What are VHF and
Terrestrial television channels are divided into two bands: the VHF band which comprises channels 2 through 13 and occupies frequencies between 54 and 216 MHz, and the UHF band, which comprises channels 14 through 36 and occupies frequencies between 470 and 700 MHz.
UHF signals cover broadcast channels 14-36. Because their wavelength is shorter, they are the most reliant on having a clear line of sight between your antenna and the nearby transmitter tower. Their short wavelength also means that they bounce more easily off interfering objects in their path to your antenna.
To be able to get good Digital TV reception you simply need an antenna that is receiving good quality signal at the frequencies the stations use in your location. In some areas a combination of VHF and UHF are used. In other areas only UHF is used.
UHF stands for “Ultra High Frequency” while VHF stands for “Very High Frequency.” UHF can range from low band (378-512 MHz) to high band (764-870 MHz) while VHF ranges from low band (49-108 MHz) to high band (169-216 MHz).
You can find indoor UHF and VHF antennas. For instance, V-shaped “rabbit ears” are designed to pick up VHF frequencies. And most flat-panel indoor antennas are ideal for obtaining UHF signals.
For this reason, the important distinction between the so called HDTV antennas is because they are mainly focused on the best UHF performance. This is due to when the analog to digital conversion took place, the FCC also had a major shift from VHF to UHF frequencies.
Australia uses the VHF/UHF PAL B/G television system. In many regional areas, networks broadcast only in the UHF band (PAL G). In capital cities, most networks broadcast in both the VHF band (PAL B) and the UHF band (PAL G).
Digital terrestrial television signals in Australia are broadcast in VHF Band III (VHF channels 6–12) and UHF Band IV and V (UHF channels 28–51). Your antenna needs to be designed to receive the particular television frequencies in your area.
That would be an added expense. It depends on the antenna of course, but in general you can expect a UHF channel to pick up antennas at about one quarter of its rated range. If you have a UHF antenna rated for 60 miles, it will probably pick up VHF channels 15 miles away.
The frequency of the video carrier is 1.25 MHz above the lower edge, so for channel 2 the video is at 55.25 MHz. The color carrier is approx. 3.58 MHz above the _video_ carrier (N.B. not the lower edge), so for ch 2 it is 58.83 MHz. The audio carrier is 4.5 MHz above the _video_ carrier, so for ch 2 it is 59.75 MHz.
UHF Channels
Channels 31-38 and 71-78: Duplex channels (input). Channels 5 and 35: Duplex channels strictly used for emergency communications. Channels 9, 12-17, 19-21 24-28, 30, 39, 49-60, 64-70, 79 and 80: General chat channels, simplex use. Channel 10: 4WD Clubs or Convoys and National Parks.
The most important channels on your VHF radio are 13, 16, 19, 22, and 70. Channel 13 is used by commercial shipping to communicate their actions and confirm passage. Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) VHF-FM is designated by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) as the national distress, safety and calling frequency.
UHF stands for Ultra High Frequency and describes transmissions in the range of 300MHz and 3GHz. UHF channels can be found on older TVs on channels 14-69 (or 14-83 if you have a really old TV. The FCC took the space for channels 70-83 and used them for cordless phones and other consumer accesories.)
Antennas for Receiving DTV
To receive DTV signals from all stations in the area, your antenna needs to be able to receive both VHF channels (channels 2-13) and UHF channels (channels 14-36). Some antennas only provide good reception of VHF or UHF channels, but not both.
UHF channels
Channels 5 and 35: Duplex channels strictly used for emergency communications. Channels 9, 12-17, 19-21 24-28, 30, 39, 49-60, 64-70, 79 and 80: General chat channels, simplex use. Channel 10: 4WD Clubs or Convoys and National Parks.
VHF Radio. The VHF component of the NCRN is provided by the Port Authority of NSW in the Sydney, Newcastle and Port Kembla areas, which monitor the VHF distress and emergency channel 16. They also broadcast local weather and navigation warnings on VHF channel 67 at 0733 and 1733 hours EST.
Most land mobile radio networks in Australia operate on these frequency bands: VHF mid band (70 to 87.5 MHz) VHF high band (148 to 174 MHz) 400 MHz band (403 to 420 MHz and 450 to 520 MHz)
In a general sense, UHF's shorter radio waves make it best-suited for wireless and indoor use, where there are more penetrable obstacles. On the other hand, VHF is excellent for outdoor use; construction workers, aviators, and boat captains rely on VHF radios on their crafts.
For TV aerial reception and terrestrial TV services the Ultra high frequency (UHF) band is used. The UHF is the frequency band between 300Mhz-3Ghz, within this band we have the digital TV signals and the satellite Intermediate frequency band.
VHF frequencies can penetrate objects better than UHF. VHF can also travel farther. If a VHF wave and a UHF wave were transmitted over an area without barriers, the VHF wave would travel almost twice as far.