RF Spectrum / Lectrosonics Update

With the digital TV transition date looming in the near future, concerns and questions about what this all means to the many users of Lectrosonics wireless products are plentiful. Here, to the best of our knowledge, is what you really need to know:

1. The sky is not falling. The current RF situation is just about as bad as it is going to get. We currently have both analog stations and their duplicate digital TV stations sharing the valuable available RF spectrum in the broadcast band. On February, 2009, we will see the shut down of all of the analog stations in the spectrum, and with it will come significant spectrum relief. While the existing digital stations above 692 MHz will still have to move down below channel 50, the net effect should still be additional available white spaces usable for wireless microphone use.


2. The push for the right to use unlicensed wireless devises (wi-fi, cell phones, etc.) within the white spaces between operating broadcast channels is being met with heavy opposition by the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) and many powerful members of Congress. It is not even certain that this spectrum will be made available to unlicensed devices at all. Tests of prototype unlicensed devises submitted to the FCC have failed to operate without interfering with digital television reception. This is important because the television watching public will not long tolerate interference with their over- the-air signals and, the broadcast networks are not going to allow themselves to take the blame for decreased TV reception performance due to someone else’s device getting in the way. Any manufacturer or group of manufacturers hoping for FCC approval to operate within the broadcast RF band must first prove that their devices will not interfere with digital television reception. And any approval to operate in that band will be resisted by the NAB and our friends in Congress until that can be proven.


3. Due to the government sell-off of the RF spectrum above 692 MHz, effective January 1, 2008, Lectrosonics will no longer build wireless in blocks 27-28 for stock. These blocks will become special order items only and will be phased out completely sometime before the February, 2009 transition. Location Sound will special order block 27-28 product for our customers until the 2009 change over with the clear understanding that it very well may be illegal to use these blocks after February, 2009.


4. To help offset the loss of blocks 27-28, Lectrosonics will begin to build blocks 18-19-20 in early 2008. These new blocks will cover TV channels 14 thru 20.


5. Lectrosonics is now also beginning to ship narrow band products built in the 944 MHz range. This 8 MHz wide band is virtually unused and will be available only on the IFB products (T-4, R1a), UCR401 and Venue receivers (VRS module only) and also the new SR dual channel camera-mounted slot receivers.

As you can see, the discontinuation of the analog television stations, the expansion of available RF blocks (18-19-20, 944) and the political muscle of the NAB, paint a more positive picture of what the future holds for the users of wireless microphones than may have been presented to you before. We hope that this information is useful and at least a little bit assuring. We will keep you informed of any changes we become aware.