The FCC Incentive Auction is entering Stage 4:
Stage 4 Clearing Target Band Plan (one possible outcome of the auction, as of 12/06/2016)
This leaves the majority of the UHF TV band unchanged. This is important for wireless microphone operators because these frequencies have very favorable characteristics. They travel through walls, achieve extended range from low transmitter power, use compact antennas, etc. That is why one of our prime messages to the FCC has been that UHF must remain part of the spectrum portfolio available to wireless microphones, especially for hyper-critical applications.
Of course, our industry would prefer that the entire 600 MHz band remain available to mics. However, the continued availability of lower UHF, together with the access we recently gained in several alternate frequency ranges, ensures that the future includes plenty of wireless microphone systems.
- Re-purposed spectrum will be above 614 MHz (maybe higher depending on the final auction outcome). UHF systems will be able to operate as they have been, under traditional FCC regulations.
- Looking at the bigger picture, Stage 4 will take an additional 24 MHz (four TV channels) off the auction block, a significant reduction compared to previous stages. That means all UHF wireless mic and monitor systems can continue to legally tune to those channels and operate on those deemed "white space" (not used for local over-the-air TV broadcast).
Stage 4 Clearing Target Band Plan (one possible outcome of the auction, as of 12/06/2016)
This leaves the majority of the UHF TV band unchanged. This is important for wireless microphone operators because these frequencies have very favorable characteristics. They travel through walls, achieve extended range from low transmitter power, use compact antennas, etc. That is why one of our prime messages to the FCC has been that UHF must remain part of the spectrum portfolio available to wireless microphones, especially for hyper-critical applications.
Of course, our industry would prefer that the entire 600 MHz band remain available to mics. However, the continued availability of lower UHF, together with the access we recently gained in several alternate frequency ranges, ensures that the future includes plenty of wireless microphone systems.
