Radio Mic batteries squelch

Subject: Radio Mic batteries squelch
From: GUEST,Herge
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 07:14 AM

Hi We have a sennheiser radio mic system. When the batteries go, the system goes the squelch causing us to nearly blow up the audience ears!!! How do we avoid this - we could of course replace ther batteries every gig, but surley the system should not do this?

Subject: RE: Radio Mic batteries squelch
From: treewind
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 07:36 AM

"the system goes the squelch"
Not sure what you mean by that, but "squelch" in the receiver is a technique designed to stop exactly that kind of problem happening - specifically, to mute the sound if no signal is received or when the signal drops to a level where background noise is getting too loud. So maybe your receiver is faulty. We have a Sennheiser EW100 G2 system and it behaves perfectly.

It's always a good idea to use new batteries for a gig. If you keep used batteries you have a huge management problem keeping track of how many times they have been used, and you really don't want to be changing batteries mid-performance.

We recycle used radio mic battries for clocks, cordless mice etc. where failure is less embarrassing.

Subject: RE: Radio Mic batteries squelch
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 09:02 AM

What he said.

Also you could get one of those "battery Wizard" thinks that can recharge non-rechargeable batteries - or use proper rechargeables - and recharge before every gig.

Or use cables. I'm not all that keen on radio mics.

Subject: RE: Radio Mic batteries squelch
From: bruceCMR
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 11:06 AM

Sounds like the "squelch" on the receiver is not set correctly. When the transmitter is turned off (or the batteries die) it should mute.

So turn the transmitter off, and turn the squelch control to the point where the background noise just cuts through. Then turn it back a bit.

Subject: RE: Radio Mic batteries squelch
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 03:31 PM

The only online manual I can find is in French, but it looks as if the squelch control is well hidden in a layer of digital menus.

Subject: RE: Radio Mic batteries squelch
From: pavane
Date: 18 Oct 10 - 09:09 AM

Our (expensive) mic does not work at all with rechargeables. To be fair, it does say only to use alkaline batteries. But I have seen new "hybrid" batteries which say they work the same as alkalines, out of the box, but can be recharged too.

Subject: RE: Radio Mic batteries squelch
From: Bernard
Date: 18 Oct 10 - 11:16 AM

Try switching to a channel that doesn't have the noise - the problem with radio mics is that they cannot always squelch out harmonic frequencies for high power transmitters, such as taxis and so on.

What you are hearing is interference from outside sources... even though the transmitter isn't on the same frequency as your receiver, which is why you don't hear the actual transmission, there are other frequencies carried which can open the squelch and/or make horrible noises.

When adjusting your squelch please bear in mind that you could end up reducing the range of your system to a point where it becomes unusable!

Subject: RE: Radio Mic batteries squelch
From: Bernard
Date: 18 Oct 10 - 11:21 AM

As for rechargeables, my Sennheiser G2 system is happy with NiMh cells, but always reports 'low battery' even from full charge. I get a full gig out of a pair of cells, although I've never tried a second gig from the same pair.

I'm currently using 2700mAh cells branded 'GP'... prior to that I was using 2100mAh Energisers, which I also use in my digital camera.

Subject: RE: Radio Mic batteries squelch
From: Les from Hull
Date: 18 Oct 10 - 11:31 AM

Rechargeables typically give 1.2v instead of the 1.5v that of zinc oxide or alkalines, so the battery indicator gives a low reading. But rechargeables keep giving that voltage so if your equipement is happy it's a a viable alternative. And maybe better of the environment.

Subject: RE: Radio Mic batteries squelch
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Oct 10 - 12:39 PM

A "Battery Wizard" will definitely charge an alkaline to 1.58V. I've seen surface charge readings of considerably higher. Don't try it with zinc-carbon or they will go "pop". Don't do it too often on alkalines and keep a wary eye out for casing distortion, and let the battery stand after charging for some hours on a totally impervious surface (tupperware is good) and re-check before using just in case of leakage.

Or buy cables... ;D