U.S. Non-Federal-Government Allocations
BROADCASTING NG2
FCC rule parts
SpectrumWiki
Radio spectrum allocations
Look up a frequency or a range.
Examples: 88.5 MHz, 1350–1430 MHz, 2.4 GHz
88.5 MHz (88,500,000 Hz)
U.S. Federal Government Allocations
ITU Region 1 Allocations
BROADCASTING
ITU Region 2 Allocations
BROADCASTING
ITU Region 3 Allocations
FIXED
MOBILE
BROADCASTING
Footnotes
-
5.190 Additional allocation: in Monaco, the band 87.5-88 MHz is also allocated to the land mobile service on a primary basis, subject to agreement obtained under No. 9.21. (WRC-97)
-
NG2 Facsimile broadcasting stations may be authorized in the band 88-108 MHz.
-
NG5 In the band 535-1705 kHz, AM broadcast licensees and permittees may use their AM carrier on a secondary basis to transmit signals intended for both broadcast and non-broadcast purposes. In the band 88-108 MHz, FM broadcast licensees and permittees are permitted to use subcarriers on a secondary basis to transmit signals intended for both broadcast and non-broadcast purposes. In the bands 54-72, 76-88, 174-216, 470-608, and 614-698 MHz, TV broadcast licensees and permittees are permitted to use subcarriers on a secondary basis for both broadcast and non-broadcast purposes. Use of the band 614-698 MHz is subject to the provisions specified in NG33.
-
US93 In the conterminous United States, the frequency 108.0 MHz may be authorized for use by VOR test facilities, the operation of which is not essential for the safety of life or property, subject to the condition that no interference is caused to the reception of FM broadcasting stations operating in the band 88-108 MHz. In the event that such interference does occur, the licensee or other agency authorized to operate the facility shall discontinue operation on 108 MHz and shall not resume operation until the interference has been eliminated or the complaint otherwise satisfied. VOR test facilities operating on 108 MHz will not be protected against interference caused by FM broadcasting stations operating in the band 88-108 MHz nor shall the authorization of a VOR test facility on 108 MHz preclude the Commission from authorizing additional FM broadcasting stations.
Wiki entries
FM Broadcast Band
Current Use
88–108 MHz FM Broadcast
FM broadcast stations operate in the 88-108 MHz band, on a 200 kHz channel raster beginning at 88.1 MHz and ending at 107.9 MHz. A total of 100 channels are available, but the FCC maintains an allotment table specifying which channels are available in a given geographic market. The calculations are based on propagation considerations, local population, frequencies being used in adjacent and other nearby markets, and other factors.
The 88-92 MHz portion of the FM band is reserved for non-commercial educational stations. Both commercial and noncommercial stations may be licensed in the 92-108 MHz portion.
All FM stations broadcast in wideband analog FM mode (approximately 200 kHz bandwidth), but some stations also operate a companion digital signal by the use of digital (OFDM) sidebands above and below the analog signal. This method is called In-Band On-Channel (IBOC) digital, as opposed to the concept of providing for an additional channel or band in which to provide digital service. The total power allowed in the digital sidebands is presently 10% of the power transmitted in the analog signal, to help avoid interference to adjacent FM channels.
As of March 2012, there were 6,555 commercial FM stations and 3,712 non-commercial educational FM stations licensed in the U.S. (10,267 total stations, or, on average, about 103 stations per channel).
Interesting factoid: The audio signal for analog TV channel 6 falls just below the FM broadcast band, at 87.75 MHz. This frequency is tunable by many FM receivers. In many cities, TV channel 6 is used more as a "bootleg" FM broadcast station than as a TV station. However, as all TV stations, including low power and Class A stations, must convert to digital by the end of 2013, such bootleg operations will disappear.
The 88-92 MHz portion of the FM band is reserved for non-commercial educational stations. Both commercial and noncommercial stations may be licensed in the 92-108 MHz portion.
All FM stations broadcast in wideband analog FM mode (approximately 200 kHz bandwidth), but some stations also operate a companion digital signal by the use of digital (OFDM) sidebands above and below the analog signal. This method is called In-Band On-Channel (IBOC) digital, as opposed to the concept of providing for an additional channel or band in which to provide digital service. The total power allowed in the digital sidebands is presently 10% of the power transmitted in the analog signal, to help avoid interference to adjacent FM channels.
As of March 2012, there were 6,555 commercial FM stations and 3,712 non-commercial educational FM stations licensed in the U.S. (10,267 total stations, or, on average, about 103 stations per channel).
Interesting factoid: The audio signal for analog TV channel 6 falls just below the FM broadcast band, at 87.75 MHz. This frequency is tunable by many FM receivers. In many cities, TV channel 6 is used more as a "bootleg" FM broadcast station than as a TV station. However, as all TV stations, including low power and Class A stations, must convert to digital by the end of 2013, such bootleg operations will disappear.