Dave Clark.com

Some of you are probably wondering what in the world I am talking about. Others of you know exactly what I am talking about. Well… unless you have been in a cave for the past year, you have heard about the Digital Television switch over. You know those annoying Digital Television commercials which interrupt your favorite programming. Well, currently the 700 Mhz spectrum is owned by broadcasters and has been used for analog television. (UHF 52 -69) And unless the powers that be keep pushing it back, it is set to be handed back over to the government in 2009. The 700 Mhz specturm is very powerful and can travel though walls and reach tough areas that’s why it is so attractive and is hoped to be used for both broadband communications and public-safety uses. So, one piece of this is spectrum is broadcast television which is on its way out due to this switchover.

Well the other big piece of this puzzle that most people aren’t aware of is Wireless Mic systems. If you are involved in Media or Tech at your church, you should check and make sure that your church is ready for the switch and is complying with FCC regualtions. There are two major reasons you should do so. One, That specturm is going to get crowded very quickly and could comprimise your system even working at all. And two, your church could actually recieve fines from the FCC for not complying in the not too distant future. There is a possibility that your wireless gear could interfere with emergency or public safety communications.

If you are not sure where you stand… Read this article – http://www.prosoundnews.com/article/19448

Both Shure and Sennheiser have replacement programs setup for those of you who have wireless systems that are currently operating in the 700 MHz spectrum

Shure – Units purchased prior to February 1, 2007, and to any competitive 700MHz wireless systems. Trade in your old wireless system against a new one and receive up to a $1,000 mail-in rebate. For information on wireless systems purchased on or after that February 1, 2007, contact Shure at 800-257-4873

Sennheiser – Rebates will be offered for purchases made between December 1, 2008 and December 1, 2009, for new Sennheiser wireless systems with the trade-in of an old 700MHz wireless system from Sennheiser or a competing brand. Single components will be rebated at half the system rebate value. The rebate values are tiered depending on the system and when it was purchased, and will range from $40 to $2,000.

Technorati Tags: 700 MHz, Spectrum, Wireless, Mics, Shure, Sennheiser, Digital Television, Broadcast Televsion, Analog Television