The licenses aren't a formality. When there is an interference complaint, the licensed user gets to see the unlicensed user issued a "Notice of Apparent Liability." If they don't pay it, the Department of Justice takes them to court and sees it removed from their hide. Churches and trade show hawkers can use wireless mics limited to 100 mw, and use unused FM radio channels. (You actually don't know what frequencies they use by listening.) There are several manufacturers that have marketed -- and sold to unlicensed users -- 950 mHz wireless microphones. Companies like "Shure" and "Sennheiser" and less well-known brands. These frequencies are the exclusive province of auxiliary links for FM radio stations (their only exclusive band). There is an argument that the vendors are moving the 700 mHz users of which you speak to these previously allocated channels. You can expect the FCC to issue significant fines -- multiple millions of dollars aren't out of the question -- to the vendors, users and manufacturers/importers in the next phase. Just a formality, of course. John Willkie -----Mensaje original----- De: opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] En nombre de Craig Birkmaier Enviado el: Monday, September 29, 2008 5:16 AM Para: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Asunto: [opendtv] Re: Google's Page: White spaces test was unfair Wireless mikes are used by MANY groups, not just broadcasters. In theory you need a license to use them, but in reality most of these devices are never registered with the FCC. Among the groups using them: Churches Live performance theaters Independent producers and videographers Trade show hawkers I've seen estimates that far less than half of these devices are operated with proper license. NOt that it matters, as the license is a formality. The critical issue is that local broadcasters typically police the channels being used and publish database of the channels that should be used in each market. And then there is the other reality - there is a large installed base of wireless mikes that use frequencies in the recovered 700 MHz spectrum. These "licensed" devices will not be able to use these frequencies after the analog shut-off. Or more accurately, users of these mikes will likely interfere with the new users of this spectrum. Regards Craig At 9:44 PM -0400 9/26/08, Albert Manfredi wrote: >Tom Barry wrote: > >> I don't want to harp on this much since I don't have much >> knowledge of wireless mike usage and also had no >> interest until now. But, aside from squatters rights, do >> wireless mikes have any legal claim to the white spaces >> over wireless something else? That is, why are they >> enough of an issue they can dictate policy? >> >> Should I care about them? Or are they just another issue >> created by the broadcasters lobby as part of the spectrum >> monopoly game > >Could be, in part. Wireless mikes are used BY the broadcasters, who >naturally know a lot better whether they risk interfering with >anyone than do the drunken fans at the ballgame. > >See: > >http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2321906,00.asp > >for an explanation. > >To me, this whole white space thing has always seemed like fertile >ground for the most clueless to yell foul. The arguments in favor >seem to revolve around "only those who resist change don't want this >spectrum used." A typical tactic used by those who don't understand >the subject matter to put the opposition on the defensive. (Gee, >where have we seen that stupid tactic used?) > >Of course, I also don't care so much about wireless mikes at >ballgames. But the general subject matter is important. And that >article showed how thoroughly confused the arguments become. > >Bert > >_________________________________________________________________ >See how Windows connects the people, information, and fun that are >part of your life. >http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/msnnkwxp1020093175mrt/direct/01/ > >---------------------------------------------------------------------- >You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways: > >- Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings >at FreeLists.org > >- By sending a message to: opendtv-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the >word unsubscribe in the subject line. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways: - Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings at FreeLists.org - By sending a message to: opendtv-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the subject line. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways: - Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings at FreeLists.org - By sending a message to: opendtv-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the subject line.