Wireless mic interference

[SteveB_NI]

I've suddenly had several wireless mic issues since start of September - constantly dropping signal during events etc - although strangely not really when the hall is full. It's happening across both halls - and therefore 2 different sets of wireless mics + receivers.

 

I have just started to wonder - this coincides with our new Meraki wireless access point roll out - which happened in the summer.

 

As it doesn't happen when testing / walking around normally with few in there, I wonder if the extra load on the wireless Merakis when more people gather in the halls is causing interference down our wireless mics. At some points during school assemblies we could have 100s trying to connect to the wifi points.

 

Any suggestions, it's just too much of co-incidence, but a difficult one to resolve without trying different mic channels and test & see

[dhicks]

I've suddenly had several wireless mic issues since start of September - constantly dropping signal during events etc - although strangely not really when the hall is full.

 

Do your wireless mics use the 2.4GHz frequency space? A handy guide:

 

https://www.canford.co.uk/TechZone/Article/UKLegalRadioMicFrequencies

 

If the signal is changing when the hall is full then my guess is that the number of people in the hall is blocking the intefering signal, which could well be from your wireless system. You could, of course, get different wireless mics, although that will be expensive - you could try hiring a set for an event and testing with those.

[SteveB_NI]

Thanks I’ll check the guide!

 

The same set up (wireless receiver & mics Trantec S4.16) have been used in the same locations for years with no signal issues & same amount of people in the halls.

 

Very strange how only happening now and noticeably when the full school is there - and they are connecting (in their pockets) to the wireless network

 

Our wireless mics do not use the wireless network in any shape or form so sounds like a channel conflict. There is a massive spike in our wifi activity in that area of course during assemblies etc

[Andrew_C]

Not a digi microphone system, so direct interference is UNLIKELY. Filling the hall with bags of water will definitely change things from an empty room.

 

Firstly, check that you are using a proper 'group' of channels and that they haven't been fiddling.

 

Second, get the receivers up high, above the audience.

[SamanthaD]

What's the channel range your mics are set to? Might be that you're inadvertently using Channel 69 - which was sold off a while ago I think for 4G use? https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/84470/cellular_frequency_chart_jan_2016.pdf

 

If you have a lot of people on the Telefonica (O2) network, that would explain it?

[howartp]

What's the channel range your mics are set to? Might be that you're inadvertently using Channel 69 - which was sold off a while ago

Yes, if you've had your Trantecs for "years", how many are you using, what frequency, and do you have a license?

 

Channel 70 is still free of charge/unlicensed but usually only 4 usable frequencies in that channel. Anything else you need a license.

[Andycat]

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/manage-your-licence/radiocommunication-licences/pmse/pmse-licence-info

 

Is a good page to check for Faq's