UHF Radio Mic
 

I want to get a Radio Mic to use while DJing, as I am getting feed up having
leads trailing everywhere

I have been looking at the Samson XLR snap. Although I have a couple of
concerns.

Should I spend the extra a get the True Diversity, even though most of the
time I am going to only be a few meters away from the receive, and never
more than 30ish if I go into the crowd.

Should I stick to the policy of don't use radio unless you really have to.

I have also looked at the AKG SO40 but AKG seem to have a problem with
supply in the UK, ie have don't currently have a distributor.

So....
Is True Diversity worth the extra money, for me?
Should I get the Samson or the AKG?
Or should I simply stick to good old XLR cable?

Any thoughts???

Cheers Mark

UHF Radio Mic
 

In article ,
Mark wrote:
Is True Diversity worth the extra money, for me?

IMHO, for UHF, it's essential.

Should I get the Samson or the AKG?

No experience, I'm afraid.

Or should I simply stick to good old XLR cable?

A cabled mic will always be better...

--
*Reality? Is that where the pizza delivery guy comes from?

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

UHF Radio Mic
 

In article ,
Mark wrote:
Is True Diversity worth the extra money, for me?

IMHO, for UHF, it's essential.

Should I get the Samson or the AKG?

No experience, I'm afraid.

Or should I simply stick to good old XLR cable?

A cabled mic will always be better...

--
*Reality? Is that where the pizza delivery guy comes from?

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

UHF Radio Mic
 

In article , Mark
writes
I want to get a Radio Mic to use while DJing, as I am getting feed up having
leads trailing everywhere

I have been looking at the Samson XLR snap. Although I have a couple of
concerns.

Should I spend the extra a get the True Diversity, even though most of the
time I am going to only be a few meters away from the receive, and never
more than 30ish if I go into the crowd.

Should I stick to the policy of don't use radio unless you really have to.

I have also looked at the AKG SO40 but AKG seem to have a problem with
supply in the UK, ie have don't currently have a distributor.

So....
Is True Diversity worth the extra money, for me?
Should I get the Samson or the AKG?
Or should I simply stick to good old XLR cable?

Any thoughts???

Cheers Mark



Diversity has the edge over a single receiver. Is it not possible that
you can borrow one and try it in a few locations?. There are various
frequency bands for radio mic use, some de-regulated and others
licensed. The following website www.jfmg.co.uk contains useful info as
to what U can use and whether or not U need a licence for it....
--
Tony Sayer

UHF Radio Mic
 

In article , Mark
writes
I want to get a Radio Mic to use while DJing, as I am getting feed up having
leads trailing everywhere

I have been looking at the Samson XLR snap. Although I have a couple of
concerns.

Should I spend the extra a get the True Diversity, even though most of the
time I am going to only be a few meters away from the receive, and never
more than 30ish if I go into the crowd.

Should I stick to the policy of don't use radio unless you really have to.

I have also looked at the AKG SO40 but AKG seem to have a problem with
supply in the UK, ie have don't currently have a distributor.

So....
Is True Diversity worth the extra money, for me?
Should I get the Samson or the AKG?
Or should I simply stick to good old XLR cable?

Any thoughts???

Cheers Mark



Diversity has the edge over a single receiver. Is it not possible that
you can borrow one and try it in a few locations?. There are various
frequency bands for radio mic use, some de-regulated and others
licensed. The following website www.jfmg.co.uk contains useful info as
to what U can use and whether or not U need a licence for it....
--
Tony Sayer

UHF Radio Mic
 

Thanks for your input, any other thoughts from anyone??

UHF Radio Mic
 

Thanks for your input, any other thoughts from anyone??

UHF Radio Mic
 

In Article , "Mark"
wrote:
So....
Is True Diversity worth the extra money, for me?

Couldn't hurt

Should I get the Samson or the AKG?

Mebbe AT or Sennheiser

Or should I simply stick to good old XLR cable?

Any thoughts???


How long is the cable?


Regards,

Ty Ford

**Until the worm goes away, I have put "not" in front of my email address.
Please remove it if you want to email me directly.
For Ty Ford V/O demos, audio services and equipment reviews,
click on http://www.jagunet.com/~tford

UHF Radio Mic
 

In Article , "Mark"
wrote:
So....
Is True Diversity worth the extra money, for me?

Couldn't hurt

Should I get the Samson or the AKG?

Mebbe AT or Sennheiser

Or should I simply stick to good old XLR cable?

Any thoughts???


How long is the cable?


Regards,

Ty Ford

**Until the worm goes away, I have put "not" in front of my email address.
Please remove it if you want to email me directly.
For Ty Ford V/O demos, audio services and equipment reviews,
click on http://www.jagunet.com/~tford

UHF Radio Mic
 

Mark Ison wrote:
Thanks for your input, any other thoughts from anyone??

Cheap wireless is not good, and good wireless is not cheap. If you have
only a few feet to go, keep the cable.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

UHF Radio Mic
 

Mark Ison wrote:
Thanks for your input, any other thoughts from anyone??

Cheap wireless is not good, and good wireless is not cheap. If you have
only a few feet to go, keep the cable.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

UHF Radio Mic
 

In rec.audio.pro Mark wrote:

Should I spend the extra a get the True Diversity, even though most of the
time I am going to only be a few meters away from the receive, and never
more than 30ish if I go into the crowd.

Yes the extra is worth it. Even if you are close there is always
the problem of radio standing waves in the room that cause signal
dropout. The higher frequencies are worse for this. And the farther
you get away the worse the problem can get as signal levels
drop. Even true diversity can have problems.

Should I stick to the policy of don't use radio unless you really have to.

Yes. But then what do you mean by "have to". If you want to go
into the crowd, then I guess you "have to".

Benj
--
Due to SPAM innundation above address is turned off!

UHF Radio Mic
 

In rec.audio.pro Mark wrote:

Should I spend the extra a get the True Diversity, even though most of the
time I am going to only be a few meters away from the receive, and never
more than 30ish if I go into the crowd.

Yes the extra is worth it. Even if you are close there is always
the problem of radio standing waves in the room that cause signal
dropout. The higher frequencies are worse for this. And the farther
you get away the worse the problem can get as signal levels
drop. Even true diversity can have problems.

Should I stick to the policy of don't use radio unless you really have to.

Yes. But then what do you mean by "have to". If you want to go
into the crowd, then I guess you "have to".

Benj
--
Due to SPAM innundation above address is turned off!

UHF Radio Mic
 

In article , writes
In rec.audio.pro Mark wrote:

Should I spend the extra a get the True Diversity, even though most of the
time I am going to only be a few meters away from the receive, and never
more than 30ish if I go into the crowd.

Yes the extra is worth it. Even if you are close there is always
the problem of radio standing waves in the room that cause signal
dropout. The higher frequencies are worse for this. And the farther
you get away the worse the problem can get as signal levels
drop. Even true diversity can have problems.

Should I stick to the policy of don't use radio unless you really have to.

Yes. But then what do you mean by "have to". If you want to go
into the crowd, then I guess you "have to".

Benj

Well FWIW we used to run a mobile disco back in the 70's using a couple
of Tannoy York enclosures with 15" monitor gold's therein driven by
Quad 50E's and we were using a home brewed radio mic, sorta belt pack
thing then on 175 MHz, and never had any problems with it!!..
--
Tony Sayer

UHF Radio Mic
 

In article , writes
In rec.audio.pro Mark wrote:

Should I spend the extra a get the True Diversity, even though most of the
time I am going to only be a few meters away from the receive, and never
more than 30ish if I go into the crowd.

Yes the extra is worth it. Even if you are close there is always
the problem of radio standing waves in the room that cause signal
dropout. The higher frequencies are worse for this. And the farther
you get away the worse the problem can get as signal levels
drop. Even true diversity can have problems.

Should I stick to the policy of don't use radio unless you really have to.

Yes. But then what do you mean by "have to". If you want to go
into the crowd, then I guess you "have to".

Benj

Well FWIW we used to run a mobile disco back in the 70's using a couple
of Tannoy York enclosures with 15" monitor gold's therein driven by
Quad 50E's and we were using a home brewed radio mic, sorta belt pack
thing then on 175 MHz, and never had any problems with it!!..
--
Tony Sayer

UHF Radio Mic
 

I have been looking at the Samson XLR snap. Although I have a couple of
concerns.

Should I spend the extra a get the True Diversity, even though most of the
time I am going to only be a few meters away from the receive, and never
more than 30ish if I go into the crowd.


Buy cheap, or buy really expensive. The top radio systems will work
anywhere (mostly:-). Really cheap ones will often be fine - more than
good enough for DJ speech. Mid-priced ones will mostly have the same
problems as cheap ones. They'll maybe have a better microphone
section. For your application, who cares?

IMO, Diversity is of marginal if any use when the two aerials are
mounted a few inches apart on the receiver box. A professional system
will have the aerials remotely mounted each side of the stage, which
IS useful.

Should I stick to the policy of don't use radio unless you really have to.

Use it if you feel it adds to your performance. Have a cable mic also
available.

I have also looked at the AKG SO40 but AKG seem to have a problem with
supply in the UK, ie have don't currently have a distributor.

So....
Is True Diversity worth the extra money, for me?
Should I get the Samson or the AKG?
Or should I simply stick to good old XLR cable?

UHF Radio Mic
 

I have been looking at the Samson XLR snap. Although I have a couple of
concerns.

Should I spend the extra a get the True Diversity, even though most of the
time I am going to only be a few meters away from the receive, and never
more than 30ish if I go into the crowd.


Buy cheap, or buy really expensive. The top radio systems will work
anywhere (mostly:-). Really cheap ones will often be fine - more than
good enough for DJ speech. Mid-priced ones will mostly have the same
problems as cheap ones. They'll maybe have a better microphone
section. For your application, who cares?

IMO, Diversity is of marginal if any use when the two aerials are
mounted a few inches apart on the receiver box. A professional system
will have the aerials remotely mounted each side of the stage, which
IS useful.

Should I stick to the policy of don't use radio unless you really have to.

Use it if you feel it adds to your performance. Have a cable mic also
available.

I have also looked at the AKG SO40 but AKG seem to have a problem with
supply in the UK, ie have don't currently have a distributor.

So....
Is True Diversity worth the extra money, for me?
Should I get the Samson or the AKG?
Or should I simply stick to good old XLR cable?

UHF Radio Mic
 

tony sayer wrote:

Well FWIW we used to run a mobile disco back in the 70's using a couple
of Tannoy York enclosures with 15" monitor gold's therein driven by
Quad 50E's and we were using a home brewed radio mic, sorta belt pack
thing then on 175 MHz, and never had any problems with it!!..

Back in the seventies, the general RF level was a lot lower. Remember
back when you could actually turn on an AM radio and get decent reception?

At least in the US, the proliferation of cheap consumer electronics has
really resulted in incredible amounts of hash on the VHF bands and below.

Hell, I remember when those 40 MHz VHF-LO radio mikes worked great! I
could not imagine using one of those in the RF horror of any metropolitan
area today.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

UHF Radio Mic
 

tony sayer wrote:

Well FWIW we used to run a mobile disco back in the 70's using a couple
of Tannoy York enclosures with 15" monitor gold's therein driven by
Quad 50E's and we were using a home brewed radio mic, sorta belt pack
thing then on 175 MHz, and never had any problems with it!!..

Back in the seventies, the general RF level was a lot lower. Remember
back when you could actually turn on an AM radio and get decent reception?

At least in the US, the proliferation of cheap consumer electronics has
really resulted in incredible amounts of hash on the VHF bands and below.

Hell, I remember when those 40 MHz VHF-LO radio mikes worked great! I
could not imagine using one of those in the RF horror of any metropolitan
area today.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

UHF Radio Mic
 

In article ,
Laurence Payne wrote:
IMO, Diversity is of marginal if any use when the two aerials are
mounted a few inches apart on the receiver box. A professional system
will have the aerials remotely mounted each side of the stage, which
IS useful.

Not so - at UHF frequencies a few inches can make all the difference as in
so much else. ;-) You can see this effect even at VHF frequencies by
moving a portable radio around while listening to a weak signal - a small
movement will often make a huge difference.

You can increase the nominally useful range sometimes by spacing the
aerials apart some way, but I'd only use this where you've got guaranteed
line of sight.

The other snag with extending aerials away from the receiver is loss down
the cable which is considerable at UHF unless you use extremely expensive
and bulky cable. TV aerial cable etc is near useless.

--
*Be more or less specific *

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

UHF Radio Mic
 

UHF Radio Mic
 

UHF Radio Mic
 

Are you ok with one more big variable in your set up? With anything
wireless you should really have a backup. ie if you need one then
you'd better have two, etc.. Even the most expensive digital wireless
systems have bad days, due to the huge imbalance in transmitter power
between your wireless and the DTV, digital paging , wireless medical
gear and numerous other businesses (legal and not) using the same
spectrum. In the city it is really a jungle out there now for
wireless. If you go UHF, then yes get diversity.
Try to keep your receiver antenna in clear view and above the height
of the transmitter antenna. Keep both away from large metal objects
and other devices that emit RF (practically everything that you would
be using). Try the system out before the audience comes, and keep the
receiver someplace where you can see its RF indicators so you can see
if you are getting into trouble. And have a backup plan (cable)
ready.

Philip Perkins

UHF Radio Mic
 

Are you ok with one more big variable in your set up? With anything
wireless you should really have a backup. ie if you need one then
you'd better have two, etc.. Even the most expensive digital wireless
systems have bad days, due to the huge imbalance in transmitter power
between your wireless and the DTV, digital paging , wireless medical
gear and numerous other businesses (legal and not) using the same
spectrum. In the city it is really a jungle out there now for
wireless. If you go UHF, then yes get diversity.
Try to keep your receiver antenna in clear view and above the height
of the transmitter antenna. Keep both away from large metal objects
and other devices that emit RF (practically everything that you would
be using). Try the system out before the audience comes, and keep the
receiver someplace where you can see its RF indicators so you can see
if you are getting into trouble. And have a backup plan (cable)
ready.

Philip Perkins

UHF Radio Mic
 

In article ,
Philip Perkins wrote:
Even the most expensive digital wireless systems have bad days, due to
the huge imbalance in transmitter power between your wireless and the
DTV, digital paging , wireless medical gear and numerous other
businesses (legal and not) using the same spectrum.

In the UK, if it's operating on a legal frequency, and a good make, none
of the above should cause you any problems within the normal range of the
device. Of course as with any RF (and other) equipment a very strong rogue
RF field can cause trouble, but not the above under normal circumstances.

I use UHF radio mics on location in London, and have rarely if ever
experienced interference - assuming again it's kept within range. But even
if out of range they usually simply mute.

BTW, I'm referring to analogue systems. I've not had the 'pleasure' of
using digital yet.

--
*Work is for people who don't know how to fish.

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

UHF Radio Mic
 

In article ,
Philip Perkins wrote:
Even the most expensive digital wireless systems have bad days, due to
the huge imbalance in transmitter power between your wireless and the
DTV, digital paging , wireless medical gear and numerous other
businesses (legal and not) using the same spectrum.

In the UK, if it's operating on a legal frequency, and a good make, none
of the above should cause you any problems within the normal range of the
device. Of course as with any RF (and other) equipment a very strong rogue
RF field can cause trouble, but not the above under normal circumstances.

I use UHF radio mics on location in London, and have rarely if ever
experienced interference - assuming again it's kept within range. But even
if out of range they usually simply mute.

BTW, I'm referring to analogue systems. I've not had the 'pleasure' of
using digital yet.

--
*Work is for people who don't know how to fish.

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

UHF Radio Mic
 

On 16 Oct 2003 10:01:36 -0400, (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

Hell, I remember when those 40 MHz VHF-LO radio mikes worked great! I
could not imagine using one of those in the RF horror of any metropolitan
area today.


I keep thinking I'll have to upgrade my old Shure radio mic, then it
keeps working near to perfectly 99% of the time. I'm gigging in the
London UK area, which is about as metropolitan as it gets :-)

The only place it has real problems is on Thames pleasureboat gigs.
Some combination of dirty generated AC power, ship radio frequencies
and/or constantly changing location often get the better of it.

UHF Radio Mic
 

On 16 Oct 2003 10:01:36 -0400, (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

Hell, I remember when those 40 MHz VHF-LO radio mikes worked great! I
could not imagine using one of those in the RF horror of any metropolitan
area today.


I keep thinking I'll have to upgrade my old Shure radio mic, then it
keeps working near to perfectly 99% of the time. I'm gigging in the
London UK area, which is about as metropolitan as it gets :-)

The only place it has real problems is on Thames pleasureboat gigs.
Some combination of dirty generated AC power, ship radio frequencies
and/or constantly changing location often get the better of it.

UHF Radio Mic
 

Thank You all for your input.

I have bought the Samson non-diversity AX1-AR1.

Used it for the first time last night at a gig. And it was great, no
problems with it at all. I even had the received placed above my monitor
speaker.

Got a range of at least 40 meters before it started 'fading' and had no
problems walking into other rooms. I suffered no bounce at all from the so
called 'Drop-out' problem

So I can only say that diversity seems only worth getting if you run at the
maximun range. I tried everything to get a drop-out but simply couldn't,
while working within the spec'd range.

Cheers Mark

UHF Radio Mic
 

Thank You all for your input.

I have bought the Samson non-diversity AX1-AR1.

Used it for the first time last night at a gig. And it was great, no
problems with it at all. I even had the received placed above my monitor
speaker.

Got a range of at least 40 meters before it started 'fading' and had no
problems walking into other rooms. I suffered no bounce at all from the so
called 'Drop-out' problem

So I can only say that diversity seems only worth getting if you run at the
maximun range. I tried everything to get a drop-out but simply couldn't,
while working within the spec'd range.

Cheers Mark

UHF Radio Mic
 

In article ,
Mark Ison wrote:
So I can only say that diversity seems only worth getting if you run at
the maximun range. I tried everything to get a drop-out but simply
couldn't, while working within the spec'd range.

I'd say then you're using it in a distinctly non critical application.
I'll bet if you used it in a quiet environment the difference would be
audible.

--
*Why do we say something is out of whack? What is a whack?

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

UHF Radio Mic
 

In article ,
Mark Ison wrote:
So I can only say that diversity seems only worth getting if you run at
the maximun range. I tried everything to get a drop-out but simply
couldn't, while working within the spec'd range.

I'd say then you're using it in a distinctly non critical application.
I'll bet if you used it in a quiet environment the difference would be
audible.

--
*Why do we say something is out of whack? What is a whack?

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

UHF Radio Mic
 

I'd say then you're using it in a distinctly non critical application.
I'll bet if you used it in a quiet environment the difference would be
audible.

I admit it is a non critical application such as broadcasting, however...

I did a walk around with the audio amps turned up, muted the Mic so I should
only hear the radio interferance, I had no noise at all.

I also repeated the walk round with the mic unmuted and speak into the mic,
again I suffered no drop-outs or signal dropage.

Maybe I was just luckly.

UHF Radio Mic
 

I'd say then you're using it in a distinctly non critical application.
I'll bet if you used it in a quiet environment the difference would be
audible.

I admit it is a non critical application such as broadcasting, however...

I did a walk around with the audio amps turned up, muted the Mic so I should
only hear the radio interferance, I had no noise at all.

I also repeated the walk round with the mic unmuted and speak into the mic,
again I suffered no drop-outs or signal dropage.

Maybe I was just luckly.

UHF Radio Mic
 

On Sat, 18 Oct 2003 15:10:54 +0100, "Mark Ison"
wrote:

I have bought the Samson non-diversity AX1-AR1.

Used it for the first time last night at a gig. And it was great, no
problems with it at all. I even had the received placed above my monitor
speaker.

Don't put it on top of an amp, though. I've sometimes found that a
radio receiver that sounded fine at sound check started distorting
quite nastily when placed on top of an amp that was working hard.

UHF Radio Mic
 

On Sat, 18 Oct 2003 15:10:54 +0100, "Mark Ison"
wrote:

I have bought the Samson non-diversity AX1-AR1.

Used it for the first time last night at a gig. And it was great, no
problems with it at all. I even had the received placed above my monitor
speaker.

Don't put it on top of an amp, though. I've sometimes found that a
radio receiver that sounded fine at sound check started distorting
quite nastily when placed on top of an amp that was working hard.