The first step in setting up the LCOS network for your layout is to initialize the MASTER and the radio network. Primarily this requires choosing a channel for your network. Attach your MASTER via USB and run the Configurator.
Network Settings #
On the Main Window, click 
to invoke the Network Settings tool.
A MASTER node is initially set to the configuration channel, 75, with its node ID locked to 00.
Choosing a Channel #
LCOS Nodes communicate by radio over the 2.4 GHz band. This band is used by a wide variety of common commercial devices requiring short range communications, like wireless phones. It is also used in security systems and other non-commercial uses. Valid channels are 0 to 125.
The first thing you should do is click 
to determine how much activity there is in your local area. The Configurator will be unresponsive while the scan is in progress, but will display information in the Message Window.
One challenge is that 2.4 GHz band traffic tends to happen in bursts with silence in between. Traffic also varies by time of day, which makes sense as far as consumer product usage is concerned. So, It is a good idea to run several scans.
In our area, we’ve never observed random traffic on a channel higher than 84, so I consider any channel higher fair game. It isn’t absolutely necessary that a channel be totally unused, but you want to avoid any channel that shows heavy, repeated usage. We use channel 101.
Update the Master #
Click in the channel field and enter the channel you’ve chosen.
Click 
to update the MASTER configuration. A confirmation message will appear in the Message Window:
The MASTER will automatically reboot and load the new configuration.
Installation #
Most people will want to install the MASTER on their control panel. On a small layout, the MASTER can be anywhere on or near the layout. On a large layout, you have to plan the physical and logical structure of your layout. See the Layout Planning Guide for more information. Before you have a control panel, just put the MASTER in a temporary location with unobstructed access to your Client Nodes.
