FCC, Wireless Microphones and Licensing at DVinfo.net

Dan Keaton · July 21st, 2008, 03:23 PM

The Associated Press has received a lawsuit regarding wireless microphones.

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/pro...717&id=8903947

Ethan Cooper · July 21st, 2008, 03:41 PM

Say what? First time I've ever heard of such a thing.

Dan Keaton · July 21st, 2008, 03:43 PM

My thoughts exactly!

It is worth reading the article.

I thought we did not need a license for most wireless microphones.

Many of them are under 100 mw.

Ethan Cooper · July 21st, 2008, 03:48 PM

So 100mw is the magic dividing line between legal user and illegal spectrum abusing rebel? I need to find the paperwork on my Sony's and see if I'm about to be taken up the river.

3 cheers for regulatory commissions.

Dan Keaton · July 21st, 2008, 07:21 PM

It used to be that certain wireless devices, those under 100 mw, could be certified under Part 15 of the FCC's rules.

I do not mean to say that these rules apply to our wireless transmitters.

However, I am shocked that these low-power wireless transmitters would have to be licensed. Usually if a device has to be licensed, there is a notice included with the device.

Shaun Roemich · July 22nd, 2008, 06:42 AM

I'm beginning to suspect this is solely is response to the reallocation of the bandwidth to the For-Profit sector which could be held legally liable for disruptions to service by "nuisance" users of the formerly "semi-open" airwaves, such as ourselves.

I will be holding off on a planned purchase of a news wireless system until I can get a straight answer of what exactly I can use with impunity under the redistributed DTV frequencies.

Thanks for sharing!

Chuck Fadely · July 24th, 2008, 06:30 PM

B&H has a white paper on white spaces:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/new...ite-Spaces.jsp

Sennheiser avoids the issue on their site, as near as I can tell.

Looks like block C mics are in trouble, but it sure is hard to tell.

Larry Price · July 27th, 2008, 06:30 AM

Wonderful. All of my wireless mics are Senn block C...

David Beisner · August 12th, 2008, 08:07 AM

Quote:

From the article: They also want the FCC to require microphone manufacturers to replace the older devices.

That's ridiculous! There's no way the wireless microphone manufacturers could afford to replace everyone's "illegal" transmitters. If the FCC's got a problem with something they KNOW has been happening for years, then they should foot the bill of either replacing or reprogramming all the affected systems.

July 21st, 2008, 03:23 PM	#1
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	FCC, Wireless Microphones and Licensing The Associated Press has received a lawsuit regarding wireless microphones. http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/pro...717&id=8903947 __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

July 21st, 2008, 03:41 PM	#2
Ethan Cooper Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 1,400 Images: 5	Say what? First time I've ever heard of such a thing. __________________ ∅ -Ethan Cooper

July 21st, 2008, 03:43 PM	#3
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	My thoughts exactly! It is worth reading the article. I thought we did not need a license for most wireless microphones. Many of them are under 100 mw. __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

July 21st, 2008, 03:48 PM	#4
Ethan Cooper Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 1,400 Images: 5	So 100mw is the magic dividing line between legal user and illegal spectrum abusing rebel? I need to find the paperwork on my Sony's and see if I'm about to be taken up the river. 3 cheers for regulatory commissions. __________________ ∅ -Ethan Cooper

July 21st, 2008, 07:21 PM	#5
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	It used to be that certain wireless devices, those under 100 mw, could be certified under Part 15 of the FCC's rules. I do not mean to say that these rules apply to our wireless transmitters. However, I am shocked that these low-power wireless transmitters would have to be licensed. Usually if a device has to be licensed, there is a notice included with the device. __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

July 22nd, 2008, 06:42 AM	#6
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	I'm beginning to suspect this is solely is response to the reallocation of the bandwidth to the For-Profit sector which could be held legally liable for disruptions to service by "nuisance" users of the formerly "semi-open" airwaves, such as ourselves. I will be holding off on a planned purchase of a news wireless system until I can get a straight answer of what exactly I can use with impunity under the redistributed DTV frequencies. Thanks for sharing! __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

July 24th, 2008, 06:30 PM	#7
Chuck Fadely Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: United States Posts: 306	B&H has a white paper on white spaces: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/new...ite-Spaces.jsp Sennheiser avoids the issue on their site, as near as I can tell. Looks like block C mics are in trouble, but it sure is hard to tell.

July 27th, 2008, 06:30 AM	#8
Larry Price Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 72	Wonderful. All of my wireless mics are Senn block C...