I'm in a bit of a hard spot when it comes to the impending 700mhz vacation. After taking in to consideration the lack of information given to us wireless mic users about what will happen on Feb. 17 ahhh I mean June 12, I have come to the following conclusion. We could, and I mean it is possible, have interference from local police, fire and EMS on the day of the switch. This in my mind is a mute point as we SHOULD be completely clear of the 700mhz by the transition. The other conclusion or confusion is the legality of staying in the 700mhz. As you know everyone is technically operating illegally without a license from the good folks at the FCC, with the exception of the two guys who got their license when they got off the ark. Technically were are outside the law, however the FCC has made it no secret that giving a license is the last thing on their mind and have all but said "go ahead and use them, what do we care." As the Church we want to follow all laws set by man as commanded by The Lord, but when there is no opportunity to stay within the law I conclude we are exempt. But what about the command from the FCC in 08-188 (NPRM&O), Paragraph 14:
"As discussed above, the Commission and various affected parties, such as SBE and Shure, have contemplated that low power broadcast auxiliary devices would lose their secondary status, and would need to vacate the band, upon completion of the DTV transition. We therefore tentatively conclude to revise our rules to make clear that low power auxiliary stations authorized under Part 74 of our rules – including wireless microphones – will not be permitted to operate in the 700 MHz Band after the DTV transition." (Jason has a post on this)
Is this language stronger and different than the current language and stance on general operation in the wireless spectrum? or do we say "I'll get out when they knock on the doors of the church or I hear dispatch on the pastors channel!"?
Now, I am of the opinion the language surrounding the 700mhz is clear and different from the spectrum operation language. What about you? What are your thoughts? How do you respond to someone who wants to take the "I'll get out when they knock on the doors of the church or I hear dispatch on the pastors channel!"??
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
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Some more info on the subject here: http://www.churchsoundguy.com/search/label/700%20MHz
@churchsoundguy
You CAN get a license for secondary use today. Probably not for the 700Mhz band segments, of course, but for the remaining parts, where wireless microphones are still allowed. The problem is that most churches don't actually qualify for a license under Part 74.
I will accept that for a fairly large number of churches, the tech people aren't aware of the license requirement, and for them, I have a certain amount of tolerance on this, but for those that ARE aware they are supposed to be licensed, what is their excuse? We as churches are called to be above reproach. There ARE alternatives out there.
For those who say that they will stop using their wireless system "when they hear dispatch on the pastor's microphone", by the time you hear dispatch on the pastor's wireless, it's too late! More seriously, though, is the consideration that some of those frequencies are reserved for public safety (ie, police or fire). Granted that the extremely low power use of most wireless systems isn't likely to be a source of interference, but face it, do we as a church (or as individuals, for that matter) REALLY want to take that chance? In a real emergency, sometimes seconds matter. If a house near the church is burning down, and a firefighter misses the "evacuate" call becuase of interference from the church next door... is it worth that risk? Also note that both the FCC and local law enforcement are very much more proactive about enforcement when it comes to public safety frequencies, mostly for that reason. OK granted that most of the reallocated spectrum isn't going to public safety, but the reality is that non-public safety use might be life threatening. What if a Dr who attends that church doesn't get his page becuase the pastor's wireless interfered? Realistically, the odds are much greater of interference the other direction (ie, the paging system will unleash a ruckus through the sound system rather than failing to deliver the page), but again, are we seriously suggesting that we want to take that risk?
If anyone has bought new equipment in the last two years that is INSIDE the 700Mhz band, they should seriously reconsider their sales relationship with their suppliers. It's downright irresponsible to sell something you KNOW will be unusable in 2 years, especially to a church where you know it will be in use for 10 or more years.
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