Wireless Group/Channel Setup

[dhock194]

All:

I am in the process of adding a group of wireless mics (Senn ew g3), and need to determine the best approach for freq layout, specifically as I plan to continue to grow the # of wireless units in use.

I had one expert state that each mic / receiver should be set to a different group, and then "the channel does not matter". But this does not make sense to me, as the freq differences between, say group 1/Channel 1 and group2/channel 1 is no as great as between group 1/Channel 1 and group 1/channel 2, etc.

Is there a channel/freq best practice for deploying multiple wireless sets?

Thanks!

[bpalermini]

First step would be to use THIS to find available frequencies.

Depending on the model of receivers you have Sennheiser also has a software product called "Wireless Systems Manager" which would help you a lot if you can use it.

[dhock194]

Thanks, Bob! Using this indicates that the channel ranges I am using are clear from expected interference (at least, from the other publicly posted freq in use).

Any commonly used methodology of group/channel deployment within these ranges?

[Arlin]

IIRC, you should only use channels from one group. Each group is configured with a channel list that minimizes intermodulation interference.
Mixing groups can result in more intermodulation interfernece.

[waynehoskins]

If you're experienced, you can do your own RF coordination and select frequencies manually without using preselected lists. On larger shows or when mixing brands of RF gear, you just about have to do it yourself. If you're not, then always stay with the same group, as the channels in the group won't interfere with each other (but may interfere with channels in other groups, even if they're not overlapping or adjacent channels).

[Tim Padrick]

IIRC, when the theater expanded to 16, I decided to use the presets instead of going by the list generated by the Senny software. I had to change only one unit, as it was getting randonly hit by something from outside (which is weird, as analog TV and AT&T cellular don't have a prayer of getting into the building). It all works just fine.

[waynehoskins]

Originally Posted by Tim Padrick

(which is weird, as analog TV and AT&T cellular don't have a prayer of getting into the building)

It's amazing how some places the phones don't work, TV doesn't work, FM doesn't work, but by golly RFI finds a way in...

[dhock194]

Thanks to all! This helped a lot!

[daver2]

dhock194,

Welcome to CMN as these appear to be your first posts!

We have Senny kit. Use the same group and different channels within the group. Providing all your radio equipment is from the same supplier (as ours is) you should have minimal problems. We had a nightmare with cross-interference when we had radio equipment from three separate companies! In the last upgrade I insisted on Senny throughout - no problems since...

You just need to keep an ear open for RFI interference during the early weeks and try switching channels on the affected equipment if anything rears its ugly head.

Dave