I wrote the following for the next issue of Folk London, but Sheila said she doesn't mind if I post it here in advance...

The current version of Government plans to sell off portions of the radio spectrum, mean that most radio mics currently in use by the entertainments industry - but also at places of worship, aerobics classes, amateur dramatics productions, church fêtes, FOLK EVENTS, etc. - will probably become illegal to use, after the Digital Switch Over (DSO) in 2012.

Most radio mics run within a group of frequencies called Channel 69. Originally, Ofcom said they accepted the importance, of keeping Channel 69 reserved for PMSE (Programme Making & Special Events) use, given the cost to the entertainments industry and the Public, of replacing all that equipment.

However, that all changed in December 2008 and Ofcom now plans to move all PMSE users to a new channel - Channel 38; although the precise frequencies are still to be announced.

If that happens, then many people - not all of them professional users - will have to throw their old radio mics away and buy shiny new ones, which will work on the new frequencies. People caught using old radio mic equipment illegally, after the DSO, could receive heavy fines.

How much it will cost to buy a PMSE license after DSO is still also to be decided - by the Joint Frequencies Management Group (JFMG), who will be the "band managers" for PMSE equipment.

The British Entertainments Industry Radio Group (BEIRG) has launched the Save Our Sound campaign, in an attempt to keep Channel 69 for PMSE use and save everyone from having to buy expensive new radio mics; or risk facing punishment, in 2012.

Anyone who stands to be negatively affected by this, is encouraged to write to their MP and sign up to BEIRG right away.

BEIRG blog: http://beirg.wordpress.com/

JFMG website: http://www.jfmg.co.uk/