Sennheiser EK100 problem at DVinfo.net

Tim Sargent · May 17th, 2010, 07:54 AM

Had this problem for sometime.... and its getting on my nerves now!

Basically what's happening is the volume just keeps dropping out. It goes low, then comes back up again.

In the end, I have to change the receiver/transmitter (i've got 3 sets). Batteries are fine and full.

Any ideas what this problem could be?

I've tried to standardise my settings on the receiver/transmitter - AF Out / Sensitivity etc etc

Cheers

John Willett · May 17th, 2010, 09:48 AM

Is it just the one receiver it's happening to?

Is it just one system you are using? or several together?

What frequencies are you on?

Is it a G1, G2 or G3?

If you do not have a licence you *must* use these frequencies:-
863.1, 863.5, 864.3 and/or 864.9 MHz
Anything else is either illegal or not intermodulation-free.

Is the transmitter a pocket or hand-held?

If pocket how have you addressed the antenna?

Transmitter and receiver antennas - if G1, is it screwed in properly? - if G2 or G3 is it damaged?

Does it always happen at the same place? or anywhere?

There are a lot of things to check - if everything checked and OK, then ring Sam at Sennheiser UK service on 01494-551-551 and it will need looking at. There is a standard fixed fee for evolution wireless at (I think) about £70 whatever the problem.

I hope this helps.

Greg Bellotte · May 18th, 2010, 02:25 PM

"Basically what's happening is the volume just keeps dropping out. It goes low, then comes back up again."

so does the audio get low, or go completely away?

if it's going low, but still there at a lesser level-i suggest that the audio output connection is intermittent. try another output cable, or wiggle the connector at the bodypack to see if the jack is at fault. it could also be a fault at the microphone end as well.

it the audio is dropping completely (muting briefly) then you may be experiencing rf dropout. this can be caused by interference on the frequency you are using (try a different channel) or too much distance between transmitter and receiver (move closer together). another possibility is that the wire antenna has become damaged (wire broken inside the rubber covering) resulting in poor range and the dropouts.

John Willett · May 19th, 2010, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg Bellotte

"Basically what's happening is the volume just keeps dropping out. It goes low, then comes back up again."

....... another possibility is that the wire antenna has become damaged (wire broken inside the rubber covering) resulting in poor range and the dropouts.

Or the transmitter antenna could be touching, or very close to, the body - causing massive attenuation of the signal. If the transmitter is in line-of-sight to the receiver the signal could be OK, but attenuates as the person turns and is blocked by the body.

Lots of possibilities here..............................

Rick Reineke · May 19th, 2010, 12:15 PM

If possible observe the RF meter on the receiver. If the RF remains constant but the audio level changes, I would first look into the mic/input cable and output cable and connections. If they checkout OK, contact Sennheiser service.

BTW, If you are using a 'cardioid' lav, they are very susceptible to volume swings when the audio source goes off-axis, for instance when the wearer turns their head to the side.

May 17th, 2010, 07:54 AM	#1
Tim Sargent Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunny Shropshire, England Posts: 145	Sennheiser EK100 problem Had this problem for sometime.... and its getting on my nerves now! Basically what's happening is the volume just keeps dropping out. It goes low, then comes back up again. In the end, I have to change the receiver/transmitter (i've got 3 sets). Batteries are fine and full. Any ideas what this problem could be? I've tried to standardise my settings on the receiver/transmitter - AF Out / Sensitivity etc etc Cheers

May 17th, 2010, 09:48 AM	#2
John Willett Major Player Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 976	Is it just the one receiver it's happening to? Is it just one system you are using? or several together? What frequencies are you on? Is it a G1, G2 or G3? If you do not have a licence you must use these frequencies:- 863.1, 863.5, 864.3 and/or 864.9 MHz Anything else is either illegal or not intermodulation-free. Is the transmitter a pocket or hand-held? If pocket how have you addressed the antenna? Transmitter and receiver antennas - if G1, is it screwed in properly? - if G2 or G3 is it damaged? Does it always happen at the same place? or anywhere? There are a lot of things to check - if everything checked and OK, then ring Sam at Sennheiser UK service on 01494-551-551 and it will need looking at. There is a standard fixed fee for evolution wireless at (I think) about £70 whatever the problem. I hope this helps. __________________ John Willett - Sound-Link ProAudio and Circle Sound Services President: Fédération Internationale des Chasseurs de Sons

May 18th, 2010, 02:25 PM	#3
Greg Bellotte Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 291	"Basically what's happening is the volume just keeps dropping out. It goes low, then comes back up again." so does the audio get low, or go completely away? if it's going low, but still there at a lesser level-i suggest that the audio output connection is intermittent. try another output cable, or wiggle the connector at the bodypack to see if the jack is at fault. it could also be a fault at the microphone end as well. it the audio is dropping completely (muting briefly) then you may be experiencing rf dropout. this can be caused by interference on the frequency you are using (try a different channel) or too much distance between transmitter and receiver (move closer together). another possibility is that the wire antenna has become damaged (wire broken inside the rubber covering) resulting in poor range and the dropouts.

May 19th, 2010, 12:15 PM	#5
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	If possible observe the RF meter on the receiver. If the RF remains constant but the audio level changes, I would first look into the mic/input cable and output cable and connections. If they checkout OK, contact Sennheiser service. BTW, If you are using a 'cardioid' lav, they are very susceptible to volume swings when the audio source goes off-axis, for instance when the wearer turns their head to the side.