May 2009 \ Features \ Wireless Systems and the Digital Conversion

Wireless Systems and the Digital Conversion

Adam Moore

Have you heard the rumors that your wireless system won’t work come June, or that it will be illegal? We set the story straight.


Premier Guitar May 2009
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For all the talk we do here at Premier Guitar about high-end cables and the tonal beauty of a physical connection with an amp, we can’t forget that there’s an entire segment of players and musicians who have permanently escaped the chains that conspire to keep us in one place. Whether you’re looking to prowl a festival stage or finally pull off that backflip during rehearsal, wireless technology provides the freedom to express yourself through more than just notes.

Unfortunately, most wireless devices used by musicians also operate in bands of the frequency spectrum currently undergoing big changes. Broadcasters in the US are in the midst of a transition from analog to digital transmissions (due to be completed by June 12, 2009). Meanwhile, the FCC has auctioned off and set aside a portion of the frequency spectrum, known popularly as the 700 MHz band, for both emerging wireless technologies and public safety use. With these changes, a combination of regulatory murkiness and general misinformation has sent waves of fear through communities relying on wireless technologies. Come June 12th, will your wireless systems still work? Will they work clearly? Will they be illegal?

It is a question we’ll explore in two parts to help you understand the implications of all this change—what the coming digital transition means most immediately for your wireless setup, and what you can expect to happen in the future as more advanced wireless technologies begin using the already-crowded frequency spectrum.

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Comments

 (3 comments) display by
UsernameComment
Ridnar
on 04/30/2009 		bipity bopity BACON!!
Brad
on 04/30/2009 		Yah so the Sennheiser g2 system purchased 6 months ago in the 740-760 range is affected? nice - $500 unit too.
Ron
on 04/30/2009 		I picked up my first wireless unit at the 1985 NAMM in New O (NADY 502), and used it yearly until last year. I bought an AKG wireless in the 700 mhz range just over a year ago and wasn't told about the upcoming change. Thanks Unnamed Music Store! But, the funny thing is after the switch over the old unit will work with less interruptions and I may end up back with the 1985 unit again. Thank you to all the politicians that have once again "given it" to the consumer.



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