All About Radio Microphone Frequencies

Updated 2021 Sometimes it can not be obvious what microphone frequencies you can and can’t use. Especially if you’re looking to buy 2nd hand equipment. Hopefully the guide below will help you make sense of it! OFCOM regulate microphone frequencies and decide who can use what, where and at what time. There are 3 license types you need to be aware of: License Exempt Shared License Coordinated License License Exempt FREQUENCY: 863.100 – 864.900 MHz MAX DEVICES: 4 FREQUENCY: 173.7 – 175.1 MHz MAX DEVICES: 3 FREQUENCY: 2400 – 2483.5MHz MAX DEVICES: 70* You can use these frequencies, without paying anything to anyone. It is a shared frequency, and may be subject to interference from other people are using it. *The 2400MHz or 2.4GHz is heavily saturated with other wireless devices such as WiFi, Smart Home, Phones, Bluetooth, Drones etc. It is very unlikely you can get 70 devices with no interference. Shared License FREQUENCY: 606.500 – 613.500 MHz MAX DEVICES: 12 FREQUENCY: 823.000 – 832.000 MHz MAX DEVICES: 12 FREQUENCY: 1785.000 – 1805.000 MHz MAX DEVICES: 12 To use these frequencies, you have to have a shared licence. At JnS we have one of these so you don’t have to worry about it. We pay an annual fee so that we can legally use these shared frequencies. They are shared however, so in very densely populated areas, they may be subject to interference. We have Sennheiser G4 radio mics that operate on 1785.000 – 1805.000 MHz. Coordinated License FREQUENCY: 470.000 – 606.000 MHz FREQUENCY: 614.000 – 694.000 MHz MAX DEVICES: 1000+ To use these frequencies you need to apply for a license from OFCOM. Without a license for these frequencies, using them is illegal. They are coordinated in a way to minimise interference, and OFCOM will support you should you experience any interference on a channel. This information is sourced from OFCOM‘s website.

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