How to Program Eartec PRO16 and UltraLITE HUB Headsets

Eartec headsets are standard equipment on a lot of sportfish boats. Captain, mates and the cockpit crew can talk hands-free during a bite, a backdown or a tight docking job without anybody yelling over the engines. When a new system comes out of the box it's already programmed and ready to go. The time you'll need these steps is when you add a headset, replace a lost one, or get one back from repair.

Below are the programming steps for the two Eartec systems we see most on the dock: the UltraLITE PRO16 and the UltraLITE HUB. The steps come straight from Eartec's official instructions. We've just laid them out so they're easy to follow on the boat.

First, which system do you have?

• PRO16: one headset is labeled "MAIN" and the rest are remotes. There's no base station. A system runs up to 16 headsets on two channels.
• HUB: UltraLITE headsets link to a small HUB Mini-Base (the box with channel buttons "1" and "2" behind the belt clip). Each HUB takes up to 4 headsets per channel, 8 total.

The two systems use different technology, so PRO16 and UltraLITE/HUB headsets can't be mixed on one system.

Programming the UltraLITE PRO16

When you add a replaced or repaired headset, the MAIN has to be cleared first, then every remote gets paired to it again. Start with every headset turned off. All headsets come on in Channel #1 by default.

Step 1: Clear the MAIN headset

1. Install a battery in the MAIN and press the power button. The LED flashes green.
2. Quickly press volume DOWN 3 times, then press and hold volume UP until the LED flashes red/green.
3. Press and hold volume DOWN for 3–5 seconds until the LED flashes rapid red. The MAIN is now cleared, and it keeps flashing red for the rest of the process.

Step 2: Pair remotes to Channel #1

1. Install a battery in a remote headset and turn it on. The LED flashes green.
2. Quickly press volume DOWN 3 times on the remote, then press and hold volume UP until the LED flashes red/green. The MAIN and the remote will both flash rapidly.
3. When the remote's LED turns solid red, it's programmed.
4. Turn on the next remote and repeat. Do every headset you want on Channel #1.

Step 3 (optional): Pair remotes to Channel #2

Every PRO16 system has a second channel, so you can give the bridge and the cockpit their own conversation.

1. Press the gold conference button on the MAIN (below where the mic arm attaches). The MAIN's LED switches from flashing red to flashing green, meaning it's on Channel #2.
2. Turn on a remote, quickly press volume DOWN 3 times, then press and hold volume UP until it flashes red/green.
3. When the remote's LED turns solid red, it's programmed to Channel #2. Repeat for each headset you want on that channel.

Step 4: Finish

1. Once every remote shows solid red, turn every headset off, including the MAIN. Press the power button once; the LED flashes red 3 times to confirm it's off.
2. Turn them all back on. Each LED should go to solid green, which means they're linked.

The channels don't have to be split evenly. Put as many headsets on each one as you want, up to 16 total.

Programming the UltraLITE HUB

On a HUB system, the headsets pair to the HUB Mini-Base, not to each other. If you're adding a new or repaired headset, clear the HUB first, then pair every headset back to it.

Step 1: Clear the HUB Mini-Base

Start with all headsets off.

1. Install the battery in the HUB and turn it on. Take off the belt clip to get to channel buttons "1" and "2".
2. Press and hold button "1" for five seconds until the red LED starts flashing.
3. Press button "1" 7 times. The red LED turns off. Channel 1 is now cleared.
4. Press and hold button "2" for five seconds until the red LED flashes, then press it 7 times. Channel 2 is now cleared.

Step 2: Pair each headset to the HUB

1. Turn on the UltraLITE headset (or UltraPAK) you're pairing.
2. On the HUB, press and hold button "1" (for Channel 1) or "2" (for Channel 2) for five seconds. The red LED flashes, which means the HUB is ready to link.
3. On the headset, press volume DOWN 3 times, then press and hold volume UP. When the headset LED flashes blue/red, let go.
4. Pairing takes 5–30 seconds. When it links, the headset LED turns solid blue and the HUB's LED goes from flashing to solid red.
5. Repeat steps 2–4 for each headset, up to 4 per channel.

Battery care for both systems

• Charge batteries in the multi-charger: red means charging, green means full.
• A beep every 20 seconds means the battery is low. Swap or charge it.
• Take the batteries out when the system isn't in use, so they hold their charge.
• Per Eartec, a full charge runs about 10 hours on a PRO16 and about 6 hours on HUB and UltraLITE headsets. A spare LX600LI battery per headset keeps you covered on a long tournament day.

Shop Eartec

We carry PRO16 headsets, UltraLITE headsets, the HUB Mini-Base, plus batteries, chargers, ear pads and mic covers. See it all in our Eartec collection.

Eartec's own printable instructions are here: PRO16 and HUB.

Still can't get a headset to pair?

Stop by our Jupiter store or give us a call or text at 561-267-6069. Bring the headsets in and we'll program them with you, or walk you through it over the phone.