View Full Version : radio mic frequencies in the UK


Peter Donaldson
May 25th, 2008, 01:10 AM
I am taking two sennheiser EW100 radio mics to the UK and am not sure if I can use them or what are the legal frequenciesthey are currently set around the 790- 815 MHz range

Damian Clarke
May 25th, 2008, 01:46 PM
The licence-free frequency band is between 863-865 Mhz as far as I know, there may be others but you would probably be best doing a google search on UK radio frequencies for exact info.

Peter Donaldson
May 25th, 2008, 02:06 PM
Does this mean that my current units are unusable in the UK? Thay are setting D units

Colin McDonald
May 25th, 2008, 05:16 PM
I am taking two sennheiser EW100 radio mics to the UK and am not sure if I can use them or what are the legal frequencies they are currently set around the 790- 815 MHz range

I should know the answer to this but I can't remember. So I'll refer you to the experts:

http://www.jfmg.co.uk

They manage the spectrum in the UK.

Chris Soucy
May 25th, 2008, 06:01 PM
Take a squizz at this, should tell you everything anyone wants to know about international wireless mic frequencies..............

http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/icm_eng.nsf/root/products_wireless-systems_frequency-check


CS

Colin McDonald
May 26th, 2008, 02:06 AM
Take a squizz at this, should tell you everything anyone wants to know about international wireless mic frequencies..............

http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/icm_eng.nsf/root/products_wireless-systems_frequency-check


CS

Good link, Chris. Things are changing fast in the UK at the moment, and not all the manufacturers are up to speed. At least Sen gives the link to
http://www.jfmg.co.uk/ to see for yourself.

Sennheiser doesn't tell you which are the free licence exempt frequencies in the UK which Peter might be able to use.

*

Licence Exempt UHF
Range 863 - 865 MHz
lowest channel 863.100 MHz
highest channel 864.900 MHz
Typically four frequencies 863.1, 863.7, 864.1 and 864.9MHz can be used together



Otherwise he'll have to pay to book them up in advance, which he can now do online at JFMG. To book online, you have to register first at
https://www.jfmg.co.uk/jfmgecom/JFMG_JIBS_Ecommerce/Pages/Registration.aspx

It depends where you are and what else is happening within range, but I've so far always been able to use the licence exempt frequencies without any problems - usually several channels at once.

My EW100 G2 camera set sits on 864.375 and I haven't had to move from that yet.

*Sorry Damian, you said that already.

Peter Donaldson
May 26th, 2008, 02:19 PM
Thanks for the information. Is there any way that a foreigner can get permission for a short stay of two weeks. If so how do I do it as the licence registration seems to be only for UK addresses. The other issue is whether i can use the frequency range that my mics operaate in which are different from the standard UK ranges.
Thanks

Colin McDonald
May 27th, 2008, 12:21 PM
Thanks for the information. Is there any way that a foreigner can get permission for a short stay of two weeks. If so how do I do it as the licence registration seems to be only for UK addresses.

Sorry, I don't know the answer to that. If you email the jfmg at admin@jfmg.co.uk they would be able to advise.

The other issue is whether i can use the frequency range that my mics operaate in which are different from the standard UK ranges.
Thanks

I don't know what frequencies are on your mics/receivers but I can't see JFMG granting you permission to go on a channel allocated to something else.
You could always scan and see what's free on your frequencies and you might get away with it. Of course, you might crash someone's R/C model plane every time someone talks or come through on all the Gas Board repair vans in the vicinity. More seriously, you could never be absolutely sure that some R/F rubbish might come through unexpectedly on your receivers unless you were on channels reserved for radiomics in the UK.

Peter Donaldson
May 28th, 2008, 01:37 PM
I've talked to JFMG and I can get a licence for my frequencies between 790 and 822MHz. The big issue is that I need a licence for every location which must be defined within 100 metres and each licence only lasts for 48 hours or else it gets quite expensive. I will probably hire units instead and use the free part of the spectrum.

Colin McDonald
May 28th, 2008, 01:57 PM
I've talked to JFMG and I can get a licence for my frequencies between 790 and 822MHz. The big issue is that I need a licence for every location which must be defined within 100 metres and each licence only lasts for 48 hours or else it gets quite expensive. I will probably hire units instead and use the free part of the spectrum.

Perhaps if you could share with us the locations in the UK you are going to be using, someone might be able to suggest whether the licence exempt frequencies are liable to be OK?

Peter Donaldson
May 30th, 2008, 01:50 AM
I'm shooting around Kew Gardens.

Colin McDonald
May 30th, 2008, 01:50 PM
I'm shooting around Kew Gardens.

Wide open spaces - you'd think it would be OK. Never been myself, but looking at it on Google about 5/6 miles from Heathrow - far enough away for that not to be a problem from radar hits etc.

Short of someone taking a stroll in Kew gardens with an EW100 receiver and checking out 863 - 865 MHz I don't suppose we can say much more.

Peter Donaldson
May 30th, 2008, 02:22 PM
thanks everyone for your very helpful comments