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Frequency Bands and Channels
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Each BDA is built to amplify frequency bands within a specific range, depending on the need for coverage.
Communication happens on specific radio frequency channels within specific frequency bands.
VHF Band (150-174 MHz)
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Typically used by older radio systems, systems that require coverage in wide geographical areas, and systems that require interoperability with marine frequencies.
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Approximately 15% of public safety agencies use this frequency band.
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VHF is great for outdoor coverage but has very poor in-building performance.
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Used almost exclusively by conventional systems (no trunking).
UHF Band (450-520 MHz)
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This is a very common band for public safety.
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Approximately 35% of jurisdictions use this band.
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Best Radio Signal Propagation — good performance both outdoors and inside buildings.
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Mostly used for conventional repeater systems.
700 Band (763-775, 793-805 MHz)
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Most recent addition to public safety frequency pool.
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DL 763-769MHz / UL 793-799MHz is used for Data and DL 769-775MHz / UL 799-805MHz is used for Narrowband Voice.
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LTE Band 14 (DL 758MHz – 763MHz and UL 788MHz – 793MHz) is Assigned to FirstNet for LTE.
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Approximately 10% of jurisdictions currently use this band for voice communications, however, it is expected that FirstNet use will be adopted across the US.
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Public safety agencies will use 700 MHz and FirstNet LTE in addition to the bands that they are currently using for voice communications.
800 Band (806-815, 851-860 MHz)
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800MHz is most commonly used for public safety systems with approximately 40% of jurisdictions using this band.
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These are newer systems, mostly trunking.
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This frequency band has good indoor coverage but not as good as UHF and VHF for outdoor range — these systems are either simulcast or multi-site trunking.