166 MHz – Frequency Band & Applications

πŸ“‘

Frequency
166 MHz
🧭

Range
148–174 MHz
🧩

Band Group
VHF (30–300 MHz)

🌐 Summary

The 166 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: 166 MHz: Marine VHF, Land Mobile; Public safety radios, business radios.

VHF‑High land mobile radio (β‰ˆ162–174 MHz): public safety, forestry, railroads, telemetry.

 VHF Band overview (Mobitex)
VHF Band Overview

πŸ” Explore the full RF Spectrum database

πŸ“‘ Band & Geometry key

Field Value
Wavelength (m) 1.807
Waveforms
Antenna Form Factor (Typical) ΒΌ-wave β‰ˆ 45.2 cm
Band Family LMR/Public Safety
Band Land mobile / Fixed (VHF high)
Primary Common Name Land mobile / Fixed (VHF high)
FSPL @ 1 km [dB] 76.842161760801
FSPL @ 10 km [dB] 96.842161760801
Fresnel Radius @ 1 km (m) 21.255134036076
Band Group VHF (30–300 MHz)
Tax Band Family VHF
Tax Band Class VHF Band

Back to menu ↑

🧩 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 Public safety radios, business radios
Refarming Use No
Device Ecosystem Size Medium
Device Hotspots (MHz) 155, 162, 168
Device Category Public Safety / Marine / Business Radios
Typical Use Cases
Modulation (Device) NFM / 4FSK (DMR), P25
Channel Width (Device) [kHz] 12.5
Device Region Profiles Globally used for LMR; country-specific licensing
Per-Region EIRP Or Duty (Device) Licensed LMR: up to tens of watts mobile/base
Allocation Relevance (Device) High (LMR)
Adjacent-Band Collision Risks (Device) Moderate: intermod in dense LMR deployments
Example Devices Or Skus VHF Public Safety Radios, Marine Radios
Common Protocols Analog FM (12.5 kHz); DMR; P25 (region); TETRA (region)

Back to menu ↑

πŸ—’οΈ Notes

Field Value
Receiver Selectivity Notes β‰₯60 dB @ Β±12.5 kHz
Interference Notes Internationally coordinated, distress frequencies
Compatibility Risk Notes
Notes VHF‑High land mobile radio (β‰ˆ162–174 MHz): public safety, forestry, railroads, telemetry.
Propagation Notes Strong coverage, good indoor penetration

Back to menu ↑

βš™οΈ Technical Rules

Field Value
Lower Band Frequency Limit 148
Upper Band Frequency Limit 174
EIRP Indoor Limits N/A (licensed; verify national rules)
EIRP Outdoor Limits N/A (licensed; verify national rules)
PSD Limit β€”
Emission Mask Class LMR 12.5 kHz NB
Guardband Minimum [kHz] 12.5
Typical Bandwidths 11–20 kHz
Autocalculated Bandlimits No
Typical Bandwidths (Estimated) 11–20 kHz
Max EIRP [dBm] Licensed LMR: up to tens of watts mobile/base
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 or paired allocations
Uplink Pairing
Downlink Pairing
Paired Band Info
Max EIRP [dBm]
Channelization Block Size 12.5 / 25 kHz channels
3GPP Band Number
Example 3GPP Bands
LTE Uplink Bands
LTE Downlink Bands
NR Uplink Bands
NR Downlink Bands
Guard Bands Channel guard bands
Protocol Or Standard

Back to menu ↑

🌎 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 Land Mobile (Part 90/95)–

CA IC Alloc Land Mobile (RSS-119)–

UK Ofcom Alloc PMR/Business Radio (LMR)–

US Ref 47 CFR Part 90 (Private Land Mobile)
Typical Bandwidths 11–20 kHz
Market Licensing Model Licensed (LMR)
Market Common Devices Public safety radios, business radios
Fresnel Radius (1st, 1 km) [m] 21.255134036076
Typical Bandwidths (Estimated) 11–20 kHz
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 Public Safety / Marine / Business Radios
Typical Use Cases
Typical Center Frequencies [MHz]
Rule Part (Fcc Or Region)
Modulation (Device) NFM / 4FSK (DMR), P25
Channel Width (Device) [kHz] 12.5
Device Region Profiles Globally used for LMR; country-specific licensing
Per-Region EIRP Or Duty (Device) Licensed LMR: up to tens of watts mobile/base
Allocation Relevance (Device) High (LMR)
Adjacent-Band Collision Risks (Device) Moderate: intermod in dense LMR deployments
Example Devices Or Skus VHF Public Safety Radios, Marine Radios
Antenna Form Factor (Typical) ΒΌ-wave β‰ˆ 45.2 cm
Power Source Or Duty Profile (Typical)

Back to menu ↑

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) Moderate: intermod in dense LMR deployments
Real-World Range (Indoor/Outdoor)
US FCC Alloc Land Mobile (Part 90/95)Land Mobile (Part 90/95)

CA IC Alloc Land Mobile (RSS-119)Land Mobile (RSS-119)

UK Ofcom Alloc PMR/Business Radio (LMR)PMR/Business Radio (LMR)

Regulatory References US: 47 CFR Part 90 (Private Land Mobile); CA: ISED RSS‑119 (Land Mobile 27.41–960 MHz); UK: Ofcom PMR/Business Radio (UK FAT)
Global Harmonization Regional
Crossborder Coordination High
Sharing Mechanism
Auction Status
Guard Or Pair

Back to menu ↑

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 (LMR)
Market Commercial Value Medium
Market Common Devices Public safety radios, business radios
Market Deployment Density Dense in urban PS networks
Noise Floor (Estimated) -105 dBm (est.)
Market Commercial Value (Estimated) Medium
Ecosystem Maturity Emerging
Indoor Penetration Good
Known Interference No major interference issues noted
Device Ecosystem Size Medium
Real-World Range (Indoor/Outdoor)
Antenna Form Factor (Typical) ΒΌ-wave β‰ˆ 45.2 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
Security Features
Lbt Or Fhss Requirement
Popularity (Installed Base)
Coexistence Tips
Latency Class
Device Hotspots (Scoped && Tagged) –

Back to menu ↑