Direct mp4 download or play:  Wireless Microphones 8-7-2016
I think I stumbled onto several feeds of wireless microphones from a performance. Actually, I was searching for a PA system wireless mike feed from the big fair we have in Seattle every year at the beginning of August, called Seafair. There was one signal at about 513.2 megahertz that appeared to be the KIRO – TV channel 7 audio, but they were very careful to cut off their mikes during commercials. Channel 7 televises Seafair every year. The signals were all wide band FM, and due to the great distance (possibly over a mile), there was a lot of fading and drop outs. The large wide areas that show up on the display while tuning, and appear to be strong signals are local digital ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) Seattle TV channels.  I used SDRSharp and Airspy to receive wth a simple ground plane verticle antenna, extended to about 5 and a half inches. The antenna is mounted on a microphone stand, inside my house. Screen capture was done with Potplayer.

Here is my recording of the 4th of July for 2016. The microphones cost less than two dollars each, and the phantom power adapters were under fifty dollars apiece. Well worth it, considering there are other solutions costing hundreds. I grounded the metal frame of the window where one of the microphones was placed, due to hum pick up. There are power lines parallel to the window about thirty feet away. I measured several volts of alternating current between the metal window frame and the Mackie mixer. The ground wire worked perfectly, eliminating all hum from the audio.

Direct mp3 download or play: 4th of July Ambience 2016 – Part 1

Part 1

Direct mp3 download or play: 4th of July Ambience 2016 – Part 2

Part 2

Direct mp3 download or play: 4th of July Ambience 2016 – Part 3

Part 3

Direct mp4 file download or play:  video commentary

video commentary

cheap condenser microphones with facial tissue windscreen

phantom power adapters (more information here)

window frame ground wire