Wireless Reception

[dcoxjr]

I am having a terrible problem with reception of my AT AEW-T1000 bodypacks. As the bodypack moves across the stage even just a small amount, the RF meters dance. Its actually incredible to watch as they literally dance. I have no problem with my AT AEW-T5000 handheld mics.

This is a problem that began about a year ago...several years after installation. I'm at a total loss, but this has to be fixed asap.

[cmchamp]

Hey DCoxJr.
Couple of questions.
1: are you using the stubby hard antennas, or the long whips on the bodypack transmitter?
2: Is the RF on Hi or Low on the bodypack Transmitter?
3: Where on the body is the transmitter?

C.

[dcoxjr]

I am currently using the "stubby" antennas and the RF is set to low. If memory serves me correctly I've tried the alternate to both of these without success.

I have had Pastor place the transmitter on his belt with and without a jacket and also in the inside breast pocket of the jacket. Just this morning a guest speaker wore the transmitter at his waist without a jacket and the reception was terrible.

I should mention that the RF meter does it's little dance when the person is moving.

[cmchamp]

How many units do you have, and when was the last time you did a frequency scan?

[dcoxjr]

I have 12 wireless mics, 6 handheld and 6 bodypacks. The problem occurs if one or all 12 are in use.

I have never done a frequency scan as I don't have a scanner. We are locate in the Cayman Islands and there is very little over-the-air stations. Someone did just point out that my handhelds are operating on Channel 27 which is an active channel here, yet I don't have any issues. My bodypacks are on channel 26 which is not active here.

When the transmitters are off, the receivers do not show any activity.

I did use Audio Technica's frequency compatibility checker and it reported no conflicts.

[cmchamp]

If you've got the 4000 or 5000 series, and they are linked together properly with the link cable provided in the box on purchase, then these receivers will scan open frequencies correctly themselves if you ask them to with one unit as the master controlling the other 11 receiver channels.
Might be worth frequency coordinating/scanning again.
I would leave each transmitter on and then scan for open frequencies resetting each transmitter's frequency to the new frequency found on the receiver.

[dcoxjr]

I just tried that and they selected the exact same frequencies. I'm going to try setting the RF level to Hi on the transmitter and see what happens.

Which of the two transmitter antennas do you think would be the best to use?

[cmchamp]

If the transmitters are all on, the receivers should only select open frequencies, not frequencies that are in use.
I use the whips with mine.

[Brad Weber]

Originally Posted by dcoxjr

I just tried that and they selected the exact same frequencies.

Like Cory said, that should not happen unless you set each system with only that system on. Try turning on one system and let it scan and select a frequency then leave that system turned on and turn on the next transmitter and receiver pair and so on until you have all of them set. That should allow each system to also see the other systems and incorporate that into the scan.

[cmchamp]

I have the AEW4000 series personally, and frequently at The Gospel Barn, other groups will have the same frequency group and I'll have them leave their transmitters on while I scan for new ones for me.
In your case, since it's the bodypacks that seem to be the issue, if your receivers are linked together properly with the interconnect cables and one is set as the master, turn all the bodypack transmitters on and scan. The receivers "should" select open frequencies, not the frequencies the transmitters are using.