What You Need to Know about White Spaces
Posted on: February 9, 2009Author: Cali Lewis
3 comments so far (is that a lot?)
The transition from analog to digital TV has been postponed from it’s original date, February 17. When it happens, it not only affects TV reception. It also matters to churches, businesses, schools and individuals who use wireless microphones and other wireless audio equipment.
A lot of of wireless equipment operates between the frequencies of 698 to 806MHz. After the digital transition, in some cases it will be illegal to use those devices like you’ve been using them for years. They’ll continue to work, and over time, they’ll be subject to interference from new devices using the old frequencies. If you’re going to continue to use one or more wireless mics operating in the 698 to 806MHz range, you may have to register that use with an FCC database.
Both Shure and Sennheiser are offering trade-in plans to help you transition to equipment that is safe and legal. It doesn’t seem to be quite as scary for those of us using Lectrosonics Mics.
It’s complicated and here are some links that might help you navigate the change:
White Spaces Explained
Audio-Technica White Spaces Fact Sheet (PDF)
Shure – “The Truth About Wireless Microphone Technology” (PDF)
Lectrosonics – “The Sky is Not Falling”
February 10th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Thanks so much for the info. I had no idea that wireless mikes and such would be affected by the transition. At least now I’m prepared for that part of it.
February 14th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
If your wireless mic uses frequencies of 698 to 806MHz it will be unusable/illegal after June 09. http://www.geekbrief.tv/wirelessmic
March 1st, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Hi Cali – I’m a regular viewer (when Mevio gets the Brief over to my TiVo) and had no idea about this potential impact on churches. I’m a pastor and I write a blog for pastors and youth workers in our church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Thanks for the update, I’ve used it in an article that I’m passing along to my readers so they’re not caught off-guard!