RadioShack Guide to Scanners

Standard Frequencies

National Weather Frequencies

The NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) service operates on seven frequencies, with different frequencies used in different areas. NOAA Weather Radio works with other Federal agencies, including the Emergency Alert System (EAS), to provide complete weather and emergency information.

162.440 MHz	162.450 MHz	162.475 MHz	162.500 MHz
162.525 MHz	162.550 MHz	163.275 MHz

Ham Radio Frequencies

Hams are amateur radio operators who use a wide range of frequencies for various non-commercial communication. They often assist local authorities by transmitting emergency information when other communication methods break down. The following chart shows some of the frequencies that Hams use.

Wavelength (Meters)	Frequency
10-meter	28.000-29.700 MHz
6-meter	50.000-54.000 MHz
2-meter	144.000-148.000 MHz
70-cm	420.000-450.000 MHz

Citizens Band

CB, or Citizens Band, radios are primarily used for mobile communications between vehicles (mobile units) or individuals (handhelds).

1) 26.965 MHz	9) 27.065 MHz	17) 27.165 MHz	25) 27.245 MHz	33) 27.335 MHz
2) 26.975 MHz	10) 27.075 MHz	18) 27.175 MHz	26) 27.265 MHz	34) 27.345 MHz
3) 26.985 MHz	11) 27.085 MHz	19) 27.185 MHz	27) 27.275 MHz	35) 27.355 MHz
4) 27.005 MHz	12) 27.105 MHz	20) 27.205 MHz	28) 27.285 MHz	36) 27.365 MHz
5) 27.015 MHz	13) 27.115 MHz	21) 27.215 MHz	29) 27.295 MHz	37) 27.375 MHz
6) 27.025 MHz	14) 27.125 MHz	22) 27.225 MHz	30) 27.305 MHz	38) 27.385 MHz
7) 27.035 MHz	15) 27.135 MHz	23) 27.255 MHz	31) 27.315 MHz	39) 27.395 MHz
8) 27.055 MHz	16) 27.155 MHz	24) 27.235 MHz	32) 27.325 MHz	40) 27.405 MHz

United States Broadcast Bands

In the United States, there are several broadcast bands. The standard AM and FM bands are probably the most well known. There are also four television audio broadcast bands -- the lower three transmit on the VHF band and the fourth transmits on the UHF band.

Frequency Range Allocation

VHF Television	54.0 - 72.0 MHz
VHF Television	76.0 - 88.0 MHz
Standard FM	88.0 - 108.0 MHz
VHF Television	174.0 - 216.0 MHz
UHF Television	470.0 - 805.75 MHz

International Broadcast Bands

Several short-wave bands are allocated for international broadcasting because of the nature of propagation of high frequencies. The bands are sometimes identified according to the approximate wavelength of the signals in meters. Your scanner may receive the 11-meter band, from 25.6 - 26.10 MHz.