Breaking Down the Bands: Radio Frequencies Explained

Radio isn’t just a single signal — it’s an entire spectrum of frequencies, each with its own unique purpose and range. Whether you're tuning into a NOAA alert, chatting on GMRS, or reaching across states on HF, you're operating somewhere in the radio frequency (RF) bands.

These frequencies span from just a few hertz all the way up into the terahertz range, and each “band” is used for different applications — from submarine comms to shortwave listening to mobile networks.

Here’s a simplified breakdown of the major RF bands and why they matter:

Extremely Low Frequency (ELF)

3 Hz – 30 Hz
Used for communicating with submerged submarines and some seismic activity studies. These signals penetrate deep but carry almost no data.

Super Low Frequency (SLF)

30 Hz – 300 Hz
Also used for underwater military comms. Slow but reliable in extreme environments.

Ultra Low Frequency (ULF)

300 Hz – 3 kHz
Mostly scientific. Used in geology and earthquake monitoring.

Very Low Frequency (VLF)

3 kHz – 30 kHz
Time signals and deep-sea comms. Reaches long distances, even without line of sight.

Low Frequency (LF)

30 kHz – 300 kHz
Found in marine navigation, beacons, and aircraft navigation systems.

Medium Frequency (MF)

300 kHz – 3 MHz
This is where AM radio lives. Great for long-distance night listening.

High Frequency (HF)

3 MHz – 30 MHz
Used for shortwave radio, international broadcasting, and long-range HAM radio. A favorite among preppers and operators alike.

Very High Frequency (VHF)

30 MHz – 300 MHz
Think FM radio, MURS, aeronautical comms, and line-of-sight HAM bands like 2 meters (144 MHz). Clean and crisp in open terrain.

Ultra High Frequency (UHF)

300 MHz – 3 GHz
This includes GMRS, FRS, 70cm HAM band (440 MHz), TV, and mobile phones. Penetrates buildings better than VHF, but with less range outdoors.

Super High Frequency (SHF)

3 GHz – 30 GHz
Used in radar, satellite, microwave links, and advanced communication systems.

Extremely High Frequency (EHF)

30 GHz – 300 GHz
Tactical and space-level stuff. Used for specialized military, satellite, and science communications.

Tremendously High Frequency (THF)

300 GHz – 3,000 GHz (3 THz)
Experimental and rarely used commercially. You’ll find this in high-end scientific research and future tech.

Final Thoughts

Knowing your bands means knowing your capabilities. Whether you're running a Baofeng UV-5R, programming a custom kit, or setting up a repeater, understanding frequency behavior helps you communicate smarter, farther, and more reliably.

And in a true emergency? It could be the difference between silence and survival.

Stay tuned,
Ready Radio