What frequencies can wireless microphones legally use in the US?
In the United States, wireless microphones may operate in the VHF TV bands (54–72, 76–88 and 174–216 MHz) and the UHF TV band from 470 to 608 MHz, plus two narrow slivers left over from the 600 MHz auction: 614–616 MHz and 657–663 MHz unlicensed, and 653–657 MHz licensed only. Licensed Part 74 operators additionally get 941.5–959.85 MHz, 1435–1525 MHz, and 6875–6900 and 7100–7125 MHz. TV channel 37 (608–614 MHz) and the 600 MHz service band (617–652 and 663–698 MHz) are prohibited outright.
Almost every wireless microphone in professional use in the United States lives in one place: the UHF TV band between 470 and 608 MHz. Everything else is either a leftover sliver, a licensed-only band most people can't use, or a different technology entirely. Here is the whole picture, with the exact edges.
The short answer, by license class
US rules split wireless microphone operation into two regimes. Part 15 covers unlicensed operation — this is what the overwhelming majority of working mixers are doing, whether they realise it or not. Part 74 subpart H covers licensed low power auxiliary stations, which buys you more spectrum and more power but requires you to qualify.
| Band | Range | Power limit |
|---|---|---|
| VHF (TV ch. 2–4) | 54–72 MHz | 50 mW EIRP |
| VHF (TV ch. 5–6) | 76–88 MHz | 50 mW EIRP |
| VHF (TV ch. 7–13) | 174–216 MHz | 50 mW EIRP |
| UHF (TV ch. 14–36) | 470–608 MHz | 50 mW EIRP |
| 600 MHz guard band | 614–616 MHz | 20 mW EIRP |
| 600 MHz duplex gap (upper) | 657–663 MHz | 20 mW EIRP |
| Band | Range | Power limit |
|---|---|---|
| VHF (TV ch. 2–6) | 54–72, 76–88 MHz | 50 mW EIRP |
| VHF (TV ch. 7–13) | 174–216 MHz | 50 mW EIRP |
| UHF (TV ch. 14–36) | 470–608 MHz | 250 mW conducted |
| 600 MHz duplex gap (lower) | 653–657 MHz | 20 mW EIRP |
| STL / BAS-adjacent | 941.5–959.85 MHz | 1 W conducted |
| 1.4 GHz | 1435–1525 MHz | 250 mW, fixed locations only |
| 7 GHz | 6875–6900, 7100–7125 MHz | 1 W conducted |
| Low band | 26.1–26.48, 450–451, 455–456, 161.625–161.775 MHz | varies |
What is flatly off limits
- TV channel 37, `608–614 MHz`. Reserved for radio astronomy and, since 2000, co-primary with the Wireless Medical Telemetry Service. Prohibited for wireless mics under both Part 74 and Part 15. See why channel 37 is off limits.
- The 600 MHz service band, `617–652 MHz` and `663–698 MHz`. Auctioned to mobile carriers. Wireless microphone operation had to stop by July 13, 2020 at the latest, and earlier in many markets. See the 600 MHz repack, explained.
- The old 700 MHz band, `698–806 MHz`. Cleared in 2010. Gear tuned there has been illegal to operate for over fifteen years and illegal to sell for nearly as long.
Bands that aren't really TV band at all
Several systems sold as "license free" sidestep the TV band entirely and operate under general Part 15 rules for shared industrial bands. These are legal anywhere in the US without a license, but they are shared with an enormous amount of other traffic.
- 902–928 MHz
- The 900 MHz ISM band, under §15.247. Shared with cordless phones, smart meters, IoT radios and amateur operators. Popular for camera hops and budget systems.
- 1920–1930 MHz
- Unlicensed PCS, under §15.323. The DECT-style band used by conference and presentation systems. Very clean in most environments, short range.
- 2400–2483.5 MHz
- The 2.4 GHz ISM band, under §15.247. Shared with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and everything else. Workable in a field, punishing in a venue.
For a longer look at when these are the right call, see working above 700 MHz.
Why "legal" and "usable" are different questions
Every band in the tables above is legal. Almost none of them is clear everywhere. Wireless microphones operate on a secondary basis in the TV bands, which in plain terms means: the broadcaster was there first, the broadcaster has thousands of watts, and if you collide, you are the one who has to move. A frequency that is spotless in one county can be a full-power network affiliate thirty miles away.
That is the gap RF Scout is built to close — it reads the FCC's own record of what is transmitting near a given address and scores each TV channel accordingly, so you know which of these legal frequencies are actually worth trying before you get there.
Enter an address and get a band-by-band advisory in the blocks your gear actually tunes.
Score your shoot locationCommon questions
- What is the main wireless microphone frequency range in the US?
- 470 to 608 MHz — UHF TV channels 14 through 36. This is where nearly all professional production wireless operates, under either Part 15 unlicensed rules at 50 mW EIRP or a Part 74 license at 250 mW conducted power.
- Are 600 MHz wireless microphones still legal?
- No. Operation in the 600 MHz service band (617–652 MHz and 663–698 MHz) had to cease by July 13, 2020. Only three narrow segments near 600 MHz remain usable: 614–616 MHz and 657–663 MHz unlicensed, and 653–657 MHz for licensed operators.
- Can I use wireless microphones without an FCC license?
- Yes. Unlicensed operation under Part 15 is legal in 54–72, 76–88, 174–216 and 470–608 MHz at 50 mW EIRP, plus 614–616 and 657–663 MHz at 20 mW. You get less power and no interference protection, but no license is required.
- Why can't wireless microphones use TV channel 37?
- 608–614 MHz is reserved for radio astronomy and shared with the Wireless Medical Telemetry Service, which is used for patient monitoring in hospitals. It is excluded from both the Part 74 and Part 15 frequency lists.
Sources
Related notes
Field Notes are general reference, not legal advice or a substitute for the rule text. Spectrum rules change; verify anything you are relying on against the current source before you transmit. See the methodology and disclaimer.