Thus, the FCC has not permitted wireless microphones to operate in the 700MHz band since June 13, 2009. Where active, those services cannot share radio-frequency (RF) spectrum with wireless-microphone users. In 2009, when the US transitioned from analog TV to a digital standard, UHF TV channels 52 to 69 (698MHz to 806MHz, commonly referred to as the 700MHz band) were reassigned to mobile broadband and public safety. Formally, the UHF TV band spanned from TV channels 14 to 69, which corresponded to radio frequencies from 470MHz to 806MHz. As US households became less dependent on over-the-air TV, the FCC reallocated upper portions of the UHF TV band to accommodate demand for mobile broadband.
In the US, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates the wireless airwaves. These are commonly referred to as white-space channels (i.e., a channel not being used for over-the-air TV broadcast), primarily in the Ultra-High-Frequency (UHF) range.
Traditionally, most wireless microphones, especially those of professional grade, transmit via radio waves in locally vacant TV channels. Still own systems that can operate in the 600MHz or 700MHz bands? Read this!Ī lot has changed in the past dozen years, including the rules for operating wireless microphones.
