Sennheiser AM2 Front Mount Aerial query

[Baker69]

Hi guys,

I’ve just bought a new Sennheiser EW IEM G4 Wireless System to replace my ‘entry level’ LD Systems MEI 1000 G2 which is currently rack mounted and my LD came with a rack mount kit including an aerial cable which goes from the rear of the transmitter to the front mounted aerial.

The G4 came with the GA 3 rack mount kit which is unfortunately bracketry only, the aerial cables for the front mounted aerials are apparently sold as a separate accessory (AM 2 Kit) and are sold as a pair which makes them rather expensive. I only need 1 aerial cable as the transmitter on the Sennheiser G4 only has one socket.

I’ve been talking to our sound guy (who is going to install the transmitter for me) and he feels we may be able to utilise the LD’s aerial cable as the G4 is specified as having BNC connectors (as does the LD), however I’ve read on the internet a while ago that one end of the Sennheiser AM2 aerial has a bespoke connector so I might need to buy a an AM 2 aerial kit anyway.

Can anyone please advise on this?

 

[s0c9]

My G3 used BNC connectors and I doubt Senn changed that with the G4, so any cable with BNC ends - like your LD - should work just fine.. you will need to make sure that you have the connection that mounts on.the rack ear, the one the antenna and the cable will hook up to.

Amazon.com

 

[Baker69]

Does the length and thickness of the cable have any significance, I note that the Sennheiser AM2 cables have a resistance of 50ohm and someone posted that the cables are 20” long (500mm)?

 

[Mike Caldwell]

Does the length and thickness of the cable have any significance, I note that the Sennheiser AM2 cables have a resistance of 50ohm and someone posted that the cables are 20” long (500mm)?

At that short of length RG58 is fine and what most short back to front pacth cables are made with.
Getting into longer lengths is where cable like RG8X, LM240 and LMR400 type cable is needed.

 

[erayser]

I used these for my wireless rack for both my G4 IEM and EW-D Cl1 wireless systems to front mount my antennas:

BNC Cable - 2PCS 50 ohm RG58 BNC Male to Female Coax Cable Bulkhead 2FT

BNC cables are way too expensive by Sennheiser. These $13.99 for 2x 2ft cables does the job.

 

[Mike Caldwell]

One thing about going to front mount antenna either for an IEM or wireless mic system is the antenna.
The short 1/4 wave antennas that come with many units actually needs a ground plane to work at it's best, the ground plane is the base unit when the antenna is on the back.
Moving it to front does away with most of the ground plane effect.
The longer 1/2 wave antennas do not need a ground plane.

Yes the 1/4 waves still work but just saying.

 

[erayser]

One thing about going to front mount antenna either for an IEM or wireless mic system is the antenna.
The short 1/4 wave antennas that come with many units actually needs a ground plane to work at it's best, the ground plane is the base unit when the antenna is on the back.
Moving it to front does away with most of the ground plane effect.
The longer 1/2 wave antennas do not need a ground plane.

Yes the 1/4 waves still work but just saying.

That's good to know... I have those too, but I take my wireless rack alone with me every weekend. I can leave the smaller antennas on, and just move them out of the way to put the front cover on.