Old illegal wireless mics: trash or treasure?

[moosicman]

So we've been warehousing our old units and I wondered if they could be used by someone who could cannibalize them into something legal. I'd love to get a nickel or two out of them. Or are they dumpster fodder? Thoughts?

[pdc]

Nope. Completely different than the crystal based VHF units of yesteryear.

All you can do is pitch 'em, or sell them to a user in another country that can make use of them. The list of those is getting smaller. The 700 band is shrinking world wide.

The FCC is giving people a year to stop using them completely and then heavy fines will be issued. The Sennheiser guys were in the shop this week. We had a talk about the future of 608-614MHz. There is no proposal before the FCC at the moment, but there is some talk of it going away completely for some markets. We already have the 433MHz band off limits. Some people are saying that VHF would be the best choice. It sounds better, has better reception, and is now more open than ever. After the inventory has been completed by the FCC, they will announce another scheduled move and reallocation, in about five years. So, do your research and go lower if you can.

I think most churches do not actually need wireless, and should just not use it. It is a waste to have a stationary praise team on wireless mics. It is a waste to have stationary musicians on it. Wireless does not sound as good as a wire most of the time, and is just a convenience, not a necessity that warrants wasting the Lords money in some cases.

We have sold wireless systems to churches that have purchased them twice. They were warned and did not listen. 14k dollars later, they are starting to get the idea. What a waste.

[Tim Padrick]

Body packs make nifty cigarette cases.

[[Admin] osborn4]

I keep wondering if some of our over seas bretheren (and sisteren) could use these?

[Brad Weber]

Originally Posted by osborn4

I keep wondering if some of our over seas bretheren (and sisteren) could use these?

Some likely can but you probably want to make sure before sending them something that could be illegal or impractical for them to use as well, and not just in terms of frequency but also in regards to any required product safety certifications, compatible power systems, etc.

[sitb2000]

In the UK, channel 70 (863 MHz - 865 MHz) is still available to use (license free)

We're planning to keep our current microphones and re-tune them in this range. We will purchase new ones to use in channel 38 where a license is needed and only use our old ones for large events where we require more microphones.

We could continue to use our old microphones but we had problems in the past picking up our neighbouring church using the same frequency - made it interesting listening to their sermon!

[bbrunskill]

I'd be in the market for 2-3 sets of 700 MHZ Sennheiser G2 in decent condition.

Still legal here in NZ.

[JeffM]

We have 4 wireless units and I need to check to see if they are legal. Is that done via model number or just by figuring out what frequency they are using?

[dboomer]

Frequency. In the USA you cannot use frequencies above 698 MHz (until you reach 928MHz)

[buswheel]

bbrunskil

I wouldn't go near 700 MhZ in NZ, as it is also to be reallocated, as it is here in Australia.

[bbrunskill]

I'm not going to spend lots of money on 700 MHZ, but if i could pick them up super, super cheap and get a couple years of use out of them, then that would be OK in my book.

[pdc]

Are you kidding? You would break the law to save a buck? The law is the law now, and everyone has had about five years to get ready for this.

The FCC is sending out cease and desist letters. We have customers who have received them. They WILL start cracking down.

Church's have a reputation for bucking the system, trying to get something for nothing. This kind of attitude fuels the fire.