Betso Bowtie Antenna Review

[@MichaelWynneCAS]

Hi Everyone, thanks for tuning into the review! How many of you have built in RF distribution in the bag already that would consider these? Interested to hear how you guys think this would perform next to a dipole antenna such as Lectrosonics SN600a which I know is now the most common option outside of standard whips.

[@manfredg8410]

Michael Wynne it will be great if you can perform an A/B test vs SN600a. Also I think the BOWTIE is a great option to fight the wind when placed in the roof of the sound van for car scenes.

[@frankhouthaeve6432]

I came up to the Betso when looking for a decentantenna to connect a Tiny SA, looks like this is a good choice for analysing. Meanwhile i can test itbon wireless equipment. Thx forthe review

[@MichaelWynneCAS]

Probably better options out there, these are sold as a set and are designed for the UHF band primarily 470-700. I know the Tiny SA is much wider.

[@frankhouthaeve6432]

True, but the only interest i have is the 470-700 for my wireless setups

[@SoundSpeeding]

Ohhh.... I was just reading about this! Perfect timing for your video to be uploaded

[@MichaelWynneCAS]

Thank you David, this would be an excellent addition to your 833 if you go with the SL2 option when released!

[@SoundSpeeding]

@@MichaelWynneCAS got SN600a already, will wait for the comparison reviews to come along, plus see how my budgeting allows me to splurge or not. Even though it isn't announced yet, I feel I still need to start saving yesterday for those quad channel wireless that the SL-2 could use! ;-)

[@levicarter4577]

Thanks for the review! Seems like a much better alternative to dipole antennas.

[@MichaelWynneCAS]

Definitely more convenient with the included mounting hardware, as far as RF performance between I'd be interested in any differences.

[@HubLocationSound]

They ARE dipole antennas

[@levicarter4577]

@@HubLocationSound ah, okay. So just a different design.

[@MichaelWynneCAS]

That is correct, I think Levi was speaking of in comparison to the popular Lectro SN600a antenna that would require special mounting hardware.

[@RallenMan]

Nice review. Nice video too. Looks like great well made gear. I would be more inclined to buy antennae that size if they were directional. But maybe antenna design precludes directionality unless they are large shark fins.

[@MichaelWynneCAS]

Thanks RallenMan! Also it’s killing me that I believe I forgot your name. You told me on Facebook on a comment on a sound related post a while back. I believe it’s Allen? Could you remind/correct me? Thanks!

[@RallenMan]

Michael Wynne Yes Allen Cavedo here! Google lets me login as either of two names, I keep forgetting to login as Allen when I’m on professional sites.

[@MichaelWynneCAS]

Great thank you Allen, Always appreciate your contributions here!

[@fabricioguardia8730]

Great info. I'm looking to upgrade something like this onto my sound bag. Do you have an opinio on Sound Devices A20-Monarch or Deity Butterfly Antenna in comparison? They both have wider range and trying to decide which to get. Thanks

[@MichaelWynneCAS]

Both are Omni antennas, stick with the range you need, the wider the range the more necessity filters may be.

[@rupertphillips5205]

Great, concise video. Thanks.

[@MichaelWynneCAS]

Thank you Robert!

[@manfredg8410]

Kudos for MW! The only video on the B Bow Tie antenna on KZbin so far. You bought it from Amazon? Don’t see it listed on amazon.com One more thing I’m surprised that the LTE filter is cutting just at 700Mhz provided that soon lots of cellphone RF junk will play free under 700. WhT are your thoughts about it Michael? Thanks.

[@MichaelWynneCAS]

Thanks Manfred G! Yes, It would have been nice to see a high pass roll off filter option made for the US version at 614 MHz, also purchased at TAI. It was their last one on the first batch, I was fortunate to get my hands on a pair.

[@yaoxiao5275]

Hi Michael Wynne, sorry to bother you with this product being released for so long. I'm a location sound mixer from China, what I want to ask is whether this product can be powered? Because I don't have a slot-in receivers like yours, I use many receivers with a Chinese-made psc splitter, so when the betso bowtie antenna is connected, my receiver does not have any signal gain change, but once I turn it on The power on the pcs distributor, the signal of my receiver is very stable, but will it damage the Betso Bowtie Antenna？

[@MichaelWynneCAS]

Hi Yaoxiao, your distro most likely requires power to give adequate signal since it is being split into multiple connections, this is different then bias antenna power which is required for active antenna operation. There should be no harm to the passive Betso bowtie to provide either

[@yaoxiao5275]

@@MichaelWynneCAS Glad you responded to my comment in such a timely manner, I really appreciate it, I tried today with only the power switch on, not the power switch to the antenna, and everything seems to work. I hope your career and KZbin channel are getting better and better!

[@Gregg0Palmer]

Excellent Review!

[@MichaelWynneCAS]

Thank you Gregg Palmer!

[@bekalivick5601]

Can you plug these straight into a lectrosonics SRb? or do you have to use an RF distro?

[@MichaelWynneCAS]

Hi Beke, certainly you’ll just need the included BNC to SMA cable

[@bernardopsc52]

Nice video Michael! Which distribution system did you use?

[@MichaelWynneCAS]

Thank you Bernardo! On the bag you see behind me I’m using SD’s SL6 and my smaller bag uses the PSC RF distro

[@guangosdude]

Dumb question here. With the PSC do you use the power up option for the Bowties? Or since they are Passive is not an option?

[@Gregg0Palmer]

Sort of interesting question: are these only good for reception or could they be used for transmission also? For example UHF wireless hop to camera or IEM used by director/scripty?

[@MichaelWynneCAS]

Good question Gregg. The short answer is I don’t know. Hopefully someone from Betso can chime in. I do know that the Lectro SN600a dipole can be used to transmit or receive. I’ll drop them a line and see what they say. The current manual is not fully written yet at this time.

[@jimbo93hellyeah]

Gregg, any antenna can be used to transmit or receive. It is up to you to chose the correct polar pattern for the transmitting application.

[@Gregg0Palmer]

@@jimbo93hellyeah Hey Andrea, Is that true with active shark fin antennas?

[@aaronnewberry]

Can you think of an affordable bag RF Distro system?

[@MichaelWynneCAS]

Hi Aaron, really great question. The short answer is "no" not that I'm aware of. I believe one of the primary reasons is that it needs DC power for making up the RF signal loss when splitting signals and in such a small form factor it is costly to manufacture and the materials components necessary have to be properly RF isolated on each output. I own the one from PSC for my 633 rig and it was worth the cost. Some of my wireless needs/applications are modular and are used for IFB, IEM, Playback, VOG, etc and don't work with a SL6 or Venue type set up which is dedicated for talent so having a tool like this is very helpful. You can find affordable T adaptors which can solve a problem in a pinch but be weary, as each time you split the incoming signal in two you'll lose 3db or about 70% of your RF signal strength. I'd search for used PSC distro. Some may sell off if moving to knew slot type RF distribution with the 8 series expansion.

[@Mile26point2films]

As soon I can afford my Wisycom’s I’m getting the Betso Bowtie

[@MichaelWynneCAS]

Alejandro Reyes, I can relate. I also have the gear priority list, lol! Always great to hear from you!

[@ahmedadambd1939]

Can I plug it directly, using the provided cable, into the MPR52-ENG for example... and having a good result? Thanks

[@kappabravomusic2101]

Whoa! It comes with cables and a mount! What!?

[@MichaelWynneCAS]

Exactly my feeling as well Kirill!