Sennheiser EW100-ENG G3

[Battle Vaughan]

I've experienced noise when in proximity to either another set of wireless mikes operating on a similar but different frequency, and from cell phones, particularly Blackberries, which send out a periodic signal, apparently, whenever they are powered up. Note that the US frequencies that have been used by the G2 units, largely in the now-reassigned analog tv bands, are now assigned to public service, wireless providers and others. The C band units in the 700-and-up mhz band are now illegal to use as these frequencies are all reassigned to other uses. You might check out the open freqs in your area (in the US, anyway) at Find Available Frequencies

[Greg Bellotte]

I've said it before and I'm sayin' it again...

Yes, you should always scan for activity before you ever turn on the transmitter. But you should also compare the scan results against websites like antennaweb.org or Sennheiser's frequency finder site. Analog units like the Sennheiser are not always able to sense a digital broadcast on a frequency and may report it as available. Of course using the "open" channel will probably result in poor reception, so do your homework first and avoid channels used by DTV.

[Don Parrish]

Jack was talking about the 700mhz range, here is a website to check if your receiver is on the list and some G2 systems are. I believe the 700mhz range has been given to emergency services in the U.S. Obviously these transmitters are powerful and high up, also, more and more cities are moving to it.

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/wirelessmicro...tml#Sennheiser

[Jay Massengill]

Also remember the "700 Mhz band" actually goes from 698 to 806 Mhz. I had a couple of good mics on these upper and lower ends that I had originally thought would still be ok but of course had to be replaced.

[Al Gardner]

A little late to this thread but one good thing I noticed about the G3 is you can actually set sensitivity all the way to -60db. which is great because actual mic level is at or about -50db. I own the G2's as well and I'm shocked that you can only set to -30db?
On another note and others could verify. If you buy a B frequency G2 and a B frequency G3 they aren't totally the same frequencies. I wanted to have to B units to share the same receiver in certain situations and the frequencies aren't identical.

[Chad Johnson]

You can have 1 transmitter go to 2 receivers, but not 2 transmitters going to 1 receiver.

[Al Gardner]

Yes, thanks Chad, that's correct provided you have the same frequencies. I guess what I was eluding to was that a B frequency from a G2 system can be different from a B frequency on a G3 system. At least that's the way it is for me.
Thanks,
Al

[Chad Johnson]

Are you sure it's not just the presets that are different? You may be able to dial in the same freq by hand. Check it out.

[Al Gardner]

I just took a look and you are right, they are pretty much the same.

The G2 B set reads 626-662
The G3 set reads 626-668

Not identical, but not enough to say they're different
Thanks,
Al

[John Willett]

G1, G2 and G3 systems are all compatible with each other as long as you choose the same version and use the frequency window from the earliest - the window got wider as they went on - G1 = 24MHz, G2 = 36MHz, G3 = 42MHz.

Oh - and if you use a G1 transmitter with a G2 or G3 receiver you have to switch Pilot "off" on the receiver.