Hello all,
I've been reading up on this but hoping for some help! We are trying to build a small portable rack for 6 wireless units - 3 microphones and 3 IEM systems. The units being used are:
(2) Shure SRX wireless mics
(1) Sennheiser EW135 wireless mic
(2) Audio Technica M2 IEM systems
(1) Shure PSM IEM system
I've got all the hardware figured out to mount the boxes side-by-side in a 4U shallow SKB Roto rack using adapters/ears for the similar units, and a universal shelf for the 2 units that don't match, along with a 1U Furman power supply. So that part I feel like I'm set. My question is about the antennas.
Up until now, we've been setting up all 6 boxes practically right on top of each other and we don't typically have any issues. We can usually place the systems on or near the stage so they're very close by, and even if line of sight drops out due to a band member walking in the way, it's so close that it doesn't really matter. We have also not seen any issues when using the mics for speaking at weddings, even when they rove around the room. I'm hoping to do the same with the rack and avoid having to use these crazy expensive antenna distribution/combiner systems. So I'm looking at a couple options:
Option 1: Use a 1U or 2U flat cover piece, mount BNC bulkheads on it for all 9 antennas (2 each for the mics, 1 each for the IEMs), extend back with BNC cables to the bulkheads, and then disconnect/reconnect all 9 antennas each gig. It'll be ugly, crowded, and a PITA to set up each time we use the system, but because of how we're used to stacking these up, I would expect that it would probably work OK.
Option 2: I'm wondering if I could get away with using 5-1000 MHz CATV passive splitters with BNC adapters to cut down the number of antennas. For example, if the freq bands on the mics are all similar and I can find a 1/2 wave antenna system to match all 3, could I use a 3-way splitter and run all 3 "A-side" antennas to a single 1/2 wave, and all 3 "B-side" antennas to another 1/2 wave? That would essentially cut down from 6 antennas to 2 larger ones. And could a similar approach be taken with the IEM systems?
Would option 2 even be worth it...? Or should we just go with option 1 and be done with it?
I know I have to dig into the exact frequency bands that each unit is operating at; I'm awaiting on that info from the rest of the band members for each of their systems. I know this isn't the full-on pro way to do this, but I'm wondering if one of these strategies will be acceptable for our use. Any advice or things to consider will be much appreciated!!!
Thanks.
I've been reading up on this but hoping for some help! We are trying to build a small portable rack for 6 wireless units - 3 microphones and 3 IEM systems. The units being used are:
(2) Shure SRX wireless mics
(1) Sennheiser EW135 wireless mic
(2) Audio Technica M2 IEM systems
(1) Shure PSM IEM system
I've got all the hardware figured out to mount the boxes side-by-side in a 4U shallow SKB Roto rack using adapters/ears for the similar units, and a universal shelf for the 2 units that don't match, along with a 1U Furman power supply. So that part I feel like I'm set. My question is about the antennas.
Up until now, we've been setting up all 6 boxes practically right on top of each other and we don't typically have any issues. We can usually place the systems on or near the stage so they're very close by, and even if line of sight drops out due to a band member walking in the way, it's so close that it doesn't really matter. We have also not seen any issues when using the mics for speaking at weddings, even when they rove around the room. I'm hoping to do the same with the rack and avoid having to use these crazy expensive antenna distribution/combiner systems. So I'm looking at a couple options:
Option 1: Use a 1U or 2U flat cover piece, mount BNC bulkheads on it for all 9 antennas (2 each for the mics, 1 each for the IEMs), extend back with BNC cables to the bulkheads, and then disconnect/reconnect all 9 antennas each gig. It'll be ugly, crowded, and a PITA to set up each time we use the system, but because of how we're used to stacking these up, I would expect that it would probably work OK.
Option 2: I'm wondering if I could get away with using 5-1000 MHz CATV passive splitters with BNC adapters to cut down the number of antennas. For example, if the freq bands on the mics are all similar and I can find a 1/2 wave antenna system to match all 3, could I use a 3-way splitter and run all 3 "A-side" antennas to a single 1/2 wave, and all 3 "B-side" antennas to another 1/2 wave? That would essentially cut down from 6 antennas to 2 larger ones. And could a similar approach be taken with the IEM systems?
Would option 2 even be worth it...? Or should we just go with option 1 and be done with it?
I know I have to dig into the exact frequency bands that each unit is operating at; I'm awaiting on that info from the rest of the band members for each of their systems. I know this isn't the full-on pro way to do this, but I'm wondering if one of these strategies will be acceptable for our use. Any advice or things to consider will be much appreciated!!!
Thanks.