Helpful Reminder for Radio Mics and Frequency Licensing in the UK

If you’re thinking about using wireless microphones or other wireless systems in the UK, you’ll find that there is a lot to contemplate before purchasing- the ease of use, colours, size, and battery life may be important in your decision making process- however, one of the most important things to consider is the radio frequency that your system will operate within.

There is a lot of information on the internet that is contradictory and may leave you questioning what frequencies are available for free use, and which are appropriate for your personal or business situation. Rest assured, this article will help you to know what UK radio frequencies are free for use and help you to make an informed choice on your equipment.

Contents:

Microphones, radio signals and recent changes.
What radio microphone frequencies are there?
UHF Frequency Chart
What Radio Frequencies are legal in the UK?
Wireless Radio Licensing in the UK.
What happens if I am on the wrong channel or frequency?

Microphones, radio signals and recent changes.

Traditional microphones work by converting sound into electric signals and are sent to the sound system using a cable or a lead. However, wireless microphones convert audio to radio signals and use radio frequencies, to help transmit this to your sound system to help you to convey your message in a convenient and wire-free way.

Despite wireless microphones becoming more popular, radio and microphone frequencies in the UK have been subject to many changes. This was largely affected in 2013, by the UK Government selling the 800MHz in order to allow 4G and help speed up mobile broadband speeds.and cleared the spectrum for digital TV

What radio microphone frequencies are there?

The most popular radio microphone frequencies are split into 2 groups:
Very High Frequency (VHF) (30 MHz - 300 MHz) - All license free. 173.8 - 175MHz
Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) (300 MHz - 3000 MHz)

Frequencies are separated into bands that are described as channels, for example channel 38 represents 606 - 614 MHz in the UHF band.

Many wireless radio microphones are connected to and work on the UHF frequency. The UHF is used worldwide and indicates which frequencies are available for use in different regions by dividing the UHF into channels 21 to 70. From these frequencies there are only a select few that are legal for public use in the UK, therefore it is crucial to know what frequency you are operating your radio microphones on.

UHF Frequency Chart

Channel	Frequency	Channel	Frequency	Channel	Frequency	Channel	Frequency
21	470 - 478 MHz	34	574 - 582 MHz	47	678 - 686 MHz	60	782 - 790 MHz
22	478 - 486 MHz	35	582 - 590 MHz	48	686 - 694 MHz	61	790 - 798 MHz
23	486 - 494 MHz	36	590 - 598 MHz	49	694 - 702 MHz	62	798 - 806 MHz
24	494 - 502 MHz	37	598 - 606 MHz	50	702 - 710 MHz	63	806 - 814 MHz
25	502- 510 MHz	38	606 - 614 MHz	51	710 - 718 MHz	64	814 - 822 MHz
26	510 - 518 MHz	39	614 - 622 MHz	52	718 - 726 MHz	65	822 - 830 MHz
27	518 - 526MHz	40	622 - 630 MHz	53	726 - 734 MHz	66	830 - 838 MHz
28	526 - 534 MHz	41	630 - 638 MHz	54	734 - 742 MHz	67	838 - 846 MHz
29	534 - 542 MHz	42	638 - 646 MHz	55	742 - 750 MHz	68	846 - 854 MHz
30	542 - 550 MHz	43	646 - 654 MHz	56	750 - 758 MHz	69	854 - 863 MHz
31	550 - 558 MHz	44	654 - 662 MHz	57	758 - 766 MHz	ISM	863 - 865 MHz
32	558 - 566 MHz	45	662 - 670 MHz	58	766 - 774 MHz	1G8	1785 - 1795 MHz
33	566 - 574 MHz	46	670 - 678 MHz	59	774 - 782 MHz	1G8	1795 - 1800 MHz

What Radio Frequencies are legal in the UK?
Radio microphone frequencies are limited to channel ISM 70 (863- 865 MHz) and channel 38 (606- 614 MHz). When researching the reasons for this it can be complex and technical, but if you operate and use wireless microphones, this information is important, so we’ll try and simplify it.

Wireless Radio Licensing in the UK
Channel 70 / ISM (863 - 865 MHz)

Free for use in the UK and is deregulated and requires no license.
Maximum of 4 microphones in this radio system to avoid interference.
Channel 70/ ISM is a shared space- this can mean that if other people are using the same frequency nearby that there may be interference and issues.
Channel 68 (846 - 863 MHz) is used for 4G mobile internet. This may mean that some users towards the lower end of the Channel 70 spectrum could experience some interference.

Channel 38 (606.5 - 613.5 MHz)

Requires a yearly fee to be paid to Ofcom of £80 or £155 for two years. (If bought directly from the Ofcom website prices are less at £75.00 for one year, or £135 for two years).
Similar to Channel 70, if there are other people using the channel nearby, there can be interference.
Channel 38 has a larger space, meaning that it is possible to comfortably fit 10 microphones without interference.

What happens if I am on the wrong channel or frequency?
A lot of people operate their radio microphones on the wrong frequencies, however this is illegal and is against the law, and you can be liable for prosecution. Operating equipment without a licence can lead to communications from Ofcom, official warnings, the potential of a penalty of up to £5000 and/or serving a prison sentence, including seizure of such equipment.

Within the UK Ofcom is responsible for monitoring and ensuring that the spectrum and radio frequencies are being used correctly. For equipment to use radio frequencies they need to be licensed or have a specific exemption from a license and Ocfom have issued licenses to avoid interference and so that they can be coordinated.

Getting back onto the right radio frequency

How can we help you?

We offer many sound and communication options to many different business sectors.

To discuss how your business could benefit from having a new installation or an existing system serviced or upgraded, contact our team via email, or call us directly on 01254 377 007.