MatthewFreedAudio Posted January 22, 2012 Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 Does anyone have some photos and information regarding the usefulness of a few of these Zaxcom accessories? -Filter Dipole Antenna for a 900aa with stereo adapter (does it help? Is it worth the money? What does it look like?) - Belt Clip for Belt-Pack style transmitters (Is this simply a replacement wire piece that fits on a 900lt or is this something different?) -2.4ghz Directional Antenna -2.4ghz Omnidirectional antenna Any words of wisdom on a MicPlexer versus a different antenna distribution system? I have been eyeing up the new PSC RF SMA unit but haven't seen a price on it yet. I would personally love to A/B the MicPlexer with the PSC unit or any other small distributor. Thoughts? Feelings? Heartaches? www.matthewfreed.com Production Sound Mixing for TV, Films, and Commercials Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundslikejustin Posted January 22, 2012 Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 1. Filter Antenna: some people swear by it, saying it reduced the rf spray from the sta adaptor to almost nothing, others say it has nearly no effect. It looks like a circuit board in a neoprene pouch. 2. Pretty sure it's a replacement part. However, the clips for the LT line and the normal 900 line are different, and can't be interchanged. 3. Not sure 4. Standard 7dbi 2.4ghz rubber-ducky antenna with male SMA connector. 5. MicPlexer can only be used within the block it is purchased for (block 26 MicPlexer with block 26 RX's), whereas the PSC is wideband (470-870Mhz) Edit: looks like the PSC unit needs 10-15vdc. Seeing as a fully charged np-1 (or any 14.4v lithium battery bar new lifepo4) puts out over 16v, that might cause problems... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatthewFreedAudio Posted January 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 Interesting that some people notice drastic differences using the filter antenna while others do not. User error? Units set up incorrectly? Perhaps it works better with some blocks and not others? Spitballing here. I have heard and read both good and bad things about the MicPlexer. Good when used in conjunction with shark fins, etc. However, some have actually noticed reduced range when using whip antennas directly on the MicPlexer. Anyone else have observations on this point? All my talent wireless are in block 21 while my hops are in 26. So, I could get a MicPlexer built for that setup but then I'm limited to those blocks whereas the PSC unit has a more broad usage and I could mix blocks in the bag or on the cart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason porter Posted January 22, 2012 Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 For what its worth... My unscientific walk tests gave me about 10-20 feet less range with the filtered antenna in use (BLK 28), but without the filtered antenna, my talent wires are severely affected.(BLK 25) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatthewFreedAudio Posted January 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 Jason, do you get better range out of your talent wireless when using the filtered antenna on you transmitter to the camera? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boomboom Posted January 22, 2012 Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 ... are we talking about the filter antenna (quarter wave, whip antenna) or the filter dipole antenna advertised on the website ? I'd be curious to see a picture of this last one too... confusion ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason porter Posted January 22, 2012 Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 I have never actually done a walk test of my talent RFs with & without the FDP1 in place, but I can see about 50% signal on my 411's RF meter without the FDP1 in place and 0% signal with it (talent txs are in the OFF position) Jason, do you get better range out of your talent wireless when using the filtered antenna on you transmitter to the camera? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatthewFreedAudio Posted January 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 Boomboom... I was looking at the FDPA on the Professional Sound website out of NYC. So, I'm guessing it is the Dipole antenna. I believe it is the same one as listed on the Zaxcom site but there is very little information and no photo. Kind of a bad way to sell products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatthewFreedAudio Posted January 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 Anyone have photos of those items? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McL Posted January 25, 2012 Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 Dang, was just at Zax mothership Monday and coulda... Grrr. -- Jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldmixer Posted February 15, 2012 Report Share Posted February 15, 2012 I've had issues with my filtered antenna. It managed to "untune" itself and had to be sent back to headquarters for retuning. (the little set screws at the bottom) There is a reduction in range when used, and it's ideal to use a frequency that's in the middle of the block. Further reduction in range when operating on the fringe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldmixer Posted March 9, 2012 Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 Here are pics of the filtered antenna. It's kind of fragile. I permanently mounted mine in this mini pelican. Tx waterbox? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatthewFreedAudio Posted March 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 Thanks for posting those photos. I ended up buying one of the filter antennas a couple weeks ago and I agree, it is very fragile. They need to be put in a project box or, as you did, a small pelican. www.matthewfreed.com Production Sound Mixing for TV, Films, and Commercials Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldmixer Posted March 9, 2012 Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 It does what it is supposed to but it's not pretty. Keep the tx transmission in middle of the block for best range, and do walktests every so often to ensure it remains "tuned". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatthewFreedAudio Posted March 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 When I scan on my receivers I don't see any difference between using the filter antenna and not. However, I have a 5 block separation and good physical spacing between my talent receivers and my hops transmitter. www.matthewfreed.com Production Sound Mixing for TV, Films, and Commercials Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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