Trantec S3.2

[Jwaugh]

Hi

 

At my Church we have 2 S3.2 radio lapel mics. Over the last couple of weeks we have been losing Signal strength and sound quality. We can get full signal when the transmitter is up close to the reciever but when the transmiter is in someones pocket and a distance away the signal drops to no signal. This is happening on both mics. Can anyone help?

 

John

[Lamplighter]

John

The most common problem with VHF belt packs is the aerials, either broken at the point where they are attached to the brass stud that screws into the body of the pack, or the aerial wire being bunched up in the users pocket. It must be relatively straight to achieve any range.

Brian

[Paul TC]

S3.2 radio lapel mics. losing Signal strength and sound quality. We can get full signal when the transmitter is up close to the reciever but when the transmiter is in someones pocket and a distance away the signal drops to no signal.

 

First assumption is that the system has suddenly stopped working and no-one has changed the way they use these microphones.

 

Suggest that the first point of possible failure is the rf antenna, assume you have the wire ones, I have known the connection to fracture inside the connector at the belt pack, which can give the symptons you describe.

 

Quick test is to cut a length of single-core wire the same length as the existing antenna and strip the end and put in in place of the existing antenna. If it improves the situation you should have spotted the fault. If you do not want to buy replacement antennas, as the thread is metric , a short bolt, a couple of solder tags , a couple of nuts, and some heatshrink should make up a replacement.

[Simon Lewis]

John,

 

Ours (a set of four Shure ULX) are doing exactly the same, and over the same time period. No doubt it's an Ofcom conspiracy, and they are testing secret wideband wifi gear in channel 69 & 70!

More helpfully, can you put the receivers on stage to improve reception until the problem is identified? Have any of the settings (frequency, squelch etc.) been changed recently? Are users placing the packs closer to their bodies (under an extra layer of clothes for example)?

 

Simon

[Paul TC]

Ours (a set of four Shure ULX) are doing exactly the same, and over the same time period. No doubt it's an Ofcom conspiracy, and they are testing secret wideband wifi gear in channel 69 & 70! Simon

Very wide band as S3.2 is VHF !

[Simon Lewis]

Very wide band as S3.2 is VHF !

 

Big conspiracy then! ;-) It did dawn on me that that these must have ben earlier units, but only after hitting the "send" button...

[Jwaugh]

Thanks guys for the comments.

I am very new to radio mics but I will check out the antenna on the belt packs. I am not sure if it could be a broken wire as this is happening on both our mics but you never know.

 

 

Quote: More helpfully, can you put the receivers on stage to improve reception until the problem is identified? Have any of the settings (frequency, squelch etc.) been changed recently? Are users placing the packs closer to their bodies (under an extra layer of clothes for example)?

 

Yes I had thought about putting the receivers near the front of the church to see if this would help. None of the settings have been moved except for the mute level knob. I thought we were getting interferance from another source.

These units are fixed frequency so I can't change that. (I think.)

 

John

[paulears]

Take them to the limits of range and then wiggle the aerials. If they are the stiff coiled helical type, then it's possible the internal helix is broken, but the plastic covering keeps it rigid. Prodding usually works with these. The only faults with this model are aerials and loose mic sockets really - I've never found any other generic fault - always silly things!

[Paul TC]

None of the settings have been moved except for the mute level knob. I thought we were getting interferance from another source.

These units are fixed frequency so I can't change that. (I think.)

 

John

 

Did the problem start as soon as you changed the mute level ? Has someone else "helpfully" also adjusted the mute level ?

 

If you have the wire antennas I would still look for the fault there first.

 

One of the issues (which can affect any beltpack system), may be that the antenna and mic cables have been wound tightly round the beltpack after use, "to keep them tidy" by inexpert hands., a user. This does put a strain on the connections and cables at the point of connection which can introduce faults.

[Jwaugh]

Did the problem start as soon as you changed the mute level ? Has someone else "helpfully" also adjusted the mute level ?

 

If you have the wire antennas I would still look for the fault there first.

 

No the problem started before the mute level was changed, well unless by a "helpful person".

 

The antennas are not the wire type they are the stiff coiled helical type so I will try 'paulears' suggestion.

 

Hopefully we will get to the bottom of this soon.

 

John

[ramdram]

This suggestion is a bit tongue in cheek...you mentioned you are new to the situation...a bit new to radio mics? As in taking over the tech arrangements...if I got the wrong impression then apologies up front.

 

Anyway, have you tried new batteries? Are the current batteries in use alkaline or rechargeables? IF they are rechargeables are they getting a bit long in the tooth...do you have them constantly on charge? You can see where I am going on this, ** laughs out loud **.

 

If the batts are ok then check the battery connectors in the compartment. Then the excellent notions above. Then the rx aerial connectors. ALWAYS do the easiest and cheapest first in fault finding. Could you obtain very similar tx packs and test the rx?

 

Can you imagine sending the kit away to be repaired...only to have them returned with a note diagnosing the prob as a flat battery? Then invoicing you whatever rate they charge...

[MarkPAman]

Can you imagine sending the kit away to be repaired...only to have them returned with a note diagnosing the prob as a flat battery? Then invoicing you whatever rate they charge...

 

Or can you imagine what I charged somebody for doing a 150 mile round trip early on a Sunday morning, just to change some batteries! ;)

[Jwaugh]

This suggestion is a bit tongue in cheek...you mentioned you are new to the situation...a bit new to radio mics? As in taking over the tech arrangements...if I got the wrong impression then apologies up front.

 

Anyway, have you tried new batteries? Are the current batteries in use alkaline or rechargeables? IF they are rechargeables are they getting a bit long in the tooth...do you have them constantly on charge? You can see where I am going on this, ** laughs out loud **.

 

If the batts are ok then check the battery connectors in the compartment. Then the excellent notions above. Then the rx aerial connectors. ALWAYS do the easiest and cheapest first in fault finding. Could you obtain very similar tx packs and test the rx?

 

Hi

 

Your impression is correct.

 

The batteries are Alkaline and I think they were changed recently. The battery connectors look ok, no rust or anything. Would new batteries make such a difference?

 

I did a test today and found that when you are some distance from the receiver and you touch the antenna or put it under your arm you loose all signal. But bring it back out into the open and don't touch it the signal is great. The antenna does look a bit bent and even if I straighten it, it goes back to being bent again.

 

Do you think I should replace the antenna?

 

John

[Shez]

The batteries are Alkaline and I think they were changed recently. The battery connectors look ok, no rust or anything. Would new batteries make such a difference?

Try putting some new ones in and see if it makes a difference. Some models are quite clever and put out a constant RF power right up until the batteries are completely flat but I suspect yours isn't one of those hence the RF power output may well drop as the battery voltage drops.

 

It's normal practice to put new batteries in radio mics every time they're used in professional applications as it's really not acceptable to have problems there. Where budgets don't permit that, it's worth finding out how long a particular brand of battery will last in your equipment then always using that brand and replacing them before their time is up.

[ramdram]

OK then, the only way to check to see if a new battery would make a difference is to try brand new ones, Duracell/Procell for preference, owing to them having a reasonable track record. Make sure they have plenty of shelf life left...a few years, say. At least you have then eliminated one potential problem. If the battery connectors appear spotless then that is another issue dealt with.

 

Now the aerials; it is not impossible to damage the output stages of the transmitter because the output stage would not be loaded correctly. This would be more likely if the aerial was physically broken as opposed to being bent or scrunched up. That said, and as mentioned above, it could be that the aerials themselves have been abused repeatedly (not in the malicious sense obviously) and the wire is broken inside the sheath.

 

On top of these suggestions you may find the troubleshooting guide in the manual offers further things to try.

 

You might try to find another set of tx packs and try those.

 

IF you decide to buy new ones (because you have to) please search this forum for info on the issue of radio mic frequencies being changed by 2012.

 

It is worth noting that you might qualify for compensation IF you can prove when the radio mics were first bought. You could start with whomever on your committee who deals with the secular paperwork and ask them if they have received any mail from Ofcom.

 

HTH