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FCC: 700 MHz wireless mics must be gone in June
Jan 19, 2010 2:17 PM, By Donny Jackson

Wireless microphones and other devices operating in the 700 MHz band no longer can be sold or distributed in the United States, and their use must cease by June 12 to clear the band for the deployment of commercial and public-safety wireless systems, the FCC ruled in an order released last Friday.

“Everybody knew this was coming and have known about it for some time,” FCC spokesman Matt Nodine said. “The commission just had not put in a date certain, and this order does that.”

Nodine noted that most wireless microphones operate on bands other than 700 MHz, particularly those manufactured in the recent past, when commercial and public-safety officials voiced their concerns about interference. Users may keep existing devices that can be retuned for use in another band, he said.

Public-safety entities that are deploying 700 MHz systems before June 12 can request that users cease operations in the band with 60 days notice, said Robert Gurss, director of legal and government affairs for the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO).

“It’s a good order,” Gurss said. “We applaud the FCC’s action to clear wireless microphones from the band. The problem is that those devices can cause dangerous interference to current and future public-safety operations for both narrowband and broadband. We think it’s a very positive order, and we’re glad the commission finally took the step.”

Most industry sources believe there will be little difficulty getting authorized users — primarily those in the broadcast industry — to clear the 700 MHz band, but Gurss and others have expressed concern about the many unauthorized users in the band that may not follow FCC rulings closely.

With this in mind, the FCC has established an “aggressive consumer outreach plan” to make users aware of the June 12 deadline. Consumers can learn whether their current devices need to be replaced at commission's Web site, or by calling 800-CALL-FCC.

“We’re also trying to notify every organization that we can think of that could potentially be affected by this,” Nodine said. “That ranges from state departments of education and school systems to churches and synagogues to amusement parks, theaters, attractions and civic theaters — anybody we can think of, we’re targeting them with press releases and phone calls to get it out to their members.”


Source: http://urgentcomm.com/policy_and_law/ne ... -20100119/

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"Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid."

Glad to see they finally put a specific date on it. Still plenty of time to get rid of those old 700Mhz mics, although I'm sure there are many who will take their chances on not seeing any new 700MHz stations in their area any time soon.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

According to this specifies the lower freq.. My Shure is 623.350 MHZ. I shouldnt be affected as I see it..

In 2002, FCC re-allocated the 698-746 MHz band (Lower 700 MHz band) that was originally used by TV Channels 52-59. The upper band was for TV Channels 60-69. The reallocations come as FCC pushes hard for the television business to transition to DTV.

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Join The Karaokle Singers Social Network. Upload Your Music!!

The Omaha/Douglas County and Sarpy agencies are rebanding into 700 MHz. at this
very moment. Larger populated areas started a few years ago. With exception of
Lincoln, Grand Island and other metropolitan areas, the rest of the state is
transitioning to a P25 VHF IMBE network which won't even come close to 700-800
MHz. unless there is some cross-banding being considered at some of their sites.

800 Mhz. worked pretty well around here until Nextel and the other cellular carriers
showed up which resulted in a lot of attenuation in the adjacent public safety
frequencies. Seems that the noise floor at the repeater sites went from a few db to
well over 20db or more in just a few years.

I don't see how an analog wireless mic putting out 10mv of RF could possibly
interfere with a P25 digital mobile or portable transciever, but the FCC considers
intereference to be a nation-wide issue.

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"Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid."

All I have left in 700 MHz is an old Sonic toothbrush..

But, in the interest of conserving energy you must be sure not to operate it during peak load hours !

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"Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid."

It just occurred to me, I wonder if I can write-off my two Sure mics on next year's taxes as a business loss Just a thought

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EveningStar Entertainment & Events
JR & Michele LaPorte
Peoria, AZ

Talk to your accountant, but I doubt it unless you carry them as an asset.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

If you track them as capital assets and you have not fully depreciated them yet, then you can certainly finish out the depreciation schedule immediately since they will no longer be used.

Note that some wireless mic manufacturers offer trade-in programs for 700MHz users to buy new units at a reduced cost.

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

It was just a thought. I looked into the available programs last year and figured that for the model I had, the trade allowance would barely cover the shipping. So I just went ahead and bought a couple of EVs that I managed to get for a decent price.

Along with the two Shure systems I also have two AT camera body pack systems that I was using for remote speakers. Combined Shures and ATs new totaled right at $2K.

It just seems a bit unjust that we spend so much on equipment that is (through no fault of our own) rendered unusable even though it works perfectly fine. Seems there ought to be some sort of compensation for the loss.

OK…, So much for my rant

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EveningStar Entertainment & Events
JR & Michele LaPorte
Peoria, AZ