Wireless intercom for your show: a guide to Clear-Com FreeSpeak II
How Clear-Com FreeSpeak II wireless intercom works, how far it reaches, and how to size a system for your crew. Beltpacks, base, transceivers and splitter explained, with rental rates from Wall, NJ.
Why wireless intercom matters
When the stage manager cannot reach the spot ops or the camera crew, the show waits. Wireless intercom keeps the whole crew talking while they move between the stage, front of house and the loading dock. Clear-Com FreeSpeak II is the system we rent most for this, from one-room corporate shows to film sets. Here is how it works and how to size it.
What FreeSpeak II is
FreeSpeak II is Clear-Com's digital wireless intercom. Each crew member wears a beltpack and headset and talks full duplex, like a phone call, instead of waiting for a gap like a walkie-talkie. Our system runs in the 1.9 GHz band (1920 to 1930 MHz in the US), which is license-free. Clear-Com recommends 1.9 GHz for places where the 2.4 GHz band is crowded.
The parts of a system
- Beltpack (FSII-BP19). Up to 5 full-duplex audio channels, each with its own level. 4 talk buttons, a reply button and 2 rotary controls. Li-Ion battery rated for 18+ hours, about 9 oz with the battery, IP53 rated. It can replay the last message you missed ("Listen Again") and, on current firmware, pairs with Bluetooth headsets.
- Base station (FreeSpeak II Base II). A 1RU unit that runs 5, 10 or 25 beltpacks and up to 10 transceivers. It has 4 four-wire ports and 4 two-wire partyline ports, so it ties into wired intercom, a console or a camera system, plus a program input and a stage announce output.
- Transceiver (FSII-TCVR-19). The antenna. Each one serves 5 beltpacks and is powered by the base over its cable on runs under 1,000 ft. Beltpacks roam between transceivers with a make-before-break handoff, so audio does not drop as crew walk through the venue.
- Splitter (FSII-SPL). Feeds up to 5 transceivers from one base port, with an SFP fiber port for long runs. IP63 rated for outdoor use.
Range and coverage
Clear-Com gives a typical range of about 300 ft indoors and 800 ft outdoors. Walls, steel and crowds shorten that, so plan a transceiver for each area that needs coverage, such as backstage, front of house and the dock. Remember the 5-beltpack limit too: 10 crew working in one room still need 2 transceivers.
Quick sizing guide
- One room, up to 5 crew: a 5-pack system.
- Bigger show, or crew spread over 2 or 3 areas: a 10-pack, with a transceiver for each area.
- Tying into wired partyline, a console or cameras: use the Base II two-wire and four-wire ports. Tell us what you are connecting to.
- Long days or back-to-back shows: add spare batteries and a drop-in charger.
What we stock in Wall, NJ
- FreeSpeak II 5-pack: $1,500 a day
- FreeSpeak II 10-pack: $1,800 a day
- Extra FSII-BP19 beltpacks: $145.50 a day each
- Extra FSII-TCVR-19 transceivers: $65 a day
- Base II station: $875 a day
- FSII-SPL splitter: $125 a day
- AC60 charger ($48 a day), BAT60 spare batteries ($5 a day) and CC-110 single-ear headsets ($18 a day)
We confirm the exact kit contents (base, transceivers and headsets) with your quote, and our team can help you plan transceiver positions for your venue.
Get a quote
Send us your crew size, the areas you need covered and your show dates, and we will put the right system together. Request a quote or call (732) 833-2453.
Specs from Clear-Com's published FreeSpeak II product information, checked November 2026.
