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Assembling My First Zaxcom Wireless Kit

vale

By vale
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vale

vale

Posted
Posted

Thanks in advance to all of you that would help me (many Zaxcom users here), I have a Fusion 12 and now I'm trying to put together a list of all the things i have to buy to get my first Zaxcom Wireless system, in order to get a quote.

I'm interested in 4 Transmitters and so, at the moment, apart from the lavs, i'm thinking about:

4 TRX 900 Lth Transmitters;

2 QRX100 4 Channel Receivers;

1 Mic Plexer + Zaxcom MPCBLS MicPlexer Cable Set;

1 ZaxPaq;

1 IFB 100 Remote Control + IFBANT;

2 WRLSBG Zaxcom Bag;

I intend to use them both on a cart and in a bag rig, but mostly on the cart and I've included the IFB100 to control all the Zaxnet stuff on the transmitters, looking to add the erx receivers in a second moment.

I'm a little confused about what antennas i have to add and which are all the cables and/or accessories i could need for this system, and the opinions by real users are better than internet specs.

Any input is appreciated.

thanks again,

v.

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bigmaho

bigmaho

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Posted

When you are working in cart mode you may want an amp to boost the 2.4 gHz ifb signal to 1 watt. The IFB xtr puts out 100mw, but 2.4 gig behaves very differently than UHF. My radios are on block 26 (680 mHz). In order to get similar range from the radios and the IFB I had to boost the power of the ifb to almost 1 watt. I use an L-com.com amp kit which includes the amp and a DC injector (which sends the 12v DC through the antenna cable to the amp). It is important to mount the amp right at the antenna because cable loss is so great at 2.4 gHz. I use a corner reflector antenna that is made to have the amp mounted directly to it.

http://www.l-com.com/familylist.aspx?id=3060 amps

http://cell-phone-accessories-wholesale.com/2400-250014dbicornerreflectr.aspx antenna with amp mounting plate

One other considertion. Many of the amp kits come with reverse polarity connectors (the female end has the pin and the male end has the socket.... hard to explain!) SO make sure you get reverse polarity cables to hook everything together. Check with L-com. I think if they are shipping outside the USA they can sell amps with normal polarity connectors.

Best,

Billy

Thanks in advance to all of you that would help me (many Zaxcom users here), I have a Fusion 12 and now I'm trying to put together a list of all the things i have to buy to get my first Zaxcom Wireless system, in order to get a quote.

I'm interested in 4 Transmitters and so, at the moment, apart from the lavs, i'm thinking about:

4 TRX 900 Lth Transmitters;

2 QRX100 4 Channel Receivers;

1 Mic Plexer + Zaxcom MPCBLS MicPlexer Cable Set;

1 ZaxPaq;

1 IFB 100 Remote Control + IFBANT;

2 WRLSBG Zaxcom Bag;

I intend to use them both on a cart and in a bag rig, but mostly on the cart and I've included the IFB100 to control all the Zaxnet stuff on the transmitters, looking to add the erx receivers in a second moment.

I'm a little confused about what antennas i have to add and which are all the cables and/or accessories i could need for this system, and the opinions by real users are better than internet specs.

Any input is appreciated.

thanks again,

v.

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studiomprd

studiomprd

Posted
Posted

" all the cables and/or accessories i could need for this system, and the opinions by real users are better than internet specs. "

wow, you need at least one of each, but ultimately, your specific setup and style will go even beyond what other opinions will.

I'm a big fan of spares, and alternatives (what if...??)

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vale

vale

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Posted (edited)

thank you for the inputs...

@soundslikejustin: i will check the compatibility between qrx100 with ifb option and the zaxpaq, even if i think i'd prefer to have these two things splitted...

@dani: were you able to order all the required stuff from Zaxcom (the L-com amplifier, the antenna and that Laird thing - i don't know what that is)? Is that cd in the picture some kind of instructional video?

@bigmaho: if i understood correctly, i can use the supplied antennas in a normal bag configuration. on the other side, if i am in a cart setup, i will need this 2.4Ghz 1Watt amplifier to have the IFB working at the same range of wireless.

So, should I need to add also dipole or sharkfin antennas to improve my range of wireless tx transmitters? and, if so, what of these antennas you're used to work with?

thanks again,

v.

Edited by vale
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studiomprd

studiomprd

Posted
Posted

" order all the required stuff from Zaxcom "

you would be ordering from your favorite Zaxcom dealer...

They should be able to provide you a lot of assistance in making up your final configuration. Some of these items are, of course, not actually made by Zaxcom.

" dipole or sharkfin antennas to improve my range? "

these are not typical antennae (sic) for 2.4 GHz.

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bigmaho

bigmaho

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The IFB xtr works best with either the whip antenna attached directly to it (for bag use or as a remote rig), or with the amp and higher gain antenna for cart use. The cable loss is incredible, so without the amp a whip attached to the ifb will do better than a directional antenna with even a short cable.

I use the Zaxcom log periodic (shark fin) antennas for the radio mics, though any yagi, LP or even dipole antenna will do. I use an Italian stereo mic mount for all three of my antennas.

Billy

thanks again,

thank you for the inputs...

@soundslikejustin: i will check the compatibility between qrx100 with ifb option and the zaxpaq, even if i think i'd prefer to have these two things splitted...

@dani: were you able to order all the required stuff from Zaxcom (the L-com amplifier, the antenna and that Laird thing - i don't know what that is)? Is that cd in the picture some kind of instructional video?

@bigmaho: if i understood correctly, i can use the supplied antennas in a normal bag configuration. on the other side, if i am in a cart setup, i will need this 2.4Ghz 1Watt amplifier to have the IFB working at the same range of wireless.

So, should I need to add also dipole or sharkfin antennas to improve my range of wireless tx transmitters? and, if so, what of these antennas you're used to work with?

thanks again,

v.

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Jeff Wexler

Jeff Wexler

Posted
Posted

First of all, I don't think there has ever been any problems with Lectrosonics Analog Hybrid transmitters and any of the common labs in use --- the Lectros are hybrids, not pure digital transmitters. There were problems with Zaxcom Digital transmitters and several of the most common labs in use (for e.g., the Sanken COS-11). It was the problems with Sanken miss (before they redesigned the mic and named it COS-11 D) that I went with DPA's. I never had any noise problems with the DPA's and in actually fell in love with the DPA over the Sanken. I have been using the DPA's now exclusively.

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Tom Visser

Tom Visser

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Posted

Yeah, just felt it was safer given the info I had, I may swap over to 4063's, after I get to know the Sankens a bit. We use COS-11s in the studio for ADR, so may just keep well enough alone and simply augment with another set of B6s for the times I need something smaller. I'm sort of digging the Sanken rubber mount and half piece of top stick, is working pretty good for fast wiring jobs.

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John Blankenship

John Blankenship

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I really like the sound of the DPAs but hiding the Sankens is easier.

I've become rather fond of how well the Hush Lavs work re: clothing noise. One negative comment on them, though. The black ones aren't dye-fast. Handling them with moist hands results in black fingers. I'd be really cautious about using the black ones on delicate fabrics if the person might be perspiring at all.

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bigmaho

bigmaho

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Posted

Hi Pete,

I'm very happy with the COS_11D. Glad they finally fixed the problem! Also like their new rfi proof CUBS. As for your noisy xtr, I'm sure you've done all the obvious, but just in case (and my apologies if I'm stating the obvious), make sure your receiver is properly aligned with your mixer/recorder by outputting tone from the receiver. Also, check that it is not self noise from the mic. Once everything is lined up and the mic plugged in and you are hearing the noise, unplug the mic. Is the noise still there? Last but not least, give Zaxcom a call and send the unit back. Some of the earlier LT's had -10 pads built in to prevent overload from some hot mics, but newer revs do not have this pad.

All the best,

Billy

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Boomboom

Boomboom

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Posted

Hi Billy, I already did all of the above, including sending the unit back.

When I unplug the mic, the noise is still there. Maybe a fool idea since I'm certainly not a specialist in electronics: could it be the ADC that 's bad ? When in ''cam hop'' mode (ie ADC set to SAT100) the noise disapears... :-/

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greg sextro

greg sextro

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Hi Billy, I already did all of the above, including sending the unit back.

When I unplug the mic, the noise is still there. Maybe a fool idea since I'm certainly not a specialist in electronics: could it be the ADC that 's bad ? When in ''cam hop'' mode (ie ADC set to SAT100) the noise disapears... :-/

If you are listening to a zax tx without the mic plugged in (here i'm not talking about w a sta) the mic plug will pick up hiss/noise from the tx itself.

my guess is your mics are properly grounded to shell, but then i couldn't be sure.

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Boomboom

Boomboom

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My main concern is that I have this problem since I had the board changed because my Tx shut off during a gig and was ''dead'' for three days (yes, tried to booth it every day) then came back to life (never could figure out this one). Anyway I had to change block so sent it to factory to have everything set up.

Before that, I had no issue but there's also one more factor in the equation: before that, I used it with an RX900 (in block 21), now I use it with a QRX100 (block 24).

So, as you guess, I can't check the unit with one of my RX900s, even if I'm pretty sure the problem comes from the Tx, not from the Rx (my QRX is brand new).

The files from the Tx mem. card are ok, but files from the recorder card (another TRX900AA plugged int my mixer outs) have that noise I can hear (obviously) from the mixer.

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