2 meters is a popular amateur radio band. It is so named because the wavelength of the radio waves is very close to 2 meters in length. It ranges in frequency from 144 to 148 MHz in the United States, Canada, and Australia, and from 144 to 146 MHz in most other parts of the world. The 2-meter band is part of the VHF spectrum, and is primarily used for local communications, within a range of about 100 miles. Because it is local and reliable, and because in many parts of the world, the licensing requirements to transmit on the 2-meter band are easy to meet, this band is one of the most popular non-HF ham bands. This popularity also means that it is also the most used band for local emergency communications efforts, such as providing communications between Red Cross shelters and local authorities. Much of 2-meter FM operation uses a radio repeater, a radio receiver and transmitter that retransmits a signal over a longer distance. Simple radios for FM repeater operation have become plentiful and inexpensive in recent years. A fully-functional FM transceiver and antenna can be obtained for under $200 US. While 2 meters is best known as a local band, there are opportunities for long distance communications. Occasionally, bending in the atmosphere's troposphere (ducting) can allow 2-meter signals to carry hundreds of miles. In rare cases, Sporadic E propagation can bring contacts well over 1000 miles. 2 Meters is also utilized in conjunction with 70 cm (Mode B or V/U) on some amateur radio satellites, giving distances of up to around 3000 miles with a Low Earth Orbit satellite.
Band plan
Below is a common band plan for 2 meters. Note that in some areas (generally whole states) the channel spacing is 20 kHz. Some areas use 15kHz spacing. Please note, this is the band plan for the USA. In the UK, the band extends from 144 MHz to 146 MHz. To summarize:
- 144.000 to 144.400 narrowband modes.
- 144.500 to 145.000 is an "all mode" section.
- 145.000 to 145.200 are VHF repeater inputs.
- 145.200 to 145.600 are Simplex channels (12.5kHz spacing).
- 145.600 to 145.800 are the repeater outputs.
Space communications are above 145.800 to the band edge.
Sample band plan
| 144.000–144.100 MHz | CW only, as restricted by FCC Part 97 |
| 144.100–144.275 MHz | CW and SSB |
| 144.275–144.300 MHz | CW propagation beacons |
| 144.300–144.500 MHz | Satellite |
| 144.510–144.890 MHz | FM repeater inputs (600 kHz splits)
|
| 144.910–145.090 MHz | Packet and FM simplex
|
| 145.110–145.490 MHz | FM repeater outputs (600 kHz splits)
|
| 145.510–145.790 MHz | FM simplex, digital and satellite
|
| 145.800–146.000 MHz | Satellite |
| 146.010–146.385 MHz | FM repeater inputs (600 kHz splits)
|
| 146.400–146.595 MHz | FM simplex
|
| 146.610–146.985 MHz | FM repeater outputs (600 kHz splits)
|
| 147.000–147.390 MHz | FM repeater outputs (600 kHz splits)
|
| 147.405–147.585 MHz | FM simplex
|
| 147.600–147.990 MHz | FM repeater inputs (600 kHz splits)
|
