FM Broadcast Band

The FM broadcast band, used for FM broadcast radio by radio stations, differs between different parts of the world. In Europe and Africa (ITU region 1), it spans from 87.5 to 108.0 megahertz (MHz), while in America (ITU region 2) it goes only from 87.7 to 108.0 MHz. The FM broadcast band in Japan uses 76.0 to 90 MHz. The OIRT band in Eastern Europe is from 65.8 to 74.0 MHz, although these countries now primarily use the 87.5 to 108 MHz band, as in the case of Russia. Some other countries have already discontinued the OIRT band and have changed to the 87.5 to 108 MHz band.

Frequency modulation radio originated in the United States of America during the 1930s; the system was developed by the American electrical engineer Edwin H. Armstrong. However, FM broadcasting did not become widespread even in North America until the 1960s.

Frequency-modulated radio waves can be generated at any frequency. All the bands mentioned in this article are in the Very High Frequency (VHF) band, which extends from 30 to 300 MHz.

In some languages, the VHF band is referred to as "UKW" (from the German Ultrakurzwelle — "ultra short wave") or "УКВ" (from the Russian Ультракороткие волны).