RIP Wireless Microphone Systems?

Sound Advice by Brent Handy Contributing Writer November 10, 2009

Ok, so what does that have to do with TV? TV took up more frequencies with digital broadcasting. Some analog frequencies were freed up. But all of this is down in the low end, in the 400 to 500MHz bands, where it is already super congested. By 2009, you will be managing your wireless systems minute-by-minute in the 400's and 500's. It will literally be a crap shoot, rendering them obsolete.

Recently, Shure headed up to Washington with some other wireless companies. They met with a bipartisan group of lawmakers to explain, "No wireless frequencies, No NFL!" They made their voices heard about the realities of our niche market, and the need for the "white" band (the frequencies we use now). Did it help? We don't know. If Shure was smart, they would have networked with all major sport team owners, who REALLY have some power (useful when getting governments to build stadiums instead of funding schools), to go make the plea for air space.

Can your church use existing wireless systems after 2009? No. Not reliably. Can your church buy a comparable wireless system to the one in use today, that is future proof? No. There are some options, but these systems have 2W output power, require a license to operate, are digital and very expensive compared to what most people have now. Like $3k per channel +/-. I feel your pain right now. I just purchased $10k of Shure UHF-Rs and need to replace 8 Sennheisers still. It's all junk in two years, three years max.

Now, consider this little nugget. It is public knowledge that the government, through the IRS has "leaned" on several pastors, that are outspoken about controversial issues. My pastor was one of them. The IRS basically tried to limit free speech. It took a few calls from some high profile lawyers and the issue went away. But, imagine if your church was on fire for God, and the pastor was really causing a stir, and you were using licensed wireless systems. All that the government would need to do is make a few changes to existing and proposed legislation, that would include these licensed systems with terrestrial radio stations, which soon may be under the Fairness Act! The government is working on a way in the back door to choke the church friends. It is merely distracting us now by threatening Christian radio.

So, what do we do? It's too late to change the world with a phone call now I suspect. So, start saving money! Educate the powers that be, that this will need to be budgeted for, and to expect your next system to be no less than $2k to 3k per channel. They may be less, but I wouldn't count on it. Good sounding wireless will NEVER be as accessible, or affordable as it is today. RIP analog wireless!

Great words to remember from the book, Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth:
"It's a world without end." "The love of money is the root of all evil."