If you go w/ BLX, you need to select the BLX4R receivers. The non-rackmount versions rely on a built-in antenna and cannot be connected to do an antenna distribution
system. The -R models have
BNC's on the backs for connection to an antenna distribution
system.
As stated earlier, antennas are manufacturer-agnostic. You can use one manufacturer's distribution amp and antennas with another manufacturer's transmitters and receivers. If you were mixing and matching DA's and antennas you may have to worry about DC
bias on the
coax cables to
power any active antennas or in-line amps but sounds like if you leave your antennas and DA as-is, this is a non-issue for you.
Given the ever changing RF landscape, I would
highly recommend going with QLX-D instead because of the high
channel count you want. In an ideal RF environment, in the woods, miles from any broadcast stations or
UHF cell towers, you can max out BLX at 23 systems if nobody else is on your frequencies. If someone hops into your spectrum as the desperation for available RF space grows in the coming 3 years, you may be stuck with
system you cannot use reliably. With QLX-D, you can use up to 60 systems
in one band, 129 across multiple bands. You may not ever have any intention of using all of this RF space, but you will have flexibility when the church across the street from you goes out and buys their own 12 channels of BLX. With QLX-D, you can even
park a
network switch in the wireless rack and use Wireless Workbench on your laptop to run an RF scan and automatically coordinate your frequencies with each other and with any other users in your area.
An investment now is an insurance policy later. Pay less now, risk full
system replacement later at the mercy of your neighbors, your regional broadcasters, T-Mobile, and the FCC. You may end up spending the same amount of money either way if your BLX units end up being sacrificial in a couple years and you have to replace them with ZLX (or whatever
Shure's newest favorite three letters are), but RF surprises tend to happen when they are not budgeted for.
Re: 600 MHz and re-usability of equipment
In terms of your existing antennas and distribution amplifiers, the only devices that are required to not be capable of tuning into prohibited spectrum are
transmitters. It does not matter if your antennas, DA's, or receivers can tune up to 698 MHz. You can reuse them without modification. What you cannot reuse come the conclusion of this 39-month transition period are any existing mic transmitters or PSM transmitters that tune into prohibited spectrum unless they are modified to be band-limited such that they cannot operate in that spectrum. In areas where a new licensee want to start broadcasting in their newly purchased spectrum and there are no other licensed users currently preventing them from doing so, they can begin broadcasting whenever they like and you will have to vacate any existing 614 MHz operations you may have to give them right of way.
As always, regardless of what you do, get a quote. You will almost always receive a better price direct than if you go all "Add To Cart" on Sweetwater's website without talking directly with a sales representative.
EDIT:
Threshold of prohibited spectrum really isn't 614 MHz like I previously said. 614 MHz is the lower
threshold of this auction but TV 37 has been off-limits for some time already.
