Anchor Audio, Inc.

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Anchor Audio, Inc., will be converting its standard wireless microphone equipment from the UHF 682-698 MHz range to the UHF 540-570 MHz range for most products starting August 1st, 2014.

Anchor Audio will be converting the standard frequency of its sound systems’ built-in wireless receivers and corresponding wireless transmitting microphones in order to circumvent the FCC’s reorganization and auction of the 600 MHz wireless frequency bands.

In February 2014, Anchor Audio’s chairman of the board, David Jacobs, said, “Our engineering department has now initiated a certification program to determine if we should convert our standard wireless microphone equipment.” Jacobs said, “We will be prepared to react and provide our customers with wireless microphones which meet the new requirements.”

Anchor Audio engineers conducted extensive testing of range, interference, latency, transmission in line of sight vs. through walls and other obstructions, and antenna requirements for the 540-570 MHz frequencies. The 540-570 MHz frequency has passed all testing processes, and Anchor Audio has decided to move forward with the frequency conversion in August 2014.

In February 2012, President Obama signed a law which gives the FCC special authority to conduct a one-time incentive auction to repurpose some of the broadcast television spectrum. On December 2013, FCC Chairman Tom Wheller announced that the 600 MHz band incentive auction originally scheduled for 2014 will be delayed until 2015. On May 15, 2014, the FCC released a press release that said the auction is planned for the middle of 2015. This timeline of government action pertaining to the UHF wireless band has prompted Anchor Audio to convert their standard frequencies at this time.

 While the auction may happen next year, it will take a considerable amount of time for complete reorganization to occur. For this reason, customers with the current 682-698 MHz wireless frequency products will be able to continue the use of their products for the foreseeable future.

“This is a complex and time consuming process to reorganize the spectrum,” said David Jacobs. “Once an auction takes place for a specific band, it could take a few years to repack the remaining broadcast stations into alternate frequency bands.”

 Anchor Audio strives to innovate the portable sound system and portable PA marketplace. Advanced conversion of their standard wireless frequencies is one example of how the company looks towards the future