2-Way Radio Wireless PA System Design and Installation

Articles

The 2-Way Radio Wireless PA receiver is an advanced communication device designed to facilitate the direct delivery of voice messages from your portable, base station, or mobile 2-way radio to a PA speaker located up to 2 miles away. This versatile receiver and PA speaker combination serves as an ideal solution in situations where traditional hard-wired PA installations are impractical, prohibitively expensive, or temporary. Setting up the system is quick and easy, allowing you to start using it promptly, but determining the number of receivers required for adequate coverage is essential. This article provides guidance to help you build an effective system.

To ensure clear communication without broadcasting entire conversations over the PA system, it is recommended to use a dedicated frequency on the broadcasting radios, separate from a channel used for two-way communication.

Setting Volume Level

Properly adjusting the volume level is crucial for the optimal performance of the PA receiver and PA speaker. Consider the ambient noise level of the surroundings when selecting the volume level, as increasing it to cover a wider area may lead to undesirably high volume near the speaker, low volume at the outer edges of the coverage area, and the need for a greater distance between the calling radio and the PA speaker to prevent feedback. (Feedback is the result of PA speaker audio getting into the calling radio’s microphone.)

For large coverage areas, additional PA receivers and speakers may be necessary. It's possible to install two speakers on one receiver using a splitter.

Here are steps to determine the optimum volume level setting:

Refer to the horizontal shaded bars on the provided chart to identify the ambient or average sound level of your location.
Estimate the maximum distance (in feet) that the loudspeaker must be heard and locate that distance on the chart. Follow it up to find the line in the middle of your shaded bar. This line indicates the optimum PA volume level setting.

As an example application, if you need to cover a maximum distance of 50 feet in a factory with an ambient sound level similar to a warehouse, locate the vertical line at 50 feet on the chart, follow it up to the shaded bar indicating Warehouse, and identify the 50% to 75% lines for the required PA volume setting.

Speaker Placement

The placement of the speaker is a critical factor influencing the performance of both the PA receiver and PA speaker. Before finalizing the speaker location, carefully consider the following factors:

Indoor or Outdoor Installation: The speaker is adaptable for both indoor and outdoor installation. Ensure there is a convenient source of 110VAC power for the 12-volt DC power cube. Additionally, position the radio receiver box indoors to shield it from the elements, or opt for the optional outdoor housing. The speaker comes with a 25-foot cable, and for extended reach, standard RCA phono cable extensions can be utilized.

Avoid Proximity to Radio User: Ensure that the speaker is not placed in an area where the 2-way radio user addressing the speaker is typically located. Proximity can lead to feedback issues, where loudspeaker audio interferes with the radio microphone. Utilizing the Record & Play feature can effectively eliminate this problem.

Elevation Above Head Level: Position the speaker at least 10 feet above head level. At close range, the PA speaker can produce sound levels capable of causing permanent hearing loss. Therefore, avoid installing the speaker in locations where a person could be directly in front of it. For optimal coverage, mount the speaker horizontally. When positioned in this manner, the PA speaker delivers a broad 90° horizontal and 60° vertical coverage with minimal loss of sound level.

By taking these considerations into account, you can optimize the placement of the PA speaker for optimal performance and user safety.

To cover a large area, or an area with large obstructions, place 2 speakers back-to-back in a central location.

The speakers should be mounted as high as possible and pointing away from each other.
The 2 speakers can be driven by a single PA receiver.
Volume level may be reduced compared to a single speaker, making the system less susceptible to feedback.

Receiver Placement

The installation of the PA receiver plays a pivotal role in ensuring the effective radio coverage of the loudspeaker system. Improper installation can significantly diminish the maximum distance achievable between the calling radio and the PA receiver.

Follow these guidelines for a proper PA receiver installation:

Indoor Placement: Position the radio receiver box indoors, safeguarded from the elements (unless opting for the optional outdoor housing).

Power Source: Ensure a convenient 110VAC power source for the 12 Volt power cube.

Central and Elevated Location: Install the PA receiver centrally and as high up as possible to optimize radio coverage.

Antenna Orientation: For maximum radio coverage, orient the antenna vertically, avoiding contact with or proximity to large metal objects. If the receiver box is mounted horizontally, ensure the antenna remains in a vertical position.

Avoid High Traffic Locations: Choose a location for the PA receiver that is not prone to high traffic, reducing the risk of the receiver box being struck, unplugged, or the speaker becoming disconnected.

Cord Management: Avoid winding, looping, or allowing the power cord from the power cube to contact the antenna. Route the power cord away from the antenna to prevent interference.

Extended range: Radio range can be extended with the use of an external antenna. The antenna can be installed at a higher elevation than is possible with the attached antenna. The RT1009 VHF/UHF magnet-mount antenna has a 25 feet of cable to allow optimum antenna location.

By adhering to these installation guidelines, you can optimize the performance of the PA receiver, ensuring robust radio coverage for the loudspeaker system.

Multiple PA Receivers and Speakers

Many locations may require the installation of multiple PA receivers and PA speakers. Multiple receivers and PA speakers are used when:

Paging separate buildings is required.
The coverage area is too large for a single receiver and PA speaker.
Paging is required in more than one location.

Determining how many receivers and speakers you need depends on several factors.

Noise levels where you need public address
Square footage you need to cover
What obstacles are in the way of the sound

If you can measure sound levels at your loudest points, that figure can be helpful. You can use a device like this: decibel meter . As stated above, you want to try to have the wireless PA be 6dB louder than the noise level.

You can also use the illustration below. In the illustration it shows that directly in front of the speaker with the volume set to 100%, the sound level is 84db at 101 feet away from the speaker. So if you want to hear the speaker clearly, the ambient noise level at 101 feet should be less than 78dB.

If you need some help configuring a system, please give us a call at 888-298-9489. You can see the wireless PA system by clicking on this link: Wireless PA System