New HDTV Frequencies & UHF wireless

[jkowtko]

I've heard that the FCC is allocating more of the UHF frequency band for HDTV broadcasting, and that it's going to interfere with many of the UHF wireless systems, forcing us to new 2.4 or 5.8gHz bands. However the FCC site still shows the 614-806 mHz allocated to "broadcasting", and I can't find any more info on this.

Does anyone have more info on what frequences, when this will happen, etc?

Thanks. John

[avkid]

This has been beat to death over at the LAB.
http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/

[Van]

Yeah we have a two year old Wireless mic system that is going to be useless in two more years. I'm betting the best idea is going to be, sell it to some group in the middle of Nebraska, where they'll get decent use out of it for the next 10 years.

[Traitor800]

For once im grateful that i go to school in the middle of nowhere

[mbenonis]

I have not heard anything along these lines, and highly doubt it's true. For the record, the problem we face is NOT digital* broadcasting, but rather a combination of re-banding of the upper part of the UHF TV broadcast spectrum and interference from part 15 devices which may be allowed to transmit in the TV spectrum in the future, after the Feb. 2009 digital cutoff. Please see my many previous posts on this subject if you'd like to learn more.

*Digital does NOT equal high definition. The FCC is mandating that all television broadcasts be in digital, but not necessarily HD, format by Feb. 2009.

[avkid]

The reallocation has nothing to do with HDTV transition.
See www.dtv.gov for the real scoop on digital television broadcasting.

[mbenonis]

The reallocation has nothing to do with HDTV.
The FAQ about DTV is located here:
http://www.dtv.gov/

Yes and no. Essentially what the FCC is doing is re-allocating the band from 698-806 MHz to wireless companies (this is the part of the spectrum Google, Verizon, and AT&T are bidding on) and to the public safety two-way radio service. What it means for us is that wireless systems operating in this part of the spectrum will be illegal* to operate when the reallocation is complete. Information on these reallocation efforts are available here:

http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/ind...me&id=lower700 (Wireless - lower 700 MHz)
http://www.fcc.gov/pshs/spectrum/700mhz/ (Public Safety - upper 700 MHz)

*Technically, all wireless microphone systems are illegal to operate unless you are a television station or a movie studio and have a license for every frequency you operate on. However, the FCC looks the other way if you're not interfering with any TV stations. However, the risk for interference will be much, much greater once the reallocation takes place and wireless and public safety radio's are operating in the 700 MHz band.

[jkowtko]

Thanks Mike -- that article on "lower 700" seems to state it pretty clearly. The FCC ruling was in 2002 though, so do you think that means it's going to take a long time for the airwaves to get congested, or are we already there and have a good chance of our wireless continuing to work even after the transition is complete? I live in the SF Bay Area where there are a zillion stations, and I know that for our AKG units they recommended calling tech support and looking up on the FCC sites to find out what stations are in your area and selecting frequencies to stay clear of them. If that's all that is needed going forward then these units may still be okay.

[mbenonis]

Originally Posted by jkowtko

Thanks Mike -- that article on "lower 700" seems to state it pretty clearly. The FCC ruling was in 2002 though, so do you think that means it's going to take a long time for the airwaves to get congested, or are we already there and have a good chance of our wireless continuing to work even after the transition is complete? I live in the SF Bay Area where there are a zillion stations, and I know that for our AKG units they recommended calling tech support and looking up on the FCC sites to find out what stations are in your area and selecting frequencies to stay clear of them. If that's all that is needed going forward then these units may still be okay.

Well, if your units operate in what will become the new wireless spectrum, you'll have to replace your gear with something operating lower in frequency in the TV band (470 -698 MHz). Unlike the TV band, it's not going to be a matter of dodging stations, but rather avoiding creating interference for LICENSED users of the spectrum (when this happens, you get a nasty letter from the FCC and a bill for thousands of dollars, even for once alleged case of interference). It's not worth it. Besides, when everyone starts carrying 700 MHz wireless devices, you're going to have tons of interference anyway.

[museav]

Originally Posted by mbenonis

*Technically, all wireless microphone systems are illegal to operate unless you are a television station or a movie studio and have a license for every frequency you operate on. However, the FCC looks the other way if you're not interfering with any TV stations. However, the risk for interference will be much, much greater once the reallocation takes place and wireless and public safety radio's are operating in the 700 MHz band.

This is an important issue as the vast majority of VHF and UHF microphones use has never been technically 'legal' and has simply been accepted as long as it is not a problem. This is likely a factor in the frequency reallocations as in the eyes of the FCC and elected officials the vast majority of the existing wireless mic users are a non-entity and have no real claim to that bandwidth. So any argument on our behalf has had to be somewhat indirect through legitimate users such as licensed broadcasters or by less direct methods such as identifying to elected officials how this will affect their entertainment, worship, etc.