Radio Frequencies in the UK

[Bobbsy]

I know a few people in here are also members of the Theatre Sound Mailing list, but for those who aren't, I thought it might be worth mentioning this in here.

 

As many of us already know, the present frequencies we use in the UK for radio microphones, IEMs, comms and so on are under threat from a government initiative known as "Spectrum Pricing". Basically, in conjuction with the switchoff of analogue television, there is a plan to sell off the frequencies freed up to the highest bidder(s). There is little or no spectrum being preserved for the entertainment industry and, in terms of a bidding war, it's highly likely that other, more mainstream, users will have the financial clout to buy the spectrum.

 

To lobby on behalf of the entertainment industry, an organisation known as the "British Entertainment Industry Radio Group" has been formed. Their web site is HERE. I'd urge anybody working in the industry whose jobs depend upon the availability of radio mics to visit the site, read up on the issues and, if you feel strongly enough, join the Group. There are both corporate and individual memberships available, so, in the case of employees, it's probably worth bringing this to the attention of your boss and explaining the ramifications to him.

 

It's worth noting that this isn't just an issue for big shows. Every school, church or pub band that uses radio mics will be affected.

 

As an aside, I'll just mention that users in the USA have it even worse. At present, the only legal users of radio microphoes, IEMs and so on are broadcasters and film-makers. Theatre, churches, bands, etc. (even the biggies like Broadway) are acting illegally every time they turn on a transmitter. The frequencies they use are ones they find for themselves between and adjacent to TV channels...but the FCC now has a plan to sell off this "white space" to other mobile comms users.

 

Let's not get into a situation like the states. Have a read of the BEIRG site and get involved, either through them or by lobbying parliament directly.

 

Bob

[Andygreen]

See JFMGS Website for more on this, and also a list of frequencies that are useable without a licence

 

http://www.jfmg.co.uk/

 

Andy

[paulears]

I think Bob is referring to the worry of exisiting channels - not the licence free channels - being removed from the available pool as the government led sell-off of spectrum space hits. Jfmg are quite aware of it as they are getting the chop too!

[Bobbsy]

The point is, even the unlicenced frequencies are under threat in the new plan. Channel 69 and just above (which is where the UK general licenced channels and the few deregulated frequencies exist) are in no way guaranteed to remain allocated for radio mics. Thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) of users buying gear in good faith today may find their equipment illegal within its service life.

 

Similarly, JFMG is being phased out under the current plan...indeed, they've already moved to smaller offices and laid off some of the more helpful members of their staff.

 

Please have a read of the material on the link I provided!

 

Edit: a quote from the BEIRG site:

 

Will channel 69 be affected?

 

It may well be. It could be deregulated; it may be sold to a spectrum management organisation. Any decisions will be made after the Regional Radio Conference in 2006. Whatever decision is made, there could be serious problems for PMSE on a non-interference basis.

 

Bob

[lightsource]

for a non-profit making organisation, the BEIRG membership fees are steep ( £500 for a company, £250.00 for a charity :( or£35 fir a freelance/individual). :)

 

I do agree though with what Bobbsy has said, sometime over the next few months I intend to purchase a new radio mic system, comprising of many units, which will also be very expensive, I don't like the thought binning them before I've hired them out at least a few hundred times ;)

[paulears]

I don't like the thought binning them before I've hired them out at least a few hundred times :)

Wow - my longest lasting Sennheiser hand held did 22 (could have been 23), the longest lasting lav mic was around 15 - some receivers in one rack are now six years old, I wish they'd been out 100 times!

[Bobbsy]

I agree that BEIRG is a bit expensive in terms of membership, especially as I'm now semi-retired. However, that won't stop me from doing my own letters to my local MP and OFCOM amongst others!

 

Bob

[lightsource]

Good quality flightcases, and me breathing down peoples neck's :) tends to make them last a bit longer.

 

Seriously though, these will be a set of about 6 19" racked receivers, and a combination of hand held mic's, guitar transmitters, tie clips and cheek mic's. The most usage will be from the hand helds

 

Bobbsy, we need a petition :(

[Bobbsy]

Bobbsy, we need a petition :)

 

Perhaps...

 

But in terms of how much notice is taken, politicians actually have a formula something along the lines of:

 

One personal letter is equal to 10 emails or 200 names on a petition. (I may have the actual numbers a bit wrong but it's something like that.) The moral of the story is...get writing!

 

Bob

[Pete McCrea]

If we all hit a letter in to our MP's then they are more likely to take notice, if nothing else because they have to deal with the paper some how. Add to that the fact that if we tell them how it will adversely affect our business and livelihoods etc etc, it will add more weight. We also need people like the Church of England to start putting some weight behind this to show it isn't a few people in sheds who would be adversely affected.

[Simon Lewis]

We also need people like the Church of England to start putting some weight behind this to show it isn't a few people in sheds who would be adversely affected.

 

You called? ;-)

 

Seriously though, I'm a technical advisor to the local diocese, and this may well be an issue to bring to all of the Faculty Committees. I'm nopt sure of they have central co-ordination, but I'll make some enquiries....

 

Simon

[J Pearce]

I had wondered when your presence would be felt in this topic Simon.

 

My MP in Luton is heavily into the arts, and is regularly found watching youth and amateur productions. (out of choice, not duty)

 

When I next have the opportunity I will raise the issue. He is a very pro-active and helpful MP, so it may get something rolling.

[MarkPAman]

Another group of people who should get involved with this is the performers. A big name or two is good for any cause.

[Simon Lewis]

The point is, even the unlicenced frequencies are under threat in the new plan. Channel 69 and just above (which is where the UK general licenced channels and the few deregulated frequencies exist) are in no way guaranteed to remain allocated for radio mics.

 

The information I had seen so far seemed to mention only 470 - 862MHz, and I had hoped that at least the 863 - 865MHz unlicenced band would remain untouched. Do you have any specific information regarding this, or is it that they are working up to channel 69, and then again in 872 - 876MHz?

 

I know that the unlicenced band isn't much use for professional use, but for every legal (or illegal) channel 69 user, there must be thousands of cheap UHF radios using the dereg frequencies...

 

Simon

[pscandrett]

Moderation: this was originally a separate thread, now merged

 

Hi

 

It's worth saying to start with that I'm mainly a lighting guy. However, Total Production this month (Nov 06) has a large article about the whole Ofcom RF shenanigans and the threat to the industry - the fact that it appears that within a few years, in its worst case scenario, the UK might not have any allocated frequencies at all specified for wireless mics/IEMs etc. Ofcom seem to want to auction off the RF bands currently used for public entertainment/broadcast audio gear - understandable from one point of view as the EM spectrum is very valuable.

 

Total Production uses this illustration of the quantity of the RF spectrum commonly used:

"Every professional wireless microphone, in-ear monitoring system or wireless instrument system transmits and receives using 'gaps' left by TV's usage. The amount required? Live 8 used nearly 90% of the available spectrum above 600MHz and considerable portions lower in the UHF band. BBC's Children in Need live 'telethon' is nearly as intensive. And that's wihtout considering the regular users - West Endtheatres and the like - or other events, such as broadcasts, conferences, gigs and so on, taking place at the same time." (typos my own)

 

I can't find any decent articles about the issue online, apart from http://www.beirg.org.uk/ and snippets from places like lsionline. Is this really as much of a threat as has been made out? Could it actually be possible that millions of pounds worth of equipment might be rendered useless in a few years without a suitable replacement solution being offered? Or is it being blown out of all proportion? I'd be interested to hear what people on here have to say - I have a great respect for the professional membership of the BR and would be interested to hear the take from people here...

 

(I did search for a topic on this subject before starting this - if there's already a thread about it then please do merge them! Ta)