Intercom
Eagle Brook uses an intercom system consisting of panels, wireless and wired packs, and radios for onsite and intercampus communication both in and out of services. Eagle Brook exclusively uses ClearCom brand intercom panels, wireless, and wired packs.
Why We Use This
Communication is a critical element of our weekend services and rehearsals. To accomplish this effectively, we rely on an intercom system that is permanently installed at all campuses. Each campus has local equipment that connects to the main matrix housed in the Broadcast Operations Center.
The Basics
Each user station at your campus is equipped with one intercom panel, either a pushbutton or lever panel. Panel layouts can differ from panel to panel, however, the general idea is applied to all panels. In most cases, there will be a button or key that allows the panel you’re sitting at to speak or listen directly to another panel. There are also several groups, signified by an * after their name. These groups often include several panels and sometimes include the radio interface which allows you to talk over the radio channels via an intercom panel. The most important button or key on every panel at all campuses with the TOC*. This is a direct connection to the Technical Operations Center at the Broadcast Location. The TOC is staffed by engineers and technicians that know your systems inside and out and will provide all the technical assistance you could ever need.
Technical Operation
Operation of an intercom panel is intuitive and easy to pick up. On a lever panel, flick up the lever once to turn on the listen function. To turn off the listen, flick up the lever again. When listen is enabled, the light will turn green. To talk to a panel or group, hold the lever down. If listen is enabled, the light will turn orange to signify that you are talking and listening at the same time. If the light is red only, that signifies that you are only talking and not listening. You may talk to multiple panels at once by simply holding down the levers you need. This is the preferred method to speak to multiple people for in-service cues rather than using a group that includes production radios. On a push button panel, click the button once to turn on listen. Click the button again to turn off the listen. If you wish to talk, push and hold the button. When you release the button from talking, the listen will stay engaged if you previously had it on.
If you experience issues with a com panel, simply power cycle the panel. This will usually resolve your issues. If a power cycle does not work, reseat the yellow cable in the back of the panel, and ensure it goes in the ‘Matrix’ port, not the ‘Ethernet’ port. Sometimes a message will appear that says ‘NO TK NO TK.’ This is a connection issue with the main matrix at the Broadcast location. Please let the TOC know via slack or phone and they will reset intercom at all sites.