UHF vs VHF – Learn about radio frequencies

One of the most frequently asked questions that we receive from customers, especially customers who don’t currently have two-way radios, is “Which Is Better – UHF or VHF?”.

This is a very good question to ask as picking the wrong frequency band can lead to problems later. UHF (Ultra High Frequency) and VHF (Very High Frequency) two-way radios each have their advantages and disadvantages. We will discuss these advantages and disadvantages in the sections that follow so that you can choose the correct frequency band for your application.

But first, we need to talk briefly about the characteristics of both VHF and UHF bands so you will hopefully have a better understanding of which to choose for your particular application.

What are the differences between UHF and VHF?

In general, VHF radios operate in the 138-174 MHz frequency band and UHF radios operate in the 400-512 MHz frequency band making UHF roughly three times higher in frequency than VHF. One important characteristic of radio waves is the wavelength which is the distance between peaks on a wave:

Wavelength is inversely proportional to the frequency. What this means is, lower frequencies have longer wavelengths while higher frequencies have shorter wavelengths. Why is this important? Lower frequencies with their longer wavelengths tend to travel longer distances in open spaces outside, curving with the distant horizon while higher frequencies, with their shorter wavelengths, tend to travel in straight lines and do not bend with the curvature of the earth.

Here’s real world example that you have probably experienced:

If you have listened to an AM radio at night, you typically can hear radio stations many hundreds of miles away from you. This is due to AM radio stations broadcasting in the 0.525 to 1.705 MHz band resulting in wavelengths that are roughly 100 times longer than VHF and 300 times longer than UHF. The wavelengths are so long that they sometimes can’t penetrate the earth’s atmosphere so they bounce off and head back down to earth which allows them to travel great distances.

Likewise, FM radio broadcasts range from 88 to 108 MHz, almost reaching the VHF band. Get 30 to 40 miles from a FM station and you start to hear static. This is because their wavelengths are much shorter than AM, can penetrate the earth’s atmosphere (so they don’t bounce off of it like AM does) and they travel more in a straight line than AM waves so they are more susceptible to the curvature of the earth.

Remember, the lower the frequency, the longer the wavelength, the greater the talk distance but with less penetrating ability. The higher the frequency, the shorter the wavelength, the talk distance is reduced but with more penetrating ability.

OK, that’s the end of the science lesson.

How does all of this relate to picking a radio?

Certain applications are better suited to lower frequency, longer wavelength VHF radios while other applications are better served using higher frequency, shorter wavelength UHF radios.

UHF vs VHF – Advantages and Disadvantages

Each band has advantages and disadvantages depending on the application.

VHF, since it tends to bend with the curvature of the earth more than UHF, is ideal for outdoor applications where distance is the primary user need. However, a big disadvantage of VHF is that it does not work well indoors as it will not penetrate walls or reinforced concrete as well as UHF.

UHF, with its higher frequencies and shorter wavelengths, will penetrate structures better than VHF so it should be used any time a user needs to communicate indoors, especially when trying to talk thru reinforced concrete structures. UHF is also the better choice in urban areas with a lot of houses and commercial buildings that the radio signal will be passing thru. However, the disadvantage of UHF is that its range will be less outside when compared to VHF.

VHF vs UHF – Real World Applications

Most public safety agencies in rural counties (Sheriff, Fire, EMS, etc) use VHF radios, especially in areas with low population density and hills and valleys. Surveyors, hikers, hunters, golf course personnel, farmers and anyone else primarily using their radios outside in rural areas would all be good candidates for VHF radios.

Large construction projects, schools, large entertainment venues, hotels, retail stores, manufacturing facilities, hospitals, high rise buildings, casinos and anyone else primarily using their radios inside or inside/outside in urban areas would all be good candidates for UHF radios.

UHF radios are much more popular overall than VHF radios in most applications where distance is not the primary need as they tend to be more versatile than VHF radios.

Can UHF and VHF Radios Communicate With Each Other?

Another question that we often get is “Can UHF and VHF radios communicate with each other?”. The answer to this question is NO for most radios. There are some high-end public safety grade radios than can talk across both bands but they cost many thousands of dollars and are not a practical option for most radio users. Beware of cheap Chinese radios that claim to talk over both bands. Real world use shows these radios to be unreliable and often their transmissions are so out of FCC specifications that they can interfere with the other radios in your fleet, or worse, with the radios being used by other organizations around you. The vast majority of these Chinese radios do not have FCC approval for use and, therefore, are not legal for operation in the USA.

Still have questions about which radio frequency band is right for you?

Please call one of our Motorola Master Certified radio consultants at (888) 733-7681 and they will be happy to get you into the correct radio for your needs.

Or fill out the contact us form for support.

VHF vs UHF Radios: The Differences Explained

Ever heard of UHF and VHF radios and wondered what they mean? Well, you’re not alone! These terms might sound tricky, but they’re just types of radios used in different situations. In this article, we’ll explain what UHF and VHF radios are, how they work, and give tips on which one is right for you.

What are UHF and VHF?

UHF, short for “Ultra High Frequency,” and VHF, short for “Very High Frequency,” are two types of radio frequencies. The UHF low band goes from 378 to 512 Megahertz (MHz) and the high band from 764 to 870 MHz. On the other hand, VHF’s low band ranges from 49 to 108 MHz, and its high band from 169 to 216 MHz.

What are the main differences between UHF and VHF?

The primary distinction between these different spectrums is the frequency range spectrum. VHF frequencies operate between 30 MHz and 300 MHz and UHF Frequencies are between 300 MHz and 3GHz.

In the UHF band, radio waves travel almost exclusively by line of sight (LOS) propagation and some ground propagation. This means UHF two-way radios operate best in very short distances when two operators are close in proximity to one another, such as in schools, warehouses, and retail stores.

VHF band radio waves operate on lower frequencies but are longer, so they work better for long-range outdoor use in job sites, campgrounds, and farms. Unlike UHF waves, VHF cannot penetrate objects like buildings or other large obstructions.

As a rule of thumb if you’re outdoors, use a VHF radio. If you’re indoors, stick with UHF.

What are UHF radios best used for?

In the two-way radio world, UHF radios are the most popular type. They work well in multiple environments but are best used indoors and in urban areas. UHF radio waves operate at higher frequencies than VHF and their shorter wavelengths mean UHF signals can penetrate steel and concrete with ease making them perfect to use in buildings.

What are the cons of UHF radios?

Due to their strict line-of-sight (LOS) transmission capabilities, UHF radios are limited in their signal range. While they are used outside by public safety first responders, there are limitations if you need to extend your range.

Because they operate on a high frequency and can penetrate objects, they use a lot of power and their battery life can be depleted quickly.

UHF is used by many devices like Cell Phones, WiFi, and FM radio, so it can get a little busy and interference is possible.

Some parts of the UHF band are restricted and will require a license, like a ham radio license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

What are VHF radios best used for?

VHF radios are long-range waves that operate at a lower frequency. They are perfectly suited for long-distance mobile radio communication when in open areas with minimal obstructions. Think of environments like farms, boats, camping, and outdoor construction sites.

VHF radios can tap into repeaters, increasing the strength and distance of their transmission/receiving capabilities. This makes them an ideal choice for emergency situations, which is why organizations like the Coast Guard monitor this band.

What are the cons of VHF radios?

Because a lot of different things use VHF frequencies beyond just radio systems, their signal is commonly interrupted. While their longer wavelength has benefits, it does lend itself to more interference, also called RF noise (radio frequency noise).

VHF radios need antennas that are larger than UHF antennas and can become obstructive.

What Is the Difference between a UHF and a VHF Antenna?

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• A VHF antenna receives television signals in the VHF frequency band (54 – 216 MHz). VHF antennas typically have larger elements to capture the longer wavelengths of VHF signals
• A UHF antenna receives television signals in the UHF frequency band (470 – 608 MHz). UHF antennas tend to be more compact than VHF antennas and have shorter elements to capture the shorter wavelengths of UHF signals

Nowadays TV antennas are rarely VHF only. Modern antennas will often receive some combination of both VHF and UHF — or they’ll be UHF only (the latter category includes indoor antennas).

So will you need to receive VHF or UHF channels? That’ll depend on your local TV signals of course — on which frequency bands are your area TV stations broadcasting?

Below I explain more about the differences between the two types of antennas, and how to determine which type you’ll need in order to enjoy free, over-the-air (OTA) TV.

1. UHF vs VHF: Which is Better?
   • Analog TV Broadcasting and VHF
   • Digital TV Broadcasting
2. UHF vs. VHF: Antenna Design
   • Antenna Properties and Wavelengths
   • Types of Antennas
   • Determining Which Frequency Bands an Antenna Receives
3. Should You Get a UHF or a VHF Antenna?
4. Final Thoughts

UHF vs VHF: Which is Better?

Analog TV Broadcasting and VHF

You might remember the days of analog television, before the transition to digital TV (DTV) in 2009.

Back then, most TV stations broadcast on the VHF band (broadcast channels 2 – 13) because those lower frequencies generally provided clearer reception over a limited distance than the higher frequencies (UHF) at the time.

As well though, you used to get a snowy picture for no apparent reason with VHF. Either that or the image got all distorted when someone nearby decided to use an electric appliance (ugh!).

Most local TV stations used to be located on a single-digit broadcast channel of the VHF band, and many retain that same channel today as a virtual channel for branding reasons, even though their current UHF broadcast channel is now double digit.

Digital TV Broadcasting

Digital TV changed the game, however, by introducing compression techniques and error checking, which provided high-quality reception with superior image and sound.

DTV was easier and more efficient to encode using higher UHF frequencies, so most stations began broadcasting on the UHF band (broadcast channels 14 – 36).

As well, UHF proved its mettle in dense, urban environments, since its shorter and higher-frequency wavelengths were better able to penetrate common household barriers like metal window frames and doors.

In today’s DTV world, TV stations can pack more programming and channels into a signal using UHF. The higher frequencies and shorter wavelengths of UHF also mean that modern antennas tend to be smaller than their analog TV versions.

Not all TV stations are broadcasting on UHF though: some still broadcast on VHF (e.g., PBS in many markets), and others have moved to VHF as a result of the 2020 channel repack.

In fact, in most places you’re likely to find a mix of UHF and VHF signals, with the majority being on UHF.

UHF vs. VHF: Antenna Design

As mentioned earlier, TV antennas today tend to be UHF only, or receive both UHF and VHF bands.

Antennas consist of elements such as dipoles and reflectors that receive TV signals and convert these into electric current for input to your television or other audio visual equipment. In some antennas (like indoor antennas) these elements aren’t visible since these are encased in a plastic exterior.

Antenna Properties and Wavelengths

The length of an antenna dipole will usually be in some proportion to the wavelength of the signal the antenna is designed to receive.

As VHF radio signal wavelengths are longer than UHF wavelengths, it follows that dipoles designed to receive VHF signals are generally longer than those receiving UHF signals.

An example of an antenna designed to receive signals in the VHF band is the “rabbit ears” antenna that was especially popular in the days of analog TV.

It sat atop your television and featured two telescoping dipoles, whose positions and lengths you hastily rearranged in order to get a clear picture when “Magnum P.I.” came on. (The round part of the modern rabbit ears antenna below is for picking up UHF.)

The dipoles of many rabbit ears antennas reach well over three feet when completely extended, enough to pick up many VHF frequencies when these came in clear and interference free.

And this is just as well, since the wavelength of the lowest VHF frequency (broadcast channel 2 at 54 MHz) is around 18 feet.

An antenna dipole wouldn’t need to be that long to receive the signal but need only be a proportion of that length — but still, it would be several feet long.

By contrast, the highest UHF frequency (broadcast channel 36 at 608 MHz) has a wavelength of around one-and-a-half feet.

Types of Antennas

When comparing VHF and UHF antennas, the lengths of the various elements make it readily apparent which frequency bands they’re designed to capture:

As already mentioned though, many outdoor antennas today receive some combination of both bands. These are typically the UHF band and the so-called high VHF band (broadcast channels 7 – 13).

The elements on such combination antennas are often arranged to optimize gain and improve signal reception on multiple frequencies.

Two types of TV antennas not depicted above are the box-like indoor antennas as well as bow tie antennas, both of which are typically UHF only.

Determining Which Frequency Bands an Antenna Receives

Look at the product description or box your antenna came in to find an indication of whether it gets UHF, VHF, or some combination of both.

This is especially important, as we’ll see, because you’ll want to choose the appropriate antenna for the signals that are being broadcast in your area.

Should You Get a UHF or a VHF Antenna?

The best way to find out which TV frequency bands are prevalent in your locality is to head over to the RabbitEars website, enter your zip code or address, and view the station result list.

TV stations are listed by their broadcast channels, which correspond to UHF and VHF frequencies. If you notice that stations in your area are broadcasting on both bands, you may consider getting a combination UHF/VHF antenna.

On the other hand, if you’re less than 15 miles away from TV stations, then perhaps a UHF-only indoor antenna will suffice.

Final Thoughts

If an antenna’s elements are visible, it’s relatively easy to tell whether it’s a UHF or VHF antenna: elements on a VHF antenna are typically longer than UHF elements, since they’re designed to capture the longer and slower waves of VHF radio frequency signals.

Indoor TV antennas are generally designed to capture the UHF band only, while outdoor antennas usually capture both the UHF and VHF frequency bands.

The antenna’s product manual and box will indicate which frequency band it receives, but before buying a new antenna you should first determine which TV signals are being broadcast in your vicinity, to make sure you’ll be able to receive them.