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. 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

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