- 24 bit/48 kHz digital conversion
- Tunes across entire UHF frequency range
- 256-bit encryption – AES 256-CTR
- Selectable RF power at 25 and 50 mW
- USB port for firmware updates
- Wide range input gain adjustment
- DSP-controlled input limiter
- Two AA battery power
- Solid machined aluminum housing
The DBu transmitter is a 4th generation design with specially developed, high-efficiency digital circuitry for extended operating time on two AA batteries. The transmitter can tune in coarse or fine steps across the UHF television band from 470 to 608 MHz (470-614 MHz for export versions), with a selectable output power of 25 or 50 mW. The pure digital architecture enables AES 256-CTR encryption for high-level security applications.
The top panel contains the antenna jack, audio input level LEDs, the programmable function switch and the audio input jack. The LEDs provide red/green indications of the audio level from -20 dB to the onset of limiting to enable accurate input gain adjustment. The programmable switch can be configured as a mute switch, a power on/off switch, talkback, or be bypassed.
Studio quality audio performance is assured by high quality components in the preamp, wide range input gain adjustment and DSP-controlled limiting. Input connections and settings are included for any lavaliere microphone, dynamic microphones and line level inputs. Input gain is adjustable over a 44 dB range in 1 dB steps to allow an exact match to the input signal level, maximizing the dynamic range and signal to noise ratio.
Included Accessories
- 1 – AMM-19 straight antenna – SMA mount
- 1 – AMM-22 straight antenna – SMA mount
- 2 – AA Batteries
- 1 – 26895 wire belt clip
Accessories
Quick Start Guide
Below is a link to the current firmware update file for the D² Digital System – DSQD receiver and the DBu, DBu-LEMO and DHu transmitters. This is a zip file, after downloading extract it into a temporary folder. Use the Wireless Designer™ program to update firmware. Instructions are found here.
Note: This is a link to the Wireless Designer firmware update file, which bundles the latest firmware for multiple products. Wireless Designer will automatically choose the right firmware images from the file.
| Title | File Size | File Type | Date | Filename | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firmware for Units Updated with Wireless Designer | 34 MB | zip | June 25, 2026 | wd_v10Jun2026.zip |
DBu Firmware Revision History
WD Firmware Update v14Mar2024
DBu v1.28 (SUPER)/v1.06 (FPGA, H/W v1)/v2.00 (FPGA, H/W v2)
- Fix bug causing certain older units with hardware version DBU-1 and FPGA firmware in the version 1.x series to identity themselves incorrectly as hardware version DBU-2. In this case, updating the firmware using Wireless Designer results in installation of the wrong FPGA firmware, v2.00 instead of v1.06, the version suitable for hardware version DBU-1. When this happens, the vulnerable units fail to boot after power is cycled. Not all older units with FPGA firmware version 1.x have this vulnerability. Newer units with FPGA firmware 2.00 are NOT affected by this issue and the instructions below do not apply.
- To update an older unit with FPGA firmware v1.x, the Wireless Designer Firmware Update wizard may need to be run twice in succession.
- First pass: micro v1.28 will be installed. If, when done, the wizard reports that FPGA v1.06 is installed and the hardware version is DBU-1, then all is well and the unit will operate normally after power is cycled. If the wizard reports that FPGA v2.00 is installed and the hardware version is DBU-1, then the Firmware Update wizard must be run a second time to install the right FPGA firmware version.
- Second pass: Run the Firmware Update Wizard again. It will report that the FPGA version in the file (v1.06) is older than the installed version (v2.00). To overcome this, check the “Force Update All” checkbox before starting the update. Now the correct FPGA firmware version will be installed and the unit will operate normally after power is cycled.
WD Firmware Update v06Oct2023
DBu v1.27 (SUPER)/v1.06 (FPGA, H/W v1)/v2.00 (FPGA, H/W v2)
- Add 10 mW RF output option to the Xmit->TxPower menu.
WD Firmware Update v19Jul2023
DBu v1.26 (SUPER)/v1.06 (FPGA, H/W v1)/v2.00 (FPGA, H/W v2)
- Eliminate faint 13 kHz tone heard in audio noise floor.
WD Firmware Update v17Nov2022
DBu v1.25 (SUPER)/v1.06 (FPGA, H/W v1)/v2.00 (FPGA, H/W v2)
- Fixed bug making the “wake from sleep” remote control command fail. This affected only units with serial number 770 and higher.
WD Firmware Update v11Aug2022
DBu v1.22 (SUPER)/v1.06 (FPGA, H/W v1)/v2.00 (FPGA, H/W v2)
- The menus have been reworked for greater congruence with other product with the “ProgSw”, “Rolloff”, “BatType”, “Remote”, “Locked?”, “AutoOn” and “Default” items moved to a new “Setup” menu. The “Gain”, “Rolloff” and “Phase” items moved to a new “Input” menu. The “Freq” and “TxPower” items moved to a new “Xmit” menu.
- The power button menu was removed and the “AutoOn”, “Backlit”, “LED Off” and “About” items moved to the new “Setup” menu. The “RF On” menu item moved to the new “Xmit” menu. Now the power button is used only for turning power on or off.
- Brought IR sync menu into compliance with new protocol. User can now select from options “SendFreq”, “GetFreq”, “SendAll” and “GetAll” in a new “IR&Key” menu.
- Fixed a bug in “Default” menu where the menu button was unable to choose the “No” option.
- Improved accuracy of battery status meter.
WD Firmware Update v05Jul2022
DBu v1.21 (SUPER)/v1.06 (FPGA, H/W v1)/v2.00 (FPGA, H/W v2)
- Changes for ease of manufacturing at the factory. No new features or bug fixes.
WD Firmware Update v22Mar2022
DBu v1.20 (SUPER)/v1.06 (FPGA, H/W v1)/v2.00 (FPGA, H/W v2)
- Do not allow powering off unit via menu or held-down power button when settings are locked.
- Do not allow modification of RF power level setting when settings are locked.
- Change IR “settings received’ notification to “IR SYNC OK”.
- Implement high resolution battery voltage reporting.
- Return to menu after wiping the encryption key.
- Do not power up unused PLL to reduce power consumption.
WD Firmware Update v04Sep2019
DBu v1.18 (SUPER)/v1.06 (FPGA)
- Improve audio input limiter transparency.
WD Firmware Update v12Jul2019
DBu v1.18 (SUPER)/v1.05 (FPGA)
- Temporarily removed tuning groups feature until improved version is ready.
WD Firmware Update v22May2019
DBu v1.17 (SUPER)/v1.05 (FPGA)
- Initial production release.
DBu LEMO Firmware Revision History
WD Firmware Update v19Jul2023
DBu-LEMO v1.08 (SUPER)/v1.06 (FPGA, H/W v1)/v2.00 (FPGA, H/W v2)
- Eliminate faint 13 kHz tone heard in audio noise floor.
WD Firmware Update v17Oct2022
DBu-LEMO v1.07 (SUPER)/v1.06 (FPGA, H/W v1)/v2.00 (FPGA, H/W v2)
- Serial command ‘freq’ updates now return an error for invalid frequency arguments rather than silently clamping them.
- When an invalid frequency is sent using the dweedle tone protocol an error message is now displayed to alert the user.
- Fixed bug arising when the programmable switch was configured as an on/off switch. If so, the user could get stuck in an endless loop when attempting to turn off the device by pressing the power button on the keypad. The LCD would alternate between the “Powering down” page and the “Switch disabled” page.
WD Firmware Update v11Aug2022
DBu-LEMO v1.03 (SUPER)/v1.06 (FPGA, H/W v1)
- The menus have been reworked for greater congruence with other product with the “ProgSw”, “Rolloff”, “BatType”, “Remote”, “Locked?”, “AutoOn” and “Default” items moved to a new “Setup” menu. The “Gain”, “Rolloff” and “Phase” items moved to a new “Input” menu. The “Freq” and “TxPower” items moved to a new “Xmit” menu.
- The power button menu was removed and the “AutoOn”, “Backlit”, “LED Off” and “About” items moved to the new “Setup” menu. The “RF On” menu item moved to the new “Xmit” menu. Now the power button is used only for turning power on or off.
- Brought IR sync menu into compliance with new protocol. User can now select from options “SendFreq”, “GetFreq”, “SendAll” and “GetAll” in a new “IR&Key” menu.
- Change IR “settings received” notification to “IR SYNC OK”.
- Fixed a bug in “Default” menu where the menu button was unable to choose the “No” option.
- Implement high resolution battery voltage reporting and improve accuracy of battery status meter.
- Return to menu after wiping the encryption key.
- Do not allow powering off unit via menu or held-down power button when settings are locked.
- Do not allow modification of RF power level setting when settings are locked.
- Do not power up unused PLL to reduce power consumption.
- Fixed bug causing reversed audio polarity on the PSA (Point Source Audio) microphone preset.
WD Firmware Update v29May2020
DBu-LEMO v1.01 (SUPER)/v1.06 (FPGA)
- Changes to ease testing of product at factory. No new features or difference in performance.
DBu/E01 Firmware Revision History
WD Firmware Update v14Mar2024
DBu/E01 v1.28 (SUPER)/v1.06 (FPGA, H/W v1)/v2.00 (FPGA, H/W v2)
- Fix bug causing certain older units with hardware version DBU-E01-1 and FPGA firmware in the version 1.x series to identity themselves incorrectly as hardware version DBU-E01-2. In this case, updating the firmware using Wireless Designer results in installation of the wrong FPGA firmware, v2.00 instead of v1.06, the version suitable for hardware version DBU-E01-1. When this happens, the vulnerable units fail to boot after power is cycled. Not all older units with FPGA firmware version 1.x have this vulnerability. Newer units with FPGA firmware 2.00 are NOT affected by this issue and the instructions below do not apply.
- To update an older unit with FPGA firmware v1.x, the Wireless Designer Firmware Update wizard may need to be run twice in succession.
- First pass: micro v1.28 will be installed. If, when done, the wizard reports that FPGA v1.06 is installed and the hardware version is DBU-E01-1, then all is well and the unit will operate normally after power is cycled. If the wizard reports that FPGA v2.00 is installed and the hardware version is DBU-E01-1, then the Firmware Update wizard must be run a second time to install the right FPGA firmware version.
- Second pass: Run the Firmware Update Wizard again. It will report that the FPGA version in the file (v1.06) is older than the installed version (v2.00). To overcome this, check the “Force Update All” checkbox before starting the update. Now the correct FPGA firmware version will be installed and the unit will operate normally after power is cycled.
WD Firmware Update v06Oct2023
DBu/E01 v1.27 (SUPER)/v1.06 (FPGA, H/W v1)/v2.00 (FPGA, H/W v2)
- Add 10 mW RF output option to the Xmit->TxPower menu.
WD Firmware Update v19Jul2023
DBu/E01 v1.26 (SUPER)/v1.06 (FPGA, H/W v1)/v2.00 (FPGA, H/W v2)
- Eliminate faint 13 kHz tone heard in audio noise floor.
WD Firmware Update v17Nov2022
DBu/E01 v1.25 (SUPER)/v1.06 (FPGA, H/W v1)/v2.00 (FPGA, H/W v2)
- Fixed bug making the “wake from sleep” remote control command fail. This affected only units with serial number 286 and higher.
WD Firmware Update v11Aug2022
DBu/E01 v1.23 (SUPER)/v1.06 (FPGA, H/W v1)/v2.00 (FPGA, H/W v2)
- The menus have been reworked for greater congruence with other product with the “ProgSw”, “Rolloff”, “BatType”, “Remote”, “Locked?”, “AutoOn” and “Default” items moved to a new “Setup” menu. The “Gain”, “Rolloff” and “Phase” items moved to a new “Input” menu. The “Freq” and “TxPower” items moved to a new “Xmit” menu.
- The power button menu was removed and the “AutoOn”, “Backlit”, “LED Off” and “About” items moved to the new “Setup” menu. The “RF On” menu item moved to the new “Xmit” menu. Now the power button is used only for turning power on or off.
- Brought IR sync menu into compliance with new protocol. User can now select from options “SendFreq”, “GetFreq”, “SendAll” and “GetAll” in a new “IR&Key” menu.
- Fixed a bug in “Default” menu where the menu button was unable to choose the “No” option.
- Improved accuracy of battery status meter.
WD Firmware Update v05Jul2022
DBu/E01 v1.22 (SUPER)/v1.06 (FPGA, H/W v1)/v2.00 (FPGA, H/W v2)
- Changes for ease of manufacturing at the factory. No new features or bug fixes.
WD Firmware Update v22Mar2022
DBu/E01 v1.20 (SUPER)/v1.06 (FPGA, H/W v1)/v2.00 (FPGA, H/W v2)
- Do not allow powering off unit via menu or held-down power button when settings are locked.
- Do not allow modification of RF power level setting when settings are locked.
- Change IR “settings received’ notification to “IR SYNC OK”.
- Implement high resolution battery voltage reporting.
- Return to menu after wiping the encryption key.
- Added support for band B1C1.
- Do not power up unused PLL to reduce power consumption.
WD Firmware Update v04Sep2019
DBu/E01 v1.18 (SUPER)/v1.06 (FPGA)
- Improve audio input limiter transparency.
WD Firmware Update v12Jul2019
DBu/E01 v1.18 (SUPER)/v1.05 (FPGA)
- Temporarily removed tuning groups feature until improved version is ready.
WD Firmware Update v22May2019
DBu/E01 v1.17 (SUPER)/v1.05 (FPGA)
- Initial production release.
DBu LEMO/E01 Firmware Revision History
WD Firmware Update v19Jul2023
DBu-LEMO/E01 v1.08 (SUPER)/v1.06 (FPGA, H/W v1)/v2.00 (FPGA, H/W v2)
- Eliminate faint 13 kHz tone heard in audio noise floor.
WD Firmware Update v17Oct2022
DBu-LEMO/E01 v1.07 (SUPER)/v1.06 (FPGA, H/W v1)/v2.00 (FPGA, H/W v2)
- Serial command ‘freq’ updates now return an error for invalid frequency arguments rather than silently clamping them.
- When an invalid frequency is sent using the dweedle tone protocol an error message is now displayed to alert the user.
- Fixed bug arising when the programmable switch was configured as an on/off switch. If so, the user could get stuck in an endless loop when attempting to turn off the device by pressing the power button on the keypad. The LCD would alternate between the “Powering down” page and the “Switch disabled” page.
WD Firmware Update v11Aug2022
DBu-LEMO/E01 v1.03 (SUPER)/v1.06 (FPGA, H/W v1)/v2.00 (FPGA, H/W v2)
- The menus have been reworked for greater congruence with other product with the “ProgSw”, “Rolloff”, “BatType”, “Remote”, “Locked?”, “AutoOn” and “Default” items moved to a new “Setup” menu. The “Gain”, “Rolloff” and “Phase” items moved to a new “Input” menu. The “Freq” and “TxPower” items moved to a new “Xmit” menu.
- The power button menu was removed and the “AutoOn”, “Backlit”, “LED Off” and “About” items moved to the new “Setup” menu. The “RF On” menu item moved to the new “Xmit” menu. Now the power button is used only for turning power on or off.
- Brought IR sync menu into compliance with new protocol. User can now select from options “SendFreq”, “GetFreq”, “SendAll” and “GetAll” in a new “IR&Key” menu.
- Change IR “settings received” notification to “IR SYNC OK”.
- Fixed a bug in “Default” menu where the menu button was unable to choose the “No” option.
- Implement high resolution battery voltage reporting and improve accuracy of battery status meter.
- Return to menu after wiping the encryption key.
- Do not allow powering off unit via menu or held-down power button when settings are locked.
- Do not allow modification of RF power level setting when settings are locked.
- Do not power up unused PLL to reduce power consumption.
- Fixed bug causing reversed audio polarity on the PSA (Point Source Audio) microphone preset.
- Added support for band B1C1.
WD Firmware Update v29May2020
DBu-LEMO/E01 v1.01 (SUPER)/v1.06 (FPGA)
- Changes to ease testing of product at factory. No new features or difference in performance.
