Since VHF
and UHF
propagation
is usually
"line
of
sight,"
frequency
allocations
and usage
are far
more
"localized"
on
frequencies
above 30
MHz.
The
following
is a
summary of
the main
frequency
bands
found
above 30
MHz.
30
to 50 MHz:
This is
known as
the
"VHF
low"
band. Most
transmissions
will be in
narrow
band FM
with
channels
spaced at
20 kHz
intervals.
A wide
variety of
stations
can be
heard on
this
range,
including
businesses,
federal,
state, and
local
governments,
law
enforcement
agencies,
and
various
industrial
radio
services.
50
to 54 MHz:
This is
the
six-meter ham
radio
band. The
first
megahertz
is mainly
used for
USB, AM,
CW, FSK
modes,
digital
modes. The
remainder
of the
band is
used for
narrow
band FM,
both
simplex
and
through
repeaters.
52.525 MHz
is widely
used as a
simplex
and
calling
frequency.
54
to 72 MHz:
Television
channels
2, 3, and
4 are
located in
this
range. The
video
portions
will sound
like
distorted
noise on a
scanner.
The audio
portions
are in FM,
but will
sound
"clipped"
and
"tinny"
unless
your
scanner
can tune
this range
in wide
band.
72
to 76 MHz:
This range
is used
for remote
control
signals
for model
airplanes
and garage
door
openers, wireless
microphones
(including
those used
by law
enforcement
agencies),
and
two-way
communications
inside
factories,
warehouses,
and other
industrial
facilities.
Most
channels
are spaced
at 20 kHz
intervals.
76
to 88 MHz:
This range
is used
for
television
channels 5
and 6.
88
to 108
MHz: This
is where
the
FM
broadcasting
band is
located.
108
to 136
MHz:
This band
is used
for
civilian
aeronautical
communications
and all
transmissions
are in AM.
Aeronautical
beacons
occupy 108
to 118
MHz; these
continuously
transmit a
station
identification
and are
used for
navigation.
The rest
of the
band is
used for
traffic
between
aircraft
and air
traffic
control
towers on
channels
spaced at
25 kHz
intervals.
136
to 138
MHz:
This
segment is
mainly
used by
weather
satellites
to
transmit
photographic
images.
138
to 144
MHz: The
various
military
services
are the
biggest
users of
this
segment in
the United
States,
with most
transmissions
in narrow
band FM
and spaced
at 5 kHz
intervals.
You can
also hear
ham radio
operators
who are
members of
the
military
affiliate
radio
service
(MARS).
144
to 146
MHz: This
is the
two-meter
ham radio
band for
India.
This is
the most
heavily
used ham
radio band
in the
world. USB
and
various
FSK modes
are mainly
used in
the first
500 kHz,
and the
rest of
the band
is FM.
Most
activity
is through
repeaters,
although
simplex
activity
is found
on
frequencies
like
146.52
MHz. This
band is
extended
to 148MHZ
in other
countries.
148
to 150.8
MHz:
The usage
here is
similar to
the 138 to
144 MHz
range.
150.8
to 174
MHz:
This is
known as
the
"VHF
high"
band, and
it is used
by the
same wide
spectrum
of users
as the 30
to 50 MHz
band.
174
to 216
MHz:
This range
is used
for
television
channels 7
through
13.
216
to 220
MHz:
In the
United
States,
this band
is used by
the automated
maritime
telecommunication
system
(AMTS)
used on
major
inland
waterways
such as
the Great
Lakes and
the
Mississippi
river.
Communications
are in FM
on
channels
spaced at
12.5 kHz
intervals.
However,
the 219 to
220 MHz
range is
shared
with ham
radio. On
this
range, ham
stations
can be
used to
relay
digital
messages
to other
hams,
subject to
a maximum
power of
50 watts.
Hams must
first
register
to use
their
shared
allocation,
and cannot
use it
within
range of
maritime
users.
220
to 222
MHz:
This range
was
reallocated
a few
years ago
from ham
radio to land
mobile
radio.
Frequency
usage and
modulation
have not
yet been
finalized,
although
new narrow
bandwidth
modes are
expected
to be
used.
222
to 225
MHz:
This is
the
1.25-meter
ham radio
band
authorized
in many
countries
but not
allowed in
India. It
is mainly
used for
FM
communication
through
repeaters,
although
it is much
less
heavily
used than
the
two-meter
band.
225
to 400
MHz: This
very wide
band is
used for
military
aviation
communications
in AM.
Most
channels
are 100
kHz apart.
400
to 406
MHz:
This range
is used
primarily
by
government
and
military
stations
in FM.
406
to 420 MHz:
In the
United
States,
this band
is used
exclusively
by the
federal
government.
All
transmissions
are in FM,
with most
channels
spaced at
25 kHz
intervals.
420
to 450
MHz:
This is
the
70-centimeter
ham
radio
band,
second in
popularity
to the
two-meter
band on
VHF/UHF.
The 420 to
444 MHz
range is
used for
USB,
digital
modes, ham
television,
and ham
communications
satellites.
The 444 to
450 MHz
range is
used for
FM, mainly
in
conjunction
with
repeaters.
450
to 470
MHz: This
is the
"UHF"
band on
most
scanners,
used for
many of
the same
purposes
as the 30
to 50 and
150.8 to
174 MHz
bands.
470
to 512
MHz:
This is
known as
the
"UHF-T"
band, and
covers the
same
frequency
range as
television
channels
14 to 20.
This band
is used
for many
of the same
purposes
as the
"UHF"
band
in areas
of the
country
without
television
stations
on those
channels.
512
to 825
MHz:
This range
is where television
channels
21 through
72
are
located.
825
to 849
MHz:
This range
is used
for cellular
telephone
service,
with
cellular
units
transmitting
here.
Listening
in this
range is
prohibited
in all
countries.
849
to 851
MHz:
This band
is used to
provide
telephone
service
from
aircraft
in flight.
SSB is
generally
used here.
Listening
in this
range is
prohibited.
851
to 866
MHz:
This is
used by
many of
the same
users as
the 450 to
470 MHz
band, with
channels
spaced at
25 kHz
intervals.
866
to 869
MHz:
This
allocation
is used by
public
safety and
law
enforcement
agencies.
869
to 894
MHz:
This range
is used
for cellular
telephone
service,
with cells
transmitting
here.
Listening
in this
range is
prohibited.
894
MHz and
above:
These
higher
frequencies
are where new
communications
technologies,
such as
wireless
local area
networks,
spread
spectrum
telephony,
and direct
satellite
broadcasting
are being
implemented.
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