The 145 MHz frequency sits within the 2-meter VHF band , one of the most widely used and versatile bands in the radio spectrum. While globally allocated for amateur radio (ham radio) in most regions, its adjacent frequencies are also used for land mobile, public safety, and aeronautical telemetry. This band is known for its excellent propagation in urban, suburban, and rural settings, offering a reliable mix of range and signal penetration.
Center frequency : 145.000 MHzCommon usage range : 144.000 – 146.000 MHz (may extend to 148 MHz in some regions)Band classification : VHF (Very High Frequency)ITU Allocation : Secondary / primary allocation depending on region and country
🌐 Region Frequency Allocation Primary Use Licensing 🌍 Region 1 (Europe, Africa, Russia) 144 – 146 MHz Amateur Radio Licensed (Amateur Service) 🌎 Region 2 (Americas) 144 – 148 MHz Amateur Radio Licensed (Amateur Service) 🌏 Region 3 (Asia-Pacific) 144 – 146 MHz (some up to 148 MHz) Amateur Radio Licensed (Amateur Service)
🟢 Harmonized use: The 145 MHz band is harmonized for amateur use across all three ITU regions.
Application Description Amateur Radio Voice Comms FM simplex, repeater operation (often at 145.000 MHz or nearby) Emergency Communication Used by ARES, RACES, and other public emergency groups worldwide Packet Radio / APRS Data transmission and GPS location updates for tracking Satellite Downlinks Some amateur satellites (OSCARs) use 145 MHz for telemetry or downlinks Fox Hunting / T-Hunts Used for radio direction finding competitions and field training Balloon Telemetry Weather and amateur high-altitude balloons transmit beacon data on 145 MHz
Restricted to licensed amateur radio operators Power levels, permissible modes, and channel spacing vary by country
Usage monitored and enforced by national spectrum regulators:
FCC (USA)
Ofcom (UK)
ANFR (France)
ACMA (Australia)
TRAI (India)
Parameter Typical Value Max Power (ERP) ~50 W (handheld), ~1.5 kW (base station, where permitted) Common Modes FM, SSB, CW, AM, Packet, PSK31, FT8, RTTY, SSTV Bandwidth 12.5–25 kHz (FM), narrowband digital = <6.25 kHz Channel Spacing Often 12.5 kHz or 25 kHz depending on local conventions
Region 1: CEPT recommends 145.000 MHz as a simplex calling frequency; repeater outputs are typically around 145.600–145.800 MHzRegion 2: Repeater outputs often range from 145.110–145.490 MHzRegion 3: National variations exist, with harmonization in major metro areas
Spectrum protection note: 145 MHz is protected against high-power adjacent band emissions due to its importance in disaster response.
Band Frequency Range Use 138–144 MHz Land mobile / military / telemetry 144–146 MHz Amateur radio (core use) 146–148 MHz Additional amateur allocation (Region 2 only) 148–150.05 MHz Government / telemetry / tracking 150–174 MHz Public safety, business, maritime, weather services
Generally exclusive to amateurs , but…
Adjacent commercial/government systems may cause noise floor elevation
Urban areas often have strong RF noise from other VHF users
Careful filtering and bandpass design advised in high-density deployments
Introduced for amateur radio use in the 1940s–50s Became a key band during the Cold War for civil defense and experimental work
Played a major role in the development of repeater networks
Continues to serve as a primary communication method during natural disasters and infrastructure outages
145 MHz propagation combines ground wave and tropospheric ducting
Ideal for line-of-sight communication (30–100 km) with handheld or mobile setups
Enhanced range possible during temperature inversions or sporadic E events
Easily integrated into antenna arrays for direction finding or APRS systems
Equipment availability: widely supported by multiband radios and SDRs (RTL-SDR, HackRF, etc.)
SDR (Software Defined Radios)
APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System)
Repeater networks (linked via RF or internet)
Space-based amateur payloads (CubeSats, balloons)
Mesh and analog-to-digital bridging systems
Attribute Value/Details Center Frequency 145 MHz ITU Region Use All three (1, 2, 3) Primary Use Amateur radio License Required? Yes (Amateur Service license) Typical Power 5 W (handheld) to 1.5 kW (base) Modulation Types FM, SSB, digital modes (PSK, FT8, etc.) Harmonized? Mostly harmonized globally Key Benefit Reliable mid-range communication with low-cost gear
