CSU Wireless & RF Bundle -- .

Go from beginner to knowledgeable tech after learning the basics and best practices

 

Church Sound 101: RF & Wireless

What you will learn...

This course covers the essentials of wireless microphone and in-ear monitoring systems, as well as key facets of radio frequency (RF), in order to obtain flawless performance every time. Don’t worry – wireless is not “magic” or “voodoo” and it’s not that complicated.

Find out the essentials for success in this straightforward course presented by wireless system veteran Karl Winkler.

Band Planning: The air around us is filled with radio waves operating in many different frequency bands. Some of the sources include broadcasters (TV and radio stations), public safety (police and fire departments), cell phones and many others. They can present interference problems for wireless systems, which also operate (transmit and receive signal) within specific radio frequency bands. Therefore, it’s vital to understand what’s happening with the frequency bands in any area/building where wireless systems are operating. This course will show you how to do just that.

Antenna Types & Placement: There are several types of antennas, so it’s important to understand each type and then make the best choice(s) for your situation. And even with the right antennas, it’s also important to understand a host of best practices that if followed go a long way in helping to ensure consistently solid wireless system performance. These topics are particularly vital because wireless systems operate at relatively low output power, so we need to do everything possible (especially optimum antenna placement) to make sure that transmitters and receivers are linked as optimally as possible.

Frequency Coordination: In addition to band planning, frequency coordination is absolutely essential to optimum wireless system operation and performance. It’s simply the process of calculating and choosing frequencies so that your transmitters and receivers will not be compromised by interference. There are several tools that can also be helpful in this process – find out what they are and how best to use them.

Checklist: A handy list of the necessary steps to success every time you employ wireless systems. Start off right and it all flows well from there.

Assessment quizzes are offered after each segment -- it's the perfect time to review what’s been covered so far. Do you understand the essentials? If so, great, keep going! And if not, no worries, you can review that segment again or the entire course as needed.

Improve your RF & Wireless knowledge today!

Only $75 for more than 3 hours of video instruction, notebook, review quizzes and certificate of completion -- plus unlimited access to review the materials as many times as you like! This bundle helps you master the intricacies of RF making you better prepared for any wireless issues you may encounter.

Church Sound 201: Wireless & RF Best Practices

What you will learn...

This course covers best practices for wireless microphone and in-ear monitoring systems including advanced band planning, receiver antenna placement, and gain structure. This course requires a good working knowledge of RF basics. If you complete Church Sound 101: RF & Wireless Mics, the first class in this bundle, you should be set. 

Find out the essentials for success in this advanced course presented by wireless system veteran Karl Winkler.

Advanced Band Planning

- Avoiding overlap between different types of equipment. 

- System challenges: modern wireless equipment offers wideband tuning

- UHF wireless mic systems share spectrum with TV broadcasts

- Band plan to combine system information with local RF scan data

- Consider alternate frequency bands for specific equipment when possible

- Example band plan covering 72 MHz to 5 GHz

Receiver Antenna Placement

- Do not place receiver antennas inside the equipment rack

- Receiver antennas have polar patterns 

- Specialized antennas for specific purposes

- The Fresnel Zone

- Diversity spacing requirements

- Transmitter & Talent radiation patterns

- Example receiver antenna placement for best coverage

RF Gain Structure

- Unity gain is goal of antenna, splitter/distro system

- Coax cables exhibit RF loss

- Example of choice between directional antennas and longer coax cables

- Filtering and Attenuation are ever more important

- Not all active distros are equal

- Amplified antennas

- Top models offer boost and attenuation, plus filtering    

- Passive filters

Frequency Coordination

- Are pre-coordinated groups or lists still valid?

- Basic math behind intermodulation avoidance

- Software packages for coordination purposes

Wargame Your System

- Step-by step explanation of this final “vetting” processs


Assessment quizzes are offered after each segment -- it's the perfect time to review what’s been covered so far. Do you understand the essentials? If so, great, keep going! And if not, no worries, you can review that segment again or the entire course as needed.

Instructor

Lead Instructor Karl Winkler

Karl Winkler started his career as a musician then joined the USAF band as an audio engineer in the 1990s. From there, he moved on to work for Sennheiser & Neumann. In 2004, He joined Lectrosonics and currently holds the position of VP of Sales & Marketing. He has been a long-time advocate of church audio training and education.