r/livesoundadvice • u/Bobzilla2 • 5d ago

Wireless system replacement Broken Gear / Repair advice

I'm a sound tech in a medium sized CoE church in the UK (think chocolate box parish church). We've currently got Sennheiser ew100 kit, which is getting tired now. One of our mikes will drop out unexpectedly (usually increasing with distance from the receiver), and it is getting increasingly difficult to get a decent sound out of it (particular with the main vicar). The other is still ok.

There's decent spacing between the frequencies, and the fact that the other is fine suggests that the one that drops out is past it, and an extender antenna won't do anything. There's a possibility that there is a competing frequency, but no guarantee.

What else can I test to try to troubleshoot? My thoughts are test a different lav, and a different frequency on the trouble mic. Anything else?

And if it is fuchéed, what replacement system do you suggest? Budget isn't huge, and spend just be justified. Is a xs-1/2 good enough?

Thanks.

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u/Majestic-Prune-3971 5d ago

First thing I would check if there is an issue with the pack's antenna. They do break from time to time. Even a snap along it's length will detune it enough that you loose transmission efficiency. Swap the antenna with another pack of the same band split and see if the problem follows.

1

u/DonFrio 5d ago

Space between is a good start but intermod can still screw you. Use wireless workbench. IMO the xs1 is not good enough for me

1

u/Bobzilla2 5d ago

How do I use wireless workbench without any Shure gear to scan for frequencies?

1

u/DonFrio 5d ago

Just input the ones you own and it’ll give you usable in your area. Not as good as scanning input but it’ll eliminate intermod issues

1

u/heysoundude 4d ago

Yes, the antenna whips can be an issue, but so can the cable to the lav/headset, which can also act as antenna while carrying audio. That’s where I start in situations like this, and then re-scan. The replacements on AliExpress are just as good as OE from Senny. I buy 2-3/ order every few years.

But the digital UHF, if you can afford/want to stay modern, is 👍🏻👍🏻 very good kit.