You are, no doubt, aware of the SAVE OUR SOUND UK campaign, of which the IBS is a member and wholeheartedly supports. The objective is to secure a fair compensation package for all those whose radio mics will need to be replaced as a consequence of the spectrum sell-off. Whether you own existing equipment or not, this is a huge issue for all activities and events that depend on these technologies.

Pressure from Parliament AND YOUR MP is now critical to help persuade the Government to do what is required. Peter Luff MP, who has been leading the charge in Westminster last week tabled something called an ‘Early Day Motion’ in the House of Commons. The Motion supports the SAVE OUR SOUND campaign.

Clearly, we need as many MPs to sign the Motion as possible, and the industry needs to persuade them to do it. Therefore, I urge you to write to or e-mail your local MP. All you need to do is the following:

1. Identify your local MP. If you do not know who this is, then simply type your postcode into this page on the UK Parliament website HERE
2. Personalise and adapt one of the sample letters which can be downloaded from the Save Our Sound website HERE - Choose the letter that best suits your situation and explain your circumstances. The options are:
a. Equipment owner
b. Equipment owner and user
c. Equipment user but not owner
d. Freelance sound engineer non-owner
e. General concern
3. Once your letter is complete, either send it to your constituency MP by post or e-mail it across. E-mail addresses can also be found on the UK Parliament website HERE
4. Some MPs cannot sign EDMs but most can. Follow up your letter with a phone call to your MP’s office if you do not receive a positive response.

The constituent organisations of SOS UK can only do so much. It is now up to you to help save your business and your industry. Also, please circulate this e-mail to anyone you know (for example, anyone could send the ‘general concern’ letter). The more pressure the better. Direct anyone with questions to the SAVE OUR SOUND UK website www.saveoursounduk.com

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John - Sound-Link ProAudio
President - Federation Internationale des Chasseurs de Sons

Hi John, I'm glad you pointed this one out as I knew nothing about this dire situation that's about to drop on us. The letter to my MP is on it's way, let's hope that many others have also taken time to do this simple task.

Regards,

Martin

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Sing like you mean it..........or at least try!!

Just think of all those poor companies with racks & racks of Shure UFH-R..... a good friend of mine tried the trade in thingy they were offering but he would of got more on ebay for them.

Completely unfair and i really do feel for the people who have lost out.

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PA Hire Surrey
Lighting Hire Surrey

Quote TSH-Tim:

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Just think of all those poor companies with racks & racks of Shure UFH-R..... a good friend of mine tried the trade in thingy they were offering but he would of got more on ebay for them.

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But if he sells them on e-bay he will have to say that they are illegal to use in the UK.

If not, he can be prosecuted for encitement to commit a crime.

I certainly saw copies of letters a few years ago where equipment was being advertised for sale that was not legal to use in the UK - it was rather heavy with the threat of prosecution if the offending ad. was not removed immediately.

Quote TSH-Tim:

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i really do feel for the people who have lost out.

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I'm not really sorry for people who have been using radiomics illegally without a licence for years and have now got their come-uppance with no compensation being offered.

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John - Sound-Link ProAudio
President - Federation Internationale des Chasseurs de Sons

Thank you for that info... my friend is (was) about to put 5way on ebay next week, am sure that after i show him this he'll think twice now.

Thanks !

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PA Hire Surrey
Lighting Hire Surrey

I purchased a Shure SLX14 system in June 2007. How would I know if my radio mic is now illegal?

Radio mics operate on specific frequencies, most being configurable to operate on a sub-set of different frequencies.

There are certain frequencies that anyone may use without a licence, although it's pot-luck as to whether or not you'll find anyone else using the same fruqencies at any specific location. It's a free for all situation with no one having the right to use the channel over anyone else.

There are also a large number of professionally managed frequencies the use of which is coordinated through a licensing scheme.

The changes to the spectrum in 2012 means that the licensed and free channels are all changing freqencies, and not all of the existing equipment can be reconfigured to work on the new channels. Licensed users may be able to collect some compensation for their defunct equipment.

New(ish) equipment should be designed to comply with the forthcoming new channel allocations, by being capable of being re-tuned to the appropriate channels. The details of the current and new frequencies are published widely across the web, but a good place to start is here:

http://www.jfmg.co.uk/

hugh

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Technical Editor, Sound On Sound

What frequencies is it capable of transmitting on?

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There's nothing we can't face... Except for bunnies

For added outrage, Equiniti, the company who everyone surrendered their mics to are now selling them back in to the very same market they came from. Unbelievable!
Source.

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There's nothing we can't face... Except for bunnies