It seems that the FCC is dividing wireless mic users and devices into two classes:

Licensed (Part 74) users. Those eligible to obtain a license under Part 74 include broadcast stations, and crucially, motion picture and television producers.

Unlicensed (Part 15) devices. This includes everyone not eligible for a Part 74 license, which right now includes theatrical productions, concerts and other non-broadcast/filmed events, houses of worship, PTA meetings, etc, etc. It also includes 802.11 WiFi devices and cordless phones and will includes the upcoming TVBD ("white space") subscriber devices.

Most of our readers are eligible to obtain an FCC license, since the FCC's definition of a motion picture producer is, "a person or organization engaged in the production or filming of motion pictures." (They have a similar definition for television producers). Note that eligibility does not confer the rights of actually obtaining the license. We recommend everyone that is eligible obtain a license for three reasons:

1. Any radio mics covered under your license would be (theoretically) protected from interference from other non-licensed wireless mic users and any other TVBD's.
2. If more Part 74 licenses are issued, wireless mic users will have a bigger voice when it comes time to allocate white space spectrum. I realize this sounds far fetched, but a big reason that white space device manufacturers successfully argued that their devices should be allowed to use the TV spectrum was because they claimed that there were very few licensed users using that spectrum. Remember, licensed users have protection from unlicensed users.
3. Licensees are able to operate their radio mics above 50 mW.

In the next issue, we will document our license application in the hopes that it will help others obtain a Part 74 license themselves. If you'd like more information, please drop us a line!