🌐 Summary
72 MHz (range 72–76 MHz) is part of Private Land Mobile / Radio Control within the VHF spectrum.
Quick summary: 72 MHz is allocated to Private Land Mobile / Radio Control. Used for business radio, radio control. Applications include industrial radio, rc aircraft/vehicles.
Primary use: Business radio, radio control
Common applications: Industrial radio, RC aircraft/vehicles
Technology: Digital TV (ATSC)
Quick Facts Former VHF TV spectrum being repurposed after digital transition. The FCC auctioned these frequencies for mobile broadband. Your smartphone may use former TV Channel frequencies.
Source: 47 CFR Part 90 / Part 95
Upper edge of TV Channel 4. VHF spectrum increasingly repurposed for other services.
📶 Band & Identity
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency (MHz) | 72 |
| Lower Band Edge (MHz) | 72 |
| Upper Band Edge (MHz) | 76 |
| Band Name | Private Land Mobile / Radio Control |
| Spectrum Block | VHF |
| Popular Name | Former VHF TV Ch 2-4 |
| Allocation Status | Active |
| Exclusive / Shared | No (shared by licensed broadcasters) |
| Protected Services | VHF television allocation |
| Related Frequencies | 67-77 MHz band |
📜 FCC Rules & Licensing
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| FCC Service Type | FIXED / MOBILE |
| FCC Secondary Services | See primary allocation |
| FCC Part Number | Part 90 / Part 95 |
| FCC Rule Section | 47 CFR Part 2 (Frequency Allocations) |
| License Required | Yes |
| License Type | Broadcasting license (not required for viewing) |
| License Fee Type | Application fee |
| Annual Regulatory Fee | Varies |
| 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 | Digital TV (ATSC) |
| Modulation | FM, digital |
| Typical Bandwidth | 12.5 kHz / 25 kHz |
| Transmitter Type | Two-way radio transmitter |
| Receiver Type | Two-way radio receiver |
| Typical Power (W) | 5-100 |
| 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) | 3.25 ft (99.1 cm) |
| Duplex Mode | Varies |
| Paired Frequency | Varies by application |
| Channelization | Varies by service |
| 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, some diffraction |
| Typical Range (Miles) | 2-40 |
| Day vs Night Differences | Minimal |
| Atmospheric Effects | Minimal |
| Interference Concerns | Standard adjacent channel and co-channel interference |
🛡️ Ecosystem
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | Business radio, radio control |
| Common Applications | Industrial radio, RC aircraft/vehicles |
| Can You Listen? | Yes – business radio (legal to listen, varies by content) |
| Encryption Status | Varies by user and system type |
| Popular Radio Models | RTL-SDR Blog V3, Airspy HF+ Discovery, SDRplay RSPdx, Nooelec NESDR, VHF TV antennas, Digital TV receivers (ATSC) |
| License Holders | Television broadcast stations |
| Major Operators | Local TV broadcast stations (DTV) |
| 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 | Two-way radios, mobile radios, base stations |
| Receive Only | No |
| Radio Astronomy | No |
| Satellite Downlink | No |
| Passive Service | No |
| Spectrum Occupancy (Estimated) | Varies |
| Urban vs Rural | Varies by location |
| Deployment Density | Low-Medium |
🌎 International
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| ITU Region 2 Allocation | Broadcasting (Television) |
| International Harmonization | ITU Region 2 VHF TV allocation |
| Cross-Border Coordination | No |
| Year Allocated | 1940s (VHF TV allocation, now digital or repurposed) |
| Legacy Uses | Historical allocations stable |
| 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 |