Wireless frequency in London
- Thread starter BradFu
- Start date
John Willett
Veteran
Not severe at all - it's very sensible. You very rarely get interference problems with radiomics in the UK due to proper regulation.
BUT - US radiomics are normally illegal in the UK!
There is a small band of frequencies that can be used all over Europe (including the UK) without a licence - this is within the band of 863.1 to 864.9 MHz (Sennheiser evolution band E). There can be used anywhere in Europe without a licence.
Up until next year, UK TV channel 69 (854 to 862 MHz) can be used all over the UK on a mobile licence. This will become illegal after 2012.
The new frequency band to replace this is UK TV channel 38 - this is currently used for Radio Astronomy. This can be used in certain areas now (London OK I think) and all over the UK from next year (2012). These frequencies are in evolution version GB (this fills the gap between versions B and G).
If you regularly use radio in the USA and the UK, version GB is the best option as it has frequencies that are legal both sides of the Atlantic.
If you have an evolution version G in the US, then the very top 2MHz of this band are in UK channel 38 and can be used in the UK - NB: only the top 2MHz of version G, no other frequency.
With the exception of the 863.1 to 864.9 MHz band you must purchase a licence from JFMG - these can be purchased on a daily or annual basis. It is best to get this all sorted before you arrive if you can.
Please note - do not confuse UK and European channel numbers with US ones - European TV channels are 8MHz wide, US ones are only 6MHz wide.
If you do not already have a radio system that is legal on UK frequencies, the best place to hire is Richmond Film Services - the best and, I think, also the cheapest. The hire company should also have sorted out any licensing as their licence covers you for using the equipment that you hire from them.
NB: You really do need to get a licence if you are using the regulated channels. The law covering this is the same law that covers pirate radio stations and penalties can be very heavy if caught, especially now I think as the Government are selling off oll the old analogue TV frequencies and the new users will be pretty upset of illegal use in the bands that they are paying a fortune for.
I hope this helps.
Thanks again! From the JFMG site:
It makes financial sense to ensure that you are properly licensed. If you use radio equipment without a licence, you could be fined up to £5000 and/or serve a six-month prison sentence. Additionally, the court may order the radio equipment to be seized.
If that happens, I'm blaming my producer.
It makes financial sense to ensure that you are properly licensed. If you use radio equipment without a licence, you could be fined up to £5000 and/or serve a six-month prison sentence. Additionally, the court may order the radio equipment to be seized.
If that happens, I'm blaming my producer.
John Willett
Veteran
Actually, they can seize a lot more than the radio kit - they can also seize the cameras and everything else.
The original law only allowed them to seize the transmitter, but a pirate radio station would have a spare and would be up transmitting again before they left the building. So the law was changed so they could also seize ancillary equipment - eg: all the records, CDs, turntables, mixer, etc..... That way it would be extremely expensive and difficult to star up again.
So, it could mean that on a video shoot they would have the right to not only seize the radiomics, but also the mixer, the recorder and the camera if they felt so inclined.
I have not heard this has actually happened yet - but the law does allow them to do this.