Although not found on all receivers, people tend to over look this function and yet it really is a great feature.

Let us paint a small scenario for you: You are working an important corporate gig. Suddenly, over the radio system (via front of house) comes some interference being transmitted by a source close by. Not a big problem. You simply pull the fader down, smile nicely as you charge past the waiting presenter and patrons to switch the channels on the radio microphone system. Now with the new channel selected, you bring the fader back up. Only to find that the new channel you have selected has more noise on it than the one you just left. This is when it really starts to become embarrassing.

Fact is, you should have used the small red RF test button on the receiver unit. It's such a great little gizmo. The RF test button, allows you to flick through the channels getting a visual indication of any activity on the channel without any audio being sent from the receiver. An LED glows with varying intensity showing how much activity is happening on the channel. If the newly selected channel is noisy, just move to the next channel. Very simple, very quick. Always a clear channel every time. Bring the fader back up and boy does it make you look just just that extra bit more professional. Even better, use this function to scan through the channels before the gig starts.

So, in future, leave the channel guessing to somebody else.

The simple but very effective RF-Test button found on most quality receivers.

As a small note: A really good guy for tips like this is Michael Prestipino at National Audio Systems (Ph.04 - 1254 2162) but don't ask him about bicycles or pet fish because he goes on for hours and hours about the damn things.