Frequency changes to all wireless mic systems in the 600Mhz range in Canada Whether you are using a wireless microphone in a sanctuary, for aerobics classes, or in a school gymnasium, most of the professional and semi-professional systems are in the 600Mhz range of frequencies, generally from 614 to 698 Mhz. These wireless microphone systems are called UHF systems. Users of these UHF systems generally have excellent quality sound and lack of dead spots. More importantly, users of these wireless microphone systems have not had to pay a licensing fee compared to other types of wireless systems. Fast food restaurants, for example, pay a $600 a year licensing fee to ensure that no other wireless systems affect their given frequency set. With the license-free systems, most are multi-channel frequency systems so that if interference does affect one frequency set, the end user of the microphone can simply change frequencies to an interference-free channel, and continue using the system without issue.
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Ops Talk • Fall 2019
Frequency change as of 2018 In 2017, we learned that the 600Mhz frequency set was to be auctioned off to cellular phone companies in the U.S., and that a wholesale frequency change was to happen throughout the U.S. some time in 2019. We at Sound Solutions called all of our Canadian distributors to find out if Canada was to be affected and no supplier at the time could give us an answer, as nothing had been announced for all provinces. In spring of 2018, we found out that indeed, Canada was going to be affected by this frequency change, and that the 600Mhz set of frequencies was also going to be auctioned off to cellular companies
needing more bandwidth. In North America, the new frequency set was to be in the 500Mhz frequency range, which would continue to offer similar range and fidelity, and lack of dead spots. The problem is, it is not economically feasible to do a frequency change to an existing wireless mic, and while some companies offered a trade-in for the older 600Mhz systems, we recommended to most clients to continue using the 600Mhz systems until they reach end of life.
When is the frequency change taking place? As of November of 2018, suppliers and dealers were no longer
