Pair Radio Packs

CrewCom Radio Packs (RP) must be paired to a Control Unit (CU) before they can operate on any CrewCom system. Once RPs are paired to a CU, this process does not need to be done again unless the RP is being paired to a new or different CU (for example, after a replacement is made for repairs).

The Operation Mode must be changed in CrewWare for RPs and RTs to use High Density. For more information on modes, see Operational Modes (Normal and High Density).

Pairing Process

A Radio Pack (RP) may be paired with or without installing a battery. The CU will provide power to the RP during the setup process. If no battery is installed, the RP will shut off as soon as it is disconnected from the CU.

During the pairing process, do not disconnect the RP until you are instructed to do so. Prior to step 1, be sure that your CCF contains profiles for the RP models being paired, be sure an RT is connected to the CU to which you are pairing, and be sure the RT and CU are powered on and the CCF has finished loading. To pair your RP, use the following steps:

Note: If the system has been Auto Configured, the RP profiles are set to the defaults created by the auto configuration process. See Auto Configure for more information.

  1. Connect a USB-to-Micro-USB cable (USB-A to USB-C for CRP-C12) from the CU to the device (micro/USB-C end goes into the RP’s USB port). The RP will power on by itself.
  2. Follow the prompts that display on the RP display (LCD/LED). For the CRP-12, follow the prompts that display on the CU for all steps.
    1. Your RP must match the system firmware version. The system will check that the RP firmware version is compatible. If it is not, disconnect the RP and update its firmware using CrewWare and connection to your PC. See the “How to Update Firmware via USB” tutorial and/or the Update Firmware topic for further detailed instructions on this process.
    2. If the firmware is compatible, the pairing process will automatically continue.
  3. When prompted, use the RP Volume knobs and Function button to select a Profile from the list of options that display on the RP display (use the CU navigation controls for choosing a CRP-12 Profile). (Only profiles that are compatible with the connected RP model will be displayed. Profiles based on operational mode (Normal/High Density) may not show up on the list if the RP is not within range of the appropriately set RT.)

    Note: RP Profiles are created in CrewWare and are stored in the system's CCF. An RP will not pair to a CU if no profile exists for that pack model. Your system may have been pre-configured at the factory or other source. Consult the documentation provided with your system for your specific configuration details. For more information on creating custom Profiles, see Create Profiles.

  4. Wait for the Profile to load. The RP display (LCD/LED) will display a “Pairing Complete” message when finished.
  5. Disconnect the USB cable from the RP; it will power off automatically after a few seconds.
  6. Turn the RP back on and wait for it to log in to the system. When an RP is logged in, a signal indicator is visible on its Home screen.
  7. Verify that the RP paired correctly and is displayed on the CU's Home screen as an RP indicator and in CrewWare (if connected). The RP is ready for use. Repeat steps 1–6 until every RP is paired.

    Note: RP Pairing does not require a CU connection to CrewWare, but if you are using CrewWare, RPs can be paired while the program is offline or online. When online, you should see the RPs appear in CrewWare’s real-time pack display as they are paired. CrewWare will not display newly paired RPs until the system is online.

    8. Note: Remember that only 18 RPs can be actively used per CU in Normal Mode and only 64 in High Density Mode. Additional RPs can be paired to a CU, but only 18 (in Normal Mode) and 64 (in High Density Mode) may be active at a time. In multi-CU systems, take care to pair a maximum of 18 RPs (Normal Mode) or 64 RPs (High Density Mode) to each of the CUs.

A maximum of 255 RPs can be paired to a single CU; however only 18 of those RPs can be active at one time in Normal Operational Mode and only 64 in High Density Operational Mode. If having more active RPs is applicable, you will need another CU. The limit for active communicating RPs is 72 on four CUs in Normal Operational Mode and 256 on four CUs in High Density Operational Mode.

What's Next?

After you've paired your Radio Packs, you can move on to Connect and Configure Hardwire Ports (Optional).