Travel to Europe with a VHF mic at DVinfo.net

Jason Robinson · March 18th, 2008, 02:32 PM

I am planning a trip in September to Europe (from the US) to gather some stock footage and combine that trip with some sightseeing.

My question, and why this post is in Audio, and not Area 51, is what regulations exist in the EU regarding VHF wireless mic systems from the US? Anyone know of any restrictions or problems? I just hoping to clip a lav onto either myself or my subject in the event that I do have some audio needs. This is unlikely, but I want to keep my options open. Thanks for any advice.

Andy Wilkinson · March 20th, 2008, 10:06 AM

OK, since no one's replied yet I'll have a go at helping!

2 minutes digging around in Wikipedia (search for VHF and the now more widely used term FM = frequency modulation) should give you specific information on the frequencies used in the countries you will be visiting.

Since the range of these mics is so low I can't see you will have any issues unless you are working in a city area and pick up interference.

Do you know exactly what frequency your system uses?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VHF

Jason Robinson · March 20th, 2008, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Wilkinson

Do you know exactly what frequency your system uses?

I have no idea, though I am sure there might be some lookup table where I could cross reference Azden with the "channel" that they use and figure out what frequency that means. The Azden system only has a ch1 or ch2 but I have no idea how many frequencies Azden systems were made to use (only 2 possible, or are there many many more and you have to buy the mic / receiver in pairs matched by frequency).

The top two products are basically what I have.

Jason Robinson · March 20th, 2008, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Wilkinson

Do you know exactly what frequency your system uses?

The spec may be here.

Looks like Ch1 is 169.445MHz and Ch2 is 170.245MHz.

So now the real question is if these frequencies are legal to use in London, Pairs, & Rome.

Anyone know where I could look for that information?

Jim Andrada · March 20th, 2008, 12:02 PM

Have you contacted the maker? I think usually they have a list of what's legal (or optimal) where. I don't have the problem because I only use wired mics, but I think I've seen threads discussing this and talking about getting appropriate info from the makers.

Jack Walker · March 20th, 2008, 12:44 PM

Here is the Sennheiser Frequency Finder chart for Europe:
http://www.sennheiser.com/nordic/icm...requency-check

Here are the Sennheiser charts for the USA:
http://www.sennheiserusa.com/newsite...inder-open.asp

It appears that your units by be just under the allowed frquencies.

Here is a chart of available Azden VHF frequencies:
http://www.videodirect.com/accessories/azden/vhf.html

March 18th, 2008, 02:32 PM	#1
Jason Robinson Trustee Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 1,997	Travel to Europe with a VHF mic I am planning a trip in September to Europe (from the US) to gather some stock footage and combine that trip with some sightseeing. My question, and why this post is in Audio, and not Area 51, is what regulations exist in the EU regarding VHF wireless mic systems from the US? Anyone know of any restrictions or problems? I just hoping to clip a lav onto either myself or my subject in the event that I do have some audio needs. This is unlikely, but I want to keep my options open. Thanks for any advice.

March 20th, 2008, 10:06 AM	#2
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	VHF Mics in Europe OK, since no one's replied yet I'll have a go at helping! 2 minutes digging around in Wikipedia (search for VHF and the now more widely used term FM = frequency modulation) should give you specific information on the frequencies used in the countries you will be visiting. Since the range of these mics is so low I can't see you will have any issues unless you are working in a city area and pick up interference. Do you know exactly what frequency your system uses? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VHF __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

March 20th, 2008, 12:02 PM	#5
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	Have you contacted the maker? I think usually they have a list of what's legal (or optimal) where. I don't have the problem because I only use wired mics, but I think I've seen threads discussing this and talking about getting appropriate info from the makers.

March 20th, 2008, 12:44 PM	#6
Jack Walker Trustee Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burbank Posts: 1,811	Here is the Sennheiser Frequency Finder chart for Europe: http://www.sennheiser.com/nordic/icm...requency-check Here are the Sennheiser charts for the USA: http://www.sennheiserusa.com/newsite...inder-open.asp It appears that your units by be just under the allowed frquencies. Here is a chart of available Azden VHF frequencies: http://www.videodirect.com/accessories/azden/vhf.html