Nady Systems recently announced the introduction of their UWS-100—a new 100-channel select UHF Wireless System with 100 frequencies, per 24MHz wide band, manually selectable, or by autoscan feature,  for open channels.  The UWS-100 offers state-of-the-art PLL UHF performance with 120dB dynamic range and operation up to 500’ line-of-sight.  Other features include:  ASC™ (Auto-Sync Channels) download which sends selected GROUP/CHANNEL information to transmitter via IR sender for easy frequency synchronization; Tone Squelch™  circuitry for protection from RF interference; Front Panel Touch control buttons for ease of channel selection and ASC™ operation; and DigiTRU Diversity™ for maximum range and dropout protection.

The UWS-100 receiver features rugged all metal housing. Choice of transmitters include:  UHT-100 handheld or UBT-100 bodypack with choice of 3 input select modes—LT for lavalier mic use, HM for Headmic™ use, or GT for instrument use.  All transmitter options provide 100 easily selectable channels via ASC™ IR download of selected channel for easy synchronization with receiver.

The UWS-100 is expected to ship in July, 2010.

With more and more devices crowding the airwaves it can be hard to find an available frequency without interference while setting up your wireless mics. Sennhesier has a solution, an audio tool for finding open frequencies that incorporates the FCC TV broadcast database.  Simply enter either a City or Zip Code and the application provides you with a list of available and used frequencies. This is another one of those must have tools for any filmmaker serious about getting great audio without spending time looking for an open frequency which we all know can be very time consuming.

Over at ArsTechnica, there’s a great writeup on the FCC’s proposed ban on wireless microphones that operate between the 698-806MHz frequencies.

The FCC recently auctioned this space off due to the end of terrestrial analog broadcast in February of 2009, and the telecom companies that bought this spectrum, don’t want wireless mics interfering with their new frequencies.

“In July, a consortium of public interest groups warned the FCC that unlicensed wireless mic use in the area poses a threat that will become more pronounced after the DTV deadline. The Public Interest Spectrum Coalition’s (PISC) petition estimates that between 500,000 to 1 million unauthorized wireless mic systems operate in the 700MHz channels, “creating pools of potential interference that could undermine the reliability of these new public safety and commercial wireless systems.”

Most manufacturers stopped selling mics in this range last year, but if you have an older wireless system it’s possible that your wireless mic could soon be illegal to use in the United States, if it falls within those frequency ranges.

The complaint specifically targets these manufacturers:

Complaint of Public Interest Spectrum Coalition (PISC) Against Shure, Inc., Nady Systems, Inc., VocoPro, Audio2000, Sennheiser Electronic Corporation, Audix Microphones, Electro Voice, Hisonic International, Inc., Pyle Audio, et al.

Check out the the full article at Ars.