Remote and RF Troubleshooting

Remote Troubleshooting 

Issue: Remote stops working mid-session

Solution: Switch out a remote on the Question Screen

1. Choose another remote (not already in use)
2. Select the Manage Remotes icon
   • The Manage Remotes window opens
     
3. Select the name of the user whose remote is not working, then select the Change button
4. Have the user pick up the new remote, then press and hold the registration button
5. Wait for the screen to indicate that the remote has been assigned
6. Close the registered remotes windows to continue with the activity

Issue: User needs to leave mid-session

Solution: Remove the user from the session

1. From the Q&A screen, select the Manage Remotes icon
   • The Registered Remotes window opens
2. Select the name of the person leaving the session, then select the Remove button
3. Verify this action by selecting OK, then select Close
   
    

Issue: Remote not working during Enrollment

Single Remote Solution: Manually reset the Remote

1. Hold down buttons 1 & 5 simultaneously for 3-5 seconds
   • Wait until all three lights blink three times

Issue: Remote does not have a red light

If you repeatedly have remotes without red lights during your courses, try changing the RF channel on your base station.

Solution: Wait for the Base Station to ping the Remote

1. If there isn’t a red light on the remote, do not press any of the buttons
2. Wait until responses from all enrolled users have been received by the Base Station, then wait 12 seconds to see if the red light appears
3. If there still is no red light, then switch out the remote

RF Troubleshooting and Prevention

Issue: Remote working intermittently; lights on: Affects several participants at once

Likely Cause: 

• Radio Frequency (RF) Interference 
• Typical sources: Two-way radios, Industrial machines, telecom systems, etc.

Recommended action: 

• Turn off any two-way radios or other RF devices within 500 feet of the training room

Prevent RF Interference BEFORE Training:

Do an Alchemy Player Channel Test

• Access Player channel test through the Input Devices icon in the Admin Settings ribbon 
• This verifies that your base station is operating on a clear channel –free from interference

Make sure that participants turn-off RF radios/ two-way radios when they enter the room

• Leave all RF devices at least 500 feet away from the training area

Issue: Remote not working at all; lights off; Affects only one or two participants at a time

Likely causes: 

• Remote needs new batteries, OR 
• Remote did not receive the “question” signal, OR
• Player was previously not shut down properly and the Remote needs a reset

Recommended actions:

• Wait 15 seconds after everyone has answered a question; if the red light comes on, the participant is cleared to answer, OR
• Swap out the remote with a spare
• Don’t have any spare remotes? Switch out the two AAA batteries
• Save trouble-shooting for after the session; call Alchemy Support if new batteries do not fix the problem

Prevent Dead Batteries BEFORE Training:

Replace all batteries regularly to prevent them from going dead 

• Estimate battery life; this varies depending on use (50-60 training hours)
• Replace all batteries on this timeframe

Not sure about the battery life on a remote? Test it! 

• Prior to enrolling, press a number button on the remote
• After 3 seconds all lights flash three times
• If the lights do not flash, or if the battery light comes on, replace the batteries
• Click the Input Devices button during a question to check battery levels mid-session