The FCC Ruling Simplified: What It Means For You

The Federal Communications Commission, in the United States of America,  handed down a ruling that, come June 12 of 2009, could be very costly to users of wireless microphones.  The ruling states that the 700 MHz frequency band [698-806 MHz] will be partitioned so that commercial wireless services and personal wireless devices can have their place in the airwaves.  This affects all wireless microphones that currently operate in that 700 MHz band.  In short, after June 12, 2009, those wireless microphones can no longer be used.

There is one exception regarding the wireless microphones.  Some microphones are tunable and can thus work above or below the 700 MHz band.

I've already heard people ask the question "what happens if I keep using my wireless 700 MHz band microphone because there is no interference and how would they inforce this anyway?"

As well as breaking the law, here's a good reason to vacate the 700 MHz band.  The auction winners (wireless providers) are awarded exclusive use of the
frequency range that they paid for, and they are already pushing the FCC to
get wireless mic users out ASAP because they are working to get their new
services up and running.  The presence of these new signals will make wireless mic use in the 700 MHz band virtually impossible in populated areas by the end of 2009.

There are still a lot of unknowns regarding the United State's FCC ruling.  The paperwork isn't finalized and new information is coming out each week as to what can happen within the 700 MHz band.

There are a few things you should do before June.

1. Check your wireless microphones for their frequency usage. 
2. For microphones using the 700 MHz band, see if they can be re-tuned to above or below that band.
3. Before replacing any wireless microphones, see how many could just as easily become wired microphones.

As long as you work outside the 700 MHz band, you will be fine.