Radio Frequency Reference
Frequencies, Ranges and Their Uses
This is a notes post and may not be as easy to follow as a de facto blog post.
FM
CB Radio
26.965 MHz - 27.405 MHz
Citizens Band Radio is a radio service that used to be very popular. Transmissions often travel for tens of miles.
ISS SSTV Downlink
145.800 MHz
The International Space Station constantly orbits the Earth and broadcasts pictures using Slow Scan Television. Here's an example of the eerie sound you hear as the image is received over the radio and rendered.
Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS)
151 MHz - 154 MHz
Some consumer walkie-talkies operate on these frequencies. Scanning up and down this range should have you land on some walkie-talkies operating on a couple of channels. Transmitting on these frequencies typically doesn't require a license.
NOAA Weather Broadcast
162.500 MHz
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration broadcasts local weather 24/7.
General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
462 MHz - 467 MHz
Some consumer walkie-talkies operate on these frequencies, but transmitting on these require an FCC license in the US.
Family Radio Service (FRS)
462 MHz - 467 MHz
Most consumer walkie-talkies operate on these frequencies. Scanning up and down this range should have you land on some walkie-talkies operating on a couple of channels. Transmitting on these frequencies typically doesn't require a license.
AM
Aircraft Emergency (GUARD) Frequencies
121.5 MHz Civilian / 243 MHz Military or International
Aircraft in distress transmit emergency messages on these frequencies. To be on these frequencies is often known as being "on guard".
Modern Aircraft Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) Frequency
406 MHz
ELTs encode information about aircraft. Older ELTs broadcast on the GUARD frequencies, while the modern variants typically broadcast on 406 MHz.