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Shure Wireless System at Democratic National Convention 

Mary J. Blige performs onstage during the final day of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 6, 2012 in Charlotte, N.C.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Shure Incorporated in Niles, Ill., reports that Shure UHF-R wireless systems were used by all of the performers at Bank of America Stadium for the final event of the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. Performers included the Foo Fighters, Mary J. Blige, Earth Wind and Fire, and James Taylor.

For Production RF Technician James Stoffo, the frequency coordination challenge actually began months before the convention, when a preliminary site survey was conducted. “We were crushed for frequencies,” Stoffo says. “I could see several hundred RF signals on my spectrum analyzer.”

James Taylor performs onstage during the final day of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 6, 2012 in Charlotte, N.C.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Louis Libin, the frequency coordinator for both political conventions, requested a Special Temporary Authority from the FCC, permitting them to operate wireless audio equipment in two frequency ranges outside of the broadcast television band, which are reserved for public safety and commercial use, but had not yet been assigned to licensees in the Charlotte area.

With the additional spectrum resources, Stoffo was able to successfully operate the 12 UHF-R wireless microphone systems, 10 PSM1000 personal monitor systems, and six intercom systems required for the show. The predictably heavy presence of police and Secret Service officers with their radios added to the overall RF noise level. “From my analyzer…from what I could tell, the density was on par with the Super Bowl,” he says.

Find more information about Shure UHF-R wireless systems.

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