Broadcast band

Summary

A broadcast band is a segment of the radio spectrum used for broadcasting.

Common name Frequencies Modulation Frequency range Notes
longwave 148.5–283.5 kHz amplitude modulation (AM) low frequency (LF) Mostly used in Europe, North Africa, and Asia
AM radio
(medium wave)
525–1606.5 kHz,
525–1705 kHz in N. America, Australia and the Philippines.
amplitude modulation (AM) medium frequency (MF) Usually speech and news, where a lower bandwidth will suffice; long range at night due to the ionosphere increasing in altitude
Shortwave Multiple; see Shortwave bands Mostly AM and single-sideband (SSB) modes high frequency (HF) Very long range through "skipping". Standard time frequencies can be heard here.
VHF low (TV) 54–88 MHz vestigial sideband modulation for analog video, and FM for analog audio; 8-VSB or OFDM for digital broadcast very high frequency (VHF) band I Channels 2 through 6 are from 54–88 MHz (except 72–76 MHz).
FM radio 87.5–108 MHz,
76–90 MHz in Japan
Frequency Modulation (FM) VHF band II Usually music, due to the clarity and high bandwidth of FM. Relatively short range
VHF high (TV) 174–216 MHz vestigial sideband modulation for analog video, and FM for analog audio; 8-VSB or OFDM for digital broadcast VHF band III Channels 7–13 use 174–216 MHz.
UHF (TV) 470–806 MHz vestigial sideband modulation for analog video, and FM for analog audio; 8-VSB or OFDM for digital broadcast ultra high frequency (UHF) Channels 14–69 use 470–806 MHz, except for the radio astronomy band at 608–614 MHz where channel 37 would be

See also edit