FCC Bans Hundreds of Wireless Microphone Systems

The FCC has announced that all wireless microphones that broadcast in the 700 MHz frequency band (which includes any frequencies between 698 MHz and 806 MHz) must cease operating no later than June 12, 2010. The FCC seeks to prevent unlawful interference with public safety entities and commercial users that operate on the 700 MHz band following completion of the Digital Television transition last June and to prevent your members from receiving interference while using their microphones.

Wireless microphones currently operate in a variety of different frequency bands, including many frequencies outside of the 700 MHz band. Only those wireless microphones using the 700 MHz band must cease operating. Some wireless microphones that operate in the 700 MHz band can be successfully retuned to operate in frequencies other than 700 MHz. If the wireless microphone operates only in the 700 MHz frequency band, it will need to be replaced.

For more information, including a list of banned microphones, visit FCC -- 700 MHz wireless microphones or call the FCC Consumer Hotline at 1-888-CALL-FCC.

--Elizabeth Lasko, March 31, 2010. © MENC: The National Association for Music Education