Wireless Microphones and Frequencies

[linuxgal]

I want to buy a wireless (headset) microphone. Many are available in a range of frequencies in the 500 and 600Mhz ranges, but according to ICASA's frequency range chart, only two narrow bands are available in SA for wireless mics - around 173Mhz and 863-5 Mhz.
Are these other wireless microphone kits legal in SA, will they work, and what should I be looking at? Anyone with experience please advise.

 

[UnUnOctium]

I want to buy a wireless (headset) microphone. Many are available in a range of frequencies in the 500 and 600Mhz ranges, but according to ICASA's frequency range chart, only two narrow bands are available in SA for wireless mics - around 173Mhz and 863-5 Mhz.
Are these other wireless microphone kits legal in SA, will they work, and what should I be looking at? Anyone with experience please advise.

1) They will work. Unlikely that anything will be powerful enough to interfere.
2) Technically, they are illegal since 470-790 MHz is reserved for UHF TV. No one will do anything to you though since you're not transmitting at any high power.
3) Got any info on the modulation scheme they use?

 

[linuxgal]

3) Got any info on the modulation scheme they use?

I'm looking at a new one, the Samson AirLine Micro Wireless Earset System. It appears to be sold in a number of set frequencies around 642 - 645Mhz and bands, N1 to N6.
I am not that familiar yet with sound equipment (and UHF bands), so I just want to make sure that I am not going to have problems with interference if I take my own mic along to do a presentation.

 

[UnUnOctium]

N1-N6 are bands in 642-645. I can't get details on which central frequency e-tv is (needs more google) but it's unlikely you'll have interference (in fact, UHF here is one of the emptiest bands since it's only e-tv in it). You'll be fine, even if e-tv was in your frequency band, the radiated power at your distance will be much lower since I see the mic transmitter puts out 10 dBm.

 

[linuxgal]

Thanks... I assume you mean that e-tv signals won't be picked up by the receiver if it's in the same band? The system I'm considering doesn't have a range of frequencies in one set (to save weight I assume) - I have to choose a single band when buying. Then hope for the best!

 

[UnUnOctium]

Thanks... I assume you mean that e-tv signals won't be picked up by the receiver if it's in the same band? The system I'm considering doesn't have a range of frequencies in one set (to save weight I assume) - I have to choose a single band when buying. Then hope for the best!

I see, so you buy for a specific band (N1 or N3 etc). Like I said, even if e-tv happens to be in that frequency band, it'll be so weak (unless you're by the tower [Telkom one in lukasrand, Big JHB one, etc.]) that it still wont raise the noise floor above the signal power (or bring it anywhere close). There's a reason terrestrial television needs external antennae