NewsCovering Kentucky

Actions

Sale Of Frequencies By FCC Affects Wireless Mics Belonging To Schools, Programs

Posted at 7:16 PM, Sep 07, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-07 19:40:10-04

JESSAMINE COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) – Wireless microphones operate on frequencies owned by the federal government. A lot of those frequencies were recently sold, causing organizations across the country to scramble to replace their microphones.

One local school is working on getting a head start to replace their wireless mics.

John Mark Vanderpool, the technical director at West Jessamine High School, showed us his mic packs that will eventually be illegal to use.

In 2017, the FCC started auctioning off frequencies. All microphones used on the 600 mHz range must be replaced or owners, like West Jessamine High, can expect fines or criminal penalties.

Although the deadline isn’t until July 2020, 54 days is all the school has left to raise $9,500 for new mics to save thousands.

“If we miss our $9500 mark which is our threshold to meet the rebates, our total cost goes from $17,000 to $23,000. If we can hit the $9500, we’ve got 2-3 years to figure out the rest” explains Vanderpool.

If you would like to donate to help replace the mics at the school, send a check made out to “West Jessamine High School” directly to the office with the word “Voice” on the memo line.