Band (radio)

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A band is a small section of the spectrum of radio communication frequencies, in which channels are usually used or set aside for the same purpose. Examples include:

AM broadcast band (530~1610kHz, to 1700 in the Americas)
shortwave bands (5.9-26.1 MHz)
citizens' band
television stations 2-6 (54-88 MHz in the Americas)
FM broadcast band (88~108 MHz, except 76~90 in Japan)
aircraft band (108~136 MHz), for air traffic control
television stations 7-13 (174~216 MHz in the Americas)
L band (1452~1492 MHz) for digital radio (DAB) outside the US
amateur radio bands among several different frequencies
military bands

X-Band 8-10 GHz S-Band 1750-2400 MHz

radionavigation beacons, such as LORAN and GPS

Each of these bands has a basic bandplan which dictates how it is to be used and shared, to avoid interference and to set protocol for the compatibility of transmitters and receivers.

Note that as a matter of physics, bands are divided at wavelengths of 10ⁿ metres, or frequencies of 3×10ⁿ hertz. For example, 30 MHz or 10 m divides shortwave (lower and longer) from VHF (shorter and higher). These are the parts of the radio spectrum, and not its frequency allocation.

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