VRX1 user reports?

[Derek H]

Anyone try one of these yet? If so, what’s your opinion? Obviously curious how it stands up to a standard Comtek. 

[The Documentary Sound Guy]

Sounds way better than Comtek.  Range is comparable ... Comtek may technically go farther, but not in a way you'd want to listen to ... Comtek audio will disappear into white static noise, whereas the VRX1 will simply cut out once the noise floor gets high enough.  In terms of distance where you'd get listenable audio, they were comparable.  VRX1 seemed to drop out a bit less as long as it had adequate SNR, and it wasn't nearly as susceptible RF distortion on the peaks.

I'm quite confused about how both the VRX1 and Comteks performed vs. the UHF IFBs I tested ... 216MHz (both VRX1 and Comtek) had noticeably less range in my test and I can't figure out why.  I feel like I need to test a different antenna to be sure.  I feel like I've had way better range from Comteks in the past, so I don't trust my test at the moment.

[Jim Rillie]

11 hours ago, The Documentary Sound Guy said:

Sounds way better than Comtek.  Range is comparable ... Comtek may technically go farther, but not in a way you'd want to listen to ... Comtek audio will disappear into white static noise, whereas the VRX1 will simply cut out once the noise floor gets high enough.  In terms of distance where you'd get listenable audio, they were comparable.  VRX1 seemed to drop out a bit less as long as it had adequate SNR, and it wasn't nearly as susceptible RF distortion on the peaks.

I'm quite confused about how both the VRX1 and Comteks performed vs. the UHF IFBs I tested ... 216MHz (both VRX1 and Comtek) had noticeably less range in my test and I can't figure out why.  I feel like I need to test a different antenna to be sure.  I feel like I've had way better range from Comteks in the past, so I don't trust my test at the moment.

What transmitter antenna are you using, and is the  transmitter a BST 75 216?

Good antenna to Tx cable?

 

[The Documentary Sound Guy]

All of it was borrowed, so yeah, maintenance / cable could have been an issue.  Yes, it was a BST75 216.  Antenna was "Miracle Whip" — a Remote Audio-modified SNA600a.  I haven't used it before so I have no point of reference.  It's another suspect point for me, but the person I borrowed from swears by it.

Like I said, I don't fully trust the result I got, but I do trust the A/B vs. the Comtek because they were running off the same transmitter.

Hopefully I'll be able to say something more helpful after a followup.

[Derek H]

Thanks! Any noticeable improvement in reception quality? Not range per se but more consistent clean reception within the normal range?
 

I’m using PR75a receivers which are just not as good of a receiver as a PR216 yet they work pretty well usually except with a few focus pullers and a particular script sup who have ALOT of wireless video gack near them. Not that the VRX1 is available in 72-76 but I’m still curious how it stands up to heavy interference. 

[The Documentary Sound Guy]

I believe you can custom order the VRX1 in 72MHz.

I did think there was an improvement in reception quality within normal range.  It seemed less prone to dropouts and bursts of interference, though it wasn't totally immune.  It's a pretty subjective call though.

[Rob Beal]

4 hours ago, Derek H said:

Thanks! Any noticeable improvement in reception quality? Not range per se but more consistent clean reception within the normal range?
 

I’m using PR75a receivers which are just not as good of a receiver as a PR216 yet they work pretty well usually except with a few focus pullers and a particular script sup who have ALOT of wireless video gack near them. Not that the VRX1 is available in 72-76 but I’m still curious how it stands up to heavy interference. 

 

The VRX1 is an ideal upgrade for this. I use a lot of PR216s on set with my BST-75 tx and they mostly work fine, but as you mention they are susceptible to interference if they get too close to a variety of on-set devices (follow focus, iris control, WiFi routers, Bolero transceivers, etc). From my tests, the VRX1 is pretty impervious to this kind of interference. I was able to hold the unit directly against offending devices with no audible interference (whereas a Comtek would scream if you held it within a few inches of another wireless device).

For now I ended up buying just one to keep on the video assist's Q-take cart, but I'll probably buy a few more for director, DOP and script at least. Would also be good for focus pullers.

[Derek H]

Thanks, that’s exactly what I’m talking about. 

[Jim Rillie]

8 hours ago, The Documentary Sound Guy said:

All of it was borrowed, so yeah, maintenance / cable could have been an issue.  Yes, it was a BST75 216.  Antenna was "Miracle Whip" — a Remote Audio-modified SNA600a.  I haven't used it before so I have no point of reference.  It's another suspect point for me, but the person I borrowed from swears by it.

Like I said, I don't fully trust the result I got, but I do trust the A/B vs. the Comtek because they were running off the same transmitter.

Hopefully I'll be able to say something more helpful after a followup.

Yup. I generally use BST75 216 for the bourgeoisie (video village) feeds with Miracle whip transmit antenna. Usually as good range or better than my talent wireless SSMs and MTP61s, but not as good range as Wisycom IFBs.

[The Documentary Sound Guy]

2 hours ago, Jim Rillie said:

Yup. I generally use BST75 216 for the bourgeoisie (video village) feeds with Miracle whip transmit antenna. Usually as good range or better than my talent wireless SSMs and MTP61s, but not as good range as Wisycom IFBs.

Have you compared the Miracle Whip with the Mini Mite?  I have to think that whenever I've had excellent Comtek range on another mixer's setup, that is the most common antenna I've seen.

Also, what Tx did you use for the Wisy IFB?  I tried to test that as well, but the only Tx we had was an MTP60, and we didn't have the adapter we needed to plug in a proper antenna.  1-pin Lemo isn't the most common connector in the world...

[Dejan Ceko]

9 hours ago, The Documentary Sound Guy said:

1-pin Lemo isn't the most common connector in the world...

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/lemo/ABF-00-250-CTA/2786407?s=N4IgTCBcDaIIYCMBmA6ADGlYCsmDGALnCALoC%2BQA

[Jim Rillie]

14 hours ago, The Documentary Sound Guy said:

Have you compared the Miracle Whip with the Mini Mite?  I have to think that whenever I've had excellent Comtek range on another mixer's setup, that is the most common antenna I've seen.

Also, what Tx did you use for the Wisy IFB?  I tried to test that as well, but the only Tx we had was an MTP60, and we didn't have the adapter we needed to plug in a proper antenna.  1-pin Lemo isn't the most common connector in the world...

Never used the mini  mite, but did use the big Phase Right antennas for years. Similar performance to the Miracle whip. It's just a tuned dipole. Anecdotal evidence only.

 

I use an MTP 40 and line input cable  (with the whip antenna) clipped on to the miracle Whip board (middle of mast oriented in the nulls of the fins )with the fins on the ends.Does the make sense? works for us.

 

[edward chick]

I’ve used the Mini Mite for car to car shoots so script and director/Dp, etc can hear the dialogue in the follow car. It worked great. 

[The Documentary Sound Guy]

5 hours ago, Jim Rillie said:

did use the big Phase Right antennas for years. Similar performance to the Miracle whip. It's just a tuned dipole. Anecdotal evidence only.

Thanks, this is useful.  I know they are both dipoles, but it's nice to have confirmation that the real world performance matches the theory.

 

5 hours ago, Jim Rillie said:

I use an MTP 40 and line input cable  (with the whip antenna) clipped on to the miracle Whip board (middle of mast oriented in the nulls of the fins )with the fins on the ends.Does the make sense? works for us.

To be clear, are you just co-locating the MTP40 with the Miracle Whip, or did you somehow manage to feed the Miracle Whip from the MTP40?

[Jim Rillie]

1 hour ago, The Documentary Sound Guy said:

Thanks, this is useful.  I know they are both dipoles, but it's nice to have confirmation that the real world performance matches the theory.

 

To be clear, are you just co-locating the MTP40 with the Miracle Whip, or did you somehow manage to feed the Miracle Whip from the MTP40?

No, I'm just using the Lectro dipole board as a place to clip on the wisy TX . Maybe this will help clarify what I mean. Top right corner of photo. This was a cute photo I sent to the Zuca Sound Cart group. I call it the Zuca Parking Lot.  The arrangement on the mast

Looks weird but it works well.

[The Documentary Sound Guy]

Thanks, that makes sense.