UHG vs VHF Two-Way Radios
November 7, 2025
VHF (Very High Frequency) and UHF (Ultra High Frequency) are two distinct radio frequency bands commonly used for wireless communication, and they differ in range, penetration, bandwidth, and typical applications. (https://firstsourcewireless.com/blogs/blog/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-difference-between-vhf-and-uhf)
Frequency Ranges
- VHF operates between 30 MHz and 300 MHz. (https://strykerradios.com/ham-radios/vhf-vs-uhf-radios-the-differences-explained/)
- UHF operates between 300 MHz and 3,000 MHz (3 GHz). (https://www.aircomm.com/blog/difference-between-uhf-and-vhf-radios)
Physical Properties and Range
- VHF signals have longer wavelengths, enabling them to travel longer distances, especially over open terrain and water. They are best for outdoor use when there are fewer obstacles. (https://www.reddit.com/r/Baofeng/comments/nl00o3/whats_the_difference_between_vhf_and_uhf/)
- UHF signals have shorter wavelengths, which allow them to penetrate obstacles like walls, trees, and urban structures more effectively, making them preferable for indoor or city settings. UHF generally has a shorter range compared to VHF in open areas. (https://midlandusa.com/blogs/blog/uhf-vs-vhf-understanding-the-differences-in-radio-frequencies)
Application Differences
- VHF is widely used for outdoor activities such as aviation, marine communications, and in places like golf courses or large fields since it offers better performance in wide-open spaces. (https://www.aircomm.com/blog/difference-between-uhf-and-vhf-radios)
- UHF is commonly used indoors and in urban environments due to its superior penetration capabilities. It's the preferred band for two-way radios, wireless microphones, and modern building communications. (https://www.veicomm.com/blog/uhf-vs-vhf-how-are-they-different/)
Bandwidth, Interference, and Licensing
- UHF offers greater bandwidth and therefore supports more frequencies/channels, which can help reduce interference from other devices. (https://firstsourcewireless.com/blogs/blog/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-difference-between-vhf-and-uhf)
- VHF bands have fewer available channels and may experience more interference from electronic devices. (https://www.aircomm.com/blog/difference-between-uhf-and-vhf-radios)
- UHF equipment is generally more expensive, but licensing for UHF channels can be more accessible due to the larger available spectrum. (https://firstsourcewireless.com/blogs/blog/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-difference-between-vhf-and-uhf)