Wireless Microphones

Do you use wireless mics? On occasion I do. The good folks at Professional Sound sent out this note from the FCC clarifying the legal aspects of wireless mics. Thankfully the FCC is seeming reasonable about the whole thing. What's up with the government being reasonable all of a sudden?

CONSUMER ALERT

Below you will find a "Consumer Alert" recently sent out by the FCC. The FCC is now requiring all sellers of Wireless products to post this alert. We here at Professional Sound Services believe that the consumer should have all the information that is available. We have added two NOTES on the bottom of the alert so our customers will be more informed. If you have any questions at all about any of the FCC's recent rulings regarding wireless, please contact our technical staff at (212) 586-1033. We will be happy to answer any of your questions.

CONSUMER ALERT

Most users do not need a license to operate a wireless microphone system. Nevertheless, operating a microphone system without a license is subject to certain restrictions: the system may not cause harmful interference; it must operate at a low power level (not in excess of 50 milliwatts); and it has no protection from interference received from any other device. Purchasers should also be aware that the FCC is currently evaluating use of wireless microphone systems, and these rules are subject to change. For more information, call the FCC at 1-888- CALL-FCC (TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC) or visit the FCC’s wireless microphone website at www.fcc.gov/cgb/wirelessmicrophones.

To operate wireless microphone systems at power greater than 50mW, you must qualify as a Part 74 user and be licensed.

NOTE – This has not changed at all and has been in effect for over 20 years. If you qualify and wish to apply for a license go to: http://www.fcc.gov/Forms/Form601/601.html

Please note that this has no bearing on Part 74 users - Television and motion picture production, all licensed AM, FM, TV or broadcast stations, networks, and broadcast entities are not affected by this alert. They have always been eligible for Part 74 licensing (for decades now). We have included the information they will need for licensing should they decide to do so (thus allowing higher power levels).

(Sophia Coppola from, I think, The World's Best Ever or some such.)