FCC Tells Wireless Mics to Get off 700MHz Spectrum Band – PCWorld

FCC Tells Wireless Mics to Get off 700MHz Spectrum Band – PCWorld.

I have many mixed emotions about what the FCC and US Federal Government are up to.  I am truly amazed that they the FCC will authorize millions of dollars to help people buy digital receivers, but would not consider helping entities (of any sort) in transitioning away from the 700 MHz band.  In my Church, the sale of the 700 MHz band meant replacing four wireless handheld microphones and two lav microphones.  Small potatoes compared to some of the huge houses of worship and other large scale venues, but it was big to us!  Now even though the FCC felt it necessary to mess over everyone (even a great number of state and national parks and county governments), there is indeed a shining star to all of this!

Let’s hear it for the manufacturers!  Most if not all offered humongous discounts and even trade-ins for most wireless microphone sets.  Audiotechnica, Electrovoice, Sennheiser, Shure, AKG, and Samson – to name a few – all offered great packages that made the transition to better for everyone involved.  Don’t get me wrong… it was still expensive, but the burden was eased substantially to those that took the manufacturers up on their offer.  In our case, we saved nearly $1500!  As far as the FCC establishing a mandate to get-off the frequency…pshhhht!  The FCC does not have the manpower to go around town to town and make sure no one is using an appliance in the “forbidden zone”.  And even if they do actually catch someone using the 700 MHz frequency there is no fining structure built into the code!  In twitter terms, “#govtfail”.

Now here is the rub…IF the FCC is not equipped to enforce the ban, why should anyone change?  First and foremost, it is the right thing to do.  It is the law and our job is to follow the law and work on changing what we disagree with through the system.  Secondly, since our government chose to fleece the public by selling the broadcast rights for $billions to cell phone companies, you stand a good chance at broadcasting someone’s private conversation over your PA system.  Could be funny…could be really embarrassing!  Case in point…

Back to my Church.  Several years ago we were broadcasting on our local FM station.  We used a high-frequency Marti transmitter/receiver to get our audio feed back to the studio for over-the-air transmission.  We also had an antiquated, added-onto sound system with several spliced microphone and speaker cables hither, tither, dale and yon.  Much to our chagrin we discovered that these little splices acted just like little antennas.  And one fine Sunday morning when all the conditions were just right, it happened.  The radio station used, as many stations do these days, automation software.  So once the service began the station was on autopilot.  Further, we were set-up so that at a specific time the station would shift back to its regular programming (at the time progressive Country Music).  On this fine Sunday morning, it was a bit foggy.  I can’t say I thought much of it that morning.  The service went well…great singing, awesome worship and a message that, as I recall, stepped on some toes.  Then it was time for the Invitation.  The Pastor called for complete quiet; a calm moment for reflection and an opportunity to “do business with God.”  And then it happened.  Through the house PA system w

as none-other than a song by Willie Nelson.  But not just any song…it was “Beer for My Horses”!  As one of the Church Tech guys you can only imagine my and my co-hearts response.  Fortunately the staff at my Church are pros and recovered quickly and not much was said about the incident afterward.

Yeah…I know.  It probably  could have been worse.  But it did not need to be!  Imagine the kind of conversation you could pick up by someone just driving through town.  A really scary thought!

From a personal perspective, do I suggest a particular microphone or brand over any other?  No.  There are way too many things to consider when micing a venue.  But I can tell you this about your sound system.  Invest the money in one top-notch piece of equipment and build the rest of system around that.  I first heard that philosophy on HGTV of all places.  They were talking about decorating a room and suggested spending the bulk of your budget on the most prominent piece of furniture.  And I thought this makes sense for most applications.  If you start with one good piece (say a mixing board), it will make the rest of your system sound good.  Then slowly but surely upgrade what you have.  Each improvement will blow your mind.  When we remodeled our PA system, we were blessed to replace our Mackie 32 channel mixer with a Soundcraft 48 channel mixer (more bells and whistles than I have time to play with).  Now 7 years later, we have added four Sennheiser wireless handheld mics (I highly recommend these if you can afford them), Shure and AKG wireless lav mics (also highly recommended), Audiotechnica hanging mics for our choir, and some inexpensive Behringer dynamic omnidirectional mics for utility work.  We have a wide range of applications, including Handbells, Orchestra, drama, performance, and of course spoken word so this mix of microphones works for us…it might be too much for you, though.  Maybe not enough!  There is much more to our system but it all started with the Soundcraft mixer and grew around it.  Now we run three independent monitor mixes, main mix, building mix, radio mix, and television mix.  We also will be adding live streaming audio/video to our website within the year.

But I’ve digressed.  Just get your new mic’s and don’t worry about the FCC so much.  Be sure as you get new equipment you buy from reputable dealers!  Remember 700 MHz is only illegal in the US.  The manufacturers are still selling these mic’s outside the US and it is YOUR responsibility to request the appropriate frequency.  A good retailer will help you find what is best for you and some companies even know what is in your vicinity and can suggest a wireless system that will have the least interference.

Still confused or need help deciding what might be best for you?  Drop me an email and I would be glad to help.  Advice is free and if you are looking for someone to help solve some of your audio problems, my rates are reasonable specializing in small and medium sized houses of worship, schools, and small concert halls.  Write me at blunsford@kaykreationsonline.com for more information!

Update:  And yet here is another very knowledgeable guy that is fairly fed up with all of this but he posts a bunch of good links with information.  Thanks Churchsoundguy!