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Now You FCC Them...

04/14/2017

The 39th month period of transitioning the 609-698 MHz band to its new owners and repacking the 470-608 MHz band has officially begun. We've reprinted the FCC's press release below the jump; the full public notice is here.

The long-running FCC spectrum auction finally ended bidding last week. It won't officially close for a few weeks, but this milestone does finalize some of the details vital to wireless microphone users:

What's changing about the available frequencies?

470-608 MHz will remain open to wireless microphone users; 609-698 MHz will no longer be available. The 90 MHz loss is obviously not great, but this is a relatively good result - a much larger section of spectrum was on the offering block.

What does the transition period look like?

Starting soon, there's a thirty-nine month period for the change over, so we're looking at the sold frequencies being totally unavailable sometime in early 2020. That said, the new owners will be testing equipment with transmissions in the 609-698 MHz range during the transition period, so you may find increasing amounts of interference in those frequencies.

Things might also be changing in the 470-608 MHz bands since part of the transition involves 'repacking' television stations (i.e. moving channel assignments) within the entire spectrum, so you might find formerly good blocks occupied.

Long story short, extra diligence and preparation when working with any wireless equipment will be warranted.

More info about futureproofing your equipment and protecting yourself after the jump.

Zoom in on Savings

04/03/2017

Get an instant rebate on a Zoom H2n Recorder or Audio Interface when you buy during April 2017:

H2N Recorder: ~~$159.99~~ $139.99
U-44 Mobile Audio Interface: ~~$199.99~~ $159.99

Four Ways to DPA

04/01/2017

To commemorate the release of their new four-way d:screet lavalier clip, DPA is offering one FREE with the purchase of any DPA Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone, along with a FREE Microdot Adapter and windscreen when you buy in April 2017!

Please specify the Microdot adapter you'd like in the comment field of your order and remember, you can get a special price on any hardwired (non-Microdot) DPA lavalier by adding it to your cart!