Starting on June 12, 2010, in the United States, a number of wireless microphones (like you might use with your video camera) will become illegal. Why? Because that’s when the transition to digital television will be complete. Public safety services will begin using the frequencies previously used by televisions stations, and some wireless mics use those frequencies too.
If your wireless microphone operates in the 700MHz band, on June 12, 2010, it will be illegal…as it might interfere with police and fire frequencies. What will happen? I have no idea, but I doubt squad cars will pull up and officers will tackle you to the ground.
Happily, most newer wireless microphones don’t operate in the 700MHz band and are completely legal. But if you’re not sure, the FCC has compiled a list of wireless mics that will soon be deemed “illegal”. You can see the list by clicking here.
Or you can just look on the back of your wireless mic receiver. It will list what frequency the unit operates on.