What changed
VHF and UHF operating — edited Aug 31, 2026 by Unknown editor
This is the first recorded version, so every line is shown as added. Note: Imported from content/wiki
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Most new operators live on VHF/UHF FM through [repeaters](/wiki/operating/repeaters). There is a
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great deal more up there.
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## Simplex
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Direct radio to radio, no repeater. The national 2 m FM simplex calling frequency is **146.520 MHz**
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— call there, then move off it to talk. Simplex range with handhelds is a few miles; with a mobile
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and an outdoor antenna, often 20 or more.
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## Weak-signal SSB and CW
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The bottom of each VHF band (144.200 MHz on 2 m) is SSB territory, worked with horizontal Yagis.
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Contacts of several hundred miles are normal, and thousands during openings.
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## Propagation modes worth knowing
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- **Tropospheric ducting** — weather-driven, extends VHF hundreds of miles, often overnight.
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- **Sporadic E** — intense summer ionization that opens 6 m and occasionally 2 m across continents.
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- **Meteor scatter** — brief reflections off meteor trails, worked with digital modes.
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- **EME (moonbounce)** — bouncing signals off the moon; specialized, and no longer requires a huge
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station thanks to digital modes.
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## Activity nights and contests
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Many regions run weekly VHF activity nights on SSB. VHF contests in January, June and September
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fill otherwise-quiet bands and are an easy way to find out what your station can really do.
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## Antennas
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Height wins. A modest antenna on a roof outperforms a superb one indoors. Vertical polarization for
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FM and repeaters, horizontal for SSB/CW weak-signal work — mixing them costs about 20 dB.