FM and Infrared (IR) Wireless: What’s the Difference?

What is FM Wireless? To begin with, just what does FM wireless mean? For starters, FM is one type of radio frequency transmission. Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary tells us that radio frequency (RF) is a frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum within which radio waves may be transmitted, from about 3 kilohertz to about 300,000 megahertz. What about IR Wireless? Conversely, Webster… Read the rest

Assistive Listening Devices for the Home

5 Ways Assistive Listening Devices Can Enhance Life for the Hearing Impaired Assistive listening devices enhance the quality of life for people with mild to moderate hearing impairment. A portable personal amplifier that boosts sound in public and private spaces is one example of an assistive listening device. But losing the ability to clearly hear speech and conversation in public… Read the rest

Introducing a True Wireless Portable PA System

Most PA systems that are available commercially are portable. Now portable means many things to many people. For instance, I have personally worked with a portable PA system that weighed in at 75 pounds (that’s 34 kilograms for you metric fans). But, regardless of weight, a portable sound system is not meant to be permanently installed. But what a portable… Read the rest

7 Steps to Choosing a Classroom PA System

Between the challenges presented by poor acoustics and the noise generated by boisterous students, it can sometimes be difficult for teachers to make themselves heard. One easy and affordable solution to this problem is a mini classroom PA system. The right PA system can turn any unfocused class into one that shines. But how do you know which mini PA… Read the rest

ADA Compliant Assistive Listening Devices (Part 3)

Part 3 – Helpful Information on Hearing Loss Hearing loss is more common than you might think. In fact for every person who might be legally classified as deaf, there are many more who are burdened by hearing impairment. Nor is this only a problem for people over 50. Increasingly, due to recreational and environmental noise, hearing loss is occurring… Read the rest

ADA Compliant Assistive Listening Devices (Part2)

Part 2 – Alerting Devices – Vibration, Pulsing, Audible & Combination Assistive Listening Devices have come a long way. Modern technology has provided a multitude of alerting devices for people with impaired hearing. The most popular technologies now available for a wake up alarm, a knock at the door or a smoke detector are one of three types: vibration, flashing… Read the rest

ADA Compliant Assistive Listening Devices

Alerting Devices & Alarms – Amplified Telephones ALDs is the abbreviation currently in vogue for assistive listening devices – products which are truly “life enhancing.” If you are a past visitor to our website, you already know that Audiolinks has a significant number of ADA compliant products available to the hearing impaired. Now, we are expanding our offerings in the… Read the rest

Church Sound Systems & the Volunteer Engineer

Guidelines for Volunteer Sound Engineers: How to Work in Churches and Public Spaces Previously, we discussed how to choose a sound system for a church or other place of worship. We will now address how that church sound system is put to use. Guiding principles for using volunteer sound engineers: In setting up the sound system in a church or… Read the rest

What’s in the Future for Wireless Mic Users?

3 Questions to Help You Understand New FCC Rules FCC wireless mic restrictions, although in place since last year, officially take effect on January 5, 2011! In 2010, the FCC reallocated the entire 698-806 MHz UHF frequency range for use by emergency responders and wireless devices such as smart phones and PDA’s. Some wireless microphone systems, which had operated in… Read the rest

Headphones vs. Headsets – Earpiece Speaker, Speaker Configuration & Connectivity

3 Major Differences between Headsets and Headphones I can remember a time when headphones fulfilled a very specific purpose in my life – being able to play my favorite music as loud as I wanted without disturbing anyone else around me. My presently-diminished hearing is testament to the fact that I liked my music extremely loud and that headphones of… Read the rest