🌐 Summary
64 MHz (range 60–66 MHz) is part of TV Channel 3 within the VHF spectrum.
Quick summary: At 64 MHz in the Channel 3 allocation, digital TV signals propagate efficiently across service areas. This VHF frequency demonstrates why some markets retained low-band television assignments after the analog shutdown.
Primary use: Television broadcasting
Common applications: Broadcast TV
Technology: ATSC 1.0/3.0 (digital TV)
Quick Facts VHF television broadcasting in the low VHF band. These channels (2-6) suffered from electrical noise and interference. Many were cleared for other uses after the digital TV transition.
Source: 47 CFR Part 73
Channel 3: 60-66 MHz
📶 Band & Identity
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency (MHz) | 64 |
| Lower Band Edge (MHz) | 60 |
| Upper Band Edge (MHz) | 66 |
| Band Name | TV Channel 3 |
| Spectrum Block | VHF |
| Popular Name | Former VHF TV Ch 2-4 |
| Allocation Status | Active |
| Exclusive / Shared | No (shared allocation) |
| Protected Services | |
| Related Frequencies | 59-69 MHz band |
📜 FCC Rules & Licensing
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| FCC Service Type | BROADCASTING |
| FCC Secondary Services | See primary allocation |
| FCC Part Number | Part 73 |
| FCC Rule Section | 47 CFR Part 73 (Broadcasting) |
| License Required | Yes |
| License Type | Broadcasting license (not required for viewing) |
| License Fee Type | Application fee |
| Annual Regulatory Fee | Yes |
| License Term (Years) | 10 |
| Renewal Expectancy | High |
| Auction History | Not auctioned (comparative licensing) |
| Refarming Status | Stable |
| Geographic Restrictions | Border coordination may apply near Canada/Mexico |
| Quiet Zones | No |
| Coordination Required | Frequency coordination required |
| Warnings / Notices | Unauthorized transmission is illegal and subject to FCC enforcement |
⚙️ RF & Technical
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Technology | ATSC 1.0/3.0 (digital TV) |
| Modulation | VSB (analog video) + FM (audio) |
| Typical Bandwidth | 6 MHz |
| Transmitter Type | TV transmitters |
| Receiver Type | Television tuner |
| Typical Power (W) | 1000-50000 |
| Maximum Power Limit | Varies by station class (up to 1000 kW ERP for TV) |
| ERP Limit | Up to 1000 kW ERP (TV stations) |
| Antenna Height Limits | Varies |
| Antenna (Quarter-Wave) | 3.66 ft (111.4 cm) |
| Duplex Mode | Simplex |
| Paired Frequency | Varies by application |
| Channelization | 200 kHz (FM), 6 MHz (TV) |
| Guard Bands (kHz) | Varies |
| Emission Designator | Varies |
| Emission Mask | FCC standards |
| Part 15 Device Limits | Not applicable (licensed spectrum) |
| Spread Spectrum Allowed | No |
| Frequency Hopping Allowed | No |
| Power Control Required | No |
🌤️ Propagation
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Propagation Mode | Line of sight |
| Typical Range (Miles) | 30-60 |
| Day vs Night Differences | Minimal |
| Atmospheric Effects | Minimal |
| Interference Concerns | Standard adjacent channel and co-channel interference |
🛡️ Ecosystem
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | Television broadcasting |
| Common Applications | Broadcast TV |
| Can You Listen? | Yes – over-the-air TV (free to watch) |
| Encryption Status | Not encrypted (public broadcast) |
| Popular Radio Models | RTL-SDR Blog V3, Airspy HF+ Discovery, SDRplay RSPdx, DTV receivers, VHF antennas (digital TV channels) |
| License Holders | Television broadcast stations |
| Major Operators | TV broadcasters |
| Government Use | No |
| Military Use | No |
| Public Safety | No |
| Critical Infrastructure | No |
| Amateur Radio | No |
| ISM Band | No |
| Unlicensed Operation | No |
| Consumer Equipment | No |
| Common Devices | Television sets, TV antennas, digital TV tuners |
| Receive Only | No |
| Radio Astronomy | No |
| Satellite Downlink | No |
| Passive Service | No |
| Spectrum Occupancy (Estimated) | Varies |
| Urban vs Rural | Urban focused |
| Deployment Density | Medium |
🌎 International
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| ITU Region 2 Allocation | Broadcasting (Television VHF Band I) |
| International Harmonization | ITU Region 2 VHF TV allocation (varies by region) |
| Cross-Border Coordination | No |
| Year Allocated | 1940s (analog TV, transitioned to digital 2009) |
| Legacy Uses | Analog TV (ended 2009) |
| Future Plans | Stable |
🧾 Compliance
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| FCC Certification Required | No |
| Equipment Authorization Type | Certification required |
| FCC ID Required | No |
| Compliance Testing | FCC equipment authorization required |