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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => Wireless and Communications => Topic started by: patrick major on November 06, 2015, 11:25:54 AM
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What is an affordable RF analyzer for wireless systems using a variety of wireless products capable of handling pro live audio needs?
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hi
We are using the Shure AXT600 and Wireless Workbench 6. It has a good data base for other manufacturers and ability to input specific frequencies.
JD
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What is an affordable RF analyzer for wireless systems using a variety of wireless products capable of handling pro live audio needs?
What is your definition of "affordable"?
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What is an affordable RF analyzer for wireless systems using a variety of wireless products capable of handling pro live audio needs?
There are lots of software defined radio platforms at this point. What specific aspects of RF analysis are you looking to undertake?
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hi
We are using the Shure AXT600 and Wireless Workbench 6. It has a good data base for other manufacturers and ability to input specific frequencies.
JD
+1
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I am specifically wanting to find open frequencies for wireless mics and instruments for live audio for stage productions
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I am specifically wanting to find open frequencies for wireless mics and instruments for live audio for stage productions
There is more to finding usable frequencies than looking for open space on an RF analyzer. The analyzer can't tell you what frequencies are legally available, or whether there are other users who have priority and may not be transmitting full time. It also will not tell you if the frequencies you choose are compatible with each other in regards to intermodulation issues.
Pretty much any analyzer will show you unused TV channels that you can put your mics, comms, and IEMs in, but you will also need to check all your frequencies for intermodulation products with IM software like Wireless Workbench, or IAS.
The most popular "lower priced" analyzer seems to be the TTi (http://www.aimtti.us/product-category/spectrum-analyzers/aim-psaseries2).
Mac
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do you want to find/plan frequencies before you arrive? If you do not have a rf scanner you can lock out (reassign)the bad frequencies, recalculate and get new ones when you get to the new venue.
I like setting up a rf scanner and letting it run several hours at a location and then assigning channels. This works if you have time. Also make sure you add to your data base the frequencies the venue is using. There are many programs that will help you get close, just because the program/scanner says you have good frequencies does not mean you will have a good day! have back up wireless and extra frequencies available.
note:
was at a location 5 days, 9 wireless, everything worked great, last day took a 2 second hit on all the wireless. I have no clue where/what happened.
jd
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What is an affordable RF analyzer for wireless systems using a variety of wireless products capable of handling pro live audio needs?
This is hard to beat.
[url]nutsaboutnets.com/rfviewer[url]
Check out some of their other offerings.
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This is hard to beat.
[url]nutsaboutnets.com/rfviewer[url]
Check out some of their other offerings.
The DTV dongle unit? Cheap price. I ordered one. I cannot even begin to explain how hopeless I think it is. In my view, it is beyond understanding how poorly this performs.
Get anything else. Get an old shoebox, draw on it with a sharpie, and pretend you have an analyser. It will be just as useful.
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The DTV dongle unit? Cheap price. I ordered one. I cannot even begin to explain how hopeless I think it is. In my view, it is beyond understanding how poorly this performs.
Get anything else. Get an old shoebox, draw on it with a sharpie, and pretend you have an analyser. It will be just as useful.
I tried one too....It showed me where TV channels were located....it also showed me a lot of garbage that I would have thought was real if i didn't have a TTI. I was unimpressed, and then used the dongle to write a Raspberry Pi RF scanner Python program. It works about as good as the computer software version.
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The DTV dongle unit? Cheap price. I ordered one. I cannot even begin to explain how hopeless I think it is. In my view, it is beyond understanding how poorly this performs.
Get anything else. Get an old shoebox, draw on it with a sharpie, and pretend you have an analyser. It will be just as useful.
I hope they work reasonably well as I just ordered 6 of them. These are for some techs I work with that just need a basic scanner.
Will compare to my Win Radio system and if they are really bad, just send them back.
If they work as well as an RF explorer , I will be happy.
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There is more to finding usable frequencies than looking for open space on an RF analyzer.
Read "RF coordination for Roadies" (http://www.bestaudio.com/s/Riedelradio3sm.pdf) for ALL the secrets.
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do you want to find/plan frequencies before you arrive? If you do not have a rf scanner you can lock out (reassign)the bad frequencies, recalculate and get new ones when you get to the new venue.
I like setting up a rf scanner and letting it run several hours at a location and then assigning channels. This works if you have time. Also make sure you add to your data base the frequencies the venue is using. There are many programs that will help you get close, just because the program/scanner says you have good frequencies does not mean you will have a good day! have back up wireless and extra frequencies available.
note:
was at a location 5 days, 9 wireless, everything worked great, last day took a 2 second hit on all the wireless. I have no clue where/what happened.
jd
Mainly you need the TV station scan, both outside and inside your venue. Long scans are nice but wont protect you from Roaving ENG crews. Read http://www.bestaudio.com/spectrum-scans/ (http://www.bestaudio.com/spectrum-scans/)