Tech: Wireless Microphone Troubleshooting

Subject: Tech: Wireless Microphone Troubleshooting
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 May 10 - 05:12 PM

I wonder if some of you have hints for using and maintaining wireless microphones. At church we have an almost-new one, I think it's from Shure, and it gives us lots of problems. The biggest problem is static, and I haven't been able to duplicate it when the priest isn't wearing it. The pastor thinks it gets static when the batteries get low, and I think he's not seating the microphone plug fully into the socket on the transmitter. I've tried wiggling wires with the microphone turned on, and I can't duplicate the static.
Any hints?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Wireless Microphone Troubleshooting
From: GUEST,Bob L
Date: 09 May 10 - 05:44 PM

Well, at my parish church we also use a Shure radio mic, without problems unless the battery is allowed to run low. It has a Lemco connector, a make with a good industrial reputation, which latches in place so mis-seating shouldn't be a problem.

Does the receiver indicate the received signal strength? Some do (e.g. on a row of LEDs), some don't. If possible, when the problem occurs, check whether the signal is low. I assume you have a reasonably direct line of sight from transmitter to receiver, so that the signal doesn't (for example) have to go through several feet of stone wall.

Another possibility might be static, in the more literal sense of static electricity rather than atmospheric EMI. Are the ministerial vestments made from artificial fibres by any chance?

Subject: RE: Tech: Wireless Microphone Troubleshooting
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 May 10 - 09:36 PM

I'll have to check into the vestment question, Bob - that's a possibility.

Any other hints on wireless microphones?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Wireless Microphone Troubleshooting
From: Ralphie
Date: 10 May 10 - 01:29 AM

Joe.
I don't think it's a static problem. As Bob L says, sounds like a reception problem. Make sure (Shure!) the receiver is relatively close to your minister..You might have to hard wire the receiver to the amp/PA whatever, if it's a long way away.
As long as your chappie doesn't tend to go walkabout too much (ie, doing his sermon from the far end of the graveyard!) it should be fine! Also in my experience, the Transmitter eats batteries for breakfast!
I use Radio In-Ear monitoring, and in a 4 hour dance, I always change the batteries half way through. (I have a supply of re-chargeables permanently cooking at the back of the stage!)
So, sounds definitely like a reception/low battery problem.
Good luck!

Subject: RE: Tech: Wireless Microphone Troubleshooting
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 May 10 - 01:39 AM

Well, I've been tempted to supply new batteries for every Mass or two (a Mass is about an hour). I got a battery tester, but the "good" indicator doesn't really make me certain they're going to last an hour.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Wireless Microphone Troubleshooting
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 10 May 10 - 02:39 AM

Joe - you gave me a good chuckle and a memory of the early days - when we wired five for a performance at church.

All went smooth....nary a pop nor a crackle duirng extended rehersal performances.. Beautiful.

We did not atticipate the conditions of the first production on Good Friday. A three day weekend for many and outside drama in the community. EVERY Fire Deot "meat wagon" running the streets cut into our system within a half miles, Shortly before the Golgotha scene we were able to get hand-helds into the hands of the notables.

I concure with low battery (charge and replace early.) An alligator clip snapped on the antennae with a 3 foot or 5 foot soldered on copper wire may also give results you can play with the direction and add a loop.

Vestments and clothing can rustle.
Jewlery and chains can damp the mic.
OVER the head and onto the forehead work better than behind the ear and forward.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Four directional omni work well for a chorus of 100