Wireless Microphones
From Freq Of Nature
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Selection and Operation of Wireless Micrphone Systems by Shure
Wireless Microphones
Professional wireless microphone systems commonly operate in five portions of the frequency spectrum. In all cases, these channels are shared with other services. The single most important factor in good wireless system operation is how well this sharing arrangement works out. Since wireless mics are always secondary users of channels, they must, by law, accept whatever interference occurs, and not cause any. (Because of their very low transmitter power it is rare for wireless mics to cause interference to other services - I have never heard of wireless mics interfering with anything but another wireless mic.) It is common, however for wireless mics to receive interference, and finding channels where that interference will not occur is the key to good wireless mic system performance. This is called frequency coordination.
Low band VHF channels in the spectrum between television channels 4 and 5 (72-76 MHz) are allocated to wireless microphone use, but one of the sharing services here is common carrier paging systems. If a paging system is on your channel (or later lands there), your wireless system will hear lots of beeps, squalls, and ratchety sounding trash. The other problem with these channels is interference from computers, other digital equipment, and fluorescent lighting. For all of these reasons, we discourage their use for wireless mics.
High band VHF channels in the 150 - 174 MHz range are legally available to wireless mic users. Many of these channels are shared with commercial two-way radio services in nearly all cities and towns, and have little use for wireless mics. Others are channels shared with government services at locks and dams. Since there are not many locks and dams near most wireless mic users, this sharing arrangement often works well. These are the so-called "hydrological" channels, and are in the range between 169 and 172 MHz. Good receivers are required, however, because 2-way radio transmitters are very close in frequency and Channel 7 television (with much more power) is not far away. When no interference is present, these channels work well for wireless mics. The downside of the hydrologicals is that many wireless systems have been sold for only these few channels, so the chance of touring performers bringing in a system on your channel is greatly increased. In general, these are not good channels to use.
Certain professional users of wireless microphones (broadcasters, and producers of programs for television and motion pictures) are permitted to operate wireless systems on High band VHF television channels (7-13) that are unused in their area. Because this frequency spectrum is relatively free of interference, these channels are the best to use for wireless mics. Choice of frequencies for wireless mics in this spectrum is usually performed in conjunction with the frequency coordinator of the local SBE (Society of Broadcast Engineers) chapter.
The same class of pro users who are entitled to use the VHF television channels are also permitted on unused UHF television channels (14-69). In the past ten years, these channels have become quite popular with wireless mic users, and more than half of all new systems operate on these channels. It costs a bit more to manufacture equipment which provides good performance at UHF, so these systems tend to be a bit more costly than equivalent VHF systems. Nearly all currently manufactured UHF wireless systems use television channels 60-69. [Recent developments make it likely that this will change, because both commercial and government two-way systems have now been made shared users of channels 60-69. See "New Problems" near the end of this paper.]
Some very low priced wireless microphone systems operate in the 49 MHz band, where they receive interference from cordless telephones, garage door openers, and other consumer devices too numerous to mention. They are also susceptible to interference from CB radio operators. Others allow you to tune them to an open spot on the FM broadcast band. Such systems are unreliable and of poor audio quality, and should not be considered for any professional use.
Allocated Frequency Bands for Wireless Mics
| Band | Description |
|---|---|
| 72-76 MHz | Low band VHF |
| 150-174 MHz | High band VHF |
| 169-172 MHz | Hydrological channels |
| 175-216 MHz | VHF Television Ch. 7-13 |
| 470-806 MHz | UHF Television Ch. 14-69 |
- Some very low priced wireless microphone systems operate in the 49 MHz band.
Common VHF Wireless Mic Frequencies
| 169.4450 | 169.5050 | 170.2450 | 170.3050 | 171.0450 |
| 171.1050 | 171.8450 | 171.9050 |
Film and Video Production
| 152.8700 | 152.9000 | 152.9300 | 152.9600 | 152.9900 |
| 153.0200 | 173.2250 | 173.2750 | 173.3250 | 173.3750 |
Broadcast Remote Pickup
| Band | Description |
|---|---|
| 25.870 - 26.45 MHz | 20/40 kHz intervals |
| 152.870 - 153.350 MHz | 60 kHz intervals |
| 161.640 - 161.760 MHz | 30 kHz intervals |
| 450.050 - 450.850 MHz | 50/100 kHz intervals |
| 455.050 - 455.850 MHz | 50/100 kHz intervals |
Frequencies by Manufacturer
Anchor Audio
AN-100W
Pair 1 169.445 MHz / 170.245 MHz Pair 2 171.105 MHz / 171.845 MHz
Azden
169.4450 169.5050 170.2450 171.0450 171.1050 171.8450 171.9050 175.4000 178.2250 179.2000 176.4250 177.6500 181.4000 184.0250 185.1250 181.8500 182.5500 187.8000 188.2000 190.6000 191.3000 189.3250 190.0750 194.4000 195.4250 196.8000 192.3250 193.8250 195.9720
Fender
Passport Wireless
| Channel | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Travel "A" | 169.5050 |
| Travel "B" | 171.9050 |
| 07 | 174.8000 |
| 11 | 202.4000 |
| 12 | 206.4000 |
| 10 | 195.4000 |
| 13 | 208.2000 |
Memorex
MKA381 Wireless Microphone (171.0450 MHz)
Nady
151 G1 170.2450 A 171.9050 H 191.3000
Encore 200 A 171.9050 B 185.1500 H 191.3000 N 197.1500 F 203.4000 D 209.1500 E 215.2000 G1 170.2450
Encore Duet A1 202.1000 / D 209.1500 A 171.9050 / F 203.4000 E 215.2000 / F 203.4000 P 206.3500 / R 212.1000 E 215.2000 / H 191.3000 G 170.2450 / N 197.1500 B 185.1500 / D 209.1500
401X Quad A 171.9050 B 185.1500 D 209.1500 N 197.1500 E4 173.8000 F 203.4000 H 191.3000 E 215.2000
WA-120 A1 202.1000 A3 202.4000 E3 175.0000 E4 173.8000 E5 174.1000 K1 219.8200 M1 227.3200 A 171.9050 B 185.1500 D 209.1500 E 215.2000 F 203.4000 G1 170.2450 H 191.3000 N 197.1500 P 206.3500 R 212.1000
WA-1620U (745-754.3 MHz)
351 A 171.9050 B 185.1500 N 197.1500 F 203.4000 D 209.1500 E 215.2000
DKW-1 & Encore I/II A 171.9050 B 185.1500 H 191.3000 N 197.1500 F 203.4000 D 209.1500 E 215.2000
UHF-3 MU1 470.5500 MU2 480.5500 MU3 484.5500 MU4 493.5500 MU5 495.5500 MU6 509.5500
UHF-4/UHF-10 01 800.2000 02 802.3000 03 803.3000 04 804.8800 U5 794.9000 U6 797.5000 U7 796.3000 U8 798.8000 U9 804.9000
UHF-16/U-1000 Series (726-863 MHz)
ALD-800/E03 AA 72.1000 BB 72.3000 CC 72.5000 DD 72.7000* EE 72.9000 FF 75.5000 GG 75.7000 HH 75.9000 *72.7 not available onthe E03
PEM-500 694.3000 694.9000 695.6000 696.3000 696.9000 697.6000 698.3000 698.9000 699.6000 700.3000 700.9000 701.6000 702.3000 702.9000 703.6000 704.3000
Pyle
PDWM-94/96 (114-116 MHz)
PDWM-2000 (160-250 MHz)
PDWM-102 (185-199 MHz)
PDWM-1500/5000 (210-280 MHz)
PDWM-2300/3000 (232.4-261 MHz)
PDWM-7400 (470-580 MHz)
PDWM-8000
- A Band 564.2-575.9 MHz
- B Band 545.2-554.6 MHz
PDWM-2600/5300/9300 (690-960 MHz)
PDWM-4000/6000 (736-750 MHz)
PDWM-400HD/410BP/420PG (780-865 MHz)
PWA-500/1500/3500 Wireless PA (210-216 MHz)
PWMA-120/230 Wireless PA (170-216 MHz)
PWMA-830/840/850/900 Wireless PA (170-216 MHz)
PWMA-920CS/930CD/950CSD Wireless PA (400-500 MHz)
Samson Wireless
VHF CH-00 174.6000 CH-01 177.6000 CH-02 181.6000 CH-03 183.6000 CH-04 186.6000 CH-05 190.6000 CH-06 192.6000 CH-07 195.6000 CH-08 196.6000 CH-09 199.6000 CH-10 202.2000 CH-11 208.2000 CH-12 211.2000 CH-13 213.2000 CH-14 170.2450 CH-15 171.8450
UHF A1 947.1250 A2 947.3750 A3 948.3750 A4 950.0000 A5 951.1250 A6 951.8750
UHF TV 805.8750 805.7500 805.1250 805.0000 804.5000 804.3750 803.0000 802.8750 805.3750 805.5000 804.7500 804.6250 804.0000 803.8750 804.2500 804.1250 802.6250 802.5000 802.1250 805.2500 802.3750 802.2500 801.6250 801.5000 803.2500 803.1250 800.1250 800.0000 799.8750 804.8750 800.5000 800.3750 799.7500 799.6250 800.8750 800.7500 798.3750 798.2500 797.5000 804.0000 799.5000 799.3750 798.7500 798.6250 799.1250 799.0000 796.0000 795.8750 795.7500 802.2500 798.0000 797.8750 797.2500 797.1250 796.6250 796.5000 795.0000 794.8750 794.5000 801.7500 797.7500 797.6250 797.0000 796.8750 796.2500 796.1250 794.7500 794.6250 794.1250 800.1250 799.3750 797.3750 796.0000
Sennheiser
Evolution Wireless Mics
(519-550 MHz) 519.600 520.525 521.550 522.725 523.125 525.175 526.450 529.475 534.750 536.500 539.925 541.300 537.100 543.150 548.625 549.325 (630-662 MHz) 630.300 631.500 632.400 635.100 636.750 632.850 634.350 636.150 637.250 641.200 644.150 647.200 651.350 654.750 657.900 661.400 (740-769 MHz) 740.100 740.600 741.200 741.900 742.700 743.600 744.600 745.800 747.400 747.800 750.700 753.200 757.600 759.900 763.600 768.400
3000/5000 Wireless Mics
(506-530 MHz) 506.200 506.700 507.600 508.200 509.200 510.400 511.100 511.500 518.125 520.275 521.000 522.275 524.125 525.000 527.575 529.875 512.125 512.625 513.375 514.375 515.875 517.875 524.125 524.625 525.375 526.375 527.875 529.875 518.625 523.700 524.425 526.150 (584-608 MHz) 584.200 584.700 585.600 586.200 587.200 588.400 589.100 589.500 596.125 598.275 599.000 600.275 602.125 603.000 605.575 607.875 590.125 590.625 591.375 592.375 593.875 595.875 602.125 602.625 603.375 604.375 605.875 607.875 696.625 601.700 602.425 604.150
(674-698 MHz) 674.125 675.000 677.575 679.875 680.500 682.650 683.775 684.250 692.200 692.700 693.600 694.200 695.200 696.400 697.100 697.500 674.125 674.625 675.375 676.375 677.875 679.875 686.125 686.625 687.375 688.375 689.875 691.875 674.425 676.150 681.200 685.525
(722-746 MHz) 722.200 722.700 723.600 724.200 725.200 726.400 727.100 727.500 734.125 736.275 737.000 738.275 740.125 741.000 743.575 745.875 728.125 728.625 729.375 730.375 731.875 733.875 740.125 740.625 741.375 742.375 743.875 745.875 734.625 739.700 740.425 742.150
Shure
Shure brand wireless micrphones use frequencies in the 174-216 MHz VHF TV channel 7-13 and 596-806 MHz UHF TV 35-69 bands.
Performance Gear VHF and T Series (169.445-208.2 MHz)
LX88-II (169.445-208.2 MHz) LX Wireless (169.445-208.2 MHz) PGX/Performance Gear H6 Band (524-542 MHz) J6 Band (572.25-589.875 MHz) L5 Band (644-662 MHz) P6 Band (702.2-719 MHz) R1 Band (800-820 MHz) T1 Band (846-865 MHz) Q8 Band (740-752 MHz) JB Band (806-810 MHz) PSM200 Personal (In-Ear) Monitors (518.75-553.25 MHz) PSM400 Personal (In-Ear) Monitors (722.325-745.675 MHz) PSM600 Personal (In-Ear) Monitors (626.475-656.5 MHz) PSM700-H3 Personal (In-Ear) Monitors (524.2-553.8 MHz) PSM700-HF Personal (In-Ear) Monitors (722.325-745.675 MHz) PSM700-L2 Personal (In-Ear) Monitors (632.2-661.8 MHz) SC Wireless (169.445-210.6 MHz)
SLX Wireless (518-820 MHz) H5 Band (518-542 MHz) J3 Band (572-596 MHz) L4 Band (638-662 MHz) P4 Band (702-726 MHz) R5 Band (800.1-819.9 MHz) S6 Band (838-865 MHz) Q4 Band (740-752 MHz) JB Band (806-810 MHz)
TwinPro Wireless (169.445-208.2) UC Wireless UA Band (782-806 MHz) UB Band (692-716 MHz) UHF Wireless J4 Band (554-584 MHz) M4 Band (662-692 MHz) UA Band (782-806 MHz) UB Band (692-716 MHz) ULX Wireless J1 Band (554-590 MHz) J2 Band (554-589 MHz) M1 Band (662-698 MHz) UA Band (782-806 MHz) UB Band (692-716 MHz) UP Wireless UA Band (782-806 MHz) UB Band (692-716 MHz) Performance Gear UHF and UT Series (581-782 MHz) VP Wireless (169.445-208.2 MHz)
Telex
Electro-Voice RE-1 (680-704 MHz 772-746 MHz) 950 channels programmable in 25 kHz steps Electro-Voice RE-2 (648-678 MHz 696-724 MHz) 1112 channels programmable in 25 kHz steps A Band 648-676 MHz B Band 696-724 MHz Electro-Voice CSR-1000 Receiver 950 channels programmed in 25 kHz steps A Band 680-704 MHz B Band 722-746 MHz D Band 798-822 MHz E Band 841-865 MHz F Band 650-674 MHz G Band 614-638 MHz Electro-Voice R-100 VHF (174.1-185.35 MHz -203.2 MHz) 11 channels FMR-2 Diversity Systems (150-216 MHz) 171.8250 177.8000 183.8000 171.1250 178.4000 184.4000 170.2250 175.0000 183.0000 167.8750 177.0000 181.0000 166.3750 178.8000 184.8000 172.2850 190.4000 195.8000 201.8000 208.4000 213.8000 FMR-50 Single Antenna Systems (150-186 MHz) 171.8250 177.8000 183.8000 171.1250 178.4000 184.4000 170.2250 175.0000 183.0000 167.8750 FMR-2G & FMR-50G Wireless Guitar Systems (150-186 MHz) 171.8250 171.1250 170.2250 167.8750 FMR-1000 (680-704 MHz 722-746 MHz) 950 channels programmable in 25kHz steps A Band 680-704 MHz TV 49 50 51 52 B Band 722-746 MHz TV 56 57 58 59 FMR-500 (648-676 MHz 696-724 MHz) 1112 channels progammable in 25kHz steps A Band 648-676 MHz B Band 696-724 MHz Accessories: WT-500 Bodypack Transmitter HT-500D Handheld Transmitter HT-500C Handheld Transmitter FMR-70 (165-216 MHz) PRO STAR VR-12 (174.1-185.35 MHz) 8 channels ENG-100 (668-746 MHz) 100 channels 668-680 MHz 734-746 MHz PST-170 Transmitter (72-76 MHz) 17 channels SR-50 Receiver (72-76 MHz) 17 channels SR-400 Receiver (72-76 MHz) 17 channels HT-200 (169-216 MHz) WT-55/60/80 (150-216 MHz) ProStar VR12 (174.1-185.3 MHz) 01 174.1000 02 178.1000 03 178.5000 04 179.1000 05 180.2000 06 183.7000 07 184.3500 08 185.3500 SAFE-1000 (680-704 MHz 722-746 MHz encrypted) 950 channels programmable in 25 kHz steps A Band 680-704 MHz B Band 722-746 MHz F Band 650-674 MHz G Band 614-638 MHz ENG-100 100 channels TV 47 48 58 59 SoundMate all models (72.1-75.9 MHz) ST-300 Transmitter SR-400 Receiver PST-170 Transmitter SR-50 Receiver 72.1000 72.2000 72.3000 72.4000 72.5000 72.6000 72.7000 72.8000 72.9000 74.7000 75.3000 75.4000 75.5000 75.6000 75.7000 75.8000 75.9000 TR-34 Wireless IFB (64-68 MHz) 1 64.5000 2 64.7000 3 64.9000 4 65.1000 5 65.3000 6 65.5000 7 65.7000 8 65.9000 A 66.1000 B 66.3000 C 66.5000 D 66.7000 E 66.9000 F 67.1000 G 67.3000 H 67.5000
BTR-300 VHF Intercom (150-216 MHz) Blue Antenna 150-168.9 MHZ Yellow Antenna 169-184.9 MHZ White Antenna 185.199.9 MHz Red Antenna 200-216 MHz BTR-500 UHF Intercom (520-760 MHz)
