How to Set Up A UHF Wireless System

Let's begin with defining a wireless system. Basically it's comprised of a transmitter source and a receiver. There are various kinds of transmitters. You should research them for the reviews of the best one(s) that you can afford. In this article we'll only be concerned with setting up the higher-quality UHF systems.

1. Transmitters:

More often than not the transmitter is located within the hand held mic itself.

The alternate kind of transmitter uses a body-pack where you can plug in different pieces of gear:

Clipped to and item of clothing, such as a bra, will make the microphone very discrete, even hidden altogether.

If a singer doesn't want to use a hand held, the headset mic is an option where the artist can move more freely and use both hands if need be.

The 3rd is for, say, a guitar or some other instrument that uses a phone cable.

2. Receivers:

A receiver is a lot like the radio at home or in your car. It captures a signal and sends to it, which allows you to listen to what that signal is. Essentially the receiver receives the impulses from the transmitter and demodulates them (turns it into electronic form) so we can plug in whatever we want.

It might be a mixer, an amplifier or, as mentioned before, a mic with transmitter inside. Body pack systems can also work very well on video cameras.

3. Receiver Antennas:

The UHF system (ultra high frequency) will have two antennas which are connected to two electronic circuits with a switcher between them. Because the antennas are not used simultaneously, the automatic changing of channels means that the receiver chooses the one that gets the best signal.

You'll need to place the 2 antennas at a 90 degree angle to eachother (45 degrees from the ground). this placement will render the best results from the system that you'll be able to get.

It's desirable that nothing blocks the waves between the receiver antennas and transmitter. A system can go through some solid surfaces but will perform better in the open air. In order for the receiver to get good signal from the transmitter it might be a matter of experimenting with the placement, especially if you're using a body-pak. You can use another antenna where you can create better sight-lines, but that's outside the scope of this discussion.

4. Scanning Frequencies:

UHF systems generally can operate at different radio frequencies above normal transmissions such as TV or cell-phones. Prior to setting up the scanner on the receiver, switch off the transmitter. Utilize the screen on the receiver to choose the scan selection. This will probably take a while for the receiver to settle on the available channels but once it does you can choose them from the displayed banks.

After this you'll be able to choose the frequency channel. (in the receiver display.) Now turn the transmitter from off to on and find the same channel as the receiver.

5. Varying the Attenuation on the Transmitter:

This is just an alternate name for volume. The transmitter will have options for altering the volume to get the the right level of signal. If it's too hot it will break up and sound distorted; too low and it will be difficult to hear.

6. Setting the Receiver Output:

Step 6 is the last concern in setting up your wireless system. A lot similar to setting the sensitivity for the transmitter, this step is about the end signal that's sent to the amping system. Be in contact with the audio guy and he will tell you when the output is right. That's about it on this matter. Happy music making!


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Through an extensive career as a performer, Bruce hathaway has used many different wireless microphone systems. If you like to know more and make comparisons of different systems, click the link.