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.