Put a Wireless On...

"Put a wireless on him/her" is not so simple.

Radio microphones are a staple of screen production. On drama shoots, reality game shows, and OBs, multiple units are required. Finding usable blocks of spectrum is proving more and more difficult.

The advent of digital terrestrial television (DTT) has its downside. It uses up more of the available UHF spectrum where most radio microphones operate.

DTT delivers constant power across its allotted 8MHz block and adjoining blocks don’t need a gap between them. Analogue TV transmission also uses spectrum. Radio microphone users can use parts of the spectrum where television isn’t transmitted between 646 MHz and 806 MHz. With analogue, only one TV channel per 8MHz block is possible and you can operate wireless microphones in and around these channels. DTT is more efficient because several channels can be broadcast in one 8MHz block, the number dependent on the quality of the broadcast signal.

Until 2012 at least we have both analogue and DTT operating. The Government’s intention is to turn off analogue either in 2012 or when 75% of the population are tuned to DTT. Once analogue is switched off the blocks used can be converted to DTT or sold to other potential wireless users such as telecommunication companies.

Users and suppliers of radio microphones met in Wellington and Auckland recently to learn about the impact of DTT in New Zealand, to understand the rules under which they are supposed to operate, and to discuss possible solutions. Committees were established in both centers to promote the concerns of radio microphone users to the Ministry of Economic Development which oversees the radio spectrum in New Zealand. In Wellington, the committee is a sub-committee of the Wellington Audio Association. In Auckland, the group has the name Wireless Users NZ. Both groups are working on a common approach to the Ministry. The Ministry sent a representative to the Auckland meeting, so our concerns have been recognized and are being taken seriously.

Much of the information from the meetings is of a technical nature and a summary here won’t do it justice. If you want to know more, or want to do something about the issue, contact the Wellington Audio Association http://www.waa.org.nz/ or Wireless Users NZ (WUNZ) by email marcel@audiotelex.co.nz. A chart of frequency allocations, as permitted by the General User Licence is available, at Put a Wireless On…. All the information on what’s allowed is available on the Radio Spectrum Management http://www.rsm.govt.nz/cms - though it’s not easily digestible (one of the things we have explained to the Ministry).

WUNZ will add you to its email database and supply you with a copy of the minutes of the Auckland meeting for a $10 donation to help defray expenses.

Pay To: ASB Bank, Mt Eden, Auckland. Account Name: NZF&VTG Number: 12-3048-0251160-00

Information to appear on your Bank Statement: NZF&VTG

Information to appear on NZF&VTG Bank Statement: WUNZ

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This is a good opportunity to publicly thank** Jennifer Butcher**, whose excellent chairing of the Auckland WUNZ meeting saw it achieve its agenda and finish on time; and Marina McCartney who managed to record the minutes of the event.

Stephen Buckland, Chair, WUNZ