Does anyone have a good resource to knowing what are license-less permitted radio frequencies for when shooting overseas? I have found this for UK and Germany, but I will be shooting in Eastern Europe - Russia and Ukraine - and have difficulties finding the information I need.
SHOOTING ABROAD: Radio Mic Frequencies and the Law?
- Thread starter jablevins
- Start date
Noiz2
Sound Ninja
I would give a call to the embassies of the countries you plan to visit and find out what is require and or permitted. Back in the dark ages of the last century I toured with a show that had remote controlled set pieces. When we got to Italy we were told by the local cops that it was illegal to use these kinds of devices with out a government license. Then they told us that they never pay attention to federal regulations anyway so we could just go ahead and do the show. Didn't even require a bribe!
John Willett
Veteran
The 863MHz band - specifically 863.1MHz to 864.9MHz - is legal, licence-free, all over Europe in all ETSI signatory countries as this band is designated for low power audio.
There is a list of all these countries available but, for the life of me, I can't find it.
I am pretty sure Ukraine is a signatory and I think Russia is, but I can't be sure.
I know Sennheiser had a list of all the ETSI countries where 863-865MHz is legal - I had thought it was on their website, but I can't find it.
I would suggest you call the Sennheiser distributor in your country and ask them for the list - if they are unhelpful, ask them to talk to Sennheiser Germany as the list definitely exists, I have seen it; I thought I had a copy, but it seems not, unfortunately.
If you are going to Russia and the Ukraine, make sure you have good insurance with the situation there as it is at the moment.
jamedia.uk
Well-known member
Given the current situation in Ukraine I am not sure radio mic frequencies is going to be your biggest problem.
However the best thing to do is ask the manufacture of your radio mics. They will know the frequencies for each country and the licensing requirements after all they have to know which versions to ship where... or at least to point you at one of their *reliable* distributors/importer who will be able to help with pragmatic advice. Including rental of the correct ones if yours are the wrong frequency and or getting the right paperwork if needed.
Asking the Russian or Ukraine Embassies may not be the best idea at the moment. Though you may have to ask them, depending what you are doing, about licenses for filming and or shipping kit in and out.... One country I know will let you ship some kit in but not let you take it back out again!!! Again a local distributor will probably be the best place to ask before talking to the embassy.
However for Ukraine at the current time this might be a more useful link:-
http://en.rsf.org/ukraine-violence-against-journalists-in-20-02-2014,45911.html
or this one
http://en.rsf.org/safety-of-journalists.html
You may not be doing journalism but at 200 metres armed soldiers(either-side)/militia/freedom-fighters/terrorists/criminals/frightened civilians are not going to pause to ask if you are a journalist, documentary film maker or a hollywood film maker. Indeed neither do helicopter gunships. http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/04/05/iraq.photographers.killed and at the moment there are a lot gunships looking for targets in Ukraine.
Minor note, jablevins you said "when shooting overseas" you mean somewhere like the USA? You did not specify your home location... it could be Estonia or Chile. We are not mind readers.
However the best thing to do is ask the manufacture of your radio mics. They will know the frequencies for each country and the licensing requirements after all they have to know which versions to ship where... or at least to point you at one of their *reliable* distributors/importer who will be able to help with pragmatic advice. Including rental of the correct ones if yours are the wrong frequency and or getting the right paperwork if needed.
Asking the Russian or Ukraine Embassies may not be the best idea at the moment. Though you may have to ask them, depending what you are doing, about licenses for filming and or shipping kit in and out.... One country I know will let you ship some kit in but not let you take it back out again!!! Again a local distributor will probably be the best place to ask before talking to the embassy.
However for Ukraine at the current time this might be a more useful link:-
http://en.rsf.org/ukraine-violence-against-journalists-in-20-02-2014,45911.html
or this one
http://en.rsf.org/safety-of-journalists.html
You may not be doing journalism but at 200 metres armed soldiers(either-side)/militia/freedom-fighters/terrorists/criminals/frightened civilians are not going to pause to ask if you are a journalist, documentary film maker or a hollywood film maker. Indeed neither do helicopter gunships. http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/04/05/iraq.photographers.killed and at the moment there are a lot gunships looking for targets in Ukraine.
Minor note, jablevins you said "when shooting overseas" you mean somewhere like the USA? You did not specify your home location... it could be Estonia or Chile. We are not mind readers.
