Gordonmoore1

And there you have it - it's all Constantin's fault...................... (fade out with "It's the End of the World as We Know It" playing in the background)

It may be as simple as the voltage selection switch or the Phantom power switch has failed - make sure they are both in the middle position. Rapid switching may clear some corrosion and restore functionality - exercise the switches a few times to "polish" the internal contacts. If that doesn't clear it up, the UH400 is still supported - you can have JayCee Communications there on the east coats check it or pop it back to the mother-ship here and get it checked out. If your serial number on the UH400 is below 213, the volume knob behaves differently than later units with most of the gain concentrated in the first half of the pot. The last UH400 was built in June of 2004. The difference between the UH400 and the UH400a was a larger microprocessor that allowed us to load the emulation modes. The UH400 just didn't have enough memory. Otherwise, they were the same.

We have made notes on the known serial numbers in our system in case they show up here for service . Just so you all know - if a reported stolen unit comes in for repair, we notify the reporting owner and hold the unit until ownership is resolved. rpsound -please private message me your contact information so we can reach you if they show up at the mothership. Doesn't happen a lot but it does happen. We are still waiting for a unit to show up form the NAB show a few years ago when our entire booth stock was swiped - there were three prototype transmitters that were completely nonfunctional - we really expected to see them come in for "repair" - but unfortunately, no sign of any of it.....

Congratulations to the Zaxcom team - it's nice to see the audio side of the equation get recognition!

Check your audio meters on the receivers - are they indicating a big difference? From 23 to 8 is a 15dB difference - that would definitely show on the receiver meters. What are the LED indicators on the transmitters showing? - The hot ones (if the problem is in the transmitters) should show vastly different LED action - if the transmitter LEDS are behaving the same and the receiver modulation meters are acting similar, the problem lies down stream.

Yes, as things currently stand wireless mic transmitters are limited in the UK and the EU to 50mW, 200Khz spectral mask, 50Khz deviation. Also known as the ETSI mask. (that's all we can certification for). SRC has the same rated sensitivity as the SRB but is more selective. RF relies on signal to noise, the better you reject the noise, the better the performance. And yes, the SRC is universal and allows operation between the US and the EU versions of transmitters.

Alas, the EU (and the labs that certify the gear) is getting very picky about changing power capabilities. We cannot get certification with that capability built in in any form now - 50mW max - We don't make the laws, we just follow 'em....... (damn the bad luck). They're from the government and they're here to help......... Could be worse, in some countries the limit is 10mW. It all depends on the overall RF noise floor but remember that 100mW is just a 3dB boost over 50mW. Get that transmitter antenna just a bit away from the sweaty actor skin and you can re-capture that 3dB easily. Don't tape it down to the skin - if possible, get it outside the first layer of clothing (if they are wearing layers). Fortunately the SRC is pretty darn sensitive. (kind of like me about my receding hairline or expanding waistline....) Gordon

Clarify the levels you mention - is that the levels as displayed by the meters on the 633 or the level set on the input gain?

True that!

Some clarification is in order here, some very wrong information posted in this thread. 1) There have been no changes to our policies regarding block changes during my tenure here. Sorry, guys, but I haven't changed things there. That statement is just plain wrong. 2) We will do block changes on units so long as we a) have parts and boards available and b) the product can actually have a block change effectively done. Parts can be especially onerous since the pace of change is so fast anymore that surface mount parts availability can change overnight. Some products, particularly single board designs, simply cannot be cost effectively block changed - specifically, these are the IFBR1a, the R400a, the UCR100, and the Venue Modules VRT and VRS. It is more cost effective to simply exchange these units for new ones at a reduced cost. It is the exchange for new products on these units for which there is a seven year limit - We based that on the time it takes to completely amortize your equipment costs (if you aren't amortizing your equipment costs, check with an accountant - you're missing out on important tax deductions where you can recover those costs). We can still service them, we just had to put a time limit on exchanges. If you have another product that for which we say we cannot do a block change (MM400a or UCR200 for example), it is because the parts are simply no longer available, not due to an arbitrary limitation on time. If we have the boards, we will do the block change (or repair). Period. PS - I double checked with our service department to make sure I didn't get anything wrong here (just in case something had changed when I wasn't looking) My apologies if this may have been explained previously by someone else in a confusing fashion - I certainly can see how that can happen so I hope this clarifies our service and block change policies a little better.

Congratulations! Beautiful!

The resistor attenuator scheme will not change phase or affect it in any way.

If your old school Venue is a narrow band frame - covers just two blocks - then it will not work with WD. WD only goes back as far as the wideband Venue which covers 6 blocks. You can upgrade the Venue narrow band to wideband - it's not cheap but a LOT cheaper than replacing it - and you get a whole new mother board which is basically a new unit in old mechanicals.

The ALP620 is a high gain antenna - while it may be passive, it is a directional pickup pattern and will boost your signal. An in-line RF amplifier is NOT for amplifying the RF, it is for making up for line losses on the cabling. So, yes, that combination will work very well - you only need the RF amplifiers if you plan on very long cable runs.

Ed, don't worry about channel selection (which is higher or lower) the SRB will tell you if you are setting it up wrong there - you'll get a warning on the screen. Try upping your levels more - even for those soft to loud scenes. The limiter is soft kneed and can handle over 30dB before you get into trouble. When you say the level is just hitting red when they are shouting, then your overall level is too low. What is happening is during the low scenes, the transmitter is barely getting modulated so the signal to noise ratio is compromised - that's why you hear the clicks. By turning up the transmitter just a bit more, you increase your S/N significantly and the clicks get shoved down into the noise floor. If you get distortion during the shouting periods - remember, we can handle an additional 30dB there - the distortion may be due to clipping at the input stage of the recorder or camera - compensate by dropping the output level of the receiver or dropping input gain on the mixer. Try making small changes - don't go from barely on to full on, make little changes - you will find the happy medium somehere in the middle. For most mics, I find being around the 12 O'clock to 1" O'clock position is a good starting point - I've gone as high as 3 O'clock - even with loud sources without getting that compressed squishy sound. Gordon

More accurately - buried in the manual. As in ... "shot then unceremoniously buried in an unmarked grave" in the manual. We are making it more obvious now.

What is the "usual range" you have set on the transmitter - relative knob position? What is the behaviour of the audio LED's? Are you getting activity on both? If not, try a higher input gain setting on the transmitter - compensate by reducing input gain on the zoom or output gain on the receiver. And Mungo is correct, you can optionally put the SRB into ratio diversity mode and go from antenna phasing switching to utilizing BOTH receivers since you are using only one transmitter to the SRb in this case. Ratio diversity mode is a mix of the two receivers without switching.

It is with great sadness that we tell of the passing yesterday of John Arasim, former President and Chairman of the Board for Lectrosonics. He was in the company of his family. His two passions were his family and his work. It was under John’s guidance that Lectrosonics became a standard of motion picture, television, news and reality programming. His impact on ENG, television and motion picture production encompassed 3 decades. During his tenure, the lexicon for production was expanded to include terms such as "camera mount receiver, "plug-on transmitter", "bag system", “camera hop” and "quad box". Always innovative, his first diversity receivers featured hand-made 6 pole helical resonators machined from pipe couplings. John’s previous work included many years at Sparton Industries where he ran the New Mexico operations. He kept a sample of his work, the mechanical UHF tuner for the F-105 Starfighter, in his desk and would happily show it off to those who inquired. Other accomplishments include developing the first directional sono-buoy and designing high reliability failsafes. His tireless efforts to build a company where everything that could possibly be made internally was a testament to his commitment to American jobs and the concept of "Made in the USA". His philosophy of manufacturing and engineering demanded the best and rewarded the result with good pay, good benefits and great place to work. He was always on the lookout for engineering talent, seeking the best available. “We are an engineering driven company” was his mantra. He had three rules of business. "We build the best product we know how to build. We don't do business with the government. We have fun." We will miss him and will continue to honor him through the continuation of his principles. God Speed, John. We do not yet have word of plans for his memorial but will post more information as it becomes available per the requests of the family. Gordon

Peter, these are great ideas but the biggest problem is the requirement for 400 mode on the receiver. That pulls the receiver out of the analog realm into the digital hybrid realm (or full digital) and costs will soar. Most of the other requirements aren't so bad (AA batteries, more channels, etc). But making it a digital hybrid unit (and adding a screen) would run the cost up considerably - We already kind of have what you have described - the LR receiver is just about what you specify here - just change the audio output jack to a headphone jack with a amplifier circuit, move the display to the top. All the features you describe (with just some minor variations on location or programming issues) are in the LR. My point is that the IFB you just described will cost just about the same as the LR. We price our products based on the costs of manufacturing and materials. We can certainly build this - but at that price ($1189), would anyone buy it?

The FCC's recent announcements are two stage. The first was the Public Notice announcing they are going to use the 566MHz up scenario as their target for the auction results. Now, this is an announcement of the GOAL of the auction - not the actual result. The actual result will not be known until after the auction has been held and completed. At that time, they will issue another Public Notice announcing the results. THAT is when we will know the reality we will face in a few years. The publication of that Public Notice (hereafter called the NOTICE) will start a clock ticking that affects all of us. 9 months after the NOTICE - Manufacturers will no longer be allowed to submit and test equipment under the old regulations.. New equipment must then meet the new ETSI mask regulations (part of which is still being reconsidered - Sennheiser, Shure, Lectrosonics and Audio Technica have petitioned for reconsideration a particularly odious spec - we should hear about that in about a month) - Currently, no manufacturer is building products that meet the new regulations. The certification labs are not even testing under the new regs yet, so any claims as such cannot be made until proven with a test certification under those new regulations. 18 months after the Notice - (or June, 2018) - whichever comes first - Manufacturers can no longer sell equipment certified under the old regulations. And no, this cannot be done with just a firmware update - the FCC will be demanding new certifications PROVING we meet the new regs. ( I should open a test lab - they are gonna rake it in over the next few years) 39 months after the Notice - equipment occupying the spectrum defined in the Notice must cease operations and vacate the spectrum. The new owners, however, can fire up their transmitters earlier if they are ready - which will blow you off the air anyway. So, we have until 2018 or later before it gets gnarly. No need yet to panic. We DON'T have all the final spectrum allocation information in front of us yet but we should before too long. Keep in mind there is a very limited number of licensed tower crews available to get all those cell towers and TV broadcast towers up and running on the new channels. Several independent studies have shown that with currently available resources, it could take as long as five additional years to implement the changes. The Second announcement by the FCC was more of a PR thing - announcing they had already convinced the TV stations to get involved enough in the auction to allow the FCC to reach their goal of the 566 up sell off. How true that is will be borne out by the auction results. We have been tightly involved with this process for quite a length of time along with Sennheiser, Shure and Audio Technica. (Sending delegates to Washington, filing with the FCC, involving our legislators). If you would like to search the filings database at the FCC, go to the link below and enter the manufacturers names to see the efforts of those committed to this fight. As such, we have a strong handle on the regulations both current and future. Our engineering department has been on top of what will be required to survive in the "brave new world" in a few years. This is not happening overnight. Many of you remember the slow inexorable change over to digital back in 2004-2009. Recent introductions and all future new products/programs will be aimed at letting you operate as always now while being covered in the future (we have always been spectrum efficient) . To quote the over used cliché - Keep Calm and Make Sound. Stay tuned! Oh, and I'm keeping my stock in Lectrosonics........... http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/comment_search_solr/search Remember, it wasn't that long ago that you all were outlaws......

Many DC motors are speed controlled by a PWM - pulse width modulated - controller. These controllers, unlike a Rheostat control (which changes voltage through variable resistance), delivery the full DC voltage but do so with pulses at full voltage. So, instead of knocking down the voltage to slow the motor, they reduce the amount of time the motor gets to see power by switching it on and off at a very fast pace. Unlike a resistor, there is no wasted voltage being blown off as heat by the resistor so they are more efficient. Unfortunately, these things switch on and off very rapidly and the controller must have a clock or oscillator - all of which can generate RF. These magnets aren't the problem, generally - it's probably the PWM controller. They aren't tested as RF devices so they get passed more easily.

If you aren't using the all channels on your Venue or only a single channel on an SR receivers, try using the ratio diversity mode to see if that helps. And while 24 might SOUND hot enough, double check your modulation indicators on the transmitter - if you aren't getting an occasional red on the first LED, you are probably still too low. (You can always turn down the receiver output if you are overdriving your input on the mixer.

This will be interesting! That's quite a task and challenge. A moon shot might be easier.....

To clarify the problem with 250mW for a wide band design. In the narrow band 25.6Mhz bandwidth transmitters, we used a component called a circulator isolator. It's a clever little device consisting of a precisely charged magnet hovering over a stripline (an impedance changing strip of circuit trace) on a tiny circuit board with a few other basic components. It acts kind of like a steering diode but for RF and helps prevent intermods between close transmitters and antenna slap. Any RF picked up by the transmitter antenna that enters via that antenna gets routed to ground and away from internal oscillators and other RF components. Helpful for controlling intermods at lower powers, it becomes essential at the higher RF output. The mathematics and physics behind this deceptively simple device are quite complex, hence we are the only wireless mic manufacturers we know of who uses them in our transmitters. They allow closer spacing of freqs and all the other hallmarks of RF performance to which we aspire. Unfortunately, in that size and frequency range, their pass band is limited to under 30MHz at best. We cannot use them in a wide band transmitter. So the wideband transmitters are limited to the lower power levels by using a different internal architecture. That's why we don't make a wide band 250mW transmitter. It's not about current drain, its about preventing intermods and antenna slap. Naturally, we have our eyes peeled for any technological advances that can help us do high power wide band. But right now, it is not available. Now, a 100mW wide band SM format? - certainly doable. We are waiting for a clarification from the FCC about a new rule before moving forward. If it swings one way, we can pull the trigger, if it swings the other then we will have to take a different tack that will take longer. So, don't hold your breath (you will turn purple - although the Senator in purple might look good!) . In the meantime, the wideband receivers are fully compatible with the narrow band transmitters - it ain't perfect but it is workable.

We wait with bated breath for the FCC clarification - then we will know what next on that front! Unfortunately, we don't expect an answer until around June (which will be here before we know it) I'm not sure that is correct - I'm pretty certain we open the block 23 for the Australian authorized units. Now, if your dealer is bringing in US units, then the answer remains no. I'll look into the Australian authorized models about the block 23 and get back to you with a definitive answer.