rich Posted July 5, 2011 Report Share Posted July 5, 2011 I have a shoot coming up next week heading to Japan and was looking for some advice and first hand experience of radio mics over there. Looking on here, I've found that the frequencies set aside are 790-810mhz which only my IEM covers - my radios are 608-638 and 660-690mhz. Whilst o am sure I can get 2 talent mics, a camera hop and an ifb running, I am more interested in how policed things are particularly as I will be filling out a carnet. I remember reading the article in the coffeysound magazine about Steve Nelson mixing Batman, but as that was a major feature there were a lot more permits an officials to go through, but a we will be heading as close to the Fukashima power plant as we will be allowed to get, I imagine there will be a fair bit of paperwork anyway. So basically, if anyone has any experience bringing radio mics to japan that aren't on the frequencies allocated to us, how you got on. Or if I should give up trying to use my radios and hire in ( at productions cost) Not sure where we will be filming at this point in terms of cities. Thanks Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Gilbert Posted July 5, 2011 Report Share Posted July 5, 2011 I went there last year and had no trouble taking my Block 21 Lectros in and out, they weren't checked at all. I did have trouble finding free frequencies a couple of times, but both times were in Central Tokyo, so no surprises there really, but I found some gaps quickly enough, everywhere else (Osaka, Hokkaido and some places I don't recall) I had no trouble whatsoever. One thing to remember, the customs on the way out were the keenest I've found to check out LIon batteries, to the extent of getting the multimeter out to check voltages! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted July 5, 2011 Report Share Posted July 5, 2011 OTOH, there is the potential of having your gear confiscated, perhaps even permanently... soooo... What's it gonna' be ?? do ya' feel lucky ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlw Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 You may want to contact our distributor over there, General Traders in Tokyo. They can advise the possibility of renting radios in legal frequency bands. There is also a 10 mW limit for transmissions. The good news is that Block 779 (the Lectrosonics band specifically for Japan) is clear of anything else. Yes - there is only about 20 MHz of legal spectrum, but we were able to get 40 channels operating simultaneously during a test in 2009. http://www.gentrade.co.jp/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich Posted July 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 You may want to contact our distributor over there, General Traders in Tokyo. They can advise the possibility of renting radios in legal frequency bands. There is also a 10 mW limit for transmissions. The good news is that Block 779 (the Lectrosonics band specifically for Japan) is clear of anything else. Yes - there is only about 20 MHz of legal spectrum, but we were able to get 40 channels operating simultaneously during a test in 2009. http://www.gentrade.co.jp/ Thank you Karl. will get in contact with them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Nault Posted July 11, 2011 Report Share Posted July 11, 2011 Travelled there last year, Tokyo all the way down to Kagoshima and had no problems with frequencies. Travelled with a carnet, and I recall 3 items were randomly checked for serial numbers, which is about twice as thorough as most other countries I've been to. But no one ever checked frequencies. Pretty good check over the gear on the way out, as well. Only problem I did have was getting cash from ATMs! A lot of Japanese bank machines just don't work with foreign cards, but all 7-11's have international bank machines. If you run low on cash, look for a 7-11. They're everywhere. Doi tashe maste! Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chase Yeremian Posted July 11, 2011 Report Share Posted July 11, 2011 Theres another article from The Coffey Files about a shot for the movie Inception shot on the rooftops of japan and some specifics about bringing Wireless systems through customs and using them in japan. Pretty interesting read. Starts at about page 22 found here http://soundandpictureonline.com/wp-content/issues/Coffey_Files/Summer2010/index.html Hope that helps you out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich Posted July 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2011 Thanks for the tip Rich. Probably saved a lot of head scratching and phone calls home to banks with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Mega Posted July 11, 2011 Report Share Posted July 11, 2011 Here's a Japan frequency spectrum doc that might be of use. Cheers Peter Mega Japan Frequency Spectrum.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich Posted July 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 so far, UK38-40 (606-638) looking very clear, both in Tokyo and near Fukushima. block 26 looking quite clear in Tokyo, but not scanned since but no problems near Fukushima. and not getting within the 20Km exclusion zone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Munns Posted January 13, 2012 Report Share Posted January 13, 2012 Has anyone any experience of using Ch69 (854-861) frequencies in Japan. I seem to remember them being ok last time I was there but it was a while ago. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afewmoreyears Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 The Carnet and the "intrest " is from all my experience related to country of origin, value... whats coming in and whats going back out... I have never seen the officials there concerned with the frequency of ANY of the gear.... Now this was a few years ago, but I doubt it has changed... As for what will WORK there, better you check, looks like Mr. Mega has provided some reference material... As always, bring a bunch if you can, and see whats availible once your there... even after all your research.. These days, you have to pick and choose once on site... so many variables... doing your homework like your doing cant hurt... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadoStefanov Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 This link has a trojan!!!!!!!!!! Theres another article from The Coffey Files about a shot for the movie Inception shot on the rooftops of japan and some specifics about bringing Wireless systems through customs and using them in japan. Pretty interesting read. Starts at about page 22 found here http://soundandpictu...2010/index.html Hope that helps you out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 "using Ch69 (854-861) frequencies in Japan. " aside from import/export issues, there are the legality issues (using wireless mic's in Japan has some strict regulations, including, for example a 10mw power maximum. Experienced "local fixers" in Japan are able to work wonders, and your production should certainly have them for many more reasons than radio mic issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F Enholmer Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 You may want to contact our distributor over there, General Traders in Tokyo. They can advise the possibility of renting radios in legal frequency bands. There is also a 10 mW limit for transmissions. The good news is that Block 779 (the Lectrosonics band specifically for Japan) is clear of anything else. Yes - there is only about 20 MHz of legal spectrum, but we were able to get 40 channels operating simultaneously during a test in 2009. http://www.gentrade.co.jp/ I am having trouble tracking down this company "General Traders" in Tokyo. Do you have any other distributors whom can help in hiring wireless equipment in legal frequencies in Tokyo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Mayer Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 I am having trouble tracking down this company "General Traders" in Tokyo. Do you have any other distributors whom can help in hiring wireless equipment in legal frequencies in Tokyo? I believe that General Traders has folded. Some of their staff moved on to start a new company, you could contact them, they may be able to point you in the right direction. Tech Trust Japan Co., Ltd.. Glass City Moto-yoyogi 30-13 Moto-yoyogi-cho, Shibuya-ku Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0062 Japan Tel: +81 (0) 3-5456-5730 Fax: +81 (0) 3-6369-4465 www.tech-trust.co.jp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlw Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 I believe that General Traders has folded. Some of their staff moved on to start a new company, you could contact them, they may be able to point you in the right direction. Tech Trust Japan Co., Ltd.. Glass City Moto-yoyogi 30-13 Moto-yoyogi-cho, Shibuya-ku Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0062 Japan Tel: +81 (0) 3-5456-5730 Fax: +81 (0) 3-6369-4465 www.tech-trust.co.jp Thanks Matt - this is correct. Tech Trust Japan is our distributor now - it is made up primarily of former employees of General Traders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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