PSM 400 drop out

[Josh Scott]

I have a PSM 400 with audio that comes in and out. Any idea how to start checking it. We run into a combiner and out a paddle antenna.

[cmchamp]

I do not know how narrow the directivity of the paddle antenna, but a couple of things you could start with are:
1: Change frequencies
2: Run with the original antenna.

How recent is the drop out, and what DTV channels have gone on line in your area?
http://www.sennheiserusa.com/findfrequency/default.asp
enter your zip code.
C.

[waynehoskins]

I'd put money on a co-channel DTV signal. I had that happen to me once too. Moving my link frequency fixed it.

[Josh Scott]

Not a digital station it is above 700. It was doing it while I was on vacation last Sunday. I can't get it to do it again. They may have been hitting the limiter hard, and described it as the audio coming in and out. I changed it to share frequencies with another transmitter we will see if this fixes it. Not a big deal we send the same signal to both IEMs anyways. Won't know much more till people show up for rehearsal on Thursday. I looked more a our set up and we have two transmitters that don't use our combiner. One of which is the one I am having a problem with.

[cmchamp]

Oh, then you're going to need to keep abreast of the November FCC rulings. As of February 19th, when all DTV stations are supposed to be on line, it has been my understanding of following the rulings and subsequent discussion that the 700MHz band is now off limits for any other purpose than emergency. You're going to need to move out of the 700MHz band.
If you're in the 700MHz band, you may be on an emergency frequency, or a harmonic close to one, and getting intermittent interference from it.
C.

[waynehoskins]

Or if you mean by "above 700" that you're not in (old) TV band, then you should also be aware that the broadcast guys say "Leave my STL alone!".

[Josh Scott]

Originally Posted by cmchamp

Oh, then you're going to need to keep abreast of the November FCC rulings. As of February 19th, when all DTV stations are supposed to be on line, it has been my understanding of following the rulings and subsequent discussion that the 700MHz band is now off limits for any other purpose than emergency. You're going to need to move out of the 700MHz band.
If you're in the 700MHz band, you may be on an emergency frequency, or a harmonic close to one, and getting intermittent interference from it.
C.

I agree I have three IEMs and four wireless mics that will have to be replaced. That is why I don't want to spend any money on them I just want them to work enough until I get approval to spend a large sum of cash. I am also dragging my feet to make sure everything has everything sorted out. Seems like no one knows for sure what we are suppose to do.

[waynehoskins]

Originally Posted by Josh Scott

I agree I have three IEMs and four wireless mics that will have to be replaced. That is why I don't want to spend any money on them I just want them to work enough until I get approval to spend a large sum of cash. I am also dragging my feet to make sure everything has everything sorted out. Seems like no one knows for sure what we are suppose to do.

Ah, okay, you're doing what I'm doing. I'm lucky, though: the only thing I need to replace/move is our drummer's IEM, which would be perfectly fine hardwired for a fair while, since he doesn't move around a lot.

Another possibility is overdeviation of the transmitter .. that has a chance of making it drop out on peaks, because the carrier frequency has been deviated outside of the receiver's passband.

Or it could just have decided to go stupid yesterday .. the whole "when the cat's away" thing.

[cmchamp]

I guess you could call your local Emergency Management Agency office, 911, Sherif or City law enforcement office and find out what frequency, if any, they are using. Then, try to find a frequency that is not on there till after the FCC discovers what they're doing, and what DTV stations are going to be up in your area.
The link to the Sennheiser Frequency Finder is a good resource.
C.

[Gracetech]

Actually with the newest ruling it is my understanding that we can continue illegally using the 700Mhz range.

As for your issues i would say check the antenna on the body pack. It's possible that your antenna has been jarred loose and has weak reception. It could also be the transmitter is not pushing enough power anymore. If you have the ability tune one of your other recievers to the frequency of the setup in question, do that and see if it works. If you still have issues then it's in the transmitter.

crt

[cmchamp]

The latest ruling of 11/14 didn't address the 700MHz issues, but Shure has released a statement that indicates that it is still to be abandoned by consumer users by February.
"This ruling does not address the issue of wireless microphone operations in the 700 MHz band. The FCC had proposed earlier that wireless microphone operations in the 700 MHz band should cease in February 2009, but a final transition date has not been announced."