Radio Frequency Information

Radios transmit and receive messages on any of millions of possible frequencies. Radio frequencies are expressed in units of Hertz (cycles per second).

The units used are usually KHz (kilohertz) and MHz (megahertz).

VHF (Very High Frequency) frequency band

VHF radio signals are those on frequencies from 30MHz - 300MHz.

UK Business VHF Radios use frequencies from 136 - 174MHz.

Marine band VHF radios used on ships and to communicate between vessels and harbours, bridges, locks etc, use frequencies between 156 - 162MHz.

UHF (Ultra High Frequency) frequency band

UHF radio signals are those on frequencies from 300MHz - 3000MHz.

UK Business UHF Radios use frequencies from 400 - 470MHz.

PMR446 Licence-Free Radio Frequencies

Within the UHF band lie the eight "licence-free" (PMR446) channels, these are as follows, in MHz:

1. 446.00625
2. 446.01875
3. 446.03125
4. 446.04375
5. 446.05625
6. 446.06875
7. 446.08125
8. 446.09375

American FRS & GMRS Radio Frequencies

FRS has 14 channels, numbered 1-14 below. GMRS uses the same channels as FRS 1-7, and then adds a further 7 channels numbered 15-22 below. There are many "combination" FRS/GMRS walkie-talkies on the market that have all 22 of the channels listed below, in MHz:

1. 462.5625
2. 462.5875
3. 462.6125
4. 462.6375
5. 462.6625
6. 462.6875
7. 462.7125
8. 467.5625
9. 467.5875
10. 467.6125
11. 467.6375
12. 467.6625
13. 467.6875
14. 467.7125
15. 462.550
16. 462.575
17. 462.600
18. 462.625
19. 462.650
20. 462.675
21. 462.700
22. 462.725 

Please note that the use of American FRS and GMRS walkie-talkies in the United Kingdom is not legal, and could cause interference to licenced radio users.