Clear-Com to Showcase Tempest2400 Seamless Roaming and MasterBelt at PLASA 2012

Clear-Com, a manufacturer of critical voice communication systems, is showcasing the Tempest2400 with seamless roaming capability and Tempest2400 MasterBelt digital wireless intercom for the live sound market at PLASA 2012. Clear-Com is exhibiting in stand 1-F29. In addition to the advanced features, reliability, and robustness that are the hallmarks of the Tempest intercom family, the Tempest2400 seamless roaming and Tempest2400 MasterBelt offer even more coverage options for users. Tempest seamless roaming is ideal for large venues that are separated by sizeable distances, such as multi-theatre environments and/or outdoor venues. The MasterBelt is ideal for smaller, more mobile applications, including live, outdoor productions, and tour-guide setups.

The Tempest2400 seamless roaming feature affords crew members the ability to move freely and wirelessly throughout large venues, such as multi-theater complexes, university campuses, and sports arenas. This ensures that users can walk from one coverage area to another without interference or dropouts. The seamless roaming feature allows BeltStation users to migrate between as many as 16 different Tempest2400 BaseStations (coverage areas or zones). Both seamless roaming and iSelect roaming are available to accommodate virtually every application need.

Tempest2400 BaseStations are linked together with the newest ZSync (zero synchronization) technology. The ZSync technology provides a zero-sync reference that coordinates the hopping patterns of all connected BaseStations every time the system is powered up, irrespective of random time variation in power-up sequences. This provides improved system performance and a seamless wireless experience.

"With seamless roaming, a Tempest2400 wireless BeltStation can cover an extensive area with multiple zones that would not be adequately supported by a single BaseStation installation," says Craig Fredrickson, Clear-Com's wireless product manager. "This allows audio professionals to focus on critical production cues rather than having to change the settings on their wireless BeltStations when moving within a venue."

Ideal for mobile productions, the Tempest2400 MasterBelt offers most of the advanced features of the original Tempest2400 rack-mount BaseStation within a compact, portable package. This enables users to coordinate and communicate hands-free. One MasterBelt can be paired with any standard Tempest2400 CP-222 two-channel BeltStation to create a full-featured two-channel system operating in 80MHz of spectrum in the 2.4GHz band. The MasterBelt itself also functions as a BeltStation, allowing communications between up to six full-duplex wireless users. As with all Tempest wireless systems, it does not interfere with traditional wireless microphone, IFB, or in-ear monitor systems that operate in the UHF band.

All Tempest systems are designed to be durable and can operate in harsh weather conditions. The BeltStations are protected by a durable, weather-resistant ABS co-polymer blend with a high-performance polyurethane overmold. The MasterBelt includes a rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery capable of up to eight hours of operation. It can also be powered by three standard AA alkaline batteries as a backup, providing four hours of operations.

"The Tempest2400 system has proven itself as the 'go-to' communications solution for live productions, operating interference-free even when other wireless devices are in the same vicinity," says Frederickson. "The MasterBelt is the latest development in the Tempest2400 line, giving users an even more flexible alternative for smaller mobile applications where a stationary BaseStation is not desirable, feasible or optimal, such as live outdoor theater productions, concerts, or even as a tour-guide system."

The frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) technology is embedded in all Tempest systems, which utilizes a narrow signal band that is continually changing frequencies to burn through RF noise and interference. As a result, the Tempest system does not compete with signals from other 2.4GHz wireless devices, minimizing frequency coordination and enabling flawless performance. Moreover, the wireless system features state-of-the-art 2xTX transmission voice data redundancy, which sends each packet of audio data twice on different frequencies and through different antennas, ensuring uninterrupted audio communications.

As with all Tempest systems, the Tempest2400 offers three different modes of operations -- normal, shared, and split. All modes are supported under the seamless roaming function. A single Tempest2400 in normal mode can support between one and five full-duplex wireless users who always need to speak on the intercom system. However, in split or shared mode, an unlimited number of users can monitor the conversation and share talk capability. A combination of Tempest systems operating in either normal or shared mode can co-exist in the same environment for the ultimate in flexibility.