Our speaker and microphones
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We have two large speakers and two wireless microphones which can used for events at any of our venues. One of the speakers plus the microphones are currently stored at Eltham Guide Hall, where they are used by some of our classes. The other speaker is currently stored at Old Eltham Courthouse, where it is also used by some of our classes. So, if you borrow any of this equipment, make sure that you return it before the start of the next week day.
The speaker at Eltham Guide Hall
The speaker is kept in the small office at Eltham Guide Hall, next to the U3A cupboard.
The speaker is normally used by plugging it into the mains. The mains lead fits into a hole (labelled ‘9VDC’) on the top of the speaker and there is an on/off switch next to the hole. The speaker can also be used for a period of time without plugging it in as it has an internal battery (which is automatically recharged from the mains).
There are a range of controls on the top of the speaker, including a wheel for changing the volume.
There is a remote which effectively duplicates the controls on the top of the speaker.
There are also a range of holes on top of the speaker into which various input devices can be put (e.g. for playing music). These inputs include two holes for microphone receivers (discussed below). Note that the speaker needs to be in ‘bluetooth mode’ for the microphones to work. This is the default mode of the speaker. To change the mode if required, press the ‘mode’ button.
In addition, the speaker supports bluetooth connections and so, for example, can be paired with a smartphone to play music. To enable this, simply use the smartphone to scan for the speaker and then pair with it. Note that the bluetooth connection works simultaneous with the physical inputs and so, for example, you can play music from your phone and use the microphones at the same time.
The speaker at Old Eltham Courthouse
The speaker is kept in the kitchen area of Old Eltham Courthouse, underneath the shelf on which the printer sits.
The speaker need to be plugged into the mains and uses a PC-to-mains power cord. There is an on/off switch on the back.
There are a range of controls on the back of the speaker, including a wheel for changing the volume.
There are also a range of holes on the back of the speaker into which various input devices can be put (e.g. microphone receivers, as discussed below.
The wireless microphones
We have two handheld wireless microphones and one lapel microphone. They can be used with either of the speakers above. They can also be used simultaneously.
Each of the microphones comprises two parts: the microphone itself plus a receiver.
The receiver needs to be plugged into a relevant hole in the speaker, which are ‘large speaker jack’ inputs. For both speakers above, these holes are those marked ‘Mic 1’ or ‘Mic 2’.
The receiver also needs to be switched on by pressing the tiny on/off button on the end of the receiver.
The microphone requires batteries and we have provided both rechargeable batteries and a battery charger. For the handheld microphones, the batteries can be changed by unscrewing the bottom half of the barrel of the microphone.
The microphone needs to be switched on. For the handheld microphones, there is an on/off button on the body of the microphone.
Troubleshooting
- It is easy to forget that the microphone uses a receiver, that this receiver needs to be plugged into the speaker, and that the receiver then needs to be switched on.
- It is easy to forget that the microphone has batteries (two AA batteries) and that rechargeable batteries lose their charge if not used for some time. Make sure these batteries are charged before use and, ideally, take some spare charged batteries with you for backup.