UK 2m Band Plan (144MHz)
UK 2m Band plan (144 -146 MHz) or sometimes called VHF for amateur radio operators. Foundation and Intermediate Licence holders are advised to check their licences for the permitted power limits and conditions applicable to their class of licence.
All band plans are based on the IARU International band plans, however, there may be slight variations to allow for local regulations. This 2m band plan is for UK based radio amateurs.
Find more band plans here
2m band plan (144-146 MHz)
| Frequency | Bandwidth | Preferred Modes and Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 144.000 – 144.025 MHz | 2.7 KHz | All modes – including Satellite downlinks |
| 144.025 – 144.110 MHz | 500 Hz | CW (including EME CW) 144.050 MHz: CW Centre of Activity 144.100 MHz: MS telegraphy calling (Note 1) |
| 144.110 – 144.150 MHz | 500 Hz | CW and MGM 144.138 MHz: PSK31 centre of activity EME MGM activity (Note 7) |
| 144.150 – 144.180 MHz | 2.7 KHz | CW, MGM and SSB |
| 144.180 – 144.360 MHz | 2.7 KHz | CW and SSB 144.175 MHz: Microwave talk-back 144.195-144.205 MHz: Random MS SSB 144.200 MHz: Random MS SSB calling frequency 144.250 MHz: GB2RS news broadcast and slow Morse 144.260 MHz: USB. (Note 10) 144.300 MHz: SSB Centre of Activity |
| 144.360 – 144.399 MHz | 2.7 KHz | CW, MGM, SSB 144.370 MHz: MGM calling frequency |
| 144.400 – 144.490 MHz | Propagation Beacons only | |
| 144.490 – 144.500 MHz | Beacon guard band | |
| 144.500 – 144.794 MHz | 20 KHz | All Modes (Note 8) 144.500 MHz: Image Modes centre (SSTV, Fax etc) 144.600 MHz: Data Centre of Activity (MGM, RTTY etc) 144.6125 MHz: UK Digital Voice (DV) calling (Note 9) 144.625-144.675 MHz: (Note 10) 144.750 MHz: ATV Talk-back 144.775-144.794 MHz: (Note 10) |
| 144.794 – 144.990 MHz | 12 KHz | MGM / Digital Communications 144.800-144.9875 MHz: Digital modes (including unattended) 144.8000 MHz: Unconnected nets – APRS, UiView etc (Note 13) 144.8125 MHz: DV Internet voice gateway (IARU common channel) 144.8250 MHz: DV Internet voice gateway (IARU common channel) 144.8375 MHz: DV Internet voice gateway (IARU common channel) 144.8500 MHz: DV Internet voice gateway (IARU common channel) 144.8625 MHz: DV Internet voice gateway (IARU common channel) 144.9250 MHz: TCP/IP usage 144.9375 MHz: AX25 usage 144.9500 MHz: AX25 usage 144.9625 MHz: FM Internet voice gateway 144.9750, 144.9875 MHz: tbd (Note 11) |
| 144.990 – 145.1935 MHz | 12 KHz | FM/DV: RV48 – RV63 Repeater input exclusive (Notes 2 & 5) |
| 145.200 MHz | 12 KHz | FM/DV: Space communications (e.g. I.S.S.) – Earth-to-Space 145.2000 MHz: (Notes 4 & 10) |
| 145.200 – 145.5935 MHz | 12 KHz | FM/DV V16-V48 FM/DV simplex (Notes 3, 5 & 6) 145.2250 MHz: See Note 10 145.2375 MHz: FM Internet voice gateway (IARU common channel) 145.2500 MHz: Used for slow Morse transmissions 145.2875 MHz: FM Internet voice gateway (IARU common channel) 145.3375 MHz: FM Internet voice gateway (IARU common channel) 145.5000 MHz: FM calling (Note 12) 145.5250 MHz: Used for GB2RS news broadcast 145.5500 MHz: Used for rally/exhibition talk-in 145.5750, 145.5875 MHz (Note 11) |
| 145.5935 – 145.7935 MHz | 12 KHz | FM/DV: RV48 – RV63 Repeater output (Note 2) |
| 145.800 MHz | 12 KHz | FM/DV: Space communications (e.g. I.S.S.) – Space-Earth |
| 145.806 – 146.000 MHz | 12 KHz | All Modes – Satellite exclusive |
Notes to 2m band plan
- Meteor scatter operation can take place up to 26kHz higher than the reference frequency
- 12.5kHz channels numbered RV48-RV63. RV48 input = 145.000 MHz, output=145.600 MHz
- 12.5kHz simplex channels numbered V16-V46. V16=145.200 MHz
- Emergency Communications Groups utilising this frequency should take steps to avoid interference to ISS operations in non-emergency situations
- Embedded data traffic is allowed with digital voice (DV)
- Simplex use only – no DV gateways
- EME activity using MGM is commonly practiced between 144.110-144.160 MHz
- Amplitude Modulation (AM) is acceptable within the All Modes segment. AM usage is typically found on 144.550MHz. Users should consider adjacent channel activity when selecting operating frequencies
- In other countries IARU Region-1 recommend 145.375 MHz
- May be used for Emergency Communications and Community Events
- May be used for repeaters in other IARU Region-1 countries
- DV users are asked not to use this channel, and use 144.6125 MHz for calling
- 144.800 use should be NBFM to avoid interference to 144.8125 DV Gateways
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I have been listening on 2M 144Mhz and all I get is white noise in Essex and most people on Facebook say they get the same
Yep, it is a bit quiet in Essex, I hardly ever hear anyone except on the nets on GB3DA.
Depending where you are, you may be able to join in with my local group (8 or 9 of us in North Essex/Suffolk border) on 144.700 FM late evenings. But even the group chat is sporadic and sometimes you may hear all of us on there, other times nobody come on for a few days. If you hear any of us at any time just jump in, we’re very easy going and chat about almost anything….
If everyone listens, then no-one is talking!
In many cases local knowledge is the key: Put out a call on known local repeaters, knowledge of clubs local chat frequencies is helpful too i.e. 144.725 is a local chat frequency not only for LEFARS in South Essex, but for Southend too. Then there is always the SSB calling channel (usually best worked with Horizontal Beam). Also look out for activity days like the upcoming 145 alive event taking place on Saturday 30th (between 12:00-14:00 UTC).
Yes, traffic on 2m is sporadic, but it is widespread. being in the right place at the right time is great.. I have put out calls at weird times of night on 144.500 and still got a rig check!