Happy New Year - that means its 2015 and the 'Digital Dividend' is now here. So what does it mean for wireless microphone users?
Revised regulations will mean that wireless mics currently operating on radio waves in the 694-820 MHz range will no longer be operable from the start of 2015. From this date, the 694 - 820 MHz range will be used to supply advanced 4G mobile broadband services and wireless microphones are not to be operated if within this range.
The ACMA have produced the video below to provide an overview of the changes.
So the question now is ''What frequencies can we use that are firstly compliant, and secondly will be free from interference from TV broadcast?"
Choosing the correct frequency for the intended location of the equipment is very important as some areas are heavily congested with digital TV broadcast which shares the same spectrum as wireless microphones.
The ACMA have produced the handy Frequency Finder for anyone looking to purchase a new wireless microphone system.
The following frequencies are nationally available for wireless microphone use without the risk of interference from TV and radio services.
520 - 526 MHz
1790 - 1800 MHz
915 - 928 MHz
2.400 - 2.4835 GHz and 5.725 - 5.875 GHz
The following range is the most common frequency range used by wireless microphone manufacturers and is shared with TV broadcast - users need to check availability in their local area using the Frequency Finder.
526 - 694 MHz
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT WIRELESS MICROPHONE FREQUENCY
The most important aspect to consider is the geographical location the wireless microphone is to be used. The ACMA Frequency Finder is a useful tool to finding the available frequencies in your local area. Only the 520-526 MHz, 1790-1800 MHz, 915-928 MHz, 2.400-2.4835 GHz and 5.725-5.875 GHz frequency ranges are available Australia wide. If the user intends to use the wireless microphone Australia wide, then one of the nationally available frequencies would be best.
Most manufacturers operate within the 526-694 MHz frequency range as it is the widest band available for wireless microphone use. However, it is shared with digital TV so users need to careful about the frequency for their local area.
Talk Audio Visual are the exclusive importers into Australia of the Promic UR Sound range of Portable PA and Wireless Microphone systems. As we are involved with the design of these products for Australia we have carefully chosen the frequency ranges.
PROMIC PORTABLE PA
The Promic Portable PA range of systems (PA-60W and PA-200W) use the same wireless microphone systems (receiver and microphone).
Do the fact that the systems are designed to be portable, we have two different frequency ranges available - UHF-5R and UHF-6R.
UHF-5R Wireless Microphone Frequency:
16 channel selections between 520.05 - 543.75 MHz
UHF-6R Wireless Microphone Frequency:
16 channel selections between 650.85 - 671.35 MHz
All PA systems in the Promic range come with one 16 channel wireless microphone system as standard (1 x wireless receiver & 1 x wireless handheld microphone). At the point of order the frequency (UHF-5R or UHF-6R) for the the installed system can be chosen. The PA Systems also have an expansion slot for a second wireless receiver (for use with a second wireless microphone) to be installed. This can either be the UHF-5R or UHF-6R ranges as to further reduce the risk of any wireless interference as one wireless system would be operating in the 500 MHz range and the other operating in the 600 MHz range.
RACK MOUNTED WIRELESS MICROPHONE SYSTEM
The Promic UR-155 and 255 wireless microphones operates in the 610.00 - 670.00 MHz range with up to 100 tunable preset channels.
CONTACT US
To learn more or to speak to a wireless expert call Talk Audio Visual on 1300 552290 for friendly advice on the right product.
