Wireless in the banned frequencies

MVPBASS · #1 08-11-2011, 07:01 AM

So a TB member just sold me a Shure wireless that operates in the banned frequency and I have contacted him about getting a refund but I was wondering....what woulld happen if I used it? Would it even work? How does the FCC know when someone is using a wireless in the 700 hertz range? What would happen to me if I got caught? Just curious while awaiting a response from seller.

BassMonstrum · #2 08-11-2011, 07:08 AM

The men in black will come at night, dragging you out of your bed and perform experiments on you!

No, but seriously. If you decide to use it, I would presume you would get disturbances in your signal. The frequency is banned from other users so it can be used by (for example) a radiostation or mobilephone company. That means you'll probably pick up their signals or worse case, it won't even work.

That's a bummer! A friend of mine had to discard his wireless-system because of the new laws. I bought a Line 6 G50 right after since the frequency on it is not amongst the banned... yet.

EricssonB · #3 08-11-2011, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassMonstrum

The men in black will come at night, dragging you out of your bed and perform experiments on you!

If it's Will Smith

then at least you'll have your memory reprogrammed. But he'll only show up if ... there are ...

aliens.

cnltb · #4 08-11-2011, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MVPBASS

So a TB member just sold me a Shure wireless that operates in the banned frequency (what a guy, right) and I have contacted him about getting a refund but I was wondering....what woulld happen if I used it? Would it even work? How does the FCC know when someone is using a wireless in the 700 hertz range? What would happen to me if I got caught? Just curious while awaiting a responce from seller.

Why did you guy it without asking the questions which would have prevented this situation?
In my book it isn't his fault but yours.
as to what would happen if you used it...
I'd just try it out I guess :-).
If you get called on it, you can always say that you didn't know.

Billnc · #5 08-11-2011, 07:26 AM

If you live in the city forget it. I wouldn't even try. If you interfere with emergency comms you'd be in a little trouble I think. Also, radio signals are very easy to trace.

MVPBASS · #6 08-11-2011, 07:31 AM

I guess it is my fault. I didn't think that you were allowed to sell banned frequency wireless' in the US any longer. Most Ebay ads that I see say "for international use only" and list the frequency range. I will def ask from now own.

**bobbybass85** · #7 08-11-2011, 07:53 AM

I had this similar issue come up (though I bought my unit before the frequency bans). I had an AKG set that sat in a box for about a year or so, when I tried to use it after the ban had taken effect all I could get were intermittent signals and loud pops and buzzing.

I contacted AKG and was told:

" It appears that you are experiencing local RF interference. The WMS80 operates in the 700MHz bandwidth. The 700MHz bandwidth was cleared and auctioned off by the FCC approx 2 years ago. The big winners were Verizon, Google, and AT&T. These companies are using this now private-bandwidth to transmit proprietary network information. Most likely you are now within close proximity to their infrastructure’s transmission and the signal is interfering with your system. Furthermore, as of June 2010, it is now considered illegal to operate your 700MHz system per FCC regulations. "

The situation sucks, a lot of companies actually had trade-in programs for units that were in these frequencies where you could get credit for the banned units... but these are long since passed.

Here's the thread for more info if you want.
Wireless Problem Need Help!

MNAirHead · #8 08-11-2011, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MVPBASS

I guess it is my fault. I didn't think that you were allowed to sell banned frequency wireless' in the US any longer. Most Ebay ads that I see say "for international use only" and list the frequency range. I will def ask from now own.

You aren't. It's on the FCC page

Bassamatic · #9 08-11-2011, 08:37 AM

You MIGHT get intermittent interference from some mobile service, or might be totally wiped out by a TV station. What works this week may not work next week.

Normally, the FCC won't come looking for you unless someone complains, but they have been known to do mobile sweeps. Due to the limited range of these systems it is not likely that you will interfere with someone, but anything can happen. More likely that you will get interfered with.

MVPBASS · #10 08-11-2011, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

You aren't. It's on the FCC page

Well, hopefully this was a mistake on the sellers part and he'll refund my money.

Von Felgenhauer · #11 08-11-2011, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

You aren't. It's on the FCC page

I don't I think that applies for personal sales

Lync · #12 08-13-2011, 08:18 AM

Just buy a tin foil hat and all is good.

The singer I am playing with now used to play Atlantic City in the early 90's and her wireless mic she originally bought for those gigs is older than that. I am thinking she is totally out of compliance...but, it seems to work fine and I haven't witnessed any interference issues in the few gigs I have done with her. Could be interesting down the line though LOL.

Dave Walker · #13 08-13-2011, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lync

Just buy a tin foil hat and all is good.

The singer I am playing with now used to play Atlantic City in the early 90's and her wireless mic she originally bought for those gigs is older than that. I am thinking she is totally out of compliance...but, it seems to work fine and I haven't witnessed any interference issues in the few gigs I have done with her. Could be interesting down the line though LOL.

That system is probably Uhf, I've read that these systems don't come into the changes, at least not here in the UK.

Cheers, Dave

Lync · #14 08-13-2011, 08:39 AM

Good point...didn't think of that.

srxplayer · #15 08-13-2011, 04:52 PM

I have one of those AKG Guitar Bug wireless units that operates in the 700 mhz band. I still use it in my practice room. I have not picked up any interference yet but I won't use it to play out.

I have noticed that the local Guitar Centers will sell them on their bargain tables. I questioned them about that and they played dumb.

DWBass · #16 08-13-2011, 05:46 PM

I had a nice WMS80 system that would no longer work. So I ended up trashing it.

Hopefully you can get your money back. I wouldn't bother trying to use it!

Munjibunga · #17 08-14-2011, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnltb

In my book it isn't his fault but yours.

"Let the buyer beware" notwithstanding, I disagree. The seller should have disclosed the fact that the unit is essentially useless in the U.S. The seller has 7 feedbacks at 100% positive. If I were him I'd want to keep it that way and refund the money. If I were the buyer and didn't receive a full refund, there'd be negative feedback.

cnltb · #18 08-15-2011, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

"Let the buyer beware" notwithstanding, I disagree. The seller should have disclosed the fact that the unit is essentially useless in the U.S. The seller has 7 feedbacks at 100% positive. If I were him I'd want to keep it that way and refund the money. If I were the buyer and didn't receive a full refund, there'd be negative feedback.

Well, there's that , but in a situation such as this, I would still not blame anyone but myselve for not doing my homework on anything I buy.
It's easy enough to do.
Especially since the wireless thing has been quite an issue in recent months and most people(at least those with whom I speak ) would be aware of the potential problems.

MVPBASS · #19 08-15-2011, 07:38 AM

Its a shame that on a forum such as Talkbass that you'd have to ask whether the product will work or not. I'd expect that on Ebay or Craigslist. That's like buying an amp that doesn't work and saying "well, you never asked if it worked", you just expect it to work.

Bardley · #20 08-15-2011, 07:49 AM

It is illegal to sell the banned equipment in the US. It IS the seller's fault. You deserve a full refund. We had to replace over 20 wireless systems at work when the ban came down and it cost us around $16k to do so. Now we have about 15 Sennheiser lav sets waiting to be shipped to our workers overseas. It is illegal for us to sell them otherwise.

"On January 15, 2010, the FCC banned the sale, manufacture or import of any wireless microphones (and similar devices) that are intended for use in the United States in the 700 MHz Band."

Site the FCC page and get a refund.