Business band

In the United States, the business band is the colloquial name used by radio users who utilize and scanner hobbyists who listen to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Industrial/Business pool frequencies. The regulations listing frequencies in this pool are contained in Subpart C of Part 90, Title 47 of the CFR.

Overview

The pool describes a series of frequencies on the VHF and UHF two-way radio bands. They are reserved for use by companies and individuals operating commercial activities; educational, philanthropic, or ecclesiastical institutions; clergy activities; or hospitals, clinics, or medical associations.[1] In the United States, use of these frequencies requires a license issued by the U.S. FCC. The exceptions to this are five specific frequencies that are also part of the Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS), which permits unlicensed operation on these frequencies, provided the output power does not exceed 2 watts. Other frequency bands, such as Citizens Band Radio (CB radio) and Family Radio Service (FRS), may also be used without a license.

Channels are available in several frequency ranges to suit the users' requirements for propagation and protection from interference. The electromagnetic spectrum between approximately 450 and 470 MHz is used largely for UHF business communications, although this spectrum is not exclusively for business use. In some large metropolitan areas, such as New York, the UHF-T band (between 470 and 512 MHz) is also used due to congestion on the standard VHF or UHF bands. There are also a number of specific frequencies, in both the VHF and UHF spectrums, that are for business use; some of these have color-coded names, such as Red Dot or Blue Star.

In 2004, the FCC required all CFR 47 Part 90 VHF (150–174 MHz) and UHF (421–470 MHz) PLMR (Private Land Mobile Radio) licensees operating legacy wideband (25 kHz bandwidth) voice or data/SCADA systems to migrate to narrowband (12.5 kHz bandwidth or equivalent) systems by January 1, 2013.[2]

History

The Private Land Mobile Radio Service (47CFR90, or Part 90 of the FCC Rules) was established in the US in 1927[3] to permit commercial and public safety uses of two-way radio by commercial entities and non-Federal government agencies. Similar allocations are available in other countries. The available frequencies in the US have traditionally been separated into two pools. One is for industrial and business users, including some special categories such as petroleum, manufacturing, and forestry; the other is for public safety[4] including medical, police, fire, and others. The industrial and business frequencies, sometimes also known as "business band radio," and the eligibility requirements are listed in 47CFR90.35.[1] Frequencies are licensed on a non-exclusive basis, although fixed stations and mobiles operating in a defined area are issued licenses only following frequency coordination[5] to assure equitable sharing of bandwidth. Anyone conducting commercial business or a number of other activities is eligible for a license.

Other general-purpose two-way radio services with simplified licensing requirements have also been established over the years in the US, including GMRS and CB, the latter now being licensed by rule so that users don't need individual licenses. FRS and MURS are similar pools of frequencies that do not require individual licenses in the US.

Frequency charts

Although the term "business band" refers to several discrete frequencies that are not grouped into a single band, examples of some of the frequencies are grouped by band and listed below. These charts also list other frequencies that are not specifically part of the "business band" but are commonly used by businesses. An individual license is still required under GMRS rules. A few manufacturers added these DOT frequencies to Business radios in the 1990s to have more "channels" and aid in selling radios. Part 90 (Business) and Part 95 (GMRS) frequencies are not interchangeable and are not to be used under the same guidelines. Each has different criteria for licensing. Part 95 GMRS frequencies are not "Itinerant", nor business band frequencies.[6]

Low-band frequencies
Frequency or range Notes
27.430–27.530 MHz 20 kHz channel steps
27.555 MHz Authorized only in certain areas for forestry and logging operations
27.615 MHz Authorized only in certain areas for forestry and logging operations
27.635 MHz Authorized only in certain areas for forestry and logging operations
27.655 MHz Authorized only in certain areas for forestry and logging operations
27.765 MHz Authorized only in certain areas for forestry and logging operations
27.860 MHz Authorized only in certain areas for forestry and logging operations
29.710–29.790 MHz 20 kHz channel steps
30.580–31.960 MHz 20 kHz channel steps, shared with State Forestry in some areas
33.120–33.400 MHz 20 kHz channel steps, some low-power frequencies
35.020–35.980 MHz 20 kHz channel steps, some low-power frequencies
37.440–37.880 MHz 20 kHz channel steps, often used for power and water company communications
42.960–44.600 MHz 20 kHz channel steps, some low-power or itinerant frequencies
47.440–49.580 MHz 20 kHz channel steps

VHF frequencies
Frequency Name Notes
151.505 MHz Itinerant
151.5125 MHz Itinerant (narrow band)
151.625 MHz Red Dot Itinerant
151.700 MHz Itinerant
151.760 MHz Itinerant
151.820 MHz MURS; 2 watts, 11.25 kHz bandwidth
151.880 MHz MURS; 2 watts, 11.25 kHz bandwidth
151.940 MHz MURS; 2 watts, 11.25 kHz bandwidth
151.955 MHz Purple Dot
154.515 MHz
154.540 MHz
154.570 MHz Blue Dot[7] MURS; 2 watts, 20 kHz bandwidth
154.600 MHz Green Dot MURS; 2 watts, 20 kHz bandwidth
158.400 MHz Itinerant
158.4075 MHz Itinerant (narrow band)

UHF frequencies
Frequency Name Notes
462.575 MHz White Dot GMRS
462.625 MHz Black Dot GMRS
462.675 MHz Orange Dot GMRS
464.500 MHz Brown Dot Itinerant
464.550 MHz Yellow Dot Itinerant
467.850 MHz Silver Star
467.875 MHz Gold Star
467.900 MHz Red Star
467.925 MHz Blue Star
469.500 MHz (Brown dpx) Itinerant
469.550 MHz (Yellow dpx) Itinerant

References
  1. Section 90.35 of the FCC rules
  2. "FCC Order issued in December 2004" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 24, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  3. "FCC: Wireless Services: Private Land Mobile Radio Services: Private Land Mobile". Wireless.FCC.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  4. Section 90.20 of the FCC rules
  5. "FCC: Wireless Services: Industrial/Business: Licensing: Frequency Coordinators". Wireless.FCC.gov. February 5, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  6. "General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)". FCC.gov. July 31, 1987. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  7. Fawcett, Bill. "Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Blue Dot Radios... But Were Afraid to Ask". Spaniel Journal.
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