You’ve probably seen it before. Everything in the room is ready, the wireless mic checks out fine… then, just as someone steps up to speak, it cuts out. Or crackles. Or goes completely silent.

It’s frustrating—and often confusing. What changed?

In many cases, the answer isn’t the microphone—it’s the environment.

Wireless microphones rely on open radio frequencies to transmit audio. But those frequencies are shared with all kinds of devices: other wireless systems, nearby venues, touring productions, even consumer tech.

And in urban environments like hotels, museums, or corporate spaces, those conditions can change quickly.

That’s why even a reliable mic setup can suddenly start misbehaving:

The usual cause is that the local RF (radio frequency) environment shifts in ways you can’t see
A visiting client brings their own wireless gear that conflicts with your system or isn't properly coordinated
Additional wireless devices are activated for a nearby ballroom or conference room

The solution is called RF coordination. It’s not about replacing gear—it’s about understanding your wireless environment and making sure your mics (and your clients’) are tuned to clean, interference-free frequencies.

It’s one of those quiet, behind-the-scenes efforts that can make a big difference in how smoothly an event runs.

If you're a venue manager looking to improve your wireless setup's performance or gain confidence in supporting external clients, I'd be happy to share my insights.

I've recently been offering complimentary visits to local venues, checking systems and helping identify clean backup frequencies for guest users. If that sounds helpful to you, feel free to reach out.

Norm Clare