I'm ready to pull what's left of my hair out.

So I get that Shure is, for the most part, the industry standard in this area. Maybe not an absolute standard, but certainly a little like the 90% market share Windows had over Mac in the '90s prior to OSX and Linux on the desktop. Anyway, I'm trying to figure all this out and feel like I'm constantly driving my car into a brick wall.

I understand Shure makes a TON of different wireless systems. That's part of the problem. The other part is that many of those systems are discontinued. The biggest problem I'm having is finding a reasonably cost effective (sub-$500 setup for 2 mics) solution now that I can expand at some point. I don't mind -- in fact, I want -- used and am just not able to wrap my head around what all is offered/needed.

I've found tons of SLX4 receivers for sale at prices ranging from $60 to $200. I've found a few combo units with the receiver and mic (SM58 or similar; not beltpack) transmitter in the $375 range. Either are fine. What I can't find is many stand alone mics -- either the SM58 or Beta mic that work with the SLX4 receiver. The new ones are on the newer, digital systems -- and even that is confusing because there is the D series and the D+ series, and I'm not sure what's compatible with either.

Finally, the frequency issues. I get that I have to pair the receiver and transmitter on the same frequency -- H9, J(x), etc. What I'm also seeing, but haven't found a great deal of information on, is do these frequencies vary in reception quality by location? In other words, being in North Texas, should I pick one or the other?

For those that have some experience with these things -- maybe in a church sound setting -- if you could help me, I'd appreciate it.

Shoot me an email. jeff -at- darksidesystems -dot- com. I'm a former church media ministry head that hung up his own shingle because the market stinks for houses of worship that aren't spending north of $50k on upgrades/remodels.

You should start with RF. Check out the Shure frequency finder and get a rough idea of what might be available in your location. If you're anywhere remotely densely populated you probably shouldn't be spending money on analog wireless mics. Also don't buy anything in the 600 MHz range as that's no longer usable.

I know it's a bit more than you want to spend but if I were buying wireless mics right now I would go with Shure SLXD. Specifically in the G58 band in DFW. Unfortunately they're hard to find used as they only came out a couple years ago.

I would also consider Audix mics as an alternative. You can get an OM5 capsule for a wireless mic setup with a receiver. I own a wired OM5 and it's pretty great. Haven't used it for a while now since I haven't been gigging.

HTH.