Are our days using radio mics numbered?

[Corabar Steve]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6378925.stm

[Jiggles]

They Need to be shot :angry:

[gillo]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6378925.stm

i dont fancy having an extra drooping wire being lugged about all night:(

[sleah]

The disco industry is probably one of the least affected by this. The real problems will be with events, theatre and television.
Many radio mics and IEM's (in ear monitors) operate on licenced frequencies and may not be upgradeable, this could lead to (for example) hire companies literally skipping £1000's of kit, as the frequencies will no longer be available.
One forum cited Live8 as an example of an event that uses 100's of radio units. Could you imagine if they could not all use IEM's?
Imagine X-Factor final, them all using wired mics?
Apparently it could happen!
My guess is that it won't be quite that bad, but will cost the industry (and the earth) a fortune.
I may need to buy 4 radiomics for the school in a year or so, as we currently have 4 on the licence-free frequencies they will have to be on licenced frequencies. I will have to inform the Bursar they may have to be binned after a few years (they will still be like new) because OFCOM want to make money.
Considering OFCOM are supposed to be regulators, they are becoming the anti-christ of the entertainment and leisure industry.
To think that the organisation who is supposed look after the industry could be the one's to destroy part of it.

[Mayhem 1]

This would be drastic for my kind of show where I do not need the hassle of a lead mic.

I would end up probably garotting myself with the lead doing one of my party dances with the Kids!!!

regards

Mayhem 1

[djdarren]

i have 1 of the kam 256 channel uhf microphones and in the instructions about 10 of these are ok to use in the uk without licence. however at christmas i had to use 1 of the channels that required a licence and had no problems... i dont hink this will bother us!
since radio mics transmision range is so small (about 100m) there is very little chance that we will not be able to use mics at all however we will more than likley need to change the frequencies depending on where we are and also be required to buy a licence to use them.

[Corabar Steve]

& if the frequency your mic works on is the same as a TV, Radio, or mibie phone provider? One utterly useless radio mic!

[djdarren]

& if the frequency your mic works on is the same as a TV, Radio, or mibie phone provider? One utterly useless radio mic!

this is very true...
suppose its all going to depend on the available frequencies that your radio mic is capable of

[Corabar Entertainment]

this is very true...
suppose its all going to depend on the available frequencies that your radio mic is capable of...plus the costs involved with any licence. For all we know, these could be prohibitive (I mean, mobile phone providers aren't exactly known for being cheap, are they! :eek: )

[djdarren]

dont get me wrong angela i agree with what your saying and that we should not have to change anything and if all microphones have to be changed/licenced this is an outrage and yet another expence.

the only point im trying to say is that regardless of the outcome i think we will still be able to use mics however it may involve changing mics or buying a licence

[Corabar Steve]

The cost could be prohibitive to some smaller operators.

[Corabar Entertainment]

I'm sure a fair few of you have received an email, but just to pass the info on to those who haven't, I received this this morning:-
Please sign this petition as the impact of what the Government proposes
effects us all.

As part of the Digital Dividend Review, OFCOM has announced plans to sell off the Analogue UHF TV band. This band is also heavily used for so called Program Making and Special Events, covering >>usage of radio microphone, radio talkback/foldback, and wireless comms systems.

We'll see the return to cabled mics on the WestEnd Stage, popular TV programs becoming unworkable, and the Vicar having to shout at the village fete.

The implications for the 2012 Olympics are also unthinkable, during the 2004 Olympics for example in excess of 300 channels could be in use in a single stadium, difficult even with the currently available spectrum.

Without the availability of Radio Mics in the West End, it is likely that much of Musical Theatre will cease, Sir Lloyd-Webber has already hinted that he'd consider premiering his next musical on Broadway. Overall the impact on UK PLC of the loss of this spectrum would be immense, impacting on everything from church services through to the Olympic Games.

Please visit the following website and add your name to the petition.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/PMSEspectrum/

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I didn't get it, but have now signed.

[Corabar Entertainment]

Just thought I'd give this a 'bump' for those members who haven't seen it yet, or for those of you who thought "I'll sign the petition later" and them promptly forgot! :D :D

[DMX Will]

I've signed (well I did when it was first posted)

[Dazzy D]

I've just looked at the Ofcom website and there seems to be an awful lot of dissatisfaction with the proposals to sell of the UHF spectrum. Admittedly, a lot of it is from people who feel that it will signal the end for freeview television as service providers who bid for the licences will charge subscriptions to make their money back.

There are a number of issues raised in relation to the use of radio mics and wireless equipment that use these UHF frequencies. A lot of people seem to fear that they will be made to pay licence fees to use their radio mics which seems a fair assumption. But, looking at the bigger picture, what if these frequencies are bought by mobile phone companies? This would render radio mics useless as their low power couldn't compete with signals from T Mobile or Vodaphone. Could you imagine Kylie singing Spinning Around live in Manchester only to be interupted by 'I'm stuck in traffic on the motorway, love, so I'll be a bit late for tea.'! It doesn't bear thinking about.

Our only hope is that the dissatisfaction shown in the responses from Ofcoms consultation exercise force them in to a rethink. This is a very serious issue, one which has the potential to severely damage the entertainment industry in the UK, especially as they are planning to sell off the UHF spectrum to the highest bidder through an auction of all things. This is why I have added my signature to the petition and I urge anyone who hasn't done so to seriously think about it.

[CRAZY K]

I'm sure a fair few of you have received an email, but just to pass the info on to those who haven't, I received this this morning:-

Signed as well. it only needs Bono or Bob Geldof to have a word or Cliff Richard to lend his mansion abroad to someone in Government to sort it out!!!

These people have influence with Politicians unlike us voters:(

CRAZY K

[Corabar Steve]

The deadline to sign the petition is tomorrow.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/PMSEspectrum/

If you haven't already signed please do.

[theoloyla]

Just caught up with this and signed. It would affect me even more radically as a line dance teacher than as a dj. I have sent details to "Linedancer" magazine and my local MP Roger Gale who is an ex dj himself.

[Arnold_disco]

Signed:)

[TONYTIGER]

Hi guys and girls ,i know it was me that brought this issue to your attention dont panic yet as there are some big hitters out there fighting this.knowing the goverments record on getting things right(HIP PACKS)as a example we could all be in our boxes before this happens but i thought it was worth bringing to your attention.As djs you are part of the entertainment industry and your voice counts but sad to say unless its got DISCO written all over it we tend to ignore it.Ive allways suscribed to a PLASA based mag called Lighting & Sound which is very informative to whats going on in the halls of power in the entertainment industry which in the end will effect you and your livelehood worth checking out, keep up the fight. TONYTIGER

[colinm345]

I remember a couple of years back there was a post on a karaoke forum listing some of the frequencies that had to be paid for(even then) and others that were free,I just wish I could find it

[Corabar Steve]

Hi guys and girls ,i know it was me that brought this issue to your attention
Actually it was me, 4 months ago (scroll to the top of page 1 if you don't believe me) :sj:

[Corabar Steve]

Update

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6222398.stm
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/pmse/

[sleah]

Small amout of sense at last, still not ideal though.

[theoloyla]

After getting all worked up about this I received details of what is happening from SEDA members, my MP, other linedance instructors etc. If you visit the Ofcom website it quite clearly says that they will retain free use for churches, schools, village fetes and small use entertainers. It is the big users like London Theatres and TV stations where they may use a hundred different frequencies at the same time that they are proposing to charge. Personally I think the BBC are being disingenuous and alarmist as they have a vested interest in this and are biased. All the advice I have received apart from members on this site is that the sort of use we make is safe.

[colint]

another licence fee there's a suprise! if fact the only thing I'm really suprised about is the amount of time it's taken them to relise they can earn a few quid out of this as well? :bang:

one thing's for shure (pun intended) no petition is going to make any change they want your money so you'll be stuck with it!

as for myself, i bought a shure system about 10 years ago used it once and spent the rest of the night trying to find the damm mic!
eventually found it the next day at the bottom of a box of 12" singles, never used it since! :o