FCC Bans Use of Some
Wireless Microphones
by Frank Coachman
T
he Federal Communications
Commission has issued a ban on
wireless devices operating in the
700 MHz band effective June 12,
2010. The frequencies between 698 and
806 MHz are considered in the 700 MHz
band. This frequency range was used in
part for broadcast analog television stations. As you are aware, analog broadcast TV was moved to digital television
(DTV) frequencies on June 12, 2009, and
is no longer using the 700 MHz band.
The FCC has now reserved the
700 MHz Band for public safety entities such as police, fire, and emergency
services and by commercial providers of
wireless services such as wireless broadband. The continued use of wireless
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Southwestern Musician | May 2010
devices in this range can cause harmful
interference to the public safety and wireless consumer services.
Wireless microphones are not the only
devices that might operate on these frequencies. You might also check any wireless intercoms, wireless in-ear monitors
(IEMs), wireless audio instrument links,
and wireless cueing equipment (IFBs).
If you are unsure about your wireless
microphone, check the FCC website for
a list of manufacturers and model numbers to see if your microphone system is
listed. Go to the following FCC webpage:
www.fcc.gov/cgb/wirelessmicrophones.
Contact the manufacturer for all other
wireless devices.
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