To address an increasing demand for more wireless channels in location production, the Octopack combines up to four SRa Series compact receivers into a lightweight, rugged assembly with self-contained power supply and antenna signal distribution. This powerful production tool provides up to eight audio channels in a tiny package ready to work in applications from production cart to a portable mixing bag.

Octopack meets the requirements for professional quality RF signal distribution with the use of ultra quiet RF amps plus isolated and optimally matched signal paths through the circuitry to ensure equal performance from all connected receivers. The amplifiers provide a very high overload threshold to avoid generating IM (intermodulation) within the multicoupler itself.

The wide bandwidth of the antenna multicoupler allows the use of SRa Series receivers over a wide range of frequency blocks to simplify frequency coordination. Receivers can be installed in any of the four slots, or a slot can be left empty with no need to terminate the RF coaxial connections. The receivers interface with the Octopack board via the Unislot adapter.

Antenna inputs are standard 50 ohm BNC jacks. DC power on the jacks can be switched on for use with Lectrosonics UFM230 RF amplifiers or the ALP640 powered antenna for long coaxial cable runs. An LED next to the recessed switch indicates the antenna power status.

The front panel is designed to accept the standard or the “5P” version of the receiver which provides audio outputs on the front panel of the receiver. The second set of audio outputs can be used for a redundant feed to a recorder in addition to the main outputs that would typically feed wireless transmitters in a bag system, or a mixer on a sound cart.

The housing is constructed of machined aluminum with a reinforced rear/bottom panel to protect the batteries and power jack. The front panel includes two rugged handles that protect the connectors, receiver front panels and antenna jacks.

The rear/bottom panel provides a locking power jack and mounting for two L or M style rechargeable batteries. The batteries must be charged separately with the charger supplied by the manufacture as there is no charging circuitry in the Octopack. When batteries and external DC are both connected, power is drawn from the source with the highest voltage to allow the batteries to function as a backup to the external power. If the external source fails, the batteries will immediately take over and the power LED will blink slowly. For reliability, the switching is handled by circuitry rather than a mechanical switch.

Eight balanced outputs are provided on the side panel of the multicoupler. When the receivers operate in a 2-channel mode, each jack provides a separate audio channel. In the ratio diversity mode, the receivers are paired, so both output jacks deliver the same audio channel. The connectors are standard TA3M types, with the same pinout numbering as XLR connectors.

• Modular configuration accommodates up to four SRa Series compact receivers
• High performance antenna multicoupler with isolated outputs
• Switchable antenna power for remote coaxial RF amplifiers
• Discrete power distribution with individual protective fusing
• External DC or onboard battery powering
• Automatic power source selection controlled by voltage comparator
• Machined aluminum chassis for sound cart or portable bag use

To view a full list of specifications, download the data sheet "