Channel 38 or Channel 70
Wireless Jargon
So you’re looking to buy a UHF wireless microphone system and see the different frequency options, but what option do you go for… Channel 38 or Channel 70?!
Hang on, what’s a channel?
Channels are “blocks of frequencies ranges” called “frequency bands” that can be used for wireless signals like Q-Audio wireless microphone systems.
Channel 38 and Channel 70 are both UHF (Ultra High Frequency) but they are different frequency bands.
What’s the frequency bands of Channel 38 and Channel 70 allowed for use with wireless microphones?
Channel 38 - 606.5 - 613.5MHz
Channel 70 - 863.1 - 864.9MHz
What’s the difference between the two channels?
Channel 38Frequency Range – 606 – 614 MHz | Channel 70Frequency Range – 863 – 865 MHz |
Frequency Range | Bandwidth | License Required |
| The frequency range is exactly what it says, a range of frequencies from a start point to an end point. As you can see Channel 38 has a larger bandwidth | Bandwidth is the space between the start point and end point of a frequency range. As you can see, Channel 38 has a larger bandwidth (4x more space) than 70, therefore it has more space within the frequency range. | Channel 70 is known as “free to air” this means that no license is required to operate wireless microphones on this frequency. Channel 38 requires a license to operate, take a look below to find out more information. |
Licensing
Channel 70 does not require a license currently but it is more prone to interference as it has a smaller bandwidth and is the most common used frequency band as it is free to use for anyone, due to this many cheaper manufactuers naturally sell more Channel 70 systems than Channel 38 systems.
Channel 70 is fine for people using wireless microphones for things such as karaoke and general announcements.
Channel 38 requires a license to operate your wireless equipment on, the license is on “shared license” basis which means the frequencies are not exclusive to you. It has a larger bandwidth than Channel 70 (4x more space!)
Licenses and further information can be found at www.ofcom.org.uk
Channel 38 is usually less congested due to it being a licensed band, it is much better for professional use.
It is illegal to operate wireless equipment on Channel 38 without a license.
Which Q-Audio Systems Use Which Channels?
We have a system on channel 70 but need two more radio microphones. What do you suggest please ?