Wireless Jungle

[Martin Kittappa]

I'm working at E3 at the LA convention center over the next few days- It's pretty much going to be a free for all with all the crews from around the world being there. Does anyone have any tips on how to stake your claim with your wireless mic frequencies.- I have a presenter walking around wearing a lav and using a wireless handheld to interview people. I also will be using a Zaxcom stereo hop to camera- tho I'll keep a breakaway cable handy just in case.

I have a list of frequencies that the venue is using so I'll stay well clear of those, and I'll start off by finding the best frequencies I can and I'll never switch off the transmitters so if anyone else scans near me they'll hopefully stay well away from me. Just trying to avoid any RF rage as best I can.

[geordi]

Yea... Keeping them cooking all day is about the only suggestion I would have if there isn't any definitive wireless coordination happening. At the same time, this might be a good time to break out your ancient VHF stuff as a double-secret third backup level... You never know when those will be the only ones with a clean signal.

Should you happen to have any tech that might not be *ahem* "current" with the FCC as far as frequency ranges... I couldn't care less if you used it normally, but at this type of event, I can see where the temptation to break it out in search of clear space would be very high. Resist that temptation, this is one of those high-profile events where there just might be a signal-cop floating around with a funny antenna looking for fishy signals. You don't want to get on the wrong side of them.

Need a wireless wrangler / cable monkey / coffee bitch? I wouldn't mind a few days wandering the halls of E3! Lucky bugger!

[JonG]

Use block 28

[geordi]

Should you happen to have any tech that might not be *ahem* "current" with the FCC as far as frequency ranges... I couldn't care less if you used it normally, but at this type of event, I can see where the temptation to break it out in search of clear space would be very high. Resist that temptation, this is one of those high-profile events where there just might be a signal-cop floating around with a funny antenna looking for fishy signals. You don't want to get on the wrong side of them.

Use block 28

And that is *exactly* the kind of thing I was warning against at this event. Block 28+ is dangerous territory to be wandering in these days... Like walking around an airport holding a bowling ball with a candle stuck in it. All you will accomplish is attracting unpleasant attention.

Jon, if you are joking (how I took your post) then yea... That is funny / sarcastic advice for the OP... But at the same time, there are too many neophytes that stumble into this board (or the industry!) who might try and point at a posting here as justification for their behavior... And now we are potentially implicated for suggesting it. Do I think it is a possibility to be harassed by the legal system for a posting? Nah, that is probably low risk. But at the same time, the lower I can make that risk... The happier I will be.

[Martin Kittappa]

Yeah I figure that it's going to be constantly checking the Rf, keeping a backup transmitter that I can switch out quickly and having some XLR as a failsafe. My biggest concern is that whilst shooting something another crew comes in to my area and steps on my frequencies with a walk and talk at crucial moment- could cause all kinds of tensions- Boom poles at 30 paces anyone!

Did get the block 28 humour- you've no idea how tempting that is, but at the risk of being shut down by the FCC I think I'll tread a more cautious path.

[beartrax]

i would use 250mW transmitters & stay close to talent & camera (if you're wandering with a bag) ... also if there's no rf coordinator there's "likely" not to be anyone walking around with a spectrum analyzer

[BudRaymond]

I kind of agree that block 28 would be a safe choice, IF you're an unlicensed user. If you have an FCC lcense, ignorance of the change becomes indefensible. Its still an at your own risk of white space devices spectrum, as far as I'm concerned. The problem is catastrophic inoperability could occur at any time and without warning.

[karlw]

I kind of agree that block 28 would be a safe choice, IF you're an unlicensed user. If you have an FCC lcense, ignorance of the change becomes indefensible. Its still an at your own risk of white space devices spectrum, as far as I'm concerned. The problem is catastrophic inoperability could occur at any time and without warning.

It does not matter whether you are licensed or not, using Block 28 in the US has been illegal for years now. Will someone catch you? Probably not. More likely is that a powerful intermittent signal will blow you off the air one day. Maybe not today, but it will happen eventually. Either way, it IS possible to be caught if someone happens to see your signal and report you. The consequences are not fun and may include hefty fines.

[Wandering Ear]

LectroRM or zaxnet and a very close eye on your rf. Jump in and change freqs as needed. Stay close to talent. Make sure issues are known right away so you can jump in and fix them quickly without losing content.

Cross your fingers and hope for the best :-D

[John Steigerwald]

I kind of agree that block 28 would be a safe choice, IF you're an unlicensed user. If you have an FCC lcense, ignorance of the change becomes indefensible. Its still an at your own risk of white space devices spectrum, as far as I'm concerned. The problem is catastrophic inoperability could occur at any time and without warning.

If caught, I believe the fine is somewhere in the neighborhood of $11K/channel/day.