Radio Frequency Information

A summary of the different frequency bands used for radio communication, also includes details of frequencies used for specific purposes.

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. Specific channels are used for particular purposes, including for emergencies, ship-to-shore communications etc.

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

LIST OF CTCSS CHANNEL NUMBERS AND AUDIO TONES (pdf file)

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. These radios are often bought by British holidaymakers in the US or Canada or the Caribbean, or on cruise ships, and then brought back and used in the UK, with the buyers not knowing that they are breaking the law.

United Kingdom “Simple UK” Licence Frequencies

Listed below in MHz.

VHF LOW BAND

  • 77.6875
  • 86.3375
  • 86.3500
  • 86.3625
  • 86.3750

VHF MID & HIGH BAND

  • 164.0500
  • 164.0625
  • 169.0875
  • 169.3125
  • 173.0500
  • 173.0625
  • 173.0875

UHF BAND

  • 449.3125
  • 449.4000
  • 449.4750
  • 458.7875
  • 458.8000
  • 458.8125
  • 458.8250