118 MHz – Frequency Band & Applications

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Frequency
118 MHz
🧭

Range
108–118 MHz
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Band Group
VHF (30–300 MHz)

🌐 Summary

The 118 MHz allocation is part of the VHF (30–300 MHz) spectrum. This range is used worldwide for critical applications that keep our communications and infrastructure running smoothly. On this page we highlight how each band is applied in real systems, from regulatory assignments to everyday devices. Our goal is to make spectrum data clear and practical for engineers, regulators, and enthusiasts alike.

Key uses of this band include: 118 MHz: Air traffic comms; Aircraft radios, ATC comms.

Civil aviation VHF COM (118–137 MHz), AM; many regions use 8.33 kHz channel spacing.

 VHF Airband overview (Mobitex)
VHF Airband overview β€” Mobitex

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πŸ“‘ Band & Geometry key

Field Value
Wavelength (m) 2.542
Waveforms
Antenna Form Factor (Typical) ΒΌ-wave β‰ˆ 63.6 cm
Band Family Aeronautical
Band Aeronautical radionavigation (VOR/ILS)
Primary Common Name Aeronautical radionavigation (VOR/ILS)
FSPL @ 1 km [dB] 73.877640146123
FSPL @ 10 km [dB] 93.877640146123
Fresnel Radius @ 1 km (m) 25.210234671724
Band Group VHF (30–300 MHz)
Tax Band Family VHF
Tax Band Class VHF Airband

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🧩 Applications & Usage

Field Value
Primary Application
Lower Neighbor Use Broadcasting (FM)
Upper Neighbor Use Aeronautical mobile (R) (civil airband)
Typical Services Devices Air traffic comms
Market Common Devices Aircraft radios, ATC comms
Refarming Use No
Device Ecosystem Size Medium
Device Hotspots (MHz) 118
Device Category Specialized Industrial / Scientific Equipment
Typical Use Cases
Modulation (Device) Varies by device
Channel Width (Device) [kHz] Varies
Device Region Profiles Varies by country / allocation
Per-Region EIRP Or Duty (Device) Varies by regulation
Allocation Relevance (Device) Medium
Adjacent-Band Collision Risks (Device) Low–Moderate
Example Devices Or Skus Specialized Industrial / Scientific Equipment
Common Protocols VHF AM Voice (8.33 kHz); VDL Mode 2 (select freqs)

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πŸ—’οΈ Notes

Field Value
Receiver Selectivity Notes β‰₯60 dB @ Β±8.33 kHz
Interference Notes Critical safety communications
Compatibility Risk Notes Aviation-critical service nearby/in-band; In sensitive band: Aeronautical VHF (Airband); Sensitive service in adjacent block
Notes Civil aviation VHF COM (118–137 MHz), AM; many regions use 8.33 kHz channel spacing.
Propagation Notes Strong coverage, good indoor penetration

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βš™οΈ Technical Rules

Field Value
Lower Band Frequency Limit 108
Upper Band Frequency Limit 118
EIRP Indoor Limits Licensed only
EIRP Outdoor Limits Licensed only
PSD Limit β€”
Emission Mask Class Airband AM 8.33 kHz
Guardband Minimum [kHz] 8.33
Typical Bandwidths 6–8 kHz
Autocalculated Bandlimits No
Typical Bandwidths (Estimated) 6–8 kHz
Max EIRP [dBm] Varies by regulation
Power Source Or Duty Profile (Typical)
Channelization Plan
Channelization
Guard Band Requirement
OOB Emission Limit [dBm/MHz] -13 (baseline)
Spurious Emission Limit (dBm) -30 (baseline)
RX Blocking Min [dBm] -15 (planning)
Duplexing Half-duplex
Duplexing Information Simplex (AM voice)
Uplink Pairing
Downlink Pairing
Paired Band Info
Max EIRP [dBm]
Channelization Block Size 25 kHz or 8.33 kHz spacing
3GPP Band Number
Example 3GPP Bands
LTE Uplink Bands
LTE Downlink Bands
NR Uplink Bands
NR Downlink Bands
Guard Bands
Protocol Or Standard

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🌎 Country Overrides

Field Value
Tax Service Category Other / Various
Tax License Type Safety-of-Life
Tax Regions Global / Varies
ITU Region 1 Aeronautical radionavigation
ITU Region 2 Aeronautical radionavigation
ITU Region 3 Aeronautical radionavigation
License Type Aeronautical service (licensed, safety-of-life protected)
Primary Application
Primary Services
Spurious Emission [dBm] -30 (baseline)
Lower Neighbor Use Broadcasting (FM)
Upper Neighbor Use Aeronautical mobile (R) (civil airband)
Licensing Model Licensed (Aviation)
Typical Services Devices Air traffic comms
US FCC Alloc Aeronautical Mobile (R) Airband (8.33/25 kHz)–

CA IC Alloc Aeronautical Mobile (R) Airband–

UK Ofcom Alloc Aeronautical Mobile (R) Airband–

US Ref 47 CFR Part 87 (Aviation)
Typical Bandwidths 6–8 kHz
Market Licensing Model Licensed (Aviation)
Market Common Devices Aircraft radios, ATC comms
Fresnel Radius (1st, 1 km) [m] 25.210234671724
Typical Bandwidths (Estimated) 6–8 kHz
Auction Status
Refarming Use No
Typical Site Spacing km – / –
Device Ecosystem Size Medium
Traffic Load Share Coverage-heavy, low capacity share
Device Hotspots (MHz) 118
Device Category Specialized Industrial / Scientific Equipment
Typical Use Cases
Typical Center Frequencies [MHz]
Rule Part (Fcc Or Region)
Modulation (Device) Varies by device
Channel Width (Device) [kHz] Varies
Device Region Profiles Varies by country / allocation
Per-Region EIRP Or Duty (Device) Varies by regulation
Allocation Relevance (Device) Medium
Adjacent-Band Collision Risks (Device) Low–Moderate
Example Devices Or Skus Specialized Industrial / Scientific Equipment
Antenna Form Factor (Typical) ΒΌ-wave β‰ˆ 63.6 cm
Power Source Or Duty Profile (Typical)

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πŸ›‘οΈ Regulatory & Neighbors

Field Value
Lower Band Frequency Limit 108
Upper Band Frequency Limit 118
Rx Blocking Min dBm -15 (planning)
Lower Neighbor Use Broadcasting (FM)
Upper Neighbor Use Aeronautical mobile (R) (civil airband)
Lower Neighbor Band Broadcasting (FM)
Lower Neighbor Range 89.000–107.000 MHz
Upper Neighbor Label Aeronautical mobile (R) (civil airband)
Upper Neighbor Range 119.000–136.000 MHz
Adjacent-Band Collision Risks (Device) Low–Moderate
Real-World Range (Indoor/Outdoor)
US FCC Alloc Aeronautical Mobile (R) Airband (8.33/25 kHz)Aeronautical Mobile (R) Airband (8.33/25 kHz)

CA IC Alloc Aeronautical Mobile (R) AirbandAeronautical Mobile (R) Airband

UK Ofcom Alloc Aeronautical Mobile (R) AirbandAeronautical Mobile (R) Airband

Regulatory References US: 47 CFR Part 87 (Aviation); CA: ISED Aeronautical (per Radiocommunication Regs); UK: UK FAT (Aeronautical)
Global Harmonization Regional
Crossborder Coordination High
Sharing Mechanism
Auction Status
Guard Or Pair

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πŸ“ˆ Market & Measurements

Field Value
Noise Floor -105 dBm (est.)
Interference Cases
Lower Neighbor Range 89.000–107.000 MHz
Upper Neighbor Range 119.000–136.000 MHz
Interference Notes Critical safety communications
Market Licensing Model Licensed (Aviation)
Market Commercial Value High (safety-of-life)
Market Common Devices Aircraft radios, ATC comms
Market Deployment Density High at airports, sparse elsewhere
Noise Floor (Estimated) -105 dBm (est.)
Market Commercial Value (Estimated) High (safety-of-life)
Ecosystem Maturity Emerging
Indoor Penetration Good
Known Interference Airband safety-of-life – interference strictly controlled
Device Ecosystem Size Medium
Real-World Range (Indoor/Outdoor)
Antenna Form Factor (Typical) ΒΌ-wave β‰ˆ 63.6 cm
Ecosystem Maturity Emerging
Device Ecosystem Size Medium
Chipset Availability Limited / TBD
Operator Deployments Limited operators
Technology Generations Deployed Multiple / TBD
Roaming Support
Traffic Load Share Coverage-heavy, low capacity share
Indoor Penetration Good
Known Interference Airband safety-of-life – interference strictly controlled
Occupancy Medium
Occupancy Bucket Pct 10–30%
Latency Profile
Common Channels Or Profiles
Security Features
Lbt Or Fhss Requirement
Popularity (Installed Base)
Coexistence Tips
Latency Class
Device Hotspots (Scoped && Tagged) –

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