Social Media WireLists57 350pxIt’s no secret that today’s environment is RF-heavy. Between cell phone traffic and various signals from the surrounding area, it’s a wonder that there is any space at all left for wireless audio to work in. Or, we might find free space, but the strength of our signal might be inconsistent or noisy.

It is tempting to amplify our RF on the receiving antenna side when we are not getting the desired signal. Instead, we need to look at balancing our signal to noise (S/N) ratio. We want our desired signal to be significantly stronger than background noise or interference but not so strong that it overloads the receiver. One way to control gain in congested RF environments is through an LPDA antenna (Log Periodic Dipole Array), also known as a shark fin, batwing or paddle antenna, such as our active/passive ALP690. LPDA antennas usually cover a wide range of frequencies yet have a directional pattern enabling us to reduce the impact of off-axis RF sources. LPDAs passively boost on-axis signals as well, which may also overload receiver inputs and/or bring up the RF noise floor. The ALP690 has a built-in amplifier with selectable gain and filtering so it can be set to boost or reduce the signal strength according to the gain structure needs of the system, largely dependent on the length and type of coax cable being used for the antenna run.

The ALP690 antenna is powered by DC bias inserted on the coaxial cable connected to the 50 ohm BNC jack. This power can be supplied by a Venue Series or DSQD receiver, an active multicoupler or an inline BIAST. When no bias is applied, the ALP690 automatically switches via relays to function as a passive antenna, so that the antenna can be used for receivers as well as IFB or IEM transmission applications. Please note that when powered, this antenna can only be used for receivers.


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  2. Wire-Lists #55 – Creating, Updating and Sharing FlexLists with M2R, M2T and DCHT
  3. Wire-Lists #54 – Lectrosonics Wireless for Guitars & Basses
  4. Wire-Lists #53 – 7 Steps to Setting Up Wireless Designer and Dante® Using a Network Switch and a DSQD
  5. Wire-Lists #52 – Compensating for RF-Heavy Environments With Antenna Amplification
  6. Wire-Lists #51 – Expanding Channel Capacity for Systems in Larger Facilities Using Zones in Wireless Designer
  7. Wire-Lists #50 – 3 Steps to Updating your Receiver’s EEPROM
  8. Wire-Lists #49 – Decoding Designators on Lectrosonics Transmitters
  9. Wire-Lists #48 – 19 Easy Steps to Replacing Your SR Keypad
  10. Wire-Lists #47 – 3 Suggestions and Two Strategies for Wideband Frequency Band Planning with Bag Systems
  11. Wire-Lists #46 – Leveraging Encryption With the 4 Key Policies
  12. Wire-Lists #45 – Three Easy Steps to Setting Compatibility Modes and IR Sync in Lectrosonics Receivers
  13. Wire-Lists #44 – Improved Frequency and Phase Response With Our New Wireless Systems
  14. Wire-Lists #43 – Connecting to Wireless Designer Through A Personal Network: 
The Mac version
  15. Wire-Lists #42 – Connecting To Wireless Designer Through A Personal Network, Using A Router or a Switch
  16. Wire-Lists #41 – 7 Easy Steps to Streaming Online with Lectrosonics Duet
  17. Wire-Lists #40 – Two Steps To Free A Trapped TA-5 Connector
  18. Wire-Lists #39: Distancing with Dante
  19. Wire-Lists #38: Solo Use of the Walk Test Recorder in Wireless Designer in 5 Easy Steps
  20. Wire-Lists #37: Custom Tuning Ranges + 4 Other Cool Things in Wireless Designer
  21. Wire-Lists #36: Additional Tricks for Gain Staging Transmitters and Receivers with Recorders - Part 2
  22. Wire-Lists #35: Two Pros Share Tricks for Gain Staging Transmitters and Receivers with Recorders – Part 1
  23. Wire-Lists #34: A Quick Primer on Setting Audio Input Gain On Wireless Mic Transmitters
  24. Wire-Lists #33: Hey! What's That Sound?
  25. Wire-Lists #32: 4 Quick Tips for Antenna Performance
  26. Wire-Lists #31: Improving Signal to Noise Ratios with PF25 Filters
  27. Wire-Lists #30: Maintaining Social Distancing With Dante-Enabled Equipment
  28. Wire-Lists #29: 4 Tips to Improving Your Wireless Signal To Noise Ratio
  29. Wire-Lists #28: Five Tips for Troubleshooting Wireless Mics
  30. Wire-Lists #27: Advice for Navigating The Block 19/470 Overlap
  31. Wire-Lists #26: Developing Sanitation Protocols for Lav Work:
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  33. Wire-Lists #24: Making A Coaxial Dipole Antenna With 6 Items, In 8 Easy Steps
  34. Wire-Lists #23: Phantom Power with M2Rs and Other Receivers, plus 6 Best Practices
  35. Wire-Lists #22: 5 Steps To Getting The Most Out Of The Broadcast Loop
  36. Wire-Lists#21: The #1 Way To Get Flawless Wedding Video Sound With MTCR
  37. Wire-Lists#20: Equipment Disinfection
  38. Wire-Lists#19: ETSI standards, 75 and 50 kHz Deviation for Transmitters, and You
  39. Wire-Lists#18: Everything You Need To Know About Firmware Updates: Part 3
  40. Wire-Lists#17: Everything You Need To Know About Firmware Updates: Part 2
  41. Wire-Lists#16: Everything You Need To Know About Firmware Updates: Part 1
  42. Wire-Lists#15: 4 Things To Check Before We Fix Your Equipment
  43. Wire-Lists#14: My Transmitter Took A Bath! Now What? 5 Steps To Help (plus a bonus tip).
  44. Wire-Lists#13: Three HM Transmitter Hacks (aka “MacGyvers”) for Desperate Situations
  45. Wire-Lists#12: Popular Receiver Antenna Combos
  46. Wire-Lists#11: Popular Transmitter Antenna Combos
  47. Wire-Lists#10: 1 Tip to Identify Types, and 9 Ways To Prevent Wireless Mic RF Drop-Outs
  48. Wire-Lists#9: Three Wireless Designer Tips and Tricks
  49. Wire-Lists#8: Why Are You Holding Your Mic Like That? The Dos and Don’ts of RF Attenuation
  50. Wire-Lists#7: Cold Weather Care for Transmitters, Mics and Receivers
  51. Wire-Lists#6: Preventing Pogo Pin Failure In Your SSM
  52. Wire-Lists#5: 4 Ways to Mangle Your Mic
  53. Wire-Lists#4: SM Transmitter Cleaning – Tips for Battery Doors and 5-Pin Jacks
  54. Wire-Lists#3: Lessons On Battery Care For The Long Ranger
  55. Wire-Lists#2: My Transmitter Doesn’t Work! Three Things To Check
  56. Wire-Lists#1: The 4 Don’ts for Preventing Sick Transmitters