05/09/2018
Sorry for the long post.... but...
Information regarding the use of Wireless Microphone Systems
Please forgive the “form” notice here – but, it is essential that this information gets out to everyone that uses wireless microphone systems – very quickly.
I’ll jump straight to the bottom line….
If you are operating wireless microphones – of any type – anywhere in the 600mhz band, by law (the FCC) you MUST stop using these systems as soon as possible – absolutely by 2020, which is only 18 months away…..
Why? Due to the massive (and still growing) use of personal wireless devices – cell phones, tablets, computers (and a zillion other things), the FCC has been making changes to the radio frequency spectrum to make room for the flood of consumer electronic devices.
Why wireless microphones? The wireless microphones we’ve all been using, are considered “unlicensed, low power devices” and are able to operate in what is referred to as “white spaces” between television stations (and other broadcasters). These “white space” areas (in the 600mhz spectrum) have been sold by the FCC to companies like Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, and every wireless carrier you can think of – to allow for the new generation of devices now being sold to the public – meaning, that your wireless systems (in the 600mhz band) are not going to operate properly anymore. We’re already starting to see this happen in schools and churches.
How will you know if you’re being affected? Unfortunately, the only way to know will be in the middle of a performance or church service, when the hundreds of cell phones and tablets in your audience or congregation cause interference with your sound system. Trust me on this, you’re going to be affected, and there is absolutely no way around it.
Again, by Federal Law, it will be illegal to operate any unlicensed wireless (microphone) devices in the 600mhz band in the future.
How do you know If you have one (or more) of these units? The easiest way, on many professional grade systems, is to look at the front panel display of the wireless microphone receiver. You may see a 6-digit number – three digits, with a dot (.) followed by three digits – for example 638.575 or 680.000…. any that start with a “600” number are included.
If you do not see a ‘6-digit number’ how do you tell what frequency it’s operating on? Sometimes, Code Numbers are used to denote the operating frequency – such as “L4” or “HC” or “M7” – Other system may simply display a ‘Group’ and/or a ‘Channel’ number. To determine the exact frequency, you will need to have (or access via the internet) the manual for the make and model of the system you are using. In the manual, there should be a chart denoting the code number and or group / frequency numbers. This may not be easy for some people to decipher – we understand – we’ve been doing this for a long time.
To this point – we’re here to help.
As said earlier, there’s no way around this issue – and you certainly don’t want to wait until you’re in the middle of a service or performance to ‘find out the hard way’ if you’re going to be affected or not – you will be.
You will probably want to know more about this issue, so I’ve included several links to help you get this information – you may also do a generic “Google” search for ‘600mhz”
https://www.audio-technica.com/cms/site/16505e589e0be6c8/index.html
https://en-us.sennheiser.com/spectrum
https://nofilmschool.com/2017/11/how-600-mhz-wireless-auction-will-impact-filmmaking
https://www.rfvenue.com/blog/2017/01/19/incentive-auctions-meet-fsr
http://www.shure.com/americas/support/spectrum-topics/uhf-tv-band-incentive-auction
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us!!
Thanks! Robin
