161 MHz – Frequency Band & Applications

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Frequency
161 MHz
🧭

Range
148–174 MHz
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Band Group
VHF (30–300 MHz)

🌐 Summary

The 161 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: 161 MHz: Marine VHF, Land Mobile; Marine radios, handhelds; vessel tracking.

Marine VHF band (156–162 MHz): ship/shore, DSC, AIS (161.975/162.025 MHz).

 VHF Band overview (Mobitex)
VHF Band Overview

πŸ” Explore the full RF Spectrum database

πŸ“‘ Band & Geometry key

Field Value
Wavelength (m) 1.863
Waveforms
Antenna Form Factor (Typical) ΒΌ-wave β‰ˆ 46.6 cm
Band Family LMR/Public Safety
Band Land mobile / Fixed (VHF high)
Primary Common Name Land mobile / Fixed (VHF high)
FSPL @ 1 km [dB] 76.576517520637
FSPL @ 10 km [dB] 96.576517520637
Fresnel Radius @ 1 km (m) 21.582659245891
Band Group VHF (30–300 MHz)
Tax Band Family VHF
Tax Band Class VHF Band

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🧩 Applications & Usage

Field Value
Primary Application
Lower Neighbor Use 2 m Amateur (R2/R3); Land mobile (R1)
Upper Neighbor Use Broadcasting (VHF TV)
Typical Services Devices Marine VHF, Land Mobile
Market Common Devices Marine radios, handhelds
Refarming Use No
Device Ecosystem Size Medium
Device Hotspots (MHz) 155, 162, 168
Device Category AIS (Maritime)
Typical Use Cases vessel tracking
Modulation (Device) GMSK
Channel Width (Device) [kHz] 25
Device Region Profiles Global maritime VHF
Per-Region EIRP Or Duty (Device) Shipborne power; regulated
Allocation Relevance (Device) Marine VHF allocation
Adjacent-Band Collision Risks (Device) Nearby NWR/other VHF users
Example Devices Or Skus VHF Public Safety Radios, Marine Radios
Common Protocols Analog FM (12.5 kHz); DMR; P25 (region); TETRA (region)

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πŸ—’οΈ Notes

Field Value
Receiver Selectivity Notes β‰₯70 dB @ Β±25 kHz
Interference Notes Internationally coordinated, distress frequencies
Compatibility Risk Notes
Notes Marine VHF band (156–162 MHz): ship/shore, DSC, AIS (161.975/162.025 MHz).
Propagation Notes Strong coverage, good indoor penetration

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βš™οΈ Technical Rules

Field Value
Lower Band Frequency Limit 148
Upper Band Frequency Limit 174
EIRP Indoor Limits Marine handheld ≀5 W
EIRP Outdoor Limits Marine mobile ≀25 W
PSD Limit β€”
Emission Mask Class Marine VHF FM
Guardband Minimum [kHz] 25
Typical Bandwidths 16 kHz occupied
Autocalculated Bandlimits No
Typical Bandwidths (Estimated) 16 kHz occupied
Max EIRP [dBm] Shipborne power; regulated
Power Source Or Duty Profile (Typical) Mains/ship power
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/Duplex (ch-specific)
Uplink Pairing
Downlink Pairing
Paired Band Info
Max EIRP [dBm]
Channelization Block Size 25 kHz channels
3GPP Band Number
Example 3GPP Bands
LTE Uplink Bands
LTE Downlink Bands
NR Uplink Bands
NR Downlink Bands
Guard Bands
Protocol Or Standard AIS

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🌎 Country Overrides

Field Value
Tax Service Category Other / Various
Tax License Type Licensed / Service-Specific
Tax Regions Global / Varies
ITU Region 1 Land mobile, Fixed
ITU Region 2 Land mobile, Fixed
ITU Region 3 Land mobile, Fixed
License Type Land mobile / Fixed service (licensed, often public safety/commercial)
Primary Application
Primary Services
Spurious Emission [dBm] -30 (baseline)
Lower Neighbor Use 2 m Amateur (R2/R3); Land mobile (R1)
Upper Neighbor Use Broadcasting (VHF TV)
Licensing Model Licensed (Maritime/Land)
Typical Services Devices Marine VHF, Land Mobile
US FCC Alloc Maritime Mobile VHF (Part 80)–

CA IC Alloc Maritime Mobile VHF–

UK Ofcom Alloc Marine VHF–

US Ref 47 CFR Part 80 (Maritime)
Typical Bandwidths 16 kHz occupied
Market Licensing Model Licensed (Maritime)
Market Common Devices Marine radios, handhelds
Fresnel Radius (1st, 1 km) [m] 21.582659245891
Typical Bandwidths (Estimated) 16 kHz occupied
Auction Status
Refarming Use No
Typical Site Spacing km 5 / 30
Device Ecosystem Size Medium
Traffic Load Share Coverage-heavy, low capacity share
Device Hotspots (MHz) 155, 162, 168
Device Category AIS (Maritime)
Typical Use Cases vessel tracking
Typical Center Frequencies [MHz] 161.975 / 162.025
Rule Part (Fcc Or Region) ITU-R M.1371; national maritime rules
Modulation (Device) GMSK
Channel Width (Device) [kHz] 25
Device Region Profiles Global maritime VHF
Per-Region EIRP Or Duty (Device) Shipborne power; regulated
Allocation Relevance (Device) Marine VHF allocation
Adjacent-Band Collision Risks (Device) Nearby NWR/other VHF users
Example Devices Or Skus VHF Public Safety Radios, Marine Radios
Antenna Form Factor (Typical) ΒΌ-wave β‰ˆ 46.6 cm
Power Source Or Duty Profile (Typical) Mains/ship power

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πŸ›‘οΈ Regulatory & Neighbors

Field Value
Lower Band Frequency Limit 148
Upper Band Frequency Limit 174
Rx Blocking Min dBm -15 (planning)
Lower Neighbor Use 2 m Amateur (R2/R3); Land mobile (R1)
Upper Neighbor Use Broadcasting (VHF TV)
Lower Neighbor Band 2 m Amateur (R2/R3); Land mobile (R1)
Lower Neighbor Range 147.000–148.000 MHz
Upper Neighbor Label Broadcasting (VHF TV)
Upper Neighbor Range 175.000–215.000 MHz
Adjacent-Band Collision Risks (Device) Nearby NWR/other VHF users
Real-World Range (Indoor/Outdoor) Line-of-sight tens of km sea-level; more with mast height
US FCC Alloc Maritime Mobile VHF (Part 80)Maritime Mobile VHF (Part 80)

CA IC Alloc Maritime Mobile VHFMaritime Mobile VHF

UK Ofcom Alloc Marine VHFMarine VHF

Regulatory References US: 47 CFR Part 80 (Maritime); CA: Canadian Ship Stations (Radiocommunication Regs); UK: UK FAT (Maritime)
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 147.000–148.000 MHz
Upper Neighbor Range 175.000–215.000 MHz
Interference Notes Internationally coordinated, distress frequencies
Market Licensing Model Licensed (Maritime)
Market Commercial Value Specialized (safety/operations)
Market Common Devices Marine radios, handhelds
Market Deployment Density High in coastal/port, low inland
Noise Floor (Estimated) -105 dBm (est.)
Market Commercial Value (Estimated) Specialized (safety/operations)
Ecosystem Maturity Emerging
Indoor Penetration Good
Known Interference No major interference issues noted
Device Ecosystem Size Medium
Real-World Range (Indoor/Outdoor) Line-of-sight tens of km sea-level; more with mast height
Antenna Form Factor (Typical) ΒΌ-wave β‰ˆ 46.6 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 No major interference issues noted
Occupancy Medium
Occupancy Bucket Pct 10–30%
Latency Profile
Common Channels Or Profiles AIS 1 / AIS 2
Security Features
Lbt Or Fhss Requirement TDMA scheme
Popularity (Installed Base) High on waterways
Coexistence Tips Keep antenna high/clear; avoid intermod on mast
Latency Class Interactive/TDMA
Device Hotspots (Scoped && Tagged) –

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