OK so first of all, it looks like the switch to DTV is going to be delayed until at least June now. That gives us all a little reprieve before we have to have our plan of action figured out. However, in an article from the January issue of Live Sound International (posted online at ProSound Web) there are some interesting developments that are good news to those of us with wireless microphones. Read the article, I'm not going to go through it all here, but wireless microphones are being given a great deal of liberal protection under the new structure. As predicted the FCC has heard the calls of millions of wireless microphone users and is doing all that it can to protect our interests.
http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/wire ... microphon/
Now, one thing of special note, because I know this is going to affect many of us (it affects my Karaoke business and the lead singer in our band). The 700MHz Band is going to be off limits to Wireless microphones in the very near future. Any wireless microphones operating on frequencies 698MHz - 806MHz are going to have to be replaced, although the FCC hasn't made a statement to indicate a specific date. Presumably it will be whenever the switch to DTV occurs as that is when that frequency band will be reallocated to Public Safety use. It would be a good idea to check your microphones now to determine what frequencies they use and if they're in that range, start making plans to upgrade. Shure is running a rebate program for those that have to replace their microphones even if the one you trade in is not a Shure product.
From this release by the FCC it is clear that those of us with devices in the VHF range (TV channels 7-13, 174-216 MHz) or UHF range between TV channels 14-51 (470-698 MHz) are going to not only still be ok but will now be given additional protection by the FCC. Of course one remaining question also mentioned in the article, is will the FCC begin enforcing the licensing requirements that all of us are subject to but currently do not comply with.
The latest on wireless microphones after the DTV switch
From all accounts, yes. And now since it's a public safety assigned bandwidth, the chances that you'd receive complaints and the FCC would investigate will be much higher. The first time Paradise by the Dashboard Lights splashes across an ambulance dispatch system, you can bet they won't be real thrilled and someone will come looking.
The FCC is really weeding through a mess of their own creation. For so long they've not enforced or regulated the use of wireless microphones and have all but ignored their existance. Now their hand is being forced and while they're doing a lot of good things, there's just a ton of work to be done and much is still unclear.
The FCC is really weeding through a mess of their own creation. For so long they've not enforced or regulated the use of wireless microphones and have all but ignored their existance. Now their hand is being forced and while they're doing a lot of good things, there's just a ton of work to be done and much is still unclear.
Egads, that could be the worst case scenario. Of course just because this band has become available to them for use doesn't mean necessarily they'll switch right to it. The way this stuff always works is you'll be fine until either you get interference from them, in which case you'll want to switch quick, or they get interference from you and file a complaint with the FCC. If the latter happens, you could be facing some pretty stiff fines (if they can prove it was you). So it's a case of needed to be quite careful and bear in mind that even if the ambulance company and fire dept don't switch the police station across town might and you could cause interference with that cruiser parked outside.
As you can tell, my attitude on this is that it's better to just replace the mics than take the chance on being the one in the news that helped a fugitive get away or prevented an ambulance finding the scene of a fatal accident.
I'm guessing by the way you're aksing that your mics do operate in the 700 MHz bandwidth? I'd recommend checking with Audio Technica (I think that's the manufacturer you said you had) and see if they at least have a rebate program like Shure is offering. Might help offset some of the cost.
Again the good news is we have more time now (addition four months) before public safety could even start using that bandwidth and as long as they don't convert to it day one, you have an even longer time. Of course then you're starting to play with fire.
As you can tell, my attitude on this is that it's better to just replace the mics than take the chance on being the one in the news that helped a fugitive get away or prevented an ambulance finding the scene of a fatal accident.
I'm guessing by the way you're aksing that your mics do operate in the 700 MHz bandwidth? I'd recommend checking with Audio Technica (I think that's the manufacturer you said you had) and see if they at least have a rebate program like Shure is offering. Might help offset some of the cost.
Again the good news is we have more time now (addition four months) before public safety could even start using that bandwidth and as long as they don't convert to it day one, you have an even longer time. Of course then you're starting to play with fire.
