Jude 2

Hey you sound folks. I have a problem. Since we now have someone that can run the sound system, I moved it back to the back of the church. We have a nice snake. But, when we use the snake, we get radio reception in the PA. It doesn't matter which channel we plug in, if we plug in one of the snake channels, we hear a faint, noisy radio station. What can I do?

Thanks
Daryl

Sounds like a bad snake rather than a nice snake.

Check for loose connections but it sounds like the snake is not properly shielded.

Daryl,

Check to see if you are on a "designated" circuit for the system. It is not likely the snake problem but the circuit you are plugged into.

scooter wrote:Sounds like a bad snake rather than a nice snake.

Get for loose connections but it sounds like the snake is not properly shielded.

What do you have plugged in the channel that is giving you the problem? If it is only happening on 1 channel can you get not using that channel?

We had a similar problem years ago. The wiring in our sanctuary was old and not grounded. That proved to be a huge headache in many ways. Once the PA was moved to a grounded circuit, the radio was no longer a problem.

Paully_44 wrote:We had a similar problem years ago. The wiring in our sanctuary was old and not grounded. That proved to be a huge headache in many ways. Once the PA was moved to a grounded circuit, the radio was no longer a problem.

The extension cord that ran to our sound booth did not have the third prong. The cord on the PA did have on but we plugged it in anyway. Do you think that is the problem? Isn't that the ground prong? (That's all I can think of to call it... )

Thanks again...

turbotim wrote:The extension cord that ran to our sound booth did not have the third prong. The cord on the PA did have on but we plugged it in anyway. Do you think that is the problem? Isn't that the ground prong? (That's all I can think of to call it... )

Thanks again...

This is possible - but I'm guessing not likely. Would most certainly
be the cheapest & easiest thing to try first. If you're in an older
building - may want to make sure the outlet you plug it in to
has been wired properly as well. Even though the outlet has
a ground prong doesn't mean it's properly grounded. You can
buy a somewhat inexpensive tester that simply plugs into the
outlet at most hardware stores & it will tell you if it's grounded properly.


Also - make sure you put a good surge suppressor on your system
if you don't already have one. Don't just buy a power strip - buy
one that protects from lightning strikes (and again - these will not
work if the outlet is not properly grounded).

Depending on your power amp - some have a rocker style power
switch (especially older Peaveys) that turns on in 2 directions (with center
being off). Sometimes you can flip that the other direction and that
can help with a ground problem.

As an experiment - you might try plugging a microphone cable directly
into the system (bypassing & unplugging the snake) just to see if the radio problem still happens. Does it happen when any channel on the snake is plugged in?

darylscook wrote:Hey you sound folks. I have a problem. Since we now have someone that can run the sound system, I moved it back to the back of the church. We have a nice snake. But, when we use the snake, we get radio reception in the PA. It doesn't matter which channel we plug in, if we plug in one of the snake channels, we hear a faint, noisy radio station. What can I do?

Thanks
Daryl

Sounds like what you need is a good snake handler. I know a guy in East Tennessee that has a church in the back woods of NC...

turbotim wrote:

Paully_44 wrote:We had a similar problem years ago. The wiring in our sanctuary was old and not grounded. That proved to be a huge headache in many ways. Once the PA was moved to a grounded circuit, the radio was no longer a problem.

The extension cord that ran to our sound booth did not have the third prong. The cord on the PA did have on but we plugged it in anyway. Do you think that is the problem? Isn't that the ground prong? (That's all I can think of to call it... )

Thanks again...

Your PA system does need to be grounded. Use a extension cord with the rounded prong it is the ground. Also the length of the cord my come into play, but I think it's a lack of a properly shielded.

BTW I googled this site, it may help.
http://www.alectrosystems.com/tips/audio_tips/audio_tip_RFI.htm