RF Coordination for Roadies - a manual

Re: RF Coordination for Roadies - a manual

Hi Pete:

Nice work and quite helpful - thank you. :) Your "channel guide" spreadsheet is excellent - never seen that before and it nicely illustrates the sliver of the spectrum we have been shoe-horned into. It also shows that the folks across the pond apparently have much more RF room to work with.

You work in a worst-case RF environment and obviously know what you're doing. I did find it humorous that you include in the title "for Roadies" and then use a $7,000+ scanner to illustrate the process of coordinating wireless devices. If your interest really is for the roadie, you might consider replacing the two expensive elements of your example setup with:

1. Shure's free Wireless Workbench. This software actually has some features that IAS does not, and vice-versa of course. Used properly though, WW can get you all the way there. An advantage of IAS is the built-in multi-mfg wireless device database whereas you have to add non-Shure components in WW manually. Doing this properly requires a bit of study, and in my case (as usual), I cheated. The demo version of IAS allows you to print out their wireless device database which, combined with the default setup, gives you the data needed to add non-Shure devices to WW.

Example IAS Defaults:

PWS_IAS_Defaults.PNG


Example IAS Printout: (blue text are my corrections)

PSW_IAS_Database.png


WW users can cheat even worse than me and download my non-Shure database to insert in their copy of WW as a reference. Just search your hard disk for the filename "FCUserDefined.txt", replace its contents with what you find in the link below. Make a backup copy of your original file to something like "FCUserDefined.txt.original" first. You'll notice I've added a Lectrosonics wireless measurement device and several Sennheiser IEM systems.

WW User Defined Series File:

http://homepage.mac.com/soundscapes/PSW/FCUserDefined.txt

WW Display With This File Installed:
WW_User_Defined_Devices.png

2. A modest, but what looks like an effective alternative to Rhode & Schwartz:

http://www.kaltmancreationsllc.com/invisibleWaves.html

Edit: removed question about authorship of channel guide spreadsheet - Pete's name is all over it. :)
 
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Re: RF Coordination for Roadies - a manual

You are welcome.

I did create the Channel guide to help visualize the environment at the venue and see what bands of equipment might work best. The other places in the world will loose the spectrum eventually too. Soon Manufacturers will come up with ways to shoehorn a lot more frequencies in less space. One I have seen can put a hundred wireless mic channels in one TV channel! Can't say more-Nuf said.

I agree that the R&S is on the high side of cost, however the term roadie doesn't necessarily mean ill equiped. There are a lot of SA out there which are less expensive and can be adapted for the same use. The advantage of the best equipment is speed of use, for me. The Invisible waves seems ice but is not too portable. The TTI SA is OK http://www.tti-test.com/psa/frame/tour-start.htm but not too user friendly and has a terrible battery - They say a replacement is coming.

The new Wireless Workbench 6 http://www.axient.net/en/wireless-workbench-6 is really terrific, particularly when paired with Shure's Axient system. In February I will be on a job with 30+ systems and will report. It also has most other manufacturer's in the database and users can add more.
 
Re: RF Coordination for Roadies - a manual

Peter and Langston,
Thanks a lot for your input. Have you worked with WINRADIO WR-G305 or similar? If so, How does it compare to TTi and Invisible Waves.
Much Appreciate it!
Thanks
G
 
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