Two-Wire Module (HLI-2W2)

20.2.1 Connectors
Specification Description / value

Intercom line (2) 3-Pin XLR-F

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20.2.2 Dimensions and Weight

Specification Description / value

Dimensions 7.5 in. H x 2.2 in. W x 1.5 in. D (179 x 57 x39 mm)

Weight 13oz. (0.35kg)

20.2.3 Partyline (HLI-2W2)

Specification Description / Value

Compatibility: Clear-Com, RTS configurable with Call and Remote Mic Kill

Termination External system

R-L-C hybrid, user initiated auto-calibration with echo

Nulling
cancellation

Power 25mA from external system

Voltage 20-30V DC (max)

Maximum level before clipping 6dBu

Nominal input level -18dBu (C-C), -12dBu (RTS)

Input impedance ≥10KΩ bridging

Route to 4-wire at 0dBu in

Frequency response 100Hz - 10kHz±3dB

Distortion <0.2% THD @ 1kHz

Noise ≤55dBu

20.2.4 Power Requirements (External)

Specification Description / value

Per Channel 0.025mA/Channel

DC Voltage range 20 – 30Volts

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20.2.5 Environmental
Specification Description / value

Temperature 0˚C - 40˚C (32˚F - 104˚F)

Humidity 0 - 90% relative humidity

20.3 Four-Wire Module (HLI-4W2)

20.3.1 20.3.1 Connectors
Specification Description / value

Intercom line (2) RJ45 (etherCON)

Cable distance < 1 km using Cat 5e/6/24AWG

20.3.2 Dimensions and Weight

Specification Description / value

Dimensions 7.5 in. H x 2.2 in. W x 1.5 in. D (179 x 57 x39 mm)

Weight 13oz. (0.35kg)

20.3.3 Environmental
Specification Description / value

Temperature 0˚C - 40˚C (32˚F - 104˚F)

Humidity 0 - 90% relative humidity

20.4 Fiber interface module (HLI-FBS)

20.4.1 Connectors (HLI-FBS)
Specification Description / Value

2 x 100Mb SPF Ethernet Connections for use with:

HLI-SMFO single-mode transceiver (1 included)

HLI-MMFO multi-mode transceiver

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20.4.2 Dimensions and Weight (HLI-FBS)

Specification Description / Value

2.2 x 7.4 x 1.5 inches

Dimensions
(57 x 187 x 39mm) (HxWxD)

Weight 13oz (0.35kg)

20.5 Remote Station (HRM-4X)

20.5.1 20.4.1 Connectors
Specification Description / value

Intercom Powerline Outputs Two 3-pin XLR. One male and one female.

Headset 4-pin XLR–M

Gooseneck mic 3-pin Tuchel

USB USB Type A

Program 3-pin XLR–F

SA (Stage Announce) 3-pin XLR–M

Hot Mic / IFB Interface 1/4 in. (0.64 cm) phone jack

Control and audio input/output 9-pin D-type

DC power 3-pin KPJX-PM-3-S

20.5.2 Microphone Pre-Amplifier

Specification Description / value

Headset Mic impedance: 200Ω (Dynamic)

Headset Mic Voltage 1.7V (Electret selectable)

Limiter +23dB

Routed to 4-wire output @ 0dBu out

Mic gain 60dB (dynamic) 45dB (electret)

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Specification Description / value

Frequency response 300Hz – 10kHz + / -3dB (contoured for intelligibility)

Distortion <0.2% THD @ 1 kHz

Noise- <-55dBu dynamic, <-65dBu electret

20.5.3 Headphone Amplifier

Specification Description / value

Load impedance 32Ω

Output level +12dBu before clipping

Sidetone -12dB (selectable)

Routed from a 4-wire input @ 0dBu in

Max gain 0dB

Frequency response 180Hz - 10kHz ±3dB

Distortion <0.1% THD @ 1 kHz

Noise <-65dBu

Headphone limiter 0dBu (selectable)

20.5.4 Loudspeaker Amplifier

Specification Description / value

Load impedance 8Ω

Output level +18dBu before clipping

Max gain 18dB

Routed from a 4-wire input @ 0dBu in:

Frequency response 200Hz - 10kHz ±3dB

Distortion <0.1% THD @ 1 kHz

Noise <-50dBu

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20.5.5 Program Line Input

Specification Description / value

Maximum level before clipping 18dBu

Nominal input level 0dBu(selectable)

Input impedance >= 10 KΩ

Routed to 4-wire output @ 0dBu out

Frequency response 20Hz - 10kHz ±3dB

Distortion <0.2% THD @ 1kHz

Noise <-65dBu

20.5.6 Four-wire module outputs

Specification Description / value

Maximum level before clipping 18dBu

Nominal input level 0dBu(selectable)

Input impedance <= 100Ω

20.5.7 Stage Announce Output

Specification Description / value

Maximum level before clipping 18dBu

Nominal output level 0dBu(selectable)

Output impedance <= 100Ω

Routed from a dynamic headset:

Frequency response 300Hz – 12kHz ±3dB

Distortion <0.1% THD @ 1kHz

Noise <-55dBu

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20.5.8 20.4.8 Hot Mic Output

Specification Description / value

Maximum level before clipping +12dBu

Nominal output level 0dBu(selectable)

Output impedance <= 100Ω

Routed from a dynamic headset:

Frequency response 300Hz - 12kHz ±2dB

Distortion <0.2% THD @ 1 kHz

Noise <-55dBu

20.5.9 Power
Specification Description / value

Voltage 48V DC

Current (Max) 0.3A

Power (Max) 14.4W

BTU (Max) 49BTU/hr

Unit powered via Powerline

Input voltage ±29.5V DC

Input current (speaker off) 0.3A

Input current (Max) 0.5A

Powerline utilization

HRM (local power) = 1 beltpack

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Specification Description / value

HRM (speaker off) = 2 beltpacks

HRM (speaker on) = 3 beltpacks

Note the maximum Powerline capacity of the HMS-4x. Use the HelixNet Cable Calculator
available from the Clear-Com website to validate load and cable distance.

AC adapter - inline

Input Voltage range 100 – 240VAC

Input frequency range 50 – 60Hz

Input power connector IEC-C14

Output voltage 48V DC

Output power (Max) 15W

Output power connector KPPX-3-P

Input power <=250W

PoE - Power over Ethernet

Device class IEEE 802.3af-2003 - Class 0

PSE 15.4W DC max @ Power Source Req.

PD 12.95W DC max @ Powered Device Draw

20.5.10 Environmental
Specification Description / value

Temperature 0˚C - 40˚C (32˚F - 104˚F)

Humidity 0 - 90% relative humidity

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20.5.11 Dimensions and Weight

Specification Description / value

19 in. W x 1.75 in. H x 6.4 in. D (483 mm x 44 mm x 165

Dimensions
mm)

Weight 4 lbs. (1.8 kg)

20.6 Speaker Station (HKB-2X)

Channels: System provides 12 or 24 intercom channels. Four channels can be assigned to station
keysets. System Program Audio can be associated with any channel with independent endpoint
level control.

20.6.1 20.5.1 Connectors

Specification Description / value

Powerline Powerline, Terminal Block 5 pole, 5mm pitch

Ethernet/PoE RJ45

Headset 4-pin XLR–M

Gooseneck mic 3-pin Tuchel

Input power connector Terminal Block 2 Pole, 5mm

20.6.2 Microphone Pre-Amplifier

Specification Description / value

Headset Mic impedance: 200Ω (Dynamic)

Headset Mic Voltage 1.7V (Electret selectable)

Limiter +23dB

Routed to 4-wire output @ 0dBu out:

Mic gain 60dB (dynamic) 45dB (electret)

Frequency response 300Hz – 10kHz + / -3dB (contoured for intelligibility)

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Specification Description / value

Distortion <0.1% THD @ 1kHz

Noise- <-55dBu dynamic, <-65dBu electret

Headphone limiter 0dB (selectable)

20.6.3 Headphone Amplifier

Specification Description / value

Load impedance >32Ω

Output level +12dBu before clipping

Sidetone -12dB (selectable)

Routed from a 4-wire input @0dBu in:

Max gain 0dB

Frequency response 40Hz - 10kHz ±3dB

Distortion <0.1% THD @ 1 kHz

Noise <-65dBu (@ max gain)

Headphone limiter -0dBu (selectable)

20.6.4 Power (HKB-2X)

Specification Description / value

Voltage 48V DC

Current (Max) 0.3A

BTU (Max) 49BTU/hr

Input power connector Terminal Block 2 Pole, 5mm

Powerline

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Specification Description / value

Input Voltage ±29.5V DC

Input current (speaker off) 0.3A

Input current (Max) 0.5A

Powerline utilization

HKB (local power) = 1 beltpack

HKB (speaker off) = 2 beltpacks

HKB (speaker on) = 3 beltpacks

Note the maximum Powerline capacity of the HMS-4X. Use the HelixNet Cable Calculator
available from the Clear-Com website to validate load and cable distance.

AC adapter - wall (not included)

Input Voltage range 100 - 240V AC

Input frequency range 50 - 60Hz

Input power connector Universal

Output Voltage 48V DC

Output power (Max) 15W

Output power connector KPPX-3-P

PoE - Power over Ethernet

Device class IEEE 802.3af-2003 – Class 0

PSE 15.4 W DC max @ Power Source Req.

12.95 W DC max @ Powered Device Draw

PD
Environmental

20.6.5 Environmental
Specification Description / value

Temperature 0˚C - 45˚C (32˚F - 113˚F)

Humidity 0 - 90% relative humidity

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20.6.6 Dimensions and Weight HKB

Specification Description / value

Weight 18.8 oz (0.53 kg)

Dimensions 4.5 x 8.2 x 2.4 in (114 x 209 x 61 mm) HxWxD

20.7 Beltpack (HBP-2X)

20.7.1 20.6.1 Connectors
Specification Description / value

Intercom line Two 3-pin XLR. One male and one female.

Headset 4-pin XLR–M and 2.5mm TRS jack

USB Micro-AB

20.7.2 Microphone Pre-Amplifier

Specification Description / value

Headset Mic impedance: 200Ω (Dynamic)

Headset Mic Voltage 1.7V (Electret selectable)

The following specified for a route to 4-wire output @ 0dBu out:

Mic gain 60dB (dynamic) 45dB (electret)

Frequency response 300Hz – 10kHz + / -3dB (contoured for intelligibility)

Noise- <-55dBu dynamic, <-65dBu electret

20.7.3 Headphone Amplifier

Specification Description / value

Load impedance >32 Ω

Output level +12dBu before clipping

Sidetone -12dB (selectable)

The following specified for a route from a 4-wire input @0dBu in:

Max gain 0dB

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Specification Description / value

Frequency response 40Hz - 10kHz ±3dB

Noise <-65dBu (@ max gain)

Headphone limiter -0dBu (selectable)

20.7.4 Power Requirements HBP-2X Beltpack

Specification Description / Value

Power requirement 4W

DC Voltage range 3- - 60V

20.7.5 Environmental
Specification Description / value

Temperature 0˚C - 40˚C (32˚F - 104˚F)

Humidity 0 - 90% relative humidity

20.8 Beltpack (HXII-BP-X4)

20.8.1 20.7.1 Connectors
Specification Description / value

XLR Powerline 3-pin XLR (female).

LAN/PoE RJ45 etherCON

Headset 4-pin XLR–M

USB Micro-AB

20.8.2 Microphone Pre-Amplifier

Specification Description / value

Headset Mic impedance: 200Ω (Dynamic)

Headset Mic Voltage 1.7V (Electret selectable)

Routed to 4-wire output @ 0dBu out:

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Specification Description / value

Mic gain 60dB (dynamic) 45dB (electret)

Frequency response 300Hz – 10kHz + / -3dB (contoured for intelligibility)

Distortion <0.2% THD @ 1kHz

Noise- <-55dBu dynamic, <-65dBu electret

20.8.3 Headphone Amplifier

Specification Description / value

Load impedance >32Ω

Output level +12dBu before clipping

Sidetone -12dB (selectable)

Routed from a 4-wire input @0dBu in:

Max gain 0dB

Frequency response 40Hz - 10kHz ±3dB

Noise <-65dBu (@ max gain)

Headphone limiter -0dBu (selectable)

20.8.4 Power Requirements (HXII-BP)

Specification Description / value

Voltage 48V DC

Current (Max) 0.09A

Power (Max) 4W

BTU (Max) 13BTU/hr

Unit powered by Powerline

Input Voltage ±29.5V DC

Input Current (Max) 0.13A

Powerline utilization

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Specification Description / value

HXII-BP = 1 beltpack

Note the maximum Powerline capacity of the HMS-4X. Use the HelixNet Cable Calculator
available from the Clear-Com website to validate load and cable distance.

Unit powered by Power over Ethernet (PoE)

Class of device IEEE 802.3af-2003 - Class 1

PSE 4.0W DC max @Power Source Req

PD 3.84 DC max @ Powered Device Draw

20.8.5 Environmental
Specification Description / value

Temperature 0˚C - 40˚C (32˚F - 104˚F)

Humidity 0 - 90% relative humidity

20.9 Network (Ethernet)

20.9.1 Network Protocols (HelixNet v.4)
Specification Description / value

Ethernet IPv4 Unicast audio and control

mDNS (multicast domain name system) Multicast device discovery

Layer 3 (OSI model) Routable with mDNS function limitations

WavPac Audio codec

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20.9.2 Network Ports (HelixNet v.4)

Description / Value

l Port 80 TCP – web interface, system management, expansion

l Port 655 TCP – Link Group audio/database

Unicast
l Port 6001 TCP - System management

l Port 6001 UDP – Audio Streams

l Port 5353 UDP – mDNS, names, discovery, linking, expansion. Optional for
Multicast
device names and linking. Mandatory for HRM expansion

20.9.3 Network Parameters (HelixNet v.4)

Description / Value

Link Group endpoint 64 endpoints are made up of : user stations, active Interface ports,
support program audio inputs and LQ accounts

l 300 kbps each audio input linking between HMS/LQ (Link Group
audio sent dynamically between members)
Bandwidth
l 300-600 (max) kbps from each audio input to HMS

l 1200-2400 (max) kbps from HMS to each endpoint

Network jitter <= 128ms jitter buffer per audio stream received, automatically adjusted
tolerance to network performance

QoS tags DSCP=46, High Priority/Expedited Forwarding (EF)

Default link-local IP
169.254.0.0/16
address range

l 10.0.0.0/8 for endpoints

Reserved IP ranges
l 172.23.0.0/16 for Link Group

20.9.4 Recommended Ethernet Switch Features (HelixNet v.4)

Required switch features

Managed Ethernet Switch – Layer 3

100/1000Base-T ports for endpoints

1000Base IP Trunks between switches

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Required switch features

QoS Configuration

Energy Efficient Ethernet bypass option

IGMP Snooping bypass option

20.10 Roles (System Limits)

A HelixNet Link Group has a hard limit of 100 Roles. This includes default Roles.

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21 Glossary
Channel Any audio routed through the HelixNet system must be configured into a
Channel. Channels operate as virtual Partylines, which means that
audio sources assigned to a Channel will be able to talk and listen to all
other sources assigned to that Channel. In order for an audio source on
one device to talk to an audio source on another device, the two Keysets
must be brought together into one Channel.
Many audio sources in one Channel will not have a negative effect on
audio quality or latency.

Daisy-chaining Devices are daisy-chained when they are linked together by cable in a
line, as in a daisy chain. Other linking topologies are available, such as a
star or tree. In HelixNet, it is possible to daisy chain Remote Stations,
Speaker Stations and beltpacks to the Main Station using a powerline
that transmits both data and power. However, the number and type of
devices linked will have an effect on the powerline. 10 beltpacks can be
linked (powerlined), but if a Remote Station is added into the line, the
total number of devices possible in the chain will go down due to the
higher power requirement of the Remote station. See Pairing Remote
Stations, Speaker Stations and HXII-BP-X4 beltpacks to the Main
Station.
You can find the URL to a powerline/distance calculator at the beginning
of Installing HelixNet Partyline.

Expansion Group In an Expansion Group, Main Stations and Remote Stations (up to 3)
are linked over IP in a host/slave relationship. This means that the audio
on all of the stations is controlled from the host station, using one
headset and speaker, creating a convenient and easy to use set-up.
Expansion Groups must be established from the front panel menus on
the device(s).

KeySet A Keyset is a HelixNet unit that consists of an audio source or Channel

and a set of controls associated with that Channel. The associated
controls are: a menu screen, a rotary control, a Talk button and a Call
button. Main Stations and Remote Stations have 4 Keysets, which can
be seen on the front panel of the device. Speaker Stations also have 4
Keysets, though only 2 are visible on the device, the 4 Keysets operate
in a split screen. Beltpacks have 2 Keysets.
See Main Station/Remote Channel keyset and display.

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Linking/ Only Main Stations can be linked.

Link Group Linking Main Stations in HelixNet allows more beltpacks to be used and
increases intercom range as far as your LAN will allow. The linked Main
Stations create a mesh connectivity, which ensures robust audio
transmission.
When Linking Main Stations in HelixNet 3.0 and above, Channels with
the same number (1 – 24) are merged.
Devices can be linked either from the unit front menus or from the
browser based Core Configuration Manager (CCM). When linked in the
CCM, devices and Roles can be configured by proxy from any Main
Station in the Link Group.
See Linking in the Core Configuration Managerand Linking Main
Stations for more information.

Pairing Remote Stations, Speaker Stations and HXII-BP-X4 beltpacks are

connected to the Main Station over LAN/IP. This allows Main Station
Channels to be available to a remote connection, either an HRM
(Remote Station) or an HKB (Speaker Station). Pairing over IP will
provide better latency than connecting with a powerline.
See Ethernet point-to-point link.

Role A Role is a pre-set configuration that includes Channel assignment,

audio settings, IFBs, relays etc. Each HelixNet device has a default Role
that can be used as it is or modified to fit requirements. Each Role can be
given a name (a label) that corresponds to a common user workflow,
such as producer, director, A1, etc.
When adding new Roles, you will modify an existing template, using
either the default Role for that device, or another Role that you have
already made. Default Roles can be modified but not deleted or loaded
to devices, you will always work with a copy. Default Roles can be
returned to factory settings if required.
To use Roles, you must have HelixNet 3.0 or above installed on your
Main Stations.
See Roles for more information.

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22 HMS-4X Main Station Menu Map

Menu 1 (First) > Menu 2 > Menu 3 > Menu 4 (Last)

Audio Settings Headset Sidetone Gain Range: 0dB to -18dB

Default: -12db

Headphone Limit Range: +6dB to -6dB

Default: 0db

Sidetone Control Tracking

Non-Tracking
Disabled
Default: Tracking

HS Mic Type Electret

Dynamic (0 dB)
Dynamic (low)
Default: Dynamic (0 dB)

Microphone Headroom Normal

High
Default: Normal

Contour Filter Enabled

Disabled
Default: Disabled

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Menu 1 (First) > Menu 2 > Menu 3 > Menu 4 (Last)

Program Input Label 12 characters

Gain Range: +12dB to -12dB

Default: 0db

GPO Trigger Enabled

Disabled
Default: Enabled

VOX Enabled
Disabled
Default: Disabled

VOX Off Delay Range: 0.5 – 4 sec

Default: 0.5 sec

Program IFB IFB Dim Level IFB Disabled + Range: -6dB

- -24dB + Full Cut

SA Output Gain Range: +12dB to -12dB

Hot Mic Output Default: 0db

Front Panel Loudspeaker Dim Range: 0dB to -24dB

Default: -6dB

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Menu 1 (First) > Menu 2 > Menu 3 > Menu 4 (Last)

Station Settings Preferences Roles Select Role or Local Config

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Menu 1 (First) > Menu 2 > Menu 3 > Menu 4 (Last)

Station ID
Alphanumeric entry

Keyset Assign Keyset 1 – 4 None

Channel 1 – 12 (or 24)

Keysets Talk #1 Latch Latching

Non-Latching
Default: Latching
Talk #2 Latch

Talk #3 Latch

Talk #4 Latch

SA Output Key Latching

Non-Latching
Default: Non-latching

All Talk Toggle All Channels/Visible

Channels
Default All Channels

RMK Disabled
All Channels
Visible Channels
Default: Enabled All
Channels

Display OLED Brightness High

Medium
Low
Default: Medium

Key Brightness High / Low

High / Off
Low / Off

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Menu 1 (First) > Menu 2 > Menu 3 > Menu 4 (Last)

Off / Off
Default: High / Low

Screensaver Enabled
Disabled
Default: Enabled

Channels Channel 1 Label Press to Edit

Channel 2 Max. length for labels = 12
Channel 3 characters

Channel 4 Program Listen None

List of programs
[…]
Default: None

GPO on Talk Default: None

Relay 1 - 4

GPO on Call Default: None

Relay 1 - 4

Control I/O Inputs Opto 1 None

Call Key 1
Opto 2
Talk Key 1
Opto 3 Call Key 2
Talk Key 2
Opto 4
Call Key 3
Outputs Relay 1 Talk Key 3
Call Key 4
Relay 2 Talk Key 4
Relay 3 Default: None

Relay 4

Module Settings Slot n /Port A/B Channel Assign Disabled

4W Channel A
Channel B
Channel C
Channel D
Up to the maximum number

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Menu 1 (First) > Menu 2 > Menu 3 > Menu 4 (Last)

of licensed channels.
Default: Disabled

Program Output Unmute

Mute
Default: Mute

GPO Trigger Enabled

Disabled
Default: Enabled

Input Gain Range: +12dB to -12dB

Output Gain Default: 0db

VOX Enabled
Disabled
Default: Disabled

VOX Off Delay Range: [0].5 – 4 secs

Default: [0].5 secs

Slot n /Port A/B Channel Assign Disabled

2W Channel A
Channel B
Channel C
Channel D
Up to the maximum number
of licensed channels.
Default: Disabled

Program Output Unmute

Mute
Default: Unmute

Auto-Nulling Start

Mode Clear-Com
RTS Audio Pin 2

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Menu 1 (First) > Menu 2 > Menu 3 > Menu 4 (Last)

RTS Audio Pin 3

Default: Clear-Com

GPO Trigger Enabled

Disabled
Default: Enabled

Input Gain Range: -3dB to +3dB

Output Gain Default: 0db

RMK Input Enabled

Disabled
RMK Output
Default: Enabled

VOX Enabled
Disabled
Default: Disabled

VOX Off Delay Range: [0].5 – 4 secs

Default: [0].5 secs

Network Stations Preferences Hostname (12 chars)

DHCP enabled/disabled
IP address (enter IP
address)
Subnet mask
Gateway

[Station IDs} (info only)

Hostname
Linked status
IP address

Linking Link mode Disabled

Link Master
Link Member

Link to Master By name

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Menu 1 (First) > Menu 2 > Menu 3 > Menu 4 (Last)

By IP address

Expansion Host Enabled

Mode Expand to host Disabled (default)

Administration Software Current MS Version

IVR Version
Snx Version where n is slot
number and x is the port

Update None or version list

Beltpacks Menu Lock Unlock All

Lock All

Reset Reset to Default Reset HMS

Reset Endpoints
Reset All

Reboot Reboot Now

Settings Save all USB drive or file list

Restore all SB drive or file list

Restore Role/Ch USB drive or file list

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Menu 1 (First) > Menu 2 > Menu 3 > Menu 4 (Last)

Diagnostics Hardware Main PCB Part: [Part_Number]

Revision: [Revision]
Serial number: [Serial
number]

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Menu 1 (First) > Menu 2 > Menu 3 > Menu 4 (Last)

Slot 1 PCB

Slot 2 PCB

Slot 3 PCB

Temperature Sensor 1 Temperature in °C.

Note:
Single fan on if any sensor >
60°C.
Sensor 2 Double fan on if any sensor
> 65°C.
Double fan off if < 55°C /
single fan off if < 50°C.

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Menu 1 (First) > Menu 2 > Menu 3 > Menu 4 (Last)

Sensor 3

Powerlines Powerline 1 Status: [OK or BUSY

Powerline 2 (according to responses to
MME requests)].
DMC: [MAC of powerline
modem]
HMC: [MAC of local blackfin
processor]
Beltpacks: [# of beltpacks
detected by powerline
modem]
Collision rate: [Percentage
(0% when operating
normally)]
Error rate: [Percentage (0%
when operating normally)]
Volts: [Voltage]

Keysets Keyset 1 Name: Channel name

Keyset 2 Talkers: Number of talkers
on Partyline
Keyset 3
Devices: Number of
Keyset 4 beltpacks listening on
Partyline
Main Stations: Number of
Main Stations listening
2-Wire: Number of 2-Wire
ports listening
4-Wire: Number of 4-Wire
ports listening

22.1 HRS-4X Remote Station Menu Map

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Menu 1 (First) Menu 2 > Menu 3 > Menu 4 (Last)

>

Audio Settings Headset Sidetone Gain Range: 0dB to -18dB

Default: -12db

Headphone Limit Off + Range: +6dB to -6dB

Default: 0db

Sidetone Control Tracking

Non-Tracking
Disabled
Default: Tracking

HS Mic Type Electret

Dynamic (0 dB)
Dynamic (low)
Default: Dynamic (0 dB)

Microphone Headroom Normal

High
Default: Normal

Contour Filter Enabled

Disabled
Default: Disabled

Program Mode Enabled/Disabled

Input

Gain Range: +12dB to -12dB

Default: 0db

IFB Dim Level Range: --6dB to -24dB

Default: Off

GPO Trigger Enabled

Disabled
Default: Enabled

VOX Enabled
Disabled

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Menu 1 (First) Menu 2 > Menu 3 > Menu 4 (Last)

>

Default: Disabled

VOX Off Delay Range: 0.5 - 4sec

Default: 0.5sec

SA Output Mode Channel Assigned

SA
Default: Channel Assigned

Gain Range: +12 to -12dB

Default: 0dB

Program Output Unmute

Mute
Default: Mute

Channel Assign Disabled

Channel A
Channel B
Channel C
Channel D
Up to the maximum number of licensed
channels.
Default: Disabled

Hot Mic Gain Range: +12 to -12dB

Output Default: 0dB

Front Panel Loudspeaker Dim Range: 0dB to -24dB

Default: -6dB

Station Preferences Roles Default: HRM – [unique ID

Settings Select Role or Local Config]

Keyset Keyset 1 – 4 Channel 1 – 12 (or 24)

Assign

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Menu 1 (First) Menu 2 > Menu 3 > Menu 4 (Last)

>

Keysets Talk 1 - 4 Latching

Non-Latching
Default: Latching

All Talk All Channels

Visible Channels

SA Output Key Latching

Non-Latching
Default: Non-latching

RMK Enabled
Disabled
Default: Enabled

Display OLED Brightness High

Medium
Low
Default: Medium

Key Brightness High / Low

High / Off
Low / Off
Off / Off
Default: High / Low

Screensaver Enabled
Disabled
Default: Enabled

Channels Channel 1 Label Press to Edit

Channel 2 Max. length for labels = 12 characters
Channel 3 Program Listen None
Channel 4 List of programs

[…] Default: None

GPO on Talk Default: None

Relay 1 - 4

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Menu 1 (First) Menu 2 > Menu 3 > Menu 4 (Last)

>

GPO on Call Default: None

Relay 1 - 4

Control I/O Inputs Opto 1 None

Call Key 1
Talk Key 1
Call Key 2
Talk Key 2
Call Key 3
Outputs Relay 1
Talk Key 3
Call Key 4
Talk Key 4
Default: None

Network Preferences Hostname (12 char)

DHCP
enabled/disabled
IP address (enter if
required)
Subnet mask
Gateway

Pair to By Name Enabled

Station By Address Disabled
Default: Enabled

Expansion Host
mode (enabled/disabled)
Expand to host
(none/hostname)

Administration Software Current HelixNet System Version

Remote Station Version

Update None or version list

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Menu 1 (First) Menu 2 > Menu 3 > Menu 4 (Last)

>

Reset Reset to Default Reset Now

Reboot Reboot Now

Settings Save USB drive or local

Restore local USB drive or file list

Diagnostics Main PCB

Powerlines Powerline 1 Status: [status]

DMC: {MAC]

HMC: [MAC]

MMC: [MAC]

Rx rate: [Mbps]

Tx rate: [Mbps]

Network Status IP Address

IP Address

IP Mask

Mac

Keysets Keyset 1 Name: Channel name

Keyset 2 Talkers: Number of talkers on Partyline
Devices: Number of beltpacks listening
Keyset 3
on Partyline
Keyset 4 Main Stations: Number of Main Stations
listening
2-Wire: Number of 2-Wire ports listening
4-Wire: Number of 4-Wire ports listening

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22.2 HKB-2X Speaker Station Menu Map

Menu 1 (First) > Menu 2 > Menu 3 > Menu 4 (Last)

Roles Select Role or Local Config.

Audio Settings Headset Sidetone Gain Range: 0dB to -18dB

Default: -12db

Headphone Limit Off + Range: +6dB to -6dB

Default: 0dB

Headphone Gain 0 to +12dB

Default: 0dB

Sidetone Control Tracking

Non-Tracking
Disabled
Default: Tracking

HS Mic Type Electret (-15dB)

Dynamic (0 dB)
Dynamic (low)
Default: Dynamic (0 dB)

Microphone Contour Filter Enabled

Disabled
Default: Disabled

Front Panel Loudspeaker Dim Range: 0dB to --24dB

Default: -6db

Station Settings Keyset Assign Keyset 1 – 4 Channel 1 – 12 (or 24

depending on license)

Keysets Talk 1 - 4 Latching

Non-Latching
Default: Latching

Unlatch on Shift Enable, disable

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Menu 1 (First) > Menu 2 > Menu 3 > Menu 4 (Last)

Display OLED Brightness High

Medium
Low
Default: Medium

Key Brightness High / Low

High / Off
Low / Off
Off / Off
Default: High / Low

Screensaver Enabled
Disabled
Default: Enabled

Network Pair to Station By Name Separate

By Address IP address: xx.xx.xx.xx
where x is a numeric value

Preferences DHCP Enabled

Disabled
Default: Enabled

IP Address IP address: xx.xx.xx.xx

where x is a numeric value

Gateway IP address: xx.xx.xx.xx

where x is a numeric value

Subnet Mask IP address: xx.xx.xx.xx

where x is a numeric value

Administration Software Current HelixNet

Speaker Station

Reset Reset to Default Reset Now

Reboot Reboot Now

Diagnostics Powerlines Powerline 1 Status: [OK or BUSY

(according to responses to
MME requests)].

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Menu 1 (First) > Menu 2 > Menu 3 > Menu 4 (Last)

DMC:[MAC of powerline
modem]
HMC: [MAC of local blackfin
processor
Rx rate:[Mbps]
Tx rate:[Mbps]
Status:[status]
IP Addr [IP Address]
IP Mask [Subnet Mask]
MAC:[MAC Address]

Networking Ethernet

Keysets Keyset 1 Name: Channel name

Keyset 2 Talkers: Number of talkers
on Partyline
Keyset 3
Devices: Number of
Keyset 4 beltpacks listening on
Partyline
Main Stations: Number of
Main Stations listening
2-Wire: Number of 2-Wire
ports listening
4-Wire: Number of 4-Wire
ports listening

Hardware

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22.3 HBP-2X and HXII-BP-X4 Beltpack Menu Map

Menu 1 (First) > Menu 2 > Menu 3 (Last)

Roles Select Role or Local Config

Audio Settings Sidetone Gain Range: 0dB to -18dB

Default: -12dB

Headphone Limit Off + Range: +6 to -12dB

Default: 0dB

Sidetone Control Tracking

Non-tracking
Disabled

Default: Tracking

HS Mic Type Electret (-15dB)

Dynamic (0dB)
Dynamic (-10dB) for HBP-2X
Dynamic (low) for HXII-BP-X4
Default: Dynamic (0dB)
Note:
Electret = 35dB fixed gain, non-user
adjustable.
Dynamic = 50dB fixed gain, non-
user adjustable.

Headroom (only for HBP- Normal

2X) High
Default: Normal

Contour Filter Enabled

Disabled
Default: Disabled

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Menu 1 (First) > Menu 2 > Menu 3 (Last)

Beltpack Settings Left Channel None

Channel assign (1 – 24)
Right Channel
Talk (latch/non latch)
Vibrate On Call On
Default: Latch
Off
USB flasher (disabled/blinking/solid)
Default: Off
Default: disabled

Display Settings OLED Brightness High

Medium
Low
Default: Medium

Key Brightness High / Low

High / Off
Low / Off
Off / Off
Default: High / Low

Rotate Display Enabled

Disabled
Default: Disabled

Screensaver Channel
Hostname
Role (default)
Blank
Disabled

Network (HBP-2X and IP Address IP address: xx.xx.xx.xx where x is a

HXII-BP-X4 over numeric value
powerline)

Network (HXII-BP-X4 Pair to Station By Name

powered over Ethernet) By Address

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Menu 1 (First) > Menu 2 > Menu 3 (Last)

Preferences DHCP

IP address

Gateway

Subnet mask

Administration Software Version npl-1.0.x, uboot

Software Update npl-1.0.x

Reset to Default Reset Now

Hardware Main PCB

Important Note:
There are 4 levels of Menu
for Hardware

Diagnostics Powerline Status: [OK or Part: [Part_

Note: BUSY Number]
Line (Partyline) that (according to Revision:
connects beltpack to the responses to [Revision]
network (and which also MME Serial number:
powers the beltpack). requests)]. [Serial number]
DMC:[MAC of
powerline
modem]
HMC: [MAC of
local blackfin
processor]
MMC: [MAC of
the Main
Station
powerline
modem, to
which the
beltpack is
connected]
Rx rate:
Range: 140 –

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Menu 1 (First) > Menu 2 > Menu 3 (Last)

150 Mbps
Tx rate: Range:
140 – 150 Mbps

Keysets 1 to 4 Name: Channel name

Talkers: Number of talkers on
Partyline
Beltpacks: Number of beltpacks
listening on Partyline
Main Stations: Number of Main
Stations listening
2-Wire: Number of 2-Wire ports
listening
4-Wire: Number of 4-Wire ports
listening

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23 Cabling reference
You can connect beltpacks using:

l A wide range of standard microphone (intercom) cable types (16 AWG – 26 AWG).

l CAT5, CAT5e and CAT6 cable types.

XLR cable CAT5/6 cable

Pin 1 Pin 1 and Pin 2 and shield/drain wire

Pin 2 Pin 4, Pin 6 and Pin 8

Pin 3 Pin 3, Pin 5 and Pin 7

Clear-Com recommends the following cable types:

Belden 9207 for fixed installation
Belden 9463F for portable installations

Note: Cat 5 screen should be connected to chassis at one end of cable only.

You can also mix CAT cables and microphone cables when connecting to the HMS-4X Main
Station. For example, you might use CAT cables to trunk long distances, and flexible microphone
cables to connect beltpacks to bulkheads.

Note: The cabling information provided in this guide is for guidance only. For in-depth, tailored
advice on cabling, Clear-Com recommends that you contact your Clear-Com
representative.

23.1 Interoperability
The optional interface modules (two-wire, four-wire, 10/100BaseT Ethernet and Fiber Channel)
for the HMS-4X Main Station enable interoperability with your existing communications
infrastructure.
You can connect the HMS-4X Main Station to:
Two-wire intercom systems and devices (including Encore and RTS) using standard microphone
cable (16 AWG – 26 AWG).
Four-wire intercom systems and devices (including Eclipse) using Ethernet (CAT) cable.
Tip: For more information about integrating HelixNet Partyline into your existing communications
infrastructure, see Connecting to Other Intercom Systems

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23.2 Clear-Com EthernetCable Recommendations

Cable recommendations

Category (Cat) Higher Cat numbers will support a higher

bandwidth. Therefore, by using a higher Cat
number you are future proofing you system to
some extent.

Example:

l Cat 5 : up to 1 GB

l Cat 6: up to 10 GB

Use Cat 5e or higher.

American Wire Gauge (AWG) The lower the AWG number, the less
temperature rise there wil be in the cable when
using PoE. This is particularly important for
bundles. Local building regulations may rule
out the use of 26 AWG or higher, depending on
the installation. Check with your local building
regulations.
Use AWG 24 or lower.

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) or Using shielded cable means less problems with
Foiled Twisted Pair (FTP) interference from other sources. This means
that your network will be more robust if you use
shielded cables.

Note: Overall recommendation: Use Cat 6a, 23 AWG STP cable.

23.3 Clear-Com Microphone Cable Recommendations (Capacitance

Versus Distance)
Standard microphone cables impose distance limitations at their upper limits due to cable
capacitance.

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If your priority is audio quality, experiment with attaching one or two fewer devices to each line.
Your choice of topology (daisy chain, star or tree) may also impact audio quality over distance.

Attenuation /
Manufacturer Cable type Gauge (AWG) Style
100m

Belden 9463f 20 Std 16 dB

Belden 9207 20 Std 9 dB

Belden 1533P 24 Cat5e 11 dB

23.3.1 Quick reference: Cable capacity versus distance

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Note: The above graphs are intended as a general guide only. Actual cable performance may
vary, depending on the conditions and complexity of the installation.

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23.4 Cable Connections

The diagrams on the following pages reference the following labels and notes.

Label Manufacturer Part Number Description

Clear-Com HMS-4X HelixNet Main Station

Belden 8760,9207 18 or 20 AWG twisted pair cable

Or terminated with 3-pin XLR

9463F

Middle Atlantic (or CH-1 1 RU shielded chassis

equivalent)

Neutrik (or equivalent) NC3FD-L-B-1 3 pole female chassis mount

Neutrik (or equivalent) NC3MD-L-B-1 3 pole male chassis mount

Neutrik (or equivalent) NA3MDF 3 PIN XLR M-F FEED THRU

ADAPTER

Belden (or existing 1351A or 1533P 24 AWG, shielded cat 6 cabling

cabling)

Belden 8760,9207 or XLR3 M-F patch cord

9463F

Belden 8760,9207 or 18 or 20 AWG twisted pair cable

9463F

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Label Note

Wire in accordance with Table 245

Equipment rack, breakout box chassis and patch panel must be connected to safety
earth

Connect up to 32 wall plate locations to patch panel with individual CAT 5 cables

If multiple wall plates are co-located at a remote location, daisy chain their wiring at
the remote location and connect a single CAT 5 cable from the remote location back
to the patch panel

Use short length, high quality XLR patch cords with shielded connectors

Do not patch between separate power lines

Assemble item 6 to panel with male connectors to front

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24 Troubleshooting
Issue Solution

Why are the Talk keys flashing Flashing Talk keys may indicate a fault in the cable.
periodically? Check the cable for short-circuit conditions and replace if
necessary.

The Call functionality on my analog HelixNet Partyline operates at different voltage levels than
beltpack is no longer working. analog two-wire Partyline systems.
The analog beltpack may have been damaged if it was
connected to a HelixNet Main Station Partyline port.
Contact Clear-Com for repair options.

I cannot pass audio to wired / Two-wire option modules require an external power
wireless intercom equipment over supply. See Connecting to Other Intercom Systems
the Two-wire module.

Why do I hear an echo when Run auto-nulling.

interfacing via a two-wire audio Ensure that all unused Talk keys in the system are
port? unlatched.

Echo occurs even after Two wire Check to ensure all open Talk keys are not latched and re-
module has been auto-nulled. null.

There is no audio or only partial Check the cable used to connect the equipment.
audio (send or receive, but not HelixNet to Eclipse four-wire connections only require a
both) between other audio systems standard CAT cable, whereas other four-wire connections
/ sources connected over four- (to Tempest™, CellCom / FreeSpeak, and other systems)
wire. require an audio crossover cable. See:
HMS 4X Main Station
Connecting to Other Intercom Systems

Line 1 (or Line 2) LED is blinking There is a short-circuit somewhere on that Powerline.
red. Unplug everything from that Powerline and add cables and
Beltpacks one at a time until you find the short-circuit.

Line 1 (or Line 2) LED is steady red There are digital errors or there is cross-talk on that
and one or more Beltpack has no Powerline. Look at the Diagnostics->Powerlines-
bars showing up for signal >Powerline 1(or 2) page.
strength. If the number of Beltpacks showing there is greater than
what you physically connected to that Powerline, cross-

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Issue Solution

talk is happening between the Powerlines. Make sure you

are using properly shielded Mic cables or Cat cables.
If the number of Beltpacks showing there does match what
you physically connected to that Powerline and errors or
high collision rate is displayed, verify that you don’t exceed
the number of Beltpacks per Powerline or distance as per
the Cable capacity versus distance table.
High collision rate means communication issues on the
powerline. Possible causes are:

l Unshielded or bad cables

l Powerline 1 looped back into Powerline 2 (or from

one HMS to another)

l Cables too long

l Too many cables in the infrastructure (even

unconnected strand count)

l Too many devices on the Powerline

l Faulty device

I inserted my USB drive with a ccb Make sure that your USB drive is formatted with at least
file on it and the Administration- one partition. Make sure your .ccb file is in the root
>Software->Update menu shows directory of the first partition on your USB drive. If not, you
“None”. can run diskpart on Windows Vista and later versions of
Windows to create a partition.

I upgraded to 1.1 but I cannot see Make sure you properly inserted an Ethernet or Fiber
the Networking menu. module in one of the option module slots. You can verify
that they are detected by looking at the Modules Settings
menu.

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Issue Solution

I powered up two Main Stations Make sure your Ethernet of Fiber cable is properly
and they are not showing up in the connected to a router, a switch or another Main Station.
Networking > Stations list. There is a green LED beside each Ethernet and Fiber port
to indicate that the connection is fine. Look at each station
IP address and Subnet Mask under Networking >
Preferences and make sure that they are part of the same
subnet. Also make sure that their IP address is different
from any other device on your IP network.

My connection to the CCM is This is generally caused by more than one device using the
intermittent. same IP address. Check with your network administrator
that there is no IP clash.

My device has gone into link-local If your device is set to Dynamic Host Configuration
mode. (IP address = Protocol (DHCP) and there is no DHCP available on the
169.254.XX.XX) network, it is connected to it will revert to link-local
automatically. You need to allocate a static IP address to
this device. See Troubleshooting on page 281 for more
information.

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25 Compliance
Manufacturer
HM Electronics Inc.
Carlsbad
California
US

FCC notice
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept
any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a
commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction
manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communication. Operation of this
equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case the
user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Clear-Com, LLC, an HM Electronics, Inc.

company could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.
Industry Canada Compliance Statement
This Class[A] digital device complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Avis de conformité à la réglementation d'Industrie Canada
Cet appareil numérique de la class[A] est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
Korean notice
A급 기기 (업무용 방송통신기자재)
이 기기는 업무용(A급)으로 전자파적합기기로
서 판매자 또는 사용자는 이 점을 주의하시기
바라며, 가정외의 지역에서 사용하는 것을 목
적으로 합니다.
The HMS-4X, HRM-4X, HBP-2X, HXII-BP-X4, HBP-2XS, HLI-2W2 and HLI-4W2 products
comply with the following specifications:

EN55022 and EN5032 Emissions

EN55024 Immunity

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Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 20014/30/EU

Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU
Warning: This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment this product may cause radio
interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.
The HMS-4X, HLI-2W2 and HLI-4W2 products comply with the following specifications:
UL 60065-7
CAN/CSA-C22.2 No.60065-3
IEC 60065-7
Waste Electrical And Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
The European Union (EU) WEEE Directive (2002/96/EC) places an obligation on producers
(manufacturers, distributors and/or retailers) to take-back electronic products at the end of their
useful life. The WEEE Directive covers most Clear-Com products being sold into the EU as of
August 13, 2005. Manufacturers, distributors and retailers are obliged to finance the costs of
recovery from municipal collection points, reuse, and recycling of specified percentages per the
WEEE requirements.
Instructions for Disposal of WEEE by Users in the European Union
The symbol shown below is on the product or on its packaging which indicates that this product
was put on the market after August 13, 2005 and must not be disposed of with other waste.
Instead, it is the user’s responsibility to dispose of the user’s waste equipment by handing it over to
a designated collection point for the recycling of WEEE. The separate collection and recycling of
waste equipment at the time of disposal will help to conserve natural resources and ensure that it
is recycled in a manner that protects human health and the environment. For more information
about where you can drop off your waste equipment for recycling, please contact your local
authority, your household waste disposal service or the seller from whom you purchased the
product.

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