UHF or VHF

If you're not already an experienced two-way radio user, the terms "UHF" and "VHF" likely don't mean much to you. However, in the radio world, these two options can make all the difference when it comes to choosing the right radio for your specific uses. Here are a few facts about UHF and VHF radios - and how to choose between them.

• "UHF" stands for "Ultra High Frequency". These types of radios have frequencies between 300 MHz and 3 GHz, and they are the most powerful types of two-way radios. These types of radios can be used indoors just as well as outdoors, and they can penetrate many types of barriers and interferences that other radios cannot. UHF radios can even penetrate steel and concrete!
• "VHF" stands for "Very High Frequency". These types of radios have frequencies between 30 MHz to 300 MHz, which means that they are significantly less powerful than UFH radios. Just because they are less powerful doesn't mean that they aren't useful, however; if you're using your radio primarily for outdoor use in fairly open areas, these are still great options. They can't penetrate structures or other obstructions, but they're great for hilly or flat landscapes.
• If you plan on using your radio for business or travel purposes, such as managing a warehouse or keeping in touch with family on a cruise, you should likely choose a UHF radio.
• If you plan on using your radio for recreational or outdoor use, such as hiking, hunting, or music festivals, the VHF radio is the way to go.
• If you want to maintain privacy and choose your own custom options when it comes to channel and frequency settings, the UHF radio is the one to choose.
• If you want to stick to a strict budget and can't afford to spend much on a radio the VHF is a great option.
• If you don't want to get a license to use your radio, you can really go with either option; today, there are styles of both UHF and VHF radios that don't require a license to operate.