Basic intercom system terms

• Master Station or Base Station – These are units that can control the system, i.e., initiate a call with any of the stations and make announcements over the whole system.
• Sub-station – Units that are capable of only initiating a call with a Master Station but not capable of initiating calls with any other stations (sometimes called slave units).
• Door Station – Like sub-stations, these units are only capable of initiating a call to a Master Station. They are typically weather-proof.
• Intercom Station – Full-featured remote unit that is capable of initiating and receiving party-line conversation, individual conversation and signalling. May be rack-mounted, wall-mounted or portable.
• Wall Mount Station – fixed-position intercom station with built-in loudspeaker. May have flush-mounted microphone, hand-held push to talk microphone or telephone-style handset.
• Belt Pack – portable intercom station worn on the belt such as an interruptible feedback (IFB) with an earpiece worn by talent.
• Handset – permanent or portable telephone-style connection to an intercom station. Holds both an earpiece and a push to talk microphone.
• Headset – portable intercom connection from a belt pack to one or both ears via headphones with integrated microphone on a boom arm. Connects to a belt pack.
• Paging Signal – An audible and/or visual alert at an intercom station, indicating that someone at another station wants to initiate a conversation.
• Power Supply – Used to feed power to all units. Often incorporated into the design of the base station.