Dire warning for pro-users ahead of UK wireless system change

According to UK pro audio specialist and installer EAV Pro Audio, up to 75% of wireless microphone users may be unaware of changes in the law due to take effect on 1 January. Following the digital switchover this year, some of the radio frequencies currently used by wireless microphones are being reallocated to allow the broadcast of Freeview TV signals and new 4G mobile technologies.

As a consequence, many wireless microphones legally in use today will conflict with these signals and will therefore be outlawed as of the New Year.

Although the changes have been widely discussed and explained in trade and even mainstream media, EAV’s intelligence suggests that there is still a considerable knowledge shortfall on the part of end-users.

Glyn Chapman, managing director of EAV, comments: “We’re shocked by just how little awareness there is amongst users about the upcoming changes in the law. In our experience, up to three quarters of users don’t understand the changes, let alone know if their equipment will be compliant come 2013.”

Not all equipment will be affected by the changes, but the technicalities can be complicated by the number of microphones in use, the location and frequency settings currently in use.  EAV offers a free tool on its website (www.e-av.co.uk) that allows wireless microphone users to verify their compliance.