Re: I have a situation that needs professional help!
1) there's always better.. but given that I've never heard of the brand of wireless you're talking about, definitely you could go much better without breaking the bank.
2) yes, raising the transmitter and receiver up is a good first step for any wireless transmission that is borderline or mission critical setups that need an extra safety margin.
3) wired is always the cheapest and most reliable way, but if you can't run any cables on the ground that may be an issue.
it may seem really far to go around the crowd, but I'd personally rather go 500'+ wired if feasible than attempt wireless on a budget. no need for custom. if you don't have what you need you can rent more XLR from your local rental shop for next to nothing.
BUT the biggest consideration that you probably haven't thought about is that there will be a significant delay between the sound wave leaving the stage and getting to the stands, so you'll have to delay your pressbox system so that it lines up with the arrival of that sound wave and not the original output (ie: sound on wires or airwaves are way faster than a sound wave through air)
you can rent a delay when you get the cables...
Jason
