Posted by blackburst@aol.com on 01/10/45 11:44

Richard Crowley wrote:
> blackburst wrote ...
> > OK. I got the gig with the semi-pro baseball team. No construction or
> > very little construction required. Mostly beefing up existing stuff.
> > I'd love to have some advice and suggestions from knowledgable people
> > in both NGs.
> >
> > For rec.audio.pro:
> >
> > 1) The wireless mic for the Telex stsem is lost, so they currently use
> > an AKG system , but the mic makes a "pop" when it is turned on or off.
> > They want to go back to the Telex. Two questions: a) What transmitter
> > do I need? It's a Telex FMR-450 at 614.700. I prefer either a
> > completestick, or a butt-end which can go on any stick.
>
> You need the matching transmitter from Telex. There is no viable or
> practical alternative. Did they say that the Telex did NOT suffer from
> the same turn on/off transient? Perhaps muting the microphone rather
> than turning the RF carrier on and off would solve the problem?

They're not sure: The mic has been missing since before the current
promo director started. Would a mic with both mute and power avoid
this? I undrstand they leave the fader up on the board all during the
game.

>
> b) In the
> > booth, the receiver has two short antennas, but it's in a rack. Can I
> > replace the antennas with some that can be mounted outside the booth?
> > What model/mfr? They're screw on 259 type connectors. The system must
> > be rock solid under difficult circumstances, Pomotions manager in left
> > field, for example.
>
> Just moving the antennas out of the rack would be some improvement.
> Moving them outside would be even more improvement.

Even over near the open window of the booth?


As others
> have suggested, you can get better range from directional antennas
> (like "Yagi"s which look like TV antennas). But they must be aimed
> at the transmitter which may not work if it is wandering around?
> In a recent discussion over on rec.arts.movies.production.sound,
> it was mentioned that the antennas should be 4-5 wavelengths apart
> from each other for minimal diversity receiver operation.
>
> > 2) They want the PA to feed into a picnic area just beyond center/right
> > field. I can add an amp in the booth and run 70v through conduit and
> > mount them on light poles, but it's a difficult path, and the GM is
> > balking at the expense. he wants a wireess system. I'm considering a
> > transmitter in the booth and an all-in-one receiver/amp/speaker that
> > they can move at will. What units would you recommend? It will
> > basically bring announcements to an area about 75x50 feet.
>
> Hard to believe that a *decent* wireless system would cost less than
> running passive cable out there. Of course if they want to try something
> cheap, you will have additional problems.

That would mean speaker(s), cabling, and a power amp, what, $1000. or
more. I thought one of those college AV all-in-ones might do it.

>
> I would rent a DitchWitch vibratory plow and run the kind of direct-
> burial cable they use for 110V power. No digging, no trench, no
> conduit, etc. etc. If that cable is good enough for 1000W @ 110V,
> it should do fine for 100W @ 70V. Note, however that there may
> be local building codes to deal with?

The outfield wall is about 400 feet, so roundabout might be maybe 700
feet.

>
> > 3) The speakers at the adjacent conference center apparently crackle,
> > even with no program material. But I was not able to hear it today, as
> > there was a conference going on. I'm guessing the speakers are OK, but
> > something is getting into the amp or cabling.
>
> You will need to hear it failing to debug it. Crackling MAY be caused
> by the speakers themselves, but you didn't mention what kind they are?

JBL Control series, mounted about 40 feet up, so I couldn't get a look.
Maybe 24x12x12"

>
> > For rec.video.production:
> >
> > 1) A Sony 3-chip DVCAM feeds through a vertically mounted antenna
> > (about the size of a flashlight barrel, BNC connector) to a series of
> > DynaPix antennas, into a receiver, then onto the big CF screen. The
> > previous company removed 4 of the 5 antennas!
>
> If there is only one transmission point (the camera) and only one
> receiving point ("the big CF screen"), what were they doing with
> "a series of antennas"? Something is missing from your narrative.

As I noted in another post, they had an array of 5 Dyna Pix receiving
antennas hanging from the center "concourse". 4 are now missing.

>
> > The system never worked well, as I understand the antenna is
> > designed to be AIMED at the DynaPix antennas, not vertical.
>
> If you want specific advice on equipment, you will likely need
> to provide specific model numbers, etc. Have you gone to their
> website to see if you can download manuals/instructions, etc?

The only manual I found was for the crappy wirless, in German.

>
> > Is there any more reliable system out there, that can receive
> > solid pictures from most any open area of the stadium? THIS
> > one, they're willing to spend a bit on.
>
> You need to get the docs on you present system to see if it is
> even being used properly before launching into something new.

I just read an article in TV Broadcast about advances in technology,
allowing an ENG news camera to shoot back to a tall building, HD! Too
expensive, but maybe there's something else in my range.

>
> Even consumer-level RF ("antenna") cable and spliters, etc
> from Radio Shack will distribute a nice-looking video signal
> around a large facility. Dunno why people think that "wireless"
> is some magical solution to good & inexpensive transmission
> of audio or video?

The field camera needs to be mobile.

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