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Tuesday, September 15, 2009
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Digital TV switch may impact area churches
Staff Writer The switch over to digital television broadcasts could have an effect on church services - or any place that uses wireless audio equipment.
Wireless microphones, employed by many churches, in some cases share the same 700 MHz band that once carried analog television.
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Pastor Rory Swenson used a wireless microphone Sunday to lead the Brainerd Park United Methodist Church Service. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey
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When the federal government ruled television stations broadcast digital signals, it opened more of the 700 MHz band to advanced wireless uses and emergency responders. The Federal Communications Commission prohibited the use of wireless microphones and other devices in the 700-megahertz band after the transition to digital. No date has yet been set when such uses will be prohibited.
Tony Oltmann, chaplain at Bethany Good Samaritan Society, said the change will be more of an immediate problem in larger cities, but soon all organizations that use wireless systems in the 700 MHz band for microphones or other equipment will have to think about making a change.
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Nicole Steffy (left), with the help of Chasci Love, got her wireless microphone turned on before the Noah's Ark Summer Sunday School Program at Brainerd Park United Methodist Church. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey
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The concern, he said, will be money for such equipment changes, especially considering the state of the economy.
"What we're looking at is if it's going to financially (be) wise to do it now or wait until it starts becoming a problem," Oltmann said.
Oltmann also expressed concern about the lack of information being released about the change. He said he found out about it from his wife, who is an associate pastor at First Lutheran Church.
"We haven't heard nothing but word of mouth," Oltmann said. "It's something that in these hard times we're in, if churches don't know this is coming up in the next couple of years they could be caught with these surprise fees."
At Heritage Assembly of God Church in Baxter, associate pastor Bruce Larson has come across no problems with the wireless equipment used at the church. Larson, who works with music at the church, said he uses higher-end equipment and can choose channels and frequencies.
"When the (700 MHz) change first came out, I thought, 'Oh no, not another thing like this,' but I have not seen any problems with it yet," Larson said. "We haven't heard anything more on it and we kind of anticipate it being one of those things that might die quickly. I have no concern at this point."
Park United Methodist Church Pastor Rory Swenson remembered hearing about the 700 MHz issue, but said it dropped out of mind because so little was said about it afterward.
"Other than that, I've not noticed anything with the system," he said.
At Brainerd Area Catholic Churches, which includes St. Francis Catholic Church, St. Andrew's Catholic Church and St. Mathias Catholic Church, the sound systems were checked and it was determined they operated on a frequency that won't be affected by the 700 MHz band change.
"We haven't noticed anything and hopefully we won't," said pastoral associate Esther Reagan. "We should be fine."
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
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