In association with Shure
OFCOM have announced that they are extending access by three months to the channel range 61 to 69 until the 31st of December 2012. JFMG will continue to co-ordinate the use of channels 61 to 68 during this period.
Full Details are available from:
OFCOM has announced important information about the use of radio spectrum for the London 2012 Games.
- Only accredited "Games Family" members are allowed to operate at venues
- Games Family members include Rights Holding Broadcasters, accredited Press, the IOC and IPC, National Olympic and Paralympic Committees, International Federations, and Games sponsors and partners.
- All wireless devices will need to be declared and approved for use at the Games. You can do this by applying for frequencies and validation tags for your wireless devices. These can only be obtained from the LOCOG Spectrum team by emailing spectrum@london2012.com, and applies to all wireless equipment, except mobile phones, laptops, 3G dongles, key fobs and Bluetooth devices.
- There is extremely limited availability for UHF frequencies at Games venues. LOCOG strongly encourages the use of VHF frequencies to meet any PMR/LMR/walkie-talkie equipment requirements.
- Users must have approval from LOCOG prior to using the Private Business Radio (PBR), PBR Suppliers licence and PMR446 frequencies at Games venues.
- If you do not have a licence and a validation tag you will not be able to bring wireless equipment into LOCOG venues.
- Users that have a licence or use equipment that is licence exempt must still apply for a games licence to use the equipment at venues
- OFCOM will issue Games licences in early 2012. These licences specify the period of operation, the frequency, location, and maximum output power the radio frequency device must use.
- LOCOG strongly recommend that you apply for frequencies prior to 31 December 2011.
Full Details are available from:
What's happening?
The UK Government has announced that they will be selling off UHF radio mic frequency bands, to bring us in line with the rest of Europe, and to allow mobile phone operators to increase their ability to supply smart phone services.
How does this affect me?
This will affect all radio microphone users as the sell off includes the frequencies of Channel 69. Instead, Channel 38 will be home to licensed radio microphone users.
The result of this sell off is that the majority of radio mics currently in use will become both unusable, and illegal to use from 1st October 2012.
The following chart explains how the frequencies are/will be allocated:
Above table taken from Shure's Digital Switch Over Support literature. Click Here to visit the whole publication online.
*As per the table above, the interleaved spectrum channels in green may be available for use under licence, depending on geographic location. Users should continue to operate in conjunction with this service both before and after the channel 69 to channel 38 switch over in 2012. Visit www.jfmg.co.uk for more information.
According to current information, you should be able to expect to use your existing equipment until 1st October 2012 although this date may change
Owners of radio mic equipment may have the option to modify existing equipment to channel 39 or purchase new Radio Mics
Obsolete equipment will no longer be legal to use, we appreciate that this subject is complex and you may like advice on whether you can modify your existing equipment or what new equipment you need buy. Contact Us