Broadcast Tools® SRC-8, 8 Channel Serial Remote Control
Broadcast Tools® SRC-8, Serial Remote Control
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The Broadcast Tools® SRC-8 A/B/C/O, Serial Remote Control provides the following features.
Version “A” has Relays on one end and inputs on the other, while version “B” is equipped with inputs and
outputs on each end. Versions “C” and “O” are special “PC” only systems. The systems are equipped
with 8-buffered TTL/CMOS inputs and 8-Relay (Form A) outputs. The unit can be controlled by our
simple/efficient command structure from a host computer (computer mode), such as a PC. Also, two or
more units can be operated in a standalone mode (master/slave mode) to form a "Relay extension cord,"
with 8-channles of control in each direction, at distances of up to 4000 ft. or more. The unit can
communicate using RS485 or RS232, at data rates up to 115.2K bits/second. Up to 32 units (in computer
mode & with repeaters) can be connected on a single pair of wires to form a large (512 I/O points) RS485
multi-drop network.
The SRC-8 has an onboard switching regulator for 9-35VDC or 12-24 VAC operation, LED
indicators for all inputs and outputs, 25 jumpers for communications address, Baud rate, mode control,
etc. Pluggable screw terminal connectors are provided for ease of installation/removal. The RS485 serial
port has built in transient protection and jumper selectable termination. LED indicators monitor the data
flow of the serial port.
Installation:
Installation of the SRC-8 in
high RF environments
should be performed with care. Shielded cable
is suggested for all control, audio inputs and outputs. All shields should be tied to the EGND terminals.
The station ground should be connected to the chassis ground screw located on the far right side of the
SRC-8 as viewed from the rear. It is recommended that all cables connected to the SRC-8 be looped
through ferrite cores to suppress RF. Surge protection with RF filtering such as the Tripp Lite “ISOBAR 4
or 6” is also suggested for the wall transformer. The purchase of inexpensive UPS will provide back up in
case of power outages.
Bench testing the SRC-8. Follow the steps below.
1
Set the two units side by side.
2
Connect one of the 6 conductor modular cables between each unit’s modular jack.
3
Verify that there are jumpers on JP 31-32 of one unit and JP 33-34 of the other. Supply power to
each unit and verify that that the “TX” and “RX” LED’s are lit.
4
Jumper “IN1” to ground and verify that the green input LED lights on this unit and that the red LED
for relay one lights on the other unit.
5
If all is well, reinstall the jumpers on JP 31-32 of each unit.
The SRC-8 interfaces to your equipment through pluggable rear panel screw terminals. Follow the
legends for the desired input and output connections, which appear on the printed circuit board and also
on the layout drawing on the last page of this manual. Remove each screw terminal, strip each conductor,
insert the conductor into the terminal and screw down the capture screw. The terminals accommodate
wire sizes from 16 - 28 AWG solid or stranded wire.
