Radio mic frequencies

[Dan Bishop]

I have some in ear monitors, operating from around 795-815MHz (switchable frequencies)

 

Do I need a license? Also are these affected by any upcoming bans, and if so when do I need to stop using them???

 

Many Thanks

 

Dan Bishop

[Rob_Beech]

Hi Dan.

 

Whilst it doesn't say, a little bit of detective work shows you're probably from the Gloucestershire area, so UK based.

 

That range of frequencies isn't something we'd normally use in the UK. Without doubt you most certainly will need a license to use them. However, this does not fall under the ch69 license that most of us pretend to buy yet don't bother*. For this range of frequencies you'd need a fixed license which can get quite expensive. I'm not familiar with how these licenses are obtained and work so I'm sure someone else will tell you how to go about it. It's not even in the normal range we'd expect to see fixed licenses, say Ch67 and 68.

 

Essentially what you have there is a system on what Sennheiser would call D band, and Shure would call........ can't for the life of me remember.

 

They're far from ideal, if they have a value it may be worth trying to sell them on ebay (though you'll likely get alot of hits from outside the UK so might be best if you're able to ship to other countries) and replace them with something that covers channel 70 (between 863 and 865) and probably a portion below.

 

 

Rob

 

 

 

 

 

*I've actually bought 2 in the last 7 months.

[Bobbsy]

Simple answer: yes, you need a license for each channel of IEM you use--and because you are outside the deregulated and UK shared frequencies (on channels still used for television, depending on the area) you will only be able to get fixed site licenses so you'll need a different one each time you move to a new location--not so bad if you play at the same pub or school every week but a real pain if you're touring the UK.

 

As for the future, that's harder to answer since the plan is to sell off dis-used TV channels--but what will be considered dis-used will vary from location to location.

 

For the full scoop on licenses and locations, have a look at the JFMG Site or ring them.

 

Sometimes the bargain radio kit you buy on eBay or from "Joe Scam's Discount DJ" isn't such a bargain when you end up with overseas gear on the wrong frequencies.

 

This topic has been done numerous times on the BR, so I suggest you search for one of the previous ones. I'll close this one.

 

Bob