Well folks, the time is upon us. The 600 MHz spectrum is essentially gone for wireless mic use in 5 days (July 13) in all US markets. There are exceptions of course. Here are some details.
What if you don't want to comply? Will you get caught? Will it still work?
The worst thing you can do is operate outside of the allowed frequencies. You will get increasing smart phone interference as the carriers complete their networks. The cell phone carriers monitor for interference as well and are very protective of their spectrum. They have prosecuted churches in the past.
It is impossible for anyone to know if your system is tunable outside of the allowed frequencies unless they are looking at it. However, systems that can operate outside the allowed bands could be overwhelmed with adjacent band noise from the smart phones. They may require external filters for the antennas. Not all wireless systems have provisions to add such filters.
If you are operating at too high a power level in the allowed bands and are working inside, it would be hard for people outside the building to know this. However, you could create problems for cell users within the building.
Given our current times, illegal wireless mic worries are simply a luxury for those that have gigs.
- 608-698 MHz is the actual spectrum that has now gone away
- The spectrum has been purchased for broadband and smart phone use and is already occupied in most markets
- There is a guard band for unlicensed wireless mics between 614-616 MHz
- There is a duplex gab from 657-663 MHz that can also employ unlicensed wireless mics
- The duplex gap from 653-657 MHz is reserved for part 74 licensed wireless mics only (DJs don't qualify)
- Mic transmitters operating in the guard band or duplex gap must be less than 20 mW in power level
- Mic transmitters cannot be tunable to protected frequencies (608-614 MHz, 617-652 MHz, 663-698 MHz
What if you don't want to comply? Will you get caught? Will it still work?
The worst thing you can do is operate outside of the allowed frequencies. You will get increasing smart phone interference as the carriers complete their networks. The cell phone carriers monitor for interference as well and are very protective of their spectrum. They have prosecuted churches in the past.
It is impossible for anyone to know if your system is tunable outside of the allowed frequencies unless they are looking at it. However, systems that can operate outside the allowed bands could be overwhelmed with adjacent band noise from the smart phones. They may require external filters for the antennas. Not all wireless systems have provisions to add such filters.
If you are operating at too high a power level in the allowed bands and are working inside, it would be hard for people outside the building to know this. However, you could create problems for cell users within the building.
Given our current times, illegal wireless mic worries are simply a luxury for those that have gigs.