Panatron DL-988 Two-Way Window Intercom System
The Panatron DL-988 is a wired two-way window intercom system designed for counter and service point environments where voice communication must cross a glass partition, security glazing, or physical barrier between staff and customers. It provides full-duplex hands-free communication — both parties can speak and listen simultaneously without pressing buttons — making it suited to high-traffic service environments such as bank counters, hospital reception desks, ticket offices, pharmacy counters, and customer service points where continuous, natural conversation flow is required.
The system consists of a main unit installed on the staff side and a sub-unit on the customer-facing side. Both units are connected by cable and powered from a single DC 12V supply at the main unit. The aluminium alloy construction of the main unit provides durability appropriate for permanent counter installation in commercial environments.
Full-Duplex Audio Operation
The DL-988 operates in full-duplex mode — both the staff-side and customer-side microphones and speakers are active simultaneously, without either party needing to press a talk button or switch between transmit and receive modes. This button-free, continuous two-way audio mirrors natural face-to-face conversation rather than the push-to-talk behaviour of half-duplex intercom systems.
Full-duplex operation is important in high-volume service environments for two specific reasons. First, it eliminates the cognitive overhead of managing a press-to-talk protocol when staff are simultaneously handling transactions, typing, or processing documents. Second, it prevents the frustration and misunderstanding that arise when both parties speak simultaneously on a half-duplex system — one voice is cut off rather than both being heard. On a bank counter or hospital reception desk with continuous customer throughput, the full-duplex operation of the DL-988 directly reduces call handling time per customer.
Audio System and Microphone
The DL-988 incorporates advanced microcomputer signal processing with echo cancellation technology. Echo cancellation prevents the feedback loop between the speaker and microphone within each unit — a technical requirement in any two-way speaker system where the loudspeaker output can couple back into the open microphone on the same side of the partition.
The main unit uses a metal tube microphone — a directional microphone format suited to counter environments where the speaker is positioned across a desk from the microphone. The metal tube construction focuses the microphone’s pickup pattern towards the customer-facing side of the counter, reducing pickup of ambient room noise from the staff workspace behind the unit. Microphone sensitivity is -48dB (±2dB), appropriate for clear speech capture at typical counter conversation distances.
The frequency response of 100Hz to 15kHz covers the full range of human speech intelligibility and extends into the lower mid-range and upper speech harmonics — providing voice clarity that distinguishes words accurately in noisy service environments, rather than the narrow telephone-band response (300Hz–3.4kHz) of analogue POTS telephony.
Volume Control
The DL-988 provides independent volume control for both the staff-side and customer-side audio paths via two separate knobs on the main unit:
- Internal volume — Controls the speaker volume on the staff side, allowing staff to adjust for their specific workspace noise level without affecting the audio the customer hears.
- External volume — Controls the speaker volume on the customer-facing sub-unit, allowing adjustment for the ambient noise level at the customer side of the counter — for example, higher settings in a noisy banking hall, lower settings in a quieter pharmacy or ticket office.
This independent adjustment capability is practically important in environments where the staff workspace and customer area have significantly different ambient noise levels — a common situation in banks and transport terminals where the customer side faces a busy public concourse while the staff side is within a quieter back office.
Status Indicator
A green LED indicator on the main unit signals active intercommunication status — confirming that the system is powered and the audio connection between main and sub-unit is operational. This provides staff with an immediate visual confirmation that the intercom is active before speaking, avoiding the common situation of staff beginning a conversation without realising the system is not functioning.
Recording Jack
The DL-988 includes a recording jack that allows the audio from the intercom to be connected to an external recording device — a digital recorder, PC audio input, or call recording system. This capability is relevant in regulated service environments such as financial counters, security desks, and compliance-sensitive customer service points where audio records of transactions or customer interactions may be required.
Construction and Installation
The main unit housing is aluminium alloy — providing durability and a professional commercial appearance appropriate for permanent counter installation. The sub-unit (customer-facing) has a built-in speaker and is designed to be mounted on or adjacent to the glass partition on the customer side.
The system uses a simple cable connection between main and sub-unit, with no complex wiring infrastructure or specialist installation tools required. Wiring routing through the counter or partition can be completed by facilities staff without specialist telecommunications knowledge. The single DC 12V / 500mA power supply connects to the main unit — no separate power connection is required at the sub-unit.
Power output is 3W maximum at the main unit and 2W maximum at the sub-unit — appropriate for clear voice reproduction at counter conversation distances without excessive volume levels in confined spaces.
Supported Installation Environments
The DL-988 is specified for the following service counter and partition environments:
- Bank and financial service counters — Staff-to-customer communication across teller glass or security screens, with recording jack support for compliance requirements
- Hospital and clinic reception desks — Patient-to-staff communication across reception glazing or screens in busy clinical admission environments
- Ticket offices and transport terminals — Staff-to-passenger communication across ticketing booth glazing in stations, airports, and transport hubs
- Pharmacy counters — Pharmacist-to-patient communication across counter partitions
- Securities companies and financial trading desks — Customer-facing communication positions with compliance recording requirements
- Government and public service counters — Citizens services, immigration, and public administration counter positions
Ideal Users
- Bank and Financial Institution Facilities Managers — The DL-988’s full-duplex audio, echo cancellation, and recording jack capability directly address the three primary requirements of financial counter communication: natural conversation flow for efficient transaction handling, clear voice quality across security glazing, and the ability to record counter interactions for compliance and dispute resolution purposes.
- Hospital and Healthcare Estates Teams — Reception, admissions, and pharmacy counters in healthcare environments deal with patients who may be distressed, hard of hearing, or managing language barriers. Full-duplex operation and the 100Hz–15kHz frequency response — wider than standard telephone bandwidth — improve speech intelligibility for these users compared to basic half-duplex or telephone-bandwidth intercom systems.
- Transport and Ticketing Infrastructure Operators — Ticket booth glazing in stations and transport hubs creates significant acoustic isolation. The DL-988’s independent external volume control allows the customer-side speaker to be set for the ambient noise level of the public concourse, while the staff-side volume is set for the quieter booth interior — without one adjustment affecting the other.
- Security Systems and Telecommunications Installers — The simple cabling between main and sub-unit and the single DC 12V power supply reduce installation time and complexity compared to multi-unit intercom systems. The DL-988 is a self-contained two-position system suitable for single counter or booth deployments without requiring a central controller or additional infrastructure.
- Retail and Commercial Property Managers — For retail counters, service desks, and reception positions where a physical partition separates staff from visitors or customers, the DL-988 provides a cost-effective counter intercom solution without requiring integration into a PABX or IP network — it operates as a standalone audio communication device between its two fixed positions.
Technical Specifications
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | DL-988 |
| System Type | Wired two-way window/counter intercom |
| Audio Mode | Full-duplex (simultaneous two-way) |
| Main Unit Power | 3W maximum |
| Sub-Unit Power | 2W maximum |
| Operating Voltage | DC 12V / 500mA |
| Microphone Sensitivity | -48dB (±2dB) |
| Microphone Type | Metal tube microphone (directional) |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz – 15kHz |
| Signal Processing | Advanced microcomputer with echo cancellation |
| Volume Control | Independent internal and external adjustment knobs |
| Status Indicator | Green LED — active intercommunication |
| Recording Jack | Yes — external recording device connection |
| Main Unit Material | Aluminium alloy |
| Operation | Button-free — continuous full-duplex |
| Installation | Two-unit wired system (main + sub-unit) |
| Power Supply | Single DC 12V at main unit |
Suitable Environments
| Environment | Primary Benefit |
|---|---|
| Bank counters and teller positions | Full-duplex, recording jack, clear voice through security glass |
| Hospital reception and pharmacy counters | Wide frequency response, button-free natural conversation |
| Ticket offices and transport terminals | Independent volume control for noisy public areas |
| Securities and financial trading counters | Recording capability for compliance |
| Government and public service counters | Durable aluminium construction, simple operation |
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