Well, those specific spaces may not be the ones auctioned off. For example, if NTSC channel 11 has a DTV on Ch 59, in Feb. they may shut down Ch 59 and begin transmitting digitally on Ch 11. 59 will be auctioned.
At the risk of sounding like a scoflaw, after auctioning, it’ll still take some time for the auction winners to implement. Even after they do, there’s no telling what that might do to the operation of wireless mics. We might be able to fire up on those channels if the transmitters and receivers are close enough.
There has been a law on the books for years that makes it illegal to fire up any device on the same spectrum as a TV station within 50 miles of that station. The only way to enforce that is from complaints by the licensee. Do they know what’s going on 50 miles from their tower? Probably not.
I caution people not to get too worked up. The wireless mfgrs didn’t start putting out frequency agile gear until we needed it. There may be a rough transition period, but I’m sure they’ll figure it out.
Regards,
Ty Ford
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