	Article Directory		Article Submission Service		Article Marketing Blog		Publishers		Member Log In

Article Directory :: Computers & Technology Articles

FCC Regulations and the Use of Wireless Mics

By Bruce Hathaway

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 08Jun2011
Word count: 787
Viewed: 271 time(s)

Get Free Content For Your Site

Since the decision was made to switch all television broadcasts over to a digital spectrum, there has been significant concern on the part of those who rely on wireless microphone technology. Musicians who play live, pastors and preachers who prefer to be free to roam the stage as they speak, and many actors in plays all depend on the concept of wire free vocal amplification in order to do their jobs properly. Recent developments in the arena of frequency regulation have caused some difficulties for these and other people.

The broadband spectrum was not this crowded until only a few short years ago. Even as recently as the turn of the new millennium there was not the proliferation of wireless Internet connections, public hot spots, and the ever increasing prevalence of the latest ultra-tech smart phones that there is now. All of these devices use parts of the available, and very finite, broadcasting bands.

At first the problem was quite stunning. No one was entirely sure what the eventual impact would be, but those who used wireless mics understood immediately that there were going to be some difficulties, especially with some of the older equipment. Many UHF frequency mics in use these days are set up to broadcast in a range between seven hundred and forty-six and eight hundred and six Megahertz. With the new signal restructuring, the FCC intended to allocate that section of the band to emergency services instead of UHF band television, seemingly oblivious to the inconvenience that such interference could cause.

Emergency services are unpredictable. With this new frequency sharing, it was entirely likely that someone could rehearse all day on what they thought was a clear channel, only to find that they start broadcasting the local fire or ambulance service in the middle of a live performance. While it is possible to have the frequency changed on most mics, this is not a free service offered by the manufacturers.

Churches with larger congregations find themselves hardest hit in some ways. Many places of worship have traditionally occupied the seven hundred Megahertz band for their services, and they are very resistant to changing their set up now. Unfortunately, there are significant fines now in effect for those found to be operating illegal seven hundred Megahertz devices and those companies who now command the band are not likely to brook much trespass on their spectrum.

When that part of the broadband spectrum was auctioned off, the major telecommunications companies like AT&T and Verizon were extremely determined to possess it. For the most part, this claiming of a frequency range has a lot to do with the projected developments in the future, but it is also relevant to the continued operation of existing systems.

The problem for those who continue to operate unauthorized transmitters in this range is that these companies are far more aggressive about protecting their investments than the FCC is about simply enforcing their regulations. While they may feel confident that there is no way an agent or representative from the Federal Communications Commission would ever stumble across their little church in rural Kentucky during the hour or so a week that an illicit mic is in operation, these people may not feel the same about the telecommunications giants.

So on one side there is the big business interests of AT&T and Verizon. On the other side we have the FCC quite able to claim that, with the new allocation of the band to emergency services, unauthorized wireless use represents a potential public danger. In the middle sits the unfortunate seven hundred Megahertz operator, facing a stiff fine and very aggressive plaintiffs. This isn't what a small town pastor wanted when he decided to form a ministry.

This was proven to be a realistic concern shortly after the white space band was given over to the telecommunication companies. Only ten weeks after the regulations came into force, there had been no action taken by the FCC against wireless users operating in the restricted frequencies. There had, however, been instances of Verizon claiming exclusive license and a right to protection against users who are in violation of the new FCC ruling.

It's not a great situation for many churches and performers. While it is true that the available bandwidth is limited and that there is much to be said for keeping great swaths of it clear for future development, it really does inconvenience those people who have been using wireless microphones quite happily and without incident for years.

Bruce is a renowned recordist, and producer. If you want to learn more about the FCC ruling, click on the link where you'll find more useful information about the FCC. If you're interested in buying a wireless microphone you can visit his online shop.

EasyPublish™ this article - publishers click here