RFVenue CP Beam

[Tim M]

Anybody tried this guy?

 

http://rfvenue.com/product/cp-beam%E2%84%A2-antenna

 

Tried finding a write up on, but haven't found one yet and no comments on this website. If you had two of these in diversity and mounted them on an old broadcast truck, jeez...but then again you can probably get higher gain larger antennas to mount on a van. This one has 9db gain...what is the largest gain you've seen despite directionality I guess.

 

Tim

[Alan H. Chang]

There's always the PWS8089, which are rated and tested at approx. of 12-14dbi of passive gain.  Though, we can fit 2 of the CP Beams in the same case that fits only 1 of the 8089's, which means less cases to haul.

 

We have 2 of the CP Beams and, without a full disclosure, are testing them among a league of antennas including the 8089s and several variants of passive/active antenna configurations.

[Tim M]

There's always the PWS8089, which are rated and tested at approx. of 12-14dbi of passive gain.  Though, we can fit 2 of the CP Beams in the same case that fits only 1 of the 8089's, which means less cases to haul.

 

We have 2 of the CP Beams and, without a full disclosure, are testing them among a league of antennas including the 8089s and several variants of passive/active antenna configurations.

Thanks man, I'm trying to track down another antenna I saw someone post a link to but it was a huge metal one looked like a 1/4 cylinder type made up of metal rods. Not quite sure the type it fell into, but looked neat...I think it was in an lma vs UM400 debate on transmitter power, and someone posted it after asking how some people got along with only 10mw in other countries.

[Tim M]

found it too directional though I assume though only has 12-14 dbi gain

 

http://www.kathrein-scala.com/catalog/PR-TV.pdf

[Tim M]

I wonder if you could use a GPS locator on your person and while having antenni of this orientation afixed to the top of a broadcast truck/van that has fully tilt etc abilities if you could have the antenni track your movement. There has got to be something out there that can do that.

 

I also wonder at 52ft height and a 6ft plus diversity spread what kind of "range" one could get out of a 100mw transmitter in open range and then through a solid material.

 

Once again I also wonder if you used one of these as a 8 multitrack/channel transmitter antenna back to your bag for high quality reference if receiver desensitization would occur despite it's extreme polar pattern...

 

Tim

[Chris Regan]

Hi Tim- I'm the RF Venue guy.  Feel free to PM me if you'd like us to ship you some units to try out, we ship demo units all the time.  

 

Just a reminder when comparing antennas always compare at unity gain and with passive systems.  Active antennas or in-line amplifiers will mess up the result.  

 

There are big differences in overall efficiency between designs that go way beyond gain specs, but in general, with helical-type designs like the CP Beam and the PWS 8089s, the tradeoff is between gain and beamwidth.  Trying to reach the broadest range of applications, we shot for the best balance of gain and beamdwidth we could pull off in a foldable lightweight design.  A lot of the live sound guys use them for IEMs and in stadiums for football ref microphones  

[studiomprd]

" I also wonder at 52ft height and a 6ft plus diversity spread what kind of "range" one could get out of a 100mw transmitter in open range and then through a solid material. "

it still depends!

[soundtrane]

Hi Tim- I'm the RF Venue guy.  

 

<<A lot of the live sound guys use them for IEMs and in stadiums for football ref microphones  >>

 

Hi Chris, 

 

Would you have any experiences of people using these for audio wireless systems that are used to record the audio (Lectro Zaxcom Audio Ltd et al) in a multiple Tx Rx environment that has varied spaces of usage (both indoors and outdoors) ? 

 

Given that it works well in a live sound environment, I'd like to know how these fare in a feature film production sound environment... 

 

Many thanks, 

-vin

[soundtrane]

 

I too await Mr. Chang's results... 

[studiomprd]

" in a feature film production sound environment... "

it might depend on what camera is being used,  ...

but maybe not as long as it is a 'feature'.

 

I'm curious what sort of differences you expect there to be..?

[soundtrane]

>I'm curious what sort of differences you expect there to be..?>>

 

as against a stage show... 

[Alan H. Chang]

Hi Chris, 

 

Would you have any experiences of people using these for audio wireless systems that are used to record the audio (Lectro Zaxcom Audio Ltd et al) in a multiple Tx Rx environment that has varied spaces of usage (both indoors and outdoors) ? 

 

Given that it works well in a live sound environment, I'd like to know how these fare in a feature film production sound environment... 

 

Many thanks, 

-vin

 

Hi Vin,

In a live sound environment, there are bound to be more wireless in use as compared to a film set.  Not only is there a need for wireless to provide the FOH mix, there's also the CB/Broadcast truck, Recording team, as well as the MONitor world all sharing the same wireless coming from the same receiving antennas.  On a film set, the required amount of wireless channels is far less, and you're much closer to the action.  When a situation arise that you need to be a good half a click or mile away from the cameras, these CP Beams would help receive your talent signals tremendously.

 

Regarding your question about indoors/outdoors receiving end, the CP Beams would cut through several walls including huge metal gate doors out into the lot.

[studiomprd]

" as against a stage show... "

CP is particularly well known in the remote broadcasting circles, and their stuff is professional, field tested, and rugged.

As a practical matter, our movie situations are probably much less demanding than live broadcasting, and frankly, their products should work exactly the same for us as for a major show (broadcast or stage) or event.

[Marc Wielage]

You also have to weigh in the price/performance ratio -- the CP Beam is $499 from B&H Photo (and I assume the usual suspects). 

[vale]

Resurrecting this topic just to ask if there's any resource where I can find kind of a comparison between this RFVenue Beam antenna and its main competitors Betso CPAA-18 and PWS (rebranded Shure) 8091. I also saw this other option from Sventenna AMH-3, which is considerably cheaper: https://www.sventenna.com/antennas.

 

I'm in the process of buying a helical antenna and would like to understand their differences a bit better before deciding which one to buy.

Also, if anyone has real experiences to share it would be great.

 

Thank you.

V.