by James David Smith | Jan 25, 2012 | Press Release
Raleigh, NC – RC4 Wireless, manufacturer of the acclaimed RC4Magic Wireless DMX and Dimming System, has relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina. Just minutes from Research Triangle Park (RTP), RC4 Wireless has joined one of the most technology-savvy regions in North America, the silicon-valley of the east. RTP is home to Cisco, Dupont, Ericsson, IBM, and many other international tech leaders.
“We’ve been in business for 21 years,” notes James Smith, president of RC4, “and last year we were so busy with projects, designs, and the deadlines that go along with them, that I didn’t realize it was our 20th year – a real milestone. Luckily, this month I did notice that we’ve moved.”
Surrounded by unpacked boxes and disassembled furniture, Smith’s veneer of humor does not entirely mask the scale of the shift his company has undertaken. The entire RC4 operation, including design, manufacturing, service, and administration, has moved nearly a thousand miles. While some employees have moved with the firm, other positions will be filled locally. A range of new subcontractors must fill their needs for everything from printed-circuit-board fabrication to brochure and check printing.
Why Raleigh? “My assistant, Aimee Wilson, and I spent months researching the best places in America to move to,” explains Smith. “I focused on objective criteria – small-business tax policy, cost of living, availability of technical supplies and services, and quality of schools for the kids. Aimee took a more subjective approach, investigating things like weather patterns, friendliness of the people, and options for entertainment and leisure. In the end, we both had Raleigh, North Carolina, in our top three. So there you have it – done deal!”
RC4 Wireless looks forward to many productive years in Raleigh. Already in the design pipeline are even smaller wireless dimmers (just two years ago not even Smith thought it would be possible), smartphone control of product features, additions to the DCdim64 and DCshow64 lines of high-density multichannel DC dimmer rack units, and new wireless motion systems.
The toll-free telephone number for RC4 Wireless, 866-258-4577, was out of service for several days, but should be back up and running by the time you read this. Their new address is:
RC4 Wireless
13604 Heathwood Court
Raleigh, NC, 27615
USA
Toll Free 866-258-4577
mailto:moreinfo@theatrewireless.com
The RC4 Wireless website remains the same, https://rc4wireless.com. Their emergency technical support number has changed to 919-400-3961.
by James David Smith | May 24, 2011 | Articles
After 20 years, I have finally come up with a trademark — a wordmark — that I really like. And, to my surprise, it does not seem to be in commercial use by anyone else!
So… as of May 2011, the official trademark for RC4 wireless dimmers is… *drumroll, please*:
Make Light of It.
It makes me smile everytime I read it. : )
Jim
RC4
by James David Smith | May 24, 2011 | FAQ, Getting Started, Radio
Occasionally we encounter multiple customers — usually neighbors, like the opera and the ballet in the same city — who want the ability to share their RC4Magic equipment. They each own a few pieces, usually enough for what they do. But sometimes they need just one more dimmer, and they know that someone else has one that is not being used.
To make use of somebody else’s RC4Magic devices, you have two options:
1. You can use the Public ID (ID 3). Sharing is the intended purpose of the Public ID — it lets you combine as many Rc4Magic Series 2 pieces as you like, no matter who purchased them.
But the downside of the Public ID is that everybody who has any Rc4Magic equipment has the potential to interfere with your show.
2. You can arrange to share one of your three private System IDs. Normally, every RC4Magic system is assigned three IDs that are entirely unique — no other system anywhere in the world will ever have those same three codes.
Most users only need one unique code. Each code supports a separate wireless network, which provides a full 512-channel DMX universe. Having multiple codes is handy to either (a) run multiple wireless universes in the same show, or (b) ensure that wireless systems in adjacent spaces do not affect one another. Most Rc4Magic users are running one wireless universe on their private ID0 — the other two IDs are dormant.
So why not share one of the other IDs? Keep ID0 and ID1 private, for example, but share ID2 with other companies you share equipment with. If everyone in the pool does the same, now you have your own “Semi-Public ID”. Use it just like the worldwide Public ID, but with far less risk.
With written permission from the ID owner(s), we can program any ID codes you need into any device. All you have to do is ask!
by James David Smith | May 24, 2011 | FAQ, Special FX, Fog, Misc., Wireless Dimming
The wire gauge you use determines the maximum current you can safely pass through the circuit. Too small a wire size will heat up and — in the worst possible scenario — melt, burn a performer, or worse.
The published maximum current rating for the DMX2dim is 15A total. The latest versions are internally thermally protected. When all is working as it should, the device will shut off before a fault becomes catastrophic. This in no way excuses you from using appropriate external fuses for your specific application.
Using NEC (US National Electrical Code) guidelines as a reference point, 16AWG (American Wire Gauge) wire is the largest size you should ever need, and it fits in the screw terminals we provide.
Electrically speaking, the primary concern is resistance of the wire, measured in milliohms. If you keep your wire lengths short, you can get away with much smaller wire than 16AWG. NEC codes presume wire lengths of many feet.)
If you’re a pragmatist, do what I often do: run your application on a test bench with the wire gauge you’d like to use. Run for the full length of time you will be using the device in performance. Ensure the wire, connections, junctions, sockets, etc., do not get too warm to comfortably hold. That’s what matters! If there is little heat, there is little loss, and you’re good to go. If any point has a resistance that is too high, it will become warm, or even hot.
Adjust your design and construction practices to avoid heat. You’ll also get more light out of your lamps and more life out of your batteries.
by James David Smith | May 24, 2011 | FAQ, Getting Started, Radio
No, you do not need a license. Our products are compliant with various regulations and we have obtained the necessary certifications for Canada, USA, Europe, Australia, and elsewhere. Some countries and jurisdictions accept one or more of these certifications, most often CE (for Europe).
All RC4 rf products operate in an FCC-designated ISM (Industrial/Scientific/Medical) rf band. Our RC4Magic system uses the 2.4GHz band and can be configured to be compliant with regulations for either (1) USA and Canada, or (2) Europe, Japan, and numerous other countries worldwide. The most notable difference between these two configurations is rf output power. The European setting delivers low power; the North American setting delivers high power. Our newest DMXioR3 transceiver also provides 3 intermediate rf power levels.
If your show tours worldwide, RC4Magic is easily reconfigured to comply with varying regulations as you travel.
