RF & Wireless

RF & Wireless

Welcome to the RF & Wireless user guide!


Wireless Mics & Packs

Terms to know

  • Radio Frequency (RF)
  • A waveform that is sent back and forth wirelessly. RF devices turn audio into a radio frequencies, or frequencies back into audio
  • Transmitter (TX)
  • Transmitters send signal, converting the audio into a specific radio frequency. Think of it like a tiny radio station.
  • Transmitters we use:
  • Handheld mic, headset or acoustic pack
  • Rack unit that broadcasts RF to the IEM packs
  • Receiver (RX)
  • Receivers accept a sent radio frequency, then turn that signal back into audio.
  • Receivers we use:
  • Rack unit that accepts the signal from our handheld and headset mics
  • IEM packs
  • Antenna Systems
  • Antennas themselves
  • Antenna combiners (so multiple receivers can share paddle antennas)
  • Antenna distros (so one set of antennas can feed a rack full of receivers)
  • Interference
  • Conflicts between frequencies. Can appear in the form of static, "whooshing" noises, and dropouts (loss of signal from TX -> RX, or RX -> TX)
  • Intermod
  • When you have two wireless transmitters running at once, they can mathematically create a third "phantom" frequency that wasn't there before. Add more transmitters, and the phantom frequencies multiply fast. When one lands on top of a real frequency you're using, you get problems.
  • Group and Channel tables exist because the manufacturer already did all this math for you
The Central Production Team will always try our best to prevent as many RF problems as we can when we install a wireless system. If you experience any interference or intermod problems, be sure to notify us as soon as possible
  • RF Deployment
  • This refers to the act of scanning and assigning RF to an environment such as a worship center
  • Sync
  • Connecting a transmitter to a receiver, and vice versa.
  • When new wireless frequencies have been deployed, you must re-sync the mics and packs to the transmitters and receivers

RF Troubleshooting

  • Dropout on a single mic or pack
  • Check for immediately obvious issues (the battery fell out or their antenna fell off/got disconnected)
It may not be an RF issue at all. First check to make sure their IEM Mix bus hasn't been accidentally muted. This is a common mistake in the MonitorMix app

  • Static or noise on a single pack
  • Check for things that could cause interference. Any TVs, dimmers, or new electronics turned on now that weren't before? Try switching the frequency to a clean alternative. If static persists, swap to spare
  • Multiple pack or mic issues at once
  • This is almost always intermod or a new environmental RF source. Do not start randomly changing frequencies in panic. Contact Central Production for support
  • One spot on stage is dead
  • Antenna placement or a reflection. Mark the spot. This usually requires moving the antenna to a spot with better line of sight or adding a second antenna


Other Wireless Troubleshooting

Batteries

  • Battery Health
  • Always make sure your mic or pack is fully charged when you remove from the charging dock during service prep
  • Always make sure the mic or pack is seated correctly in the charging dock when finished, and the indicator light is on showing connection
  • If the light does not come on press firmly on the device to make sure it is all the way seated
  • Still no connection shown with the battery inside of the mic or pack, remove the battery and place straight into the charging dock

  • Shure Charging Dock Indicators
  • Battery Charging Status
  • Solid Red: The battery or docked transmitter is actively charging and its charge level is currently between 0% and 90%.
  • Solid Green + Solid Red: The device has reached an intermediate charging threshold between 90% and 99%.
  • Solid Green: The battery is fully charged (99% to 100%) and ready for use.
  • Warning Error Indicator
  • Solid or Blinking Yellow (Fault): The battery  cannot be charged .
  • If you see a yellow warning light, it is typically caused by one of three issues:
    Physical Placement: The standalone battery was inserted backward into the tray, causing a connection fault.
    Temperature Extreme: The battery is either too hot or too cold to safe-charge.
    Hardware Failure: The battery or hardware contacts are damaged
Always make sure that only Shure batteries are placed into the Shure charging docs. Putting standard AAs or non Shure batteries into the charging docs is a severe fire hazard

Capsules and Antenna

  • Capsule, Cable and Antenna Health
  • Inspect the microphone capsule that it is not excessively dirty or dented. Most grilles can be unscrewed for further cleaning
  • Inspect the headset cable that is connected and seated properly, and that the cable shielding is not broken or exposed
  • Inspect the body pack antenna that it is not bent or broken
If any of the above are true and contributing to your Wireless issues, please reach out to Central Production.
  • Gain Structure
  • Set transmitter input sensitivity properly so that the capsule does not distort on peaks or introduce floor or stage noise when quiet
  • Gain structure reference and questions please see  ⁠⁠Audio 101⁠