FCC changes & wireless in-ear monitors

are you referring to the white space issue? are you talking about wired or wireless?

Not true. Wireless doesn't transmit far enough for the interference he may be worried about. Also, they are pretty much self contained closed circuits, though not quite. Basically, a wireless system broadcasts and receives to itself, not to the masses. You can use anything you have so long as no one else is on the frequency. If you have a multi-channel you're set--just switch frequencies until you get a clear channel, which is what you're probably doing now. None of that's going to change. Some places may have extra channels alloted to them for digital TV broadcasts, but the analog ones will be available in many places so you'll still have channels and frequencies to work with.

However, your buddyWILL have to throw out that old TV set with the rabbit ears and missing channel knob

lindseyp:
I'm sorry but your understanding of how wireless equipment operates is completely incorrect. I work for a professional 9-piece band and we use seven in-ear monitor mixes in addition to eleven wireless mics. This FCC decision has effected us in a major way. Let me explain.

First of all, the wireless equipment we all use is powerful enough to interfere with other equipment operating at close to or on the same frequency. They are not "closed circuits", as you call them.

Think of it as a large gymnasium filled with two sets of people: talkers and listeners (in the case of wireless gear, transmitters and recievers). Each talker has his own listener, who is the only person in the room that can hear him (his own frequency). This is how wireless gear works- you set the transmitter and reciever to be on the same frequency.

Now, you tell every talker to talk at the same time. Obviously there is a lot of talking and noise to the casual observer. Even though everyone is talking at the same time, because each listener can only hear his talker, a clear conversation can be had among the countless others going on concurrently.

Without getting too technical, just because you set your wireless gear to a frequency that seems to be free, doesn't mean it is. Wireless signal is not all-or-nothing. It comes and goes based on many factors. Also, even though the fundamental frequency you use (the one on the display) seems clear, there is also third-order, fifth-order, etc. harmonic distortion that occurs. For example, if your fifth-order harmonic is the same as the fundamental of someone else's system, dropouts will occur. This stuff doesn't play nicely together sometimes.

There is a limit to the number of "conversations" that can be had in a given geographical area, however. The number of frequencies is limited, and that is what the FCC ruling has to do with. The ruling states that all unlicensed equipment operaing in the current "white spaces" (the bandwidth that does not require a license to operate in) must cease. The reason for this is to open up more frequencies for, among other things, digital television, wireless broadband internet, and public safety equipment.

The current white spaces are between 700 and 800 MHz(roughly). That block of frequencies was split up and auctioned off piece by piece, each buyer buying the right to use that frequency (for example, Verizon or AT&T, who want to sell wireless broadband). The FCC ruling mandates that as of February 17, 2009, the current white spaces must be vacated. This means that a wireless microphone that is programmed to work in that space will become an illegal transmitter, potentially making harmful interference to other legal transmitters licensed to operate in that area.

The FCC didn't eliminate the white spaces, they just moved them to between 525 and 650 MHz (roughly). As you can see, this causes problems for bands like mine, as all of our old wireless gear had to be replaced with gear that operated in the new legal white spaces.

In short, the way wireless gear works will not change, just the range in which it operates.

To the OP, what your sound guy friend told you was correct. On February 17 you may not be legally able to use some of your wireless equipment. Check the frequencies you are using. Do some reading online about this topic, as this is not a new issue. It has been going on now for a few years.

The good news is, a lot of old VHF equipment may suddenly become usable again. If you've got old wireless stuff you threw out in 1990, dust it off and see if the frequencies are clear in February.

Also, these changes are US only. Your gear may be usable overseas.

I work in commercial audio, so the new FCC regulations are really having an impact on us, especially since no one is exactly sure what the new regulations will be. White spaces have been a controversial topic for some time and will continue to be in the public discussions for the foreseeable future as the details of the FCC’s direction are refined. What we are sure of is that the FCC actually made it ILLEGAL to sell (not necessarily to use) wireless microphones on the 700 MHz block in November 2008. The following is pasted from Audio-Technica's website:

Overall the FCC has not changed the regulations regarding wireless microphones under Part 74. Wireless microphones maintain their protection as secondary devices for licensed users, and can operate for those users in UHF channels 14-51. Wireless microphones may also still be licensed to operate under part 15 (very broad licenses available for “Traveling Band” VHF frequencies) and in 944-952 MHz under part 74 (much more broadcast specific licenses) without any changes. The concern now is how other devices entering the spectrum affect wireless microphone use.

There are some newer terms to understand:

TVBD (Television Band Devices) — Previously known as “white space devices,” these devices come in two types:

Fixed devices — stationary, higher power transmit and receive devices designed to provide high speed DSL to rural areas (“the last mile&#8221.
Portable devices — personal, lower power consumer devices yet to be designed that will offer expanded interface options (think blue tooth) and enhanced mobile functionality for a variety of applications such as entertainment, communication and accessories. Portable devices come in two classes:
1. Mode I devices: controlled by a fixed device that predetermines the available channels on which the device can transmit and receive within its location.
2. Mode II devices: independent devices that must use their own geolocation capabilities and look up its location within a geolocation database to determine available channels on which the device can transmit and receive.

Geolocation database — a database maintained by an FCC selected third party (or parties) that tracks the owner/operator, location, frequency, operating power, and dates/times of use for licensed devices. This will include television stations, fixed TVBD’s, protected channels (e.g. channel 37), and registered licensed wireless microphones or large venues and events where wireless microphones are used.
Spectrum sensing — In addition to employing geo-location control, TVBD’s will be required to “listen” to the spectrum and identify frequencies occupied by television stations and wireless microphones, and subsequently avoid these frequencies.
Adaptive power — portable devices will be required to reduce their output power when sensing other device’s transmissions or operating in certain environments determined by the geo-location database.

The biggest concern of wireless microphone users has been what effect TVBD’s will have on their equipment. The FCC has addressed this first and foremost by retaining their secondary use status under part 74 of the current regulations, protecting wireless mics from interference and preventing interference with primaries (e.g. TV stations). To support its continuation, several safeguards have been built into the emerging regulations.

The first safeguard is separating where they can operate. Fixed and portable TVBD’s present different challenges to the spectrum. Portable TVDB’s, which will likely grow in spectrum use over time, are limited to operation within channels 21-51 with certain power restrictions. Fixed TVDB’s may operate in channels 2 and 5-51, but are prohibited from operating adjacent to an active TV channel and in channels 14-21 in or near the 13 metropolitan areas as identified by the FCC: Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Cleveland, OH; Dallas/Fort Worth, TX; Detroit, MI; Houston, TX; Los Angeles, CA; Miami, FL; New York City, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; San Francisco, CA; and Washington, DC. It is important to note that the spectrum availability known today in these major metropolitan areas will remain similar to as it was prior to this report and order.

The FCC purposely allocated additional bands around channel 37 to allow for wireless microphone operation. No TVDB’s can operate in channel 37 (reserved for radioastronomy), and all TVBDs will be prohibited from operation on the first available channel on both sides of channel 37 within a market. To illustrate, if a given market has a TV station on channel 36, TVDB’s cannot operate on 35 or 38, leaving them open for part 74 devices.

Another safeguard is the geolocation database that will be implemented to govern how and when TVBD’s operate. The details on the database structure and maintenance are still being worked out by the FCC, but it will be a central repository where licensed and registered wireless users and other spectrum-using entities log their location, frequency, days/times of operation, power levels, and other pertinent information. Before transmitting, a TVDB must first access the database, provide its location, and receive the frequency and power levels within which it can operate. A TVDB will not be allowed to operate within one kilometer (.6 miles) of the geographic coordinates of a registered user. The database design is complicated, and it will take some time for the FCC to complete plans for its structure and administration.

The geolocation database provides a safety net to prevent interference with wireless microphones. All TVBD devices which do not meet very strict spectrum sensing requirements verified by the FCC must, before transmitting, access the database via an internet connection to compare its location to the registered devices in the area. Spectrum sensing capabilities are intended to further refine where a TVBD can and cannot transmit. It can then change its transmission frequency to avoid interference with other part 74 devices. If a device will rely on spectrum sensing alone to avoid causing interference, the conditions and performance requirements for spectrum sensing will be set to very stringent levels and very rigorous testing prior to FCC approval.

The FCC also safeguarded wireless microphones by placing power restrictions on TVBDs. Fixed TVDB’s can operate at 4W, but they will only be able to operate in a small number of mainly rural settings. Portable TVDB’s can operate at 100mW, but if they are adjacent to a TV or protected band, power must be reduced to 40mW. These power levels and the database will limit interference with wireless microphones.

The FCC is aware of the wireless microphone community and enacted some safeguards to protect the public interest by preserving spectrum in the TV bands for this important function. In general, the regulations placed on TVDB’s will leave at least two open channels in a market for wireless microphone use. The secondary status granted wireless microphone use under part 74 is amply protected by a series of regulations that guide the development and use of TVDB’s.

It is likely to be several years before we see TVDB’s entering the market due to product development times and the FCC completing the details of their plan. This will give current users time to license and register with the FCC and monitor the RF environment in their location. It also affords time to manufacturers to adjust their frequency plans to spectrum areas with less activity while developing more robust and agile systems.

Basically, what this means is that users of wireless microphones on the 700MHz have some time to make the change. Users of wireless mics on VHF "travelling frequencies" are still legal (although subject to interference due to the vast number of wireless systems out there that operate on these frequencies). Users of wireless mics on UHF frequencies (500MHz and 600MHz blocks) are still ok, although there will be a migration of television broadcasts in February 2009 away from the 700MHz block and onto the 500 and 600 blocks. This may cause some interference, but since most TV stations are broadcasting concurrent analog and digital transmissions, and will stop broadcasting in analog, there will be a good amount of bandwidth opened up here.

So don't rush out and replace your wireless systems yet, until everyone (especially the FCC) knows exactly how this new plan will be implemented. Hope this helps

Can this be made a sticky so it stays near the top?