Often in the characteristics of radio stations it is indicated as operating ranges VHF And UHF Let's look at what it is and what the difference is between them.

These abbreviations indicate the two most common VHF communication bands.
The VHF range corresponds to the section from 136 to 174 MHz
The UHF range corresponds to the section from 400 to 512 MHz

In everyday life, radio amateurs also call these ranges "deuce" (VHF) And "seventy" (UHF), such names are given to these bands in accordance with the wavelength, which for VHF is approximately 2 meters and for UHF approximately 70 centimeters.

VHF- a range in which there are areas reserved for many government agencies, space communications and radio amateurs.

The main advantage of this range compared to UHF is the long communication range, especially outside the city. Radios of this range work perfectly both in rural areas, in the forest, and in multi-storey buildings. The disadvantages of working in this frequency range include the absence of license-free areas, a relatively small area allocated for radio amateurs - from 144 to 146 MHz on a primary basis.

Due to the fact that these are quite low frequencies, effective antennas for this range are larger than for UHF, and in the case of walkie-talkies this is a significant problem limiting the use of VHF when working with portable radios. And of course, you can’t work on it without having an amateur radio category!

Below is a table with the frequency grid of frequencies allocated for amateur radio communications. According to the decision of the SCRF dated July 22, 2014 No. 14-26-04, the range from 144 to 146 MHz is allocated to the amateur radio service on a primary basis. Radio amateurs of the 4th category have the right to operate on these frequencies with a power of no more than 5 W, 2nd and 3rd at 10 W, and 1st category at 50 W (for EME and MC communications of the first category it is allowed to use up to 500 W ). Frequencies from 145.206 MHz to 145.594 MHz are allocated for voice communication with frequency modulation.

UHF- is considered a range “for the city” and allows you to get reliable communication in multi-storey buildings. Optimally suited for organizing communications over relatively short distances, thanks to the high frequency, the antennas of portable radios in this range have compact sizes without sacrificing efficiency. But at the same time, this range is not sufficiently suitable for open spaces and forests due to greater attenuation in the forest and poor ability to bend around the terrain compared to VHF.

According to the decision of the SCRF dated July 22, 2014 No. 14-26-04, the range from 430 to 440 MHz is allocated to the amateur radio service on a secondary basis. Radio amateurs of the 4th category have the right to operate on these frequencies with a power of no more than 5 W, 1st, 2nd and 3rd no more than 10 W (at frequencies from 433 MHz to 440 MHz), also radio amateurs with the 1st category RF allowed to operate at 500 W in a limited range (for EME and MC communications). At frequencies of 430,000-433,000 MHz you can only operate with a power of no more than 5 W for all categories without exception.

As can be seen from the frequency table below, there is much more free space on UHF allocated for amateur communications than on VHF, which also indirectly affects the predominant use of this range in large cities.

Also, do not forget that in the UHF frequency range there are two license-free bands

RadioExpert has been selling high-quality and inexpensive UHF VHF radio transmitters for more than 10 years. Our catalog includes portable and stationary (basic) models. From us you can buy a UHF VHF radio from Vector, Lira and Yaesu at the manufacturer's price. Delivery is carried out throughout the CIS, as well as Russia. Average price of the device: 15,000 rubles.

Dual band radios

A dual-band radio station requires permission to use and registration. Used by radio amateurs, departmental and security services. The devices are easy to use. Programming options: manual or via PC.

Universal dual-band radios are used in open spaces and in urban environments. At the same time, the efficiency of the devices increases in the absence of interference in the form of trees, hills, and multi-story buildings.

Dual-band radio: characteristics

• power: 5-50 W;
• range of action: up to 20 km;
• operating frequencies: 136-174 and 400-470 MHz;
• operating temperatures: from -25° to +60°.

digital pilot signals

(Fig. 3).

Radio bands and frequencies In this article we will briefly look at what frequencies are allocated for radio communications and what radio stations and what range should be considered when choosing equipment in a given case. The article is presented in free form, using simplifications in some concepts and details. Does not claim encyclopedic accuracy, but will give a general idea of ​​the frequencies used in Russia and the radio communication equipment used. Let's consider radio frequency ranges.

Shortwave range - 1-30 MHz

HF radio It is used primarily by the military, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the navy, forestry and environmental organizations for professional communications over long distances - from 150 to 8000 km.

The main disadvantages of the HF range are low noise immunity and the need to use large antennas up to several tens of meters long. Pros: absolute autonomy, long communication range and low cost compared to satellite communications.

Main equipment used: Icom IC-78, IC-M802., Vertex VX-1700, VX-1400, VX-1200/1210., Kenwood TK-90, Cordon P-12, Q-Mac HF 90M, Barrett PRC-2090 , PRC-2091, Karat, Angara.

Also, within the range of 1-30 MHz, there are 9 frequency sections allocated for communication to radio amateurs. The main HF amateur radio equipment used is transceivers from Kenwood, Icom, Yaesu, and Elecraft. If for professional stable radio communication the range is usually limited to 8000 km, then radio amateurs often conduct transcontinental radio communication sessions with their colleagues located on the other side of the globe.

Currently, the market for software-based radio - SDR equipment - is gaining momentum. Software-based radio is beginning to be widely used in amateur radio, military, and commercial applications. To date, Harris and Alcatel Lucent have already implemented several successful projects that use equipment based on SDR technology and cognitive radio (a radio system capable of receiving information about the characteristics of its own operation and adjusting its operating parameters based on this data). In the future, SDR technology has every chance of becoming a new standard in the telecommunications market.

Civil band - 27 MHz

Conventionally called the “27 MHz band”. Frequency range 25.6-30.1 MHz (officially permitted section - 26.965-27.860 MHz). Another name is CB range from the English abbreviation CB - Citizen Band.

Range of truckers on walkie-talkie This is the 15th channel, with a frequency of 27.135 MHz, in amplitude modulation (AM) mode. The channel is actively used by truckers for communication on the highways. In big cities, CB radios 27 MHz, used by motorists to exchange information about traffic conditions. In different cities, different channels are used for urban communication. For example, in Krasnoyarsk it is channel 40, with a frequency of 27.405 MHz, in Kemerovo it is channel 27, with a frequency of 27.275 MHz. Frequency modulation (FM) is used at the frequencies of city auto channels.

Also, radio stations in this range are used by small taxi companies and cargo carriers, rapid response teams of security companies and utility services. Despite the affordability of the equipment, and the fact that, according to Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated October 13, 2011 No. 837, 27 MHz radios are not subject to registration, it is necessary to take into account the fact that civil band subject to high atmospheric and industrial interference and use walkie-talkiesCB band for commercial purposes it is not suitable for enterprises where high-quality radio communications are needed. CB radios portable, due to their small radius of action and relatively large dimensions, they are not particularly widespread and are used mainly during loading and unloading operations or at truck stops.

Most of the CB radio stations available in Russia are presented in our online store.

Buy CB radios which you can in our online store are presented in separate catalog .

Low-Band range - 33-57.5 MHz

This is the lower part of the VHF mobile radio range.

Due to the large influence of industrial interference in cities and interference from TV broadcast transmitters, this range is used mainly in rural areas. The main users, since the times of the USSR, are ambulance stations and agricultural enterprises. Today, most of the world's manufacturers have stopped producing radio stations for these frequencies. Equipment for the Low-Band range is currently offered by domestic manufacturers - the companies Granit and Webr. In warehouses you can still find radio stations from famous brands: Motorola GP340, GM360., Vertex Standard VX-3000L. The only available foreign manufacturer of equipment in the 33-57.5 MHz range remains Alinco, Inc. The company offers the DJ-V17L wearable radio and the DR-135LH and DR-M06R car (base) radios.

Aviation band - 118-137 MHz

Aircraft communicate with each other and with ground services in this frequency range. Unlike most other types of VHF communications, amplitude modulation is used. Popular airborne equipment –

wearable aviation radios:

156.8375-174 MHz - mobile and fixed terrestrial communications.

In accordance with the Basic Law “On Communications” dated July 7, 2003 No. 126-FZ, in order to organize radio communications in this range, it is necessary to obtain permission from the Federal State Unitary Enterprise “GRChTs”. If it is necessary to obtain frequencies, we can provide consulting and support in obtaining permits.

High noise immunity and good signal transmission have made the 136-174 MHz range the most popular among users and equipment manufacturers. Our store offers most popular models of VHF radios and antennas. Walkie-TalkieVHF band in our store are presented in separate catalog .

River band - 300 MHz

Used for communications on inland waterways.

Operating frequencies of walkie-talkies are in the range 300.0125-300.5125 MHz and 336.0125-336.5125 MHz.

River band radio comes with pre-installed channels dedicated to communication with ships and coastal services for various purposes.

Channel radio frequencies– their numbers and purpose are established by the “Instructions for the organization of ship radio communications in the basin (region)”, approved by the River Fleet Service of the Ministry of Transport Russian Federation and agreed with local authorities of the State Supervision of Radio Communications. So, the main channels are:

Channel 2 (300.05 MHz) - for communication between ships;

Channel 3 (300.1 MHz) - for communication with gateway dispatchers;

Channel 4 (300.15 MHz) - for communication with other river fleet services;

Channel 5 (300.2 MHz) - for calling ships, coordinating the order of passing and overtaking when maneuvering and transmitting distress signals.

Channels 25 and 43 (336.2 MHz and 300.125 MHz) are generally accepted for communication between yachts.

All radio stations installed on ships and on inland waterways must have an Approval from the River Register of Russia (RRR) and a Certificate from the Ministry of Communications, regardless of their affiliation and whether these radio stations are the main or additional equipment.

According to the frequency allocation approved by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), frequencies in the range 156-162 MHz are used throughout the world for communications between ships (river and sea). The river band of 300 MHz is used only in Russia and the choice of equipment offered for this range is small. Popular river radio stations: Radioma-300, Vertex Standard VX-451/VX-454, Vega VG-304, Argut A-36.

VHF range - 400-470 MHz

In foreign sources, the range is designated as UHF, the name of which is derived from the capital letters Ultra High Frequency.

The propagation features of UHF frequencies make it possible to recommend this range for use in dense urban areas and in the mountains. In forest conditions, radio stations at 400 MHz are inferior to radio stations in the 136-174 MHz range.

The frequency bands are allocated for professional use, for radio amateurs and for license-free use by everyone.

Walkie-talkie frequencies, the operation of which, in accordance with the Basic Law “On Communications” dated July 7, 2003 No. 126-FZ, is possible only with permits:

420-430 MHz - mobile and fixed terrestrial communications;

430-440 MHz - amateur radio band;

440-470 MHz - mobile and fixed terrestrial communications.

If it is necessary to obtain frequency ratings, we can provide consulting and support in obtaining permits.

Areas of the range that, according to Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of December 31, 2004 No. 896, do not require permits - permitted range of radios(license-free frequencies):

433.075-434.775 MHz – LPD (“Low Power Device”) range. Standard mesh frequencies from 69 nominal values, with a step of 25 kHz;

446.00625-446.09375 – PMR (Private Mobile Radio) band. Standard frequency grid of 8 channels, with a step between channels of 12.5 kHz (for precise tuning, the radio must be able to adjust the step of 6.25 kHz).

Radio amateurs in Russia, regardless of the category of their radio station, along with the HF bands, are allowed to work in the ultra-short wave (VHF) bands.

The transmitter power of radio stations of the 4th category when operating in the VHF range should not exceed 5 watts, for radio stations of the 3rd and 2nd categories - 10 watts, for radio stations of the 1st category - 50 watts in the range 144-146 MHz and 10 watts in VHF bands above 433 MHz. The transmitter power of amateur radio stations operating in the frequency band 430-433 MHz should not exceed 5 W. At the same time, the operation of amateur radio stations in the frequency band 430-433 MHz in a zone with a radius of 350 km. from the center of Moscow is prohibited.

To conduct experimental radio communications using the Moon as a passive repeater (EME), as well as using the reflection of radio signals from meteor trails (MS), Russian radio amateurs with the 1st qualification category are allowed to use transmitter power up to 500 watts.

VHF frequency plan for amateur radio stations in Russia

2. Transmissions from amateur stations using repeaters on the VHF bands have priority over other transmissions from amateur stations. Amateur station operators must not interfere with such transmissions.

3. To use repeaters of previously recorded messages, obtaining permission to use radio frequencies or radio frequency channels is not required. The frequency of reception and transmission must be the same. It is recommended to limit such use of RES. The operation of repeaters of previously recorded messages on the frequencies 145.45 and 145.5 MHz is prohibited.

Allocation of frequency bands for experimental radio communications using the Moon as a passive repeater (EME) for amateur radio stations in Russia

Allocation of frequency bands for experimental radio communications using the reflection of radio signals from meteor trails (MS) for amateur radio stations in Russia