The Ticking Reblock

Addendum, 8/3/18: We've added a little more detail at the bottom about the important dates for wireless equipment operating in Lectrosonics/Zaxcom blocks 24, 25, and 26.

The FCC deadline on selling legacy wireless equipment is the end of September. Though you will be able to continue to use older equipment (as long as it complies with legal frequencies and power output), manufacturers will not be able to sell any components that have not been recertified by the FCC, including the components that are necessary for moving your wireless to a different frequency.

Bottom line: if you need your older Lectrosonics or Zaxcom wireless gear reblocked, make arrangements as soon as possible. 

Lectrosonics
is already booked through August and they've specified that the following gear will not be able to be reblocked after September: HH, HM, UH, UM400a, and UT. Here's our guide to Lectro reblocking pricing and which frequencies need to be changed.

Zaxcom has not created a specific list, but assume reblocking any of their discontinued wireless products is subject to the same September 30th deadline. Here's our guide to Zaxcom reblocking pricing and which frequencies need to be changed.

From now to September 30th, 2018

 

From September 30th, 2018 to July 13th, 2020

  • You may continue to legally use wireless in blocks 24, 25, and 26; however, we strongly recommend changing frequencies as soon as possible to avoid interference.
     
  • T-Mobile, who will be occupying most of blocks 24-26, is already testing and bringing transmitters online in those frequencies, so you are likely to experience increased interference as time goes on, especially in major media markets. Here's a guide to their deployment plan by country (xlsx file).
     
  • Wireless equipment in blocks 24, 25, and 26 which  is currently in production can still be reblocked.
     
  • Discontinued / legacy gear will not be able to be reblocked.
     
  • Discontinued / legacy gear will still be able to be serviced by manufacturers, as long as the repair doesn't require any parts that do not conform to new FCC regulations.

 

After July 13th, 2020

  • Use of block 24, 25, and 26 (616 to 698 MHz) becomes illegal for production wireless.
     
  • You may continue to legally use discontinued / legacy equipment in blocks 470 and 19-23, as long as it complies with transmitter output power regulations.


If you have any questions about your wireless situation, feel free to email us at [email protected] or call us at (212) 629-9430.

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