Letro drop off from 20 -30 meters .... wanna find out why.....HELP!

[Hiro Nakamura]

Hi guys,


Just wondering this drop off is normal or a technical limitation.
I am doing a documentary in a small village. Shooting a cemented primary school building with lots of windows. There are only 5 classrooms as the first floor.


I was requested from the director, "Not being around during the interview." because mainly it's about the poor condition of the area, and the interviewees cry a lot. so... Obvious with a person holding a big blimp with fur is not something they see it every day . and I have to use IFB send translations back to director and camera.


Basically, my setup is Ch1 Boom with butt plug transmitter, Ch2 wireless SMa transmitter.
Both receivers are UCR411, one on Block 28, another is on 26.


I was about 20-30 meters away from the scene with a translatior listening my 302 and I am monitoring from a 744t. She has a miked IFB, which means the IFB with a small mic on it. Three receivers on director, cameraman and producer.


I am kind of in a clear environment, there is no big tree or barrier between me and the interviewee...
but lots of times I am getting drop off and I am trying to hold my bag and go closer, so.. the moment I move myself, it's where the drop off starts....on both channel....


then after that we did a walk and talk, two person miced one on sMa and another um400a
When they walking .... I got drop off , but it's about just 10 meters away...


Sorry about my rough english, hopefully you guys got the pic of what problem I am having....


Any idea why the drop off is so much .... I mean if someone use walkie talkie a bit, I probably get one or two clips, but I truly believe the drop off caused by the movements of the subject...


I felt really bad, because that's something I cant ask the director for another take....
Is that because of my UCR411 settings.... but there is no that kind of settings I guess.
I put the SmartNoise deduction to full, for my own preference....


I kind of need to know why it's like that, in order to avoid next time.


Your inputs are highly appreciated !


Thanks in advance


Hiro

 

[Rick R]

Do you mean 'drop-out', as in loss of signal? Does it exhibit the same abnormality with the IFB system turned off?
Are there metal objects between you and the transmitter. I'll assume you have already checked for interfering frequencies from TV and other transmissions in the area. Settings? Lots, Read the manual.

 

[matt_kraus]

Have you tried scanning available frequencies with your UCR411 receivers? What does the RF indicator (the inverted black triangle) look like on the receivers? Full triangle or truncated?

What frequency are your IFBs?

For the interviews, you could try to position the receivers nearer the subjects and cable back to wherever you are hiding. You are doing the right thing by trying to reduce the distance between transmitter and receiver...

For the walk-and-talk, are you able to conceal the transmitter on the subject's ankle or thigh instead of the waist? The subject's body absorbs the RF energy; you may get better distance with the transmitter positioned on the leg where there is less body mass to get in your way


Best of luck.

 

[dano]

Great advice Matt!To the OP definitely got to factor in the RF spray from the 744T, will impact range.

Have you tried scanning available frequencies with your UCR411 receivers? What does the RF indicator (the inverted black triangle) look like on the receivers? Full triangle or truncated?What frequency are your IFBs?For the interviews, you could try to position the receivers nearer the subjects and cable back to wherever you are hiding. You are doing the right thing by trying to reduce the distance between transmitter and receiver...For the walk-and-talk, are you able to conceal the transmitter on the subject's ankle or thigh instead of the waist? The subject's body absorbs the RF energy; you may get better distance with the transmitter positioned on the leg where there is less body mass to get in your way Best of luck.