2-Way Radio Wireless PA System Design and Installation

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The Wireless PA receiver functions as an advanced communication device enabling voice message delivery from your portable or mobile 2-way radio to a PA speaker positioned up to 2 miles away. The versatile receiver and PA speaker combination becomes an ideal option where hard-wired PA systems are impractical, too costly to install, or required only for temporary use. The setup process is straightforward and fast which enables immediate usage but it remains vital to determine the proper number of receivers to achieve complete coverage. This article outlines steps to assist you in developing a functional system.

The broadcasting radios should use a dedicated frequency distinct from two-way communication channels to avoid transmitting whole conversations through the PA system.

Setting Volume Level

The performance of PA receivers and PA speakers reaches optimum levels only through proper volume level adjustments. When selecting a volume level take into account the ambient noise of the surroundings and recognize that increasing volume to cover a larger area can create excessively high volume near the speaker while producing low volume at the coverage area's outer edges and requiring a greater distance between the calling radio and PA speaker to avoid feedback. When audio from the PA speaker reaches the calling radio's microphone it causes feedback.

Expanding coverage areas often requires the installation of more PA receivers and speakers. Users can connect two speakers to one receiver with the help of a splitter.

The following steps will help you find the best volume level setting for your PA system:

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.

For a factory with a warehouse-like ambient sound level you want to cover 50 feet with sound you locate the 50 feet vertical line on the chart, trace it to the Warehouse shaded bar and find the required PA volume setting between the 50% and 75% lines.

Speaker Placement

The position where the speaker is installed plays a fundamental role in determining the effectiveness of the PA receiver and PA speaker. Examine these elements thoroughly before selecting the final speaker location.

Indoor or Outdoor Installation: This speaker can be installed in indoor settings as well as outdoor environments. The 12-volt DC power cube needs access to a nearby 110VAC power source to operate correctly. To protect the radio receiver box from environmental factors keep it inside or select the outdoor housing option. A 25-foot cable comes with the speaker while standard RCA phono cable extensions provide additional reach.

Avoid Proximity to Radio User: The speaker needs to be installed away from the standard locations where users operate their 2-way radios. Feedback problems may occur when loudspeaker audio overlaps with the radio microphone due to close proximity. The Record & Play feature resolves this issue effectively.

Elevation Above Head Level: The speaker should be mounted at a minimum height of 10 feet above the head level. The PA speaker produces dangerously loud sound levels at close range which can lead to permanent hearing damage. You should not install speakers in places where people will stand directly facing them. For optimal coverage, mount the speaker horizontally. The PA speaker achieves broad coverage with a 90° horizontal and 60° vertical spread when positioned correctly while maintaining minimal sound level loss.

If you follow these guidelines you will achieve the best positioning for your PA speaker which ensures top performance and protects 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

Some sites need multiple PA receivers together with multiple PA speakers to function correctly. Several receivers and PA speakers become necessary when you need to cover multiple locations.

Paging separate buildings is required.
A single PA receiver and speaker cannot span the entire coverage area.
The system requires paging functionality at multiple locations.

Multiple factors determine the number of receivers and speakers you require.

Noise levels where you need public address
Square footage you need to cover
The sound path encounters specific obstacles that need assessment.

Gathering sound level data from your loudest areas helps you determine appropriate audio setup levels. A decibel meter serves as the type of device you can use for this purpose. According to the earlier information the wireless PA should achieve a level that is 6dB louder than your ambient noise level.

You can also use the illustration below. The illustration demonstrates that at 101 feet distance directly in front of the speaker with a volume setting of 100%, the sound registers at 84db. The ambient noise level needs to stay below 78dB at 101 feet to hear the speaker clearly.

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