Digital FTA Radio

[Stuart Waller]

Excuse me if this seems like a silly question. But......

How is the launch of Free to Air Digital radio Nationally, going to affect our Radio Mics.

I'm still running Block 22 Lectros. Which still work OK.

Anyone got any knowledge on this?

Stu

[Steve Foy]

Hi Stu,

The ACMA issued a "Variation To Frequency Allotment Plan" in December 2007 to accommodate Digital Radio indicating 174 - 230 MHz which is VHF Band 3 (Channels 6, 7, 8, 9, 9A, 10, 11 and 12).

Hope this helps,

Regards

Steve Foy

[Stuart Waller]

Hi Steve,

Thanks.

Stu

[Bill White]

Hello Stuart,

As you are on Block 22, Digital Radio is the least of your problems.

Although there has been a lot of noise about digital radio recently, with their current promotional campaign, we have had continuous DAB broadcasting here in Sydney since November 2003.

They did upgrade their transmissions, only two months ago, from 15 kilowatts to an undisclosed level (100 kW?)

The transmitters are in what we used to call the Clayton’s TV Channel 9A (the TV channel you have when you’re not having a TV channel).

This gets confusing but 9A is either 202-208 MHz, or 202-209MHz, depending on where you live. This legacy is too complex to explain here, but just another case of ACMA predecessors stuffing it up decades ago.

Up until as late as February this year, Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) was still lobbying for an allocation above 230MHz. Reason being that Channel 9A is already occupied by five TV broadcasters, in NSW alone, in the 202-209MHz version.

What a tangled web we weave… etc.

I still have some clients with wireless mikes on 9A who operate in the gaps between translators and they are all in Sydney. Not a strategy that I have recommended since 2003 but they are still working 100% and they won’t be convinced to change to UHF.

Allegedly, an Old Greek Philosopher once said words equivalent to;

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it!

I am amazed that you are getting good performance out of Block 22 here in Sydney.

When Digital TV kicked off in Sydney (1999) I was inundated for months with requests from irate users to move their Lectro 195 systems out of Block 22. The Synthesized 200 series could not be (economically) converted; the price of staying on Block 22 is loss of range in Sydney.

I had so many enquiries asking me to explain why Block 22 systems had dropped in Range, I had to print an explanatory note for clients.

If you are interested… have just edited and pasted that document at:

http://microphonemagic.tv/articles/3-articles/37-block-22-in-sydney...

Regards,

Bill White

[Stuart Waller]

Hey Bill,

Thanks for that. Yes Block 22 is nuts! It is crowded in there. A few years ago on 'Love My Way 2', Mark van Kool and I had so many problems it was making me nervous just showing up for work.

We got a 411 receiver from ASC and scanned the Block while in Dover Heights which is where we were shooting. We found a very small gap and overlapped my 5 radios in there. I haven't moved them since.

The reason for these questions also was that at home, around the time of the promo for Digital radio, channel 9 sydney seemed to disappear. I actually had to rescan the STB last night and it was there.

Also thinking about upgrading my radios and want to know I'm on the right block.

Thanks again for the reply.

Stu

[Bill White]

Channel Nine are having major 'issues'. Click the below link.

Go Channel

Regards,

Bill

[Bill White]

Before upgrading your radios, be aware of the risk of them revamping the UHF TV bands (IV/V).

I have an article up on my website on this but hadn't published until now as I'm still grappling with some graphis that I have to manually edit on hard copy (SFX of knashing teeth).

The article has just been published (without the graphics) in the last hour.

It's titled Myth Busting the Digital Dividend

It is a very complex thing to get your head around and I can only hope that my attempt goes part of the way, while (hopefully) being entertaining.

Not for the faint-hearted, but essential reading if you are thinking of spending your hard-earned on wireless mikes.

The article does explain why such a disproptionate number of wirless mikes ended up on Block 22.

Regards

Bill White
PS: I will (hopefully) finish this epic article in the next week

[John O'Connell]

Hi Stu,
Sorry to hear of the demise of All Saints. Perhaps Stokes needs the cash for his bid to buy into Foxtel !

On the subject of Block 22 radio mics. I have a few in that block and was wondering if the clear frequencies you found were avaiable to your colleagues ! Save going to the trouble of hiring a 411 to repeat your research trick.
Good luck back in the freelance world.

John O'C

[Stuart Waller]

Hey John,

Yeah I'll put them up on Monday for you. They are all close together but maybe you only have 1 or 2.

Stay tuned.

Stu

[Stuart Waller]

Stay tuned. Get it? LOL.

[John O'Connell]

Hi Stuart,
I'll stay tuned and check in Frequently !
Thanks.

John

[Bill White]

Hello John,

Re clear frequencies for Block 22 in Sydney

Read the Blue paragraph at the end of this article.

Block 22 In Sydney

See you soon,

Bill

[Rob Stalder]

Had an email from David Madigan (Sound Recordist) in New Zealand & banner was attached to bottom of it. QUOTE - The Wireless Users Group of New Zealand (WUNZ) is a coalition of wireless microphone distributors and professional users in the entertainment and screen production industries. WUNZ was established in 2008 to represent all radio microphone users in ensuring that sufficient frequencies remain available with the changeover analogue to digital television. WUNZ has entered into constructive dialogue with the Radio Spectrum Management division of the Ministry of Economic Development. - END QUOTE http://www.wunz.co.nz/
Rob Stalder