Features:
- Auto-answer & auto-hangup
- Remote pickup and hang-up control for manual operation
- Pickup inhibit function
- Simple hybrid circuit for bi-directional audio connection
- Bridging, balanced audio input with level control
- Low impedance, balanced audio output
- All connections made to screw terminals
- LED's for incoming ring/on line, and power indications
- Momentary or latching dry relay closure at pickup
- Momentary ground pulse output at hang-up
- Ring counter lets you select number of rings before auto-answer
- Optional combination lock adds security & more
- Defeatable beep tone at pickup
- Automatic signal limiting
- Compact sized metal case mounts to wall or table
The HC-3's automatic features make it ideal for a variety of telephone tasks such as listen lines, concert lines & remote broadcasting. The dry relay contacts provide an interface to virtually every type of external device including all types of cart machines. The remote inhibit input can be interfaced to prevent the HC-3 from picking up the line until you are ready. This feature can allow a cart machine or other device to re-cue before the coupler answers the line.
The HC-3's remote control features make it useful where the coupler must be mounted out of convenient reach of the personality or user. Additionally, the HC-3 may be easily controlled from more than one location at a time.
The HC-3 features a simple active hybrid circuit that provides some separation of incoming and outgoing telephone audio. The unit has a bridging, balanced audio input with a send level control and a low impedance, balanced, output.
When installed, the caller must enter in a 4 digit, owner setable, password. Once the password is entered, a second internal DPDT relay latches for the remainder of the call. If the caller does not enter the correct code, the ComboLok will force the HC-3 to drop the call after three attempts. The ComboLok option is priced at an affordable $99.00.
The HC-3 can be set to beep each time it picks up the line. When the optional ComboLok is installed the unit will beep twice when it first answers, then once more when the correct combination is entered.
Application Notes for the CircuitWerkes HC-3 Autocoupler
The HC-3 answers the line after a selectable number of rings (set at two from the factory) and couples the line to your connected equipment. The unit can also be controlled manually with back panel controls and indicators or by remote control via its screw connector on the back panel. We include a power supply and telephone cord for the unit at no additional cost.
The terminals include all of the controls as well as ground sink outputs for online/ring indication and the hang-up ground sink. Dry relay contacts which can be either momentary or latching for the duration of the call, as set by an internal jumper are also brought out to the terminals
The HC-3 contains a simple hybrid and can be used bidirectionally, to both send and receive audio from a phone line, however the built in hybrid is not intended to replace more elaborate commercial hybrids.
Here's what some users are doing with their HC-3's:
- Listen line.
- Concert/information line. Can automatically start any cart deck and be set to ignore incoming calls while the cart is being recued.
- Used at remote broadcast locations (like a far-away ball game where talent can't hear the station) so that the station can re-establish the call if it is accidentally disconnected.
