Shure UA864 - User Manual

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UA864 -- Wall-Mounted Active Directional
Antenna
General Description
The UA864 antenna provides active directional RF coverage in an easy-to-install, low-profile enclosure that can be
mounted on walls, ceilings, or metal surfaces with improved reception. The paintable, neutral white housing allows
the antenna to blend into corporate or classroom settings. The 4-position selectable gain switch provides attenua-
tion and boost settings to match the antenna to the environment. UHF variants provide wideband RF coverage.
Features
• Low-profile design
• Wall or ceiling mounting options
• Wideband performance (UHF models only)
• Four-position gain switch
• Metal surface mounting capability
• LED indicators for gain settings
• Neutral white, paintable housing
Positioning Antennas for Diversity Reception
The UA864 is a polarized antenna and must be oriented correctly to optimize reception for each transmitter type.
The gain switch indicates the antenna's orientation. Position the antennas using the following guidelines:
Note: The antenna's inner construction may differ for each model variation.
Handheld and Bodypack Transmitters (vertical)

Summary

Positioning Antennas for Diversity Reception

Antenna Placement

Installation

Mounting on a Wall or Ceiling

Details mounting the plate to walls, ceilings, or junction boxes.

Installation Steps

Provides sequential instructions for mounting the plate and connecting the antenna.

Routing the Cable

Connecting to a Receiver

Setting the Gain Switch

RF Gain Setting Scenarios

Selecting Antenna Cables

Polar Pattern

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Maintenance Features

The Shure UA864 is a wall-mounted active directional antenna designed to enhance RF coverage and reception in various environments. Its low-profile design and neutral white, paintable housing allow it to blend seamlessly into corporate, classroom, or other installation settings. This antenna is engineered for improved reception, making it a versatile component for wireless microphone systems.

Function Description

The primary function of the UA864 is to provide active directional RF coverage, optimizing signal reception for wireless microphone systems. It features a 4-position selectable gain switch that allows users to adjust the antenna's sensitivity to match the specific RF characteristics of the environment. This switch offers attenuation and boost settings, ensuring optimal signal strength and minimizing interference. UHF variants of the UA864 provide wideband RF coverage, making them compatible with a broad range of frequencies. The antenna requires bias voltage from a receiver or distribution system to operate and illuminate its LED indicators. If the connected device does not supply bias voltage, an external power supply like the Shure UABIAST can be used.

Usage Features

The UA864 offers several features that enhance its usability and integration into different setups:

• Low-profile design: Its sleek and unobtrusive form factor makes it suitable for installations where aesthetics are important.
• Wall or ceiling mounting options: The antenna can be easily mounted on various surfaces, including walls, ceilings, or even metal surfaces, providing flexibility in placement. The mounting plate allows for direct installation to a wall, ceiling, or a standard junction box.
• Wideband performance: UHF models of the UA864 support a wide range of frequencies, ensuring compatibility with diverse wireless systems.
• Four-position gain switch: This switch allows for precise control over the antenna's gain, offering settings for attenuation (Pad: -10, -20 dB), default (0 dB), and boost (+10 dB).
  • The Pad settings (-10, -20 dB) are useful when the desired wireless microphone signal strength is strong, providing increased isolation from other RF sources. If the RF OVERLOAD LED illuminates at higher gain settings, the pad can be used to attenuate the signal after verifying appropriate transmitter distance.
  • The 0 dB (Default) setting is suitable for typical room installations and provides sufficient RF gain for cable runs between 10 and 50 feet.
  • The Boost (+10 dB) setting provides an additional 10 dB of RF gain, compensating for signal loss over long cable runs (50 feet or more).
• Metal surface mounting capability: This feature expands placement options, allowing for secure installation on metal structures.
• LED indicators for gain settings: These indicators provide visual feedback on the selected gain setting, simplifying configuration and monitoring.
• Neutral white, paintable housing: The antenna's cover can be painted to match the surrounding environment, ensuring seamless integration. Users should remove the cover before painting, use only non-metallic paint to avoid RF interference, and allow the paint to dry completely before reinstallation.
• Antenna Placement Guidelines: For optimal diversity reception, the UA864 is a polarized antenna and must be oriented correctly for each transmitter type. The gain switch indicates the antenna's orientation. Antennas and receivers must operate within the same frequency range. For optimal diversity, antennas should be mounted at least four feet apart. It is crucial to position antennas with an unobstructed line of sight to the transmitter, including avoiding obstructions from the audience.
• Cable Routing: The output connector offers two routing ports (1 or 2) on the antenna, providing flexibility for cable management. When connecting to an RF cable within a wall, the cable should be guided through the opening in the mounting plate.
• Cover Rotation: The antenna cover can be detached and rotated to achieve a matched appearance when multiple antennas are used. This involves removing screws from the back, rotating the cover to the desired position, and then replacing the screws.

Maintenance Features

Maintaining the UA864 and its associated cabling is straightforward, focusing on ensuring optimal performance and longevity:

• Cable Maintenance: To maintain top performance for antenna cables, users should avoid sharp bends or kinks, refrain from deforming cables with makeshift clamps (e.g., bending a nail over the cable), and avoid using them in permanent outdoor installations. Additionally, cables should not be exposed to extreme moisture.
• Painting Guidelines: When painting the antenna cover, it is important to remove the cover first. Only non-metallic paint should be used, as metallic content can interfere with RF reception. The paint must be allowed to dry completely before reinstalling the cover.
• Internal Components: A warning advises users not to touch the internal components of the antenna when the cover is removed, preventing potential damage or interference with its functionality.
• Cable Selection: For connecting the antenna, 50 ohm low-loss coaxial cable, such as RG-8U, is recommended. Shure offers pre-terminated antenna cables in various lengths. For frequency bands above 1000 MHz, selecting low-loss "Z" models (available for longer cables) is advised.

The UA864 is designed to be a reliable and adaptable solution for enhancing wireless microphone system performance, offering ease of installation, flexible configuration, and robust operation.

Shure UA864 Specifications