Scanner to pick wireless microphone frequency?

[Rally_Man]

Hello, new here and don't a single clue if a scanner would be the tool I need.

Here's what I need. My church will be doing a public talk next weekend. The thing this public talk will be given in English in one building while it will be translated in a different language in real time in the next building. Both buildings have wireless microphones. The main microphone is hard wired, but I was thinking if we can put a wireless mic next to the hardwired and use a scanner to pick up that mic signal sending it to the translator via headphones.

If you think a scanner is not not right tool for this job, do you have any suggestions? Am I even asking the right community? Let me know.

 

[KB7MIB]

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.80 (BREW; Opera Mini/6.0.3/27.2338; U; en) Presto/2.8.119 320X240 LG VN530)

Depending on the frequency of the wireless mic you're using, a scanner may not even pick it up. Do you know the frequency of the wireless mic? Do you already have a scanner? If so, what make and model? That info may help someone else help you.

 

[poltergeisty]

We need to know the make and model of the wireless mic. Most are VHF.

 

[Your_account]

I habe the same question but not the same problem.
I want just record the Voice. Does anyome know which Frequency are common in Europe?

 

[Rally_Man]

I'll have to give you guys the make, model & frequency on Monday, don't know it currently. Oh, and no I haven't purchased any type of scanner, wanted to ask the experts before making any kind of purchase.

 

[Ronaldski]

Vast majority of mics use these -
Cordless Microphones - The RadioReference Wiki

 

[KC8ESL]

Alright....

The majority of today's wireless microphones are in the 470-698MHz range. There are a few all-digital systems which utilize 900MHz areas as well. What specific model of wireless mic are you dealing with? Very few (mostly order units) still use VHF. If someone goes to a professional rock, country, rap, or gospel show, you'll hear all the activity in the 470-698MHz area.

In the professional world of production, a VHF antenna will be too difficult to move around, bend around set pieces, and the crowd would likely see it.

We use helicals and log periodic antennas mostly, but on occasion we'll utilize some omni quarterwave antennas.

One other point you may contend with is the compandering of the system in question. The mic will compress(squash) the signal (2:1 or 3:1 are the norms) and the reciever will expand the signal back out. More information through less bandwidth, just like a zip file on a computer. It may sound like a narrowband signal in the wideband setting. I have had luck testing Sennheiser SKM-5200-II microphones into my RTL SDR receiver. Justifies a toy on my desk at work!

 

[gmclam]

I'd get a 2nd receiver for the model of wireless mic being used. Many are in the TV bands and most scanners don't receive in those bands. Even if you have a scanner that receives in the correct band, you must also be able to select the proper "channel width" for the transmission (wireless mic).

 

[Ronaldski]

Be sure to set it for FM modulation
many of the frequencies listed in that wiki article I posted, the RS-GRE radios cant get those 174-216MHz range, at least the 96,2096,196,106 cant any ways. Unidens can though.

 

[Rally_Man]

Sorry for the late response but since the first 4 post are checked out I can't respond quickly

 

[KC8ESL]

The major problem you're going to deal with is receiving a sub-100mW transmitter several brick or wood walls away. Conventional wisdom says that with recievers that aren't incredibly selective and probably a stubby duck antenna on it, you'll be OOL. Why not try to run a balanced audio feed to the other building for the day? You only need mono, and it'll be much more stable than any rf feed you'll have the budget for.

Then again, if you have the budget, just hire a local production company for the day and make it their problem.

 

[KC8ESL]

Did you figure out a solution? There are many multi-talented folks that frequent this site who can make suggestions on how to help out your problem.

As I sat at my bench all day working on wireless microphones I was schemeing how you could get around a wireless microphone.

PM me if you're allowed to by now.

 

[poltergeisty]

Back in high school I would put my scanner in the locker and connect it to a VOX tape recorder and recorded the audio during pep assemblies. It's certainly possible to pick up a wireless microphone.

 

[Rally_Man]

Solution has been found!

OK, so a solution has been found. A member from our church put a FM broadcaster transmitter, so all we need is a regular ol' portable FM receiver with headphones and presto! This is a much simpler method of transmitting. But thanks to everyone who participated

 

[AgentCOPP1]

OK, so a solution has been found. A member from our church put a FM broadcaster transmitter, so all we need is a regular ol' portable FM receiver with headphones and presto! This is a much simpler method of transmitting. But thanks to everyone who participated

If you're talking about FM as in the broadcast FM band, that's illegal...

Wouldn't it just be easier to buy a receiver specifically made for your microphone?

 

[KC8ESL]

At the type of power he's running, he doesn't even qualify for a reason to license as an LPFM station.

 

[Rally_Man]

If you're talking about FM as in the broadcast FM band, that's illegal...

Wouldn't it just be easier to buy a receiver specifically made for your microphone?

He told us FCC gave him the two stations he can broadcast. Trust, there is nothing illegal that is running.

 

[AgentCOPP1]

At the type of power he's running, he doesn't even qualify for a reason to license as an LPFM station.

Oh, okay. I wasn't aware that you didn't need a license for that if you were under a certain power.

 

[poltergeisty]

Haven't you ever built a FM bug device before?

 

[Rally_Man]

Me?