UHF Band
Understanding UHF Band
UHF is the workhorse frequency range for modern wireless communications. The combination of reasonable antenna size (10-100 cm), adequate bandwidth for data services, and acceptable building penetration makes UHF the primary band for cellular, Wi-Fi, and personal communications.
UHF Allocations
| Service | Frequency |
|---|---|
| UHF TV | 470-890 MHz |
| Cellular (700) | 698-787 MHz |
| Cellular (800) | 824-894 MHz |
| RFID (UHF) | 860-960 MHz |
| Cellular (PCS) | 1850-1990 MHz |
| GPS L1 | 1575.42 MHz |
| Wi-Fi | 2400-2483 MHz |
| Cellular (AWS) | 2100-2200 MHz |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is UHF?
UHF covers 300 MHz to 3 GHz. The most commercially important band, including cellular, Wi-Fi, GPS, TV, RFID, and military communications. Provides good bandwidth, reasonable antenna size, and adequate building penetration.
Why is UHF so popular for cellular?
UHF offers the right balance: enough bandwidth for data (10-20 MHz channels), small enough antennas for phones (5-10 cm), adequate building penetration for indoor coverage, and range for practical cell sizes (1-30 km).
What is the difference between UHF and SHF?
UHF: 300 MHz - 3 GHz. SHF (Super High Frequency): 3-30 GHz. SHF includes C-band satellite, 5G sub-6 GHz, radar, and Wi-Fi 5/6 GHz. SHF provides more bandwidth but requires smaller cells and line-of-sight.