Heads Up wireless users -- new FCC policy

Swimming Bird · #1 11-05-2008, 12:11 PM

Hey guys who use wireless systems -- the FCC is opening up the frequencies normally used for these to data and cell phones. There is a good chance that within a year or two your systems may no longer be practical due to huge amounts of interference.

Read the article.

Bardley · #2 11-05-2008, 12:38 PM

As an audio tech, I've been keeping up with this. It's kinda scary. The FCC has already outlawed the use of wireless devices in the 700Mhz range starting Feb 17th '09. That includes about $25 grand worth of Lectrosonics and Sennheiser Mics we have at work. This is really going to hurt the audio industry in the coming years.

markjazzbassist · #3 11-05-2008, 12:50 PM

that really sucks. in Dallas all the frequencies are already blocked. we had to go wired for our in-ear monitors which SUCKS.

Kwin Smith · #4 11-05-2008, 01:07 PM

When did that happen? I haven't had any trouble, yet. Maybe I misunderstand "blocked" frequencies. Could someone enlighten me, please?

markjazzbassist · #5 11-05-2008, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunkinfunder

When did that happen? I haven't had any trouble, yet. Maybe I misunderstand "blocked" frequencies. Could someone enlighten me, please?

the 500 range is fine. anything in the 600's is noise in Dallas.

Kwin Smith · #6 11-05-2008, 01:48 PM

My Shure SLX is in the 600's and I have no problems.

CrashClint · #7 11-05-2008, 01:56 PM

I wonder if it will affect my X2 which is digital running in the UHF 900mhz band?

rarisgod · #8 11-05-2008, 02:10 PM

By this are you referring to like Wireless cord systems as well?
:S that's why it caught my attention...

CliftonBonney · #9 11-05-2008, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrashClint

I wonder if it will affect my X2 which is digital running in the UHF 900mhz band?

It should not affect your X2. Their website says the units are 2009 Compliant. I can't find what this exactly means. But, I do remember reading some time ago that it is referred to this change in February.

SteveC · #10 12-05-2008, 10:20 AM

I'm curious about this as well. I'd like to have an X2 system, but don't want to have an expensive paper weight in Feb 09.

Noosh · #11 12-05-2008, 10:36 AM

yea, i just ordered an X2... if its gonna be useless in a few months, ill be sending that baby right on back.... someone help us out here?

AndyLES · #12 12-05-2008, 10:42 AM

X2s and Sabines will be fine. It's the other brands that are gonna hurt.

thejohnkim · #13 12-05-2008, 10:45 AM

how can we tell which are going to be and which are not? is there a set of parameters to look out for that can be found in the manu's published specs? since apparently going at just the 500/600/700's criteria seems to not be enough.

Bardley · #14 12-05-2008, 11:20 AM

Anything in the 700mhz band is now banned for use by the FCC. The 500 and 600mhz bands should be OK depending on your location. This doesn't mean the 700mhz devices (wireless mics, IEMs, etc.) will not work. It just means the frequencies are now going to be used for other devices (broadband Internet type devices, etc.) and wireless mics and such will be crowded out by the mass of new devices in that frequency spectrum.

It just means it's going to be MUCH harder to find a useable clean frequency in the coming years.

Bardley · #15 12-05-2008, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrashClint

I wonder if it will affect my X2 which is digital running in the UHF 900mhz band?

No it will not. It will only affect devices in the lower bands.

CrashClint · #16 12-05-2008, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bardley

No it will not. It will only affect devices in the lower bands.

Thanks, I appreciate the update. Man, I love my X2 would cry if it would have been rendered useless.

afroman · #17 12-06-2008, 03:32 PM

This is one of the reasons I bought my X2-Plus.
Works great, sounds amazing and I keep it in my pedalboard.

+ No FCC concerns.

bl2112 · #18 12-06-2008, 08:53 PM

My dad picked up a unit for 50 bucks at GC on black friday. It's a Nady UHF-7. It's no longer on the nady site and other big music sites (GC, ZZounds, Sam Ash and Musicians Friend). It doesnt say anything about 2009. After reading this I told me dad and he said thats probably why it went for that price. For frequency it is 794.9 MHz. Will these units be useless?

ashtray · #19 12-18-2008, 12:13 AM

Sennheiser is offering rebates on trade ins for wireless devices in the 700 Mhz range. Depends when you bought it, etc - but it's a very bold move for them to offer this. Just FYI.

http://www.sennheiserusa.com/media/p...nge_Rebate.pdf

Bardley · #20 12-18-2008, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bl2112

My dad picked up a unit for 50 bucks at GC on black friday. It's a Nady UHF-7. It's no longer on the nady site and other big music sites (GC, ZZounds, Sam Ash and Musicians Friend). It doesnt say anything about 2009. After reading this I told me dad and he said thats probably why it went for that price. For frequency it is 794.9 MHz. Will these units be useless?

It's pretty shady for them to be selling these knowing this was happening. Your device will be illegal to operate after Feb 17th '09. That doesn't mean the unit will not work. It just means that after AT&T and the others start flooding those frequencies with all of their new devices in the next couple of years, you may be unable to use it due to interference. Most manufacturers pulled the stuff and made it special order until the end of the year. After that it will be illegal for retailers to sell or even ship these units.

Sounds like GC pulled a fast one.

Basically if any wireless unit operates between 698mhz and 800mhz it will be illegal to operate after 2/17/09. It will still work and the police are not going to haul you away for firing it up. You just may be unable to find open frequencies once all the new devices hit the street.