The B&H Guide to Camera-Mount Wireless Microphone System

[HankCastello]

I'm expanding the coverage here to include eNewsletters since the purpose of this forum (Video Magazine Article Reviews) is to point you to good info and to prevent the spread of misinformation..

In
The B&H Guide to Camera-Mount Wireless Microphone Systems Part 1, at -
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/find/newsLetter/Camera-Mount-Wireless-Microphones.jsp
I notice that the author says,

There are essentially two kinds of wireless receivers: Diversity and Non-Diversity. Diversity means that the receiver has switching mechanisms inside of it that help prevent drop-outs and interference. A Non-Diversity receiver does not have these mechanisms.

You need to understand this terminology because manufacturers have blurred the lines and created some confusion here.. "DIVERSITY" does NOT necessarily mean that the receiver has this switching ability.  In fact, when used alone, "diversity" generally means "antenna diversity" - and not the better quality switching ability.  When you see the term "TRUE DIVERSITY", that is when you know it has the ability to actually switch between two receiving boards.
Now, I'm no radio expert, so please feel free to jump in here and clarify further or even disagree, if you have the expertise, but it is my understanding that "antenna diversity" (i.e. merely having two antennae) is better than not having diversity at all, but "true diversity", (i.e.: paired receiving electronics) is better still.

[HankCastello]

Two other things to note -

A wireless system will perform better if the antenna of the transmitter isn't totally obscured and hidden under clothing.

Although technically correct, it is impractical to expect members of the wedding party to wear transmitters externally.  You should expect excellent results when clipping the transmiter under a coat, even when the signal must pass through the body, although you may be more limited in range, generally speaking if your receiver is within thirty feet or so, you'll be fine.  If the distance is further, you should test beforehand.

We always recommend UHF over VHF. UHF is more reliable

I've heard this so often that it is tempting to just accept it without question, and it may well be true to a point.  However, UHF systems are more expensive and often a videographer must weigh whether to get one or two wireless UHF systems or whether to buy more systems by having one or two of them being VHF.

I would say that out of my last 100 weddings, I had noticable interference one time on my VHF system.  I have had interference at least half a dozen times on my UHF systems.  In fairness, I have three UHF systems and just one VHF, but that still works out to a 2:1 advantage for VHF.

Your particular area may well have VHF issues.  We cover a wide area and are always in different places.  The point being that, depending on your locale, VHF may be an excellent choice for you, so if budget is a consideration, do not fail to consider VHF systems.

Another reason to not invest too much into wireless right now is that the entire spectrum of both UHF and VHF is up in the air (no pun intended) right now.  There are many frequency changes in the works.  Don't get caught like many of my RC airplane friends did several years ago when the FCC changed their frequencies and made all their old radio gear worthless overnight!