FCC publishes list of illegal wireless mics

[Michael Panfeld]

I believe that in the UK, they are also examining their spectrum and contemplating making changes similar to the U.S. that will affect wireless mics.

 

[James Bender]

ok, so I don't get it. Why is it illegal exactly? And what happens if I do use my wireless mic. I have read the thread, but didn't see any clear cut answers.

 

[Julian Gerretsen]

James: If you transmit on the same frequency that is then being used by other "official" services, you would be causing interference to users of the other service or jamming the frequency to a certain extent. This is probably not a problem if you are filming in the middle of nowhere as your transmitters are only powerful enough for a few hundred feet. But in built up areas, you'd be causing interference to the "official" users, hence now illegal.

However, as someone else noted, as these bandwiths are being sold off to be used on commercial internet transmission services (cheap wifi for the masses) the chances are pretty good eventually that your mic's will become useless as the universal transmission will jam your transmission as well. Once again, if you are in the middle of nowhere, probably not a problem.

 

[Michael Panfeld]

Notwithstanding the illegality of using the spectrum because your usage will interfere with the new legal users, there is also the possibility that your sound recording will pick up noise, interference, or perhaps even conversation from the law enforcement, Fire Dept, and emergency users who are transmitting in your area.

 

[Julian Gerretsen]

Any halfway competent radio enthusiast can make the necessary modifications to intercept the complete frequency range and there are plenty of programmable radios out there to do this, so picking up any law, fire or emergency frequency is actually quite easy. If they really want to keep their transmissions secret, they'd have to go down the route of paired encryption on the transmitters and receivers and of course transmit/receive digitally for that encryption to work.

 

[Michael Panfeld]

FYI, as of January 15th, it is illegal to sell any device tuned to the 700mhz band frequencies in the United States. I called the FCC this morning and they stated that this applies to all sales of used equipment such as on Ebay, etc. It also bans the renting or leasing of the equipment from/by a rental house.

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/wirelessmic_factsheet.pdf

 

[Marc Wielage]

If they really want to keep their transmissions secret, they'd have to go down the route of paired encryption on the transmitters and receivers and of course transmit/receive digitally for that encryption to work.

Both Zaxcom and Lectrosonics now have all-digital transmitters and receivers that are extremely difficult to intercept. I'm starting to use the Lectro D4 system as a camera hop, and I think this is a valuable tool, both for providing a high-quality production mix to camera, as well as keeping the signal away from people who don't need to hear it.

I called the FCC this morning and they stated that this applies to all sales of used equipment such as on Ebay, etc.

I don't interpret their ruling the same way. There's a key phrase in there that refers to "the use of these frequencies in the United States," so I think as long as you're selling the transmitters to users overseas, there's no issue.

 

[Jonathan Cooper]

Thanks for the info of the illegal mics I found it very helpful.

 

[Michael Panfeld]

I don't interpret their ruling the same way. There's a key phrase in there that refers to "the use of these frequencies in the United States," so I think as long as you're selling the transmitters to users overseas, there's no issue.

Interpret at your own risk. I agree that exporting them overseas is fine, but offering them for sale on a US website without a clear disclaimer that this is for export only puts you in violation. When I spoke to them there was no room for interpretation. The FCC is formulating fines. Beware and consult a lawyer. They also said that this applies to rentals. The personal use of these until June 12th is fine and dandy, but renting these out has also become illegal as of 1/15/10.

I'm not saying you are going to be hunted down. I am saying that there is a risk and that risk carries unknown penalties. It might be a $50 fine. It might be a $5,000 fine/per rental day or sale.

I'll also note that many of the top transmitters are over 50 milliwatts. The FCC is considering capping it there. If so, your Lectrosonics 100 mw and up transmitters would become illegal, even if they are on an approved frequency.