Channels - Revision history

Heathers: /* Standard Channels 17 through 32 */

2026-02-26T15:50:34Z

‎Standard Channels 17 through 32

Heathers: /* E Release Flash Channels */ cleaned up language

2022-12-26T20:09:09Z

‎E Release Flash Channels: cleaned up language

Heathers: /* E Release Flash Channels */

2022-12-26T19:03:17Z

‎E Release Flash Channels

Heathers: /* ControlTL Channels */ added note about CE radios

2022-12-26T19:01:13Z

‎ControlTL Channels: added note about CE radios

Heathers: /* Standard Channels 17 through 32 */ said "most" not "all" and listed radios

2022-11-20T22:17:17Z

‎Standard Channels 17 through 32: said "most" not "all" and listed radios

Heathers: /* Legacy: Standard Channels */ lots of changes!

2022-11-13T21:25:23Z

‎Legacy: Standard Channels: lots of changes!

Heathers: /* Frequencies, Firmware Protocol, and Channels */ added italics, reworked Channels section

2022-11-13T20:49:01Z

‎Frequencies, Firmware Protocol, and Channels: added italics, reworked Channels section

Heathers: added spaces

2022-11-13T20:37:48Z

added spaces

Heathers: reworded top section, tweaked random spots

2022-11-13T20:36:24Z

reworded top section, tweaked random spots

Heathers: complete rework plus added section for frequency, Channels, & firmware

2022-10-23T19:13:00Z

complete rework plus added section for frequency, Channels, & firmware

@@ Line 123: / Line 123: @@
 Quad Zone Triggering Channels are available on any PocketWizard radios that have 32 Channels, including the MAX, MultiMAX, Plus III, and Plus IV.
-The ControlTL radios can also use Quad Zone Triggering Channels, in addition to ControlTL Channels, though adjustments may need to be made through the PocketWizard Wiki.
+The ControlTL radios can also use Quad Zone Triggering Channels, in addition to ControlTL Channels, though adjustments may need to be made through the PocketWizard Utility program.
 Aftermarket product compatibility:

@@ Line 267: / Line 267: @@
 == E Release Flash Channels ==
-E Channels were introduced with the E Release firmware upgrade in September 2019. This upgrade is available for the Plus III, Plus IV, Nikon FlexTT5, and (FCC version only) PowerMC2 radios radios and will be expanded to more radios in the future. The E Channel range is from Channel 1 to Channel 32. These Channels are QuadZone Triggering Channels and Zones are available for all 32 Channels. The E Channels are only available on Plus III or Plus IV radios that have been upgraded and will only communicate with other E Channels.
+E Channels were introduced with the E Release firmware upgrade in September 2019. This upgrade is available for the Plus III, Plus IV, FlexTT5, and Canon FlexTT6 radios. The E Channel range is from Channel 1 to Channel 32. These Channels are QuadZone Triggering Channels and Zones are available for all 32 Channels. The E Channels are only available on PocketWizard radios that have been upgraded to the E Release firmware protocol and will only communicate with other E Channels.
 <div align="center">

@@ Line 271: / Line 271: @@
 <div align="center">
 {| border="1" class="wikitable"
-!colspan="3"|E Release Flash Channels 1 through 32
+!colspan="3"|FCC E Release Flash Channels 1 through 32
 |-
 !E Release<br/>Flash<br/>Channel

@@ Line 192: / Line 192: @@
 ControlTL Channels were introduced with the Canon MiniTT1 and FlexTT5. They are used in all ControlTL radios like the Canon & Nikon MiniTT1 and FlexTT5, the Canon FlexTT6, as well as the PowerST4, PowerMC2, or other ControlTL radios. These Channels receive TTL communication from the camera and send it to the flashes. This allows the radios to use TTL metering and/or HSS with compatible flashes, power control, and HyperSync.
-ControlTL Channels do not have a unique channel code like Standard Channels, and are separated only by frequency.
+ControlTL Channels do not have a unique channel code like Standard Channels, and are separated only by frequency. Note: FCC radios have 20 ControlTL Channels. For CE radios, there are only 3 ControlTL Channels, due to the limited bandwidth. Please see our [[Channels (CE/Europe)|CE Channels]] page for details.
 <div align="center">
 {| border="1" class="wikitable"
-!colspan="3"|ControlTL Channels 1 through 20
+!colspan="3"|FCC ControlTL Channels 1 through 20
 |-
 !ControlTL<br/>Channel

@@ Line 135: / Line 135: @@
 !Standard<br/>Channel
 !Frequency
-|rowspan="17"|All PocketWizard<br/>radios except:<br/>Plus, Plus II,<br/>Classics
+|rowspan="17"|Most PocketWizard<br/>radios including:<br/>MAX, MultiMAX,<br/>ControlTL radios, <br/>Plus III, Plus IV,<br/>OEM flashes,<br/> and Sekonic meters <br/>use Channels 17-32
 |-
 |17

@@ Line 54: / Line 54: @@
 Each PocketWizard Channel uses a specific frequency and a specific coding. If you are in a setting where there may be more than one photographer using PocketWizards, you should each select different Channels so you should not trigger each other's remotes. You can leave the radios set to the default Channel if you are working alone or choose a specific Channel if you prefer.
-== Legacy: Standard Channels ==
+== Legacy Firmware Standard Channels ==
 Standard Channels are used when triggering a Plus series, MultiMAX, or other PocketWizard radio that performs triggering only and not power control or TTL functions.
 === Standard Channels 1 through 16 ===
-Standard Channels 1 through 16 are considered Classic or Legacy Channels and are the most basic PocketWizard Channels.  They are used for simple triggering scenarios, and contain no Zones, power control, or TTL functions.
+Standard Channels 1 through 16 are considered Classic Channels and are the most basic PocketWizard Channels. They are used for simple triggering scenarios, and contain no Zones, power control, or TTL functions. The transmitter sends a very simple, "fire now!" signal.
 The Plus and Plus II radios use only Channels 1 through 4. The PlusX uses Channels 1 through 10. The Plus III, Plus IV, and MultiMAX radios use a total of 32 Channels. 1-16 are Standard Channels, 17-32 are Quad-Zone Triggering Channels (see below for details).
-Older PocketWizard "Classic" radios use Standard Channels 1 through 16.
+The ControlTL radios can also use Standard Channels, in addition to ControlTL Channels, though adjustments may need to be made through the PocketWizard Wiki.
 <div align="center">
@@ Line 69: / Line 76: @@
 !colspan="5"|Standard Channels 1 through 16
 |-
-!Standard<br/>Channel
+!Standard <br/>Channel
-|rowspan="5"|Plus and Plus II<br/>only use channels<br/>1 through 4
+|rowspan="5"|Plus and Plus II<br/>only use Channels<br/>1 through 4,<br/>PlusX radios <br/>use Channels <br/>1 through 10
-|rowspan="17"|All PocketWizard<br/>radios including:<br/>MAX, MultiMAX,<br/>ControlTL radios,<br/>OEM flashes,<br/>Sekonic meters,<br/>Classics *
+|rowspan="17"|Most PocketWizard<br/>radios including:<br/>MAX, MultiMAX,<br/>ControlTL radios, <br/>Plus III, Plus IV,<br/>OEM flashes,<br/> and Sekonic meters <br/>use Channels 1-16
 |-
 |1
@@ Line 108: / Line 115: @@
 </div>
-<nowiki />* Some very early models of the Classic only had channels 1 through 10.
+<nowiki />*
 === Standard Channels 17 through 32 ===
@@ Line 114: / Line 121: @@
 These Channels are each on their own frequency and each Channel number is its own 20-bit digital code.
 <div align="center">

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 ==Frequencies, Firmware Protocol, and Channels==
-PocketWizards use 2 different frequency ranges and have 2 different firmware protocols. Channels are assigned to specific frequencies within those ranges, based on the firmware protocol in the radio. Each Channel is unique. All PocketWizard radios using the same Channel, with the same frequency, with the same firmware protocol, will work together.
+PocketWizards use 2 different frequency ranges (FCC and CE) and have 2 different firmware protocols (Legacy and E Release). Channels are assigned to specific frequencies within those ranges, based on the firmware protocol in the radio. Each Channel is unique. All PocketWizard radios using the same Channel, with the same frequency, with the same firmware protocol, will work together.
-=== Frequencies ===
+=== Frequency Ranges ===
 PocketWizard radios communicate wirelessly via radio waves. They operate by sending and receiving information via an internal radio transmitter and receiver (click [https://www.livescience.com/50399-radio-waves.html here] for more info on the basics of RF communication). Just like any radio, they operate on certain frequencies and some frequencies are better than others for our purpose.
-In North and South America (and some parts of Asia) we use the
+In North and South America (and some parts of Asia) we use the 340 – 354 MHz range because it is the least crowded frequency range for our class of wireless triggering devices. This frequency has been approved by the FCC and you will notice an FCC logo on your radios. Other choices like 433 MHz, the 900 – 930 MHz ISM band, or 2.4 GHz have many more interfering devices on them.
-– 354 MHz range because it is the least crowded frequency range for our class of wireless triggering devices. This frequency has been approved by the FCC and you will notice an FCC logo on your radios. Other choices like 433 MHz, 900 – 930 MHz ISM band, or the 2.4 GHz band have many more interfering devices on them.
 You probably noticed that either your home phone system or internet wireless network work off of the popular 900 MHz or 2.4 GHz bands. Bluetooth devices, including cellphones, also operate on 2.4 GHz. You probably don’t know that a lot of utilities (water, gas & electric companies in the US) have adopted the 900 MHz to send/receive communications with throughout their grids and systems.
@@ Line 31: / Line 30: @@
 === Firmware Protocol ===
-PocketWizard's frequency ranges (340.00 to 354.00 MHz for FCC/US radios and 433.62 – 434.22 MHz for CE radios) have been used for the past 30 years. In 2019, we decided to see if we could extend the range and reliability of our products. Our Legacy firmware protocol and our E Release firmware protocol both offer Channels within our official frequency bands but the different systems use different frequencies within those bands. For example, Legacy Standard Channel 1 uses an FCC frequency of 344.04 MHz while an E Release Flash Channel uses a frequency of 345.44 MHz.
+PocketWizard's frequency ranges (340.00 to 354.00 MHz for FCC/US radios and 433.62 – 434.22 MHz for CE radios) have been used for the past 30 years. In 2019, we decided to see if we could extend the range and reliability of our products and created the E Release firmware protocol. Our Legacy firmware protocol and the E Release firmware protocol both offer Channels within our official frequency bands but the different systems use different frequencies within those bands. For example, Legacy Standard Channel 1 uses an FCC frequency of 344.04 MHz while an E Release Flash Channel uses a frequency of 345.44 MHz.
 IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ:
 PocketWizard radio devices using one firmware protocol can not operate with PocketWizard devices using the other firmware protocol. All radios must be using either all Legacy or all E Release.
-==== Legacy Firmware ====
+==== ''Legacy Firmware'' ====
 Hundreds of thousands of photographers have relied on our Legacy firmware since 1990. This firmware has performed well in home studios as well as at worldwide sporting events. The Legacy firmware protocol consists of 3 different types of Channels: Standard Channels, QuadZone Triggering Channels, and ControlTL Channels. See below for details about each type of Channel. All PocketWizard radios can use Legacy Channels.
-==== E Release Firmware ====
+==== ''E Release Firmware'' ====
 The E Release firmware protocol was released in September 2019. This release was a complete overhaul of our firmware and was created for 3 main reasons:
@@ Line 50: / Line 49: @@
 === Channels ===
 Each PocketWizard Channel uses a specific frequency and a specific coding. If you are in a setting where there may be more than one photographer using PocketWizards, you should each select different Channels so you should not trigger each other's remotes. You can leave the radios set to the default Channel if you are working alone or choose a specific Channel if you prefer.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 PocketWizards send and receive signals by using radio waves. Just like a transistor radio, you can choose a specific frequency (aka Channel) and your radios will send and receive signals with the specific frequency you chose. Channels allow you to work with other photographers or keep your triggering exclusive. All radios using the same Channel will be able to talk to each other.
-Channels usually operate on different frequencies and use different coding so photographers will not trigger each other's remotes. PocketWizard radios are made in two different frequency ranges, based on regulations and approval from local governments. FCC frequency units are allowed in North and South America, while CE frequency radios are used for most of the rest of the world. A CE radio cannot talk to an FCC radio and vice versa. The radios also need to use the same firmware protocol-either Legacy or E Release. Each firmware protocol has its own set of Channels.
+Channels usually operate on different frequencies and use different coding so photographers will not trigger each other's remotes. PocketWizard radios are made in two different frequency ranges, based on regulations and approval from local governments. FCC frequency units are allowed in North and South America, while CE frequency radios are used for most of the rest of the world. A CE radio cannot talk to an FCC radio and vice versa. The radios also need to use the same firmware protocol - either Legacy or E Release. Each firmware protocol has its own set of Channels.
 This section has Channel tables for the USA FCC / IC (Industry Canada) frequency radios that operate between 340 and 354 MHz. If you have CE frequency radios that operate between 433.42 and 434.42 MHz range then visit the [[Channels (CE/Europe)|CE Channels]] page.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-Channels allow you to work with other photographers or keep your triggering exclusive. Some Channels operate on different frequencies to help you avoid radio interference. All PocketWizard radios set to the same Channel work together. PocketWizard radios are made in two different frequencies, based on regulations and approval from local governments. FCC frequency units are allowed in North and South America, while CE frequency radios are used for most of the rest of the world. A CE radio cannot talk to an FCC radio and vice versa.
+Channels allow you to work with other photographers or keep your triggering exclusive. Some Channels operate on different frequencies to help you avoid radio interference. All PocketWizard radios set to the same Channel work together. PocketWizard radios are made in two different frequencies, based on regulations and approval from local governments. FCC frequency units are allowed in North and South America, while CE frequency radios are used for most of the rest of the world. A CE radio cannot talk to an FCC radio and vice versa. The radios also need to use the same firmware protocol-either Legacy or E Release. Each firmware protocol has its own set of Channels.
 This section has Channel tables for the USA FCC / IC (Industry Canada) frequency radios that operate between 340 and 354 MHz.  If you have CE frequency radios that operate between 433.42 and 434.42 MHz range then visit the [[Channels (CE/Europe)|CE Channels]] page.
-Radios with the E Release upgrade will not work with radios that have not been upgraded. For example, you cannot use a Plus III with the E Release with a Plus II. However, radios with the E Release can be downgraded to the Legacy firmware via the Utility program. If the radio has been downgraded to Legacy firmware, it can then be used with the older PocketWizard radios. The radios can be upgraded and downgraded as needed. Please see our [[PocketWizard E Release]] page for more details about the upgrade.
+==Frequencies, Firmware Protocol, and Channels==
-== Standard Channels ==
+=== Frequencies ===
-Standard Channels are used when triggering a Plus series,[[MultiMAX]] or other PocketWizard radio that performs triggering only and not power control or TTL functions.
+PocketWizard radios communicate wirelessly via radio waves. They operate by sending and receiving information via an internal radio transmitter and receiver (click [https://www.livescience.com/50399-radio-waves.html here] for more info on the basics of RF communication). Just like any radio, they operate on certain frequencies and some frequencies are better than others for our purpose.
 === Standard Channels 1 through 16 ===
-Standard Channels 1 through 16 are considered Classic or Legacy Channels and are the most basic PocketWizard Channels.  They are used for simple triggering scenarios, and contain no zones, power control, or TTL functions.
+Standard Channels 1 through 16 are considered Classic or Legacy Channels and are the most basic PocketWizard Channels.  They are used for simple triggering scenarios, and contain no Zones, power control, or TTL functions.
-These Channels all exist on the same frequency.  Each Channel is its own 16-bit digital code on top of that frequency.  The frequency in use for USA FCC/IC radios is 344.04 MHz.
+These Channels all exist on the same frequency. Each Channel is its own 16-bit digital code on top of that frequency. The frequency in use for USA FCC/IC radios is 344.04 MHz.
-The Plus and Plus II radios use only Channels 1 through 4. The PlusX uses Channels 1 through 10. The Plus III and MultiMAX radios use a total of 32 Channels. 1-16 are Standard Channels, 17-32 are Quad-Zone Triggering Channels (see below for details).
+The Plus and Plus II radios use only Channels 1 through 4. The PlusX uses Channels 1 through 10. The Plus III, Plus IV, and MultiMAX radios use a total of 32 Channels. 1-16 are Standard Channels, 17-32 are Quad-Zone Triggering Channels (see below for details).
-All other PocketWizard radios use Standard Channels 1 through 16.
+Older PocketWizard "Classic" radios use Standard Channels 1 through 16.
 <div align="center">
@@ Line 65: / Line 108: @@
 === Standard Channels 17 through 32 ===
-Standard Channels 17 through 32 were introduced with the PocketWizard MAX.  They are also called Quad-Zone Triggering Channels or MultiMAX Channels.  These Channels add the benefit of Zones A, B, C, and D.  Zones allow you to control up to 4 different groups of lights on the same Channel.
+Standard Channels 17 through 32 were introduced with the PocketWizard MAX. They are also called Quad-Zone Triggering Channels or MultiMAX Channels. These Channels add the benefit of Zones A, B, C, and D. This allows you to enable or disable up to 4 different groups of lights (Zones) from your transmitting PocketWizard. You can have as many remotes as you want in each Zone.
 These Channels are each on their own frequency and each Channel number is its own 20-bit digital code.
@@ Line 130: / Line 173: @@
 == ControlTL Channels ==
-ControlTL Channels were introduced with the Canon MiniTT1 and FlexTT5.  They are used in all ControlTL radios like the Canon & Nikon MiniTT1 and FlexTT5, the Canon FlexTT6, as well as the PowerST4, PowerMC2, or other ControlTL radios.  These Channels allow for remote power control of compatible studio flashes, and work with ControlTL signals sent from a transmitting ControlTL radio.
+ControlTL Channels were introduced with the Canon MiniTT1 and FlexTT5. They are used in all ControlTL radios like the Canon & Nikon MiniTT1 and FlexTT5, the Canon FlexTT6, as well as the PowerST4, PowerMC2, or other ControlTL radios. These Channels receive TTL communication from the camera and send it to the flashes. This allows the radios to use TTL metering and/or HSS with compatible flashes, power control, and HyperSync.
 ControlTL Channels do not have a unique channel code like Standard Channels, and are separated only by frequency.