Radio frequency allocation in brief

In Hungary, the use of radio frequencies is regulated by the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH). The NMHH has published the National Frequency Allocation Table and Frequency Use Regulations.

Radio Frequency Bands

AbbreviationFrequency RangeWavelength
ELF3 Hz – 30 Hz100,000 km – 10,000 km
SLF30 Hz – 300 Hz10,000 km – 1,000 km
ULF300 Hz – 3,000 Hz1,000 km – 100 km
VLF3 kHz – 30 kHz100 km – 10 km
LF30 kHz – 300 kHz10 km – 1 km
MF300 kHz – 3,000 kHz1,000 m – 100 m
HF3 MHz – 30 MHz100 m – 10 m
VHF30 MHz – 300 MHz10 m – 1 m
UHF300 MHz – 3,000 MHz100 cm – 10 cm
SHF3 GHz – 30 GHz10 cm – 1 cm
EHF30 GHz – 300 GHz10 mm – 1 mm
THF300 GHz – 3 THz1 mm – 100 μm

Band Names by Abbreviation and Wavelength

AbbreviationNameWavelength-based Term
ELFExtremely Low Frequency
SLFSuper Low Frequency
ULFUltra Low Frequency
VLFVery Low Frequency
LFLow FrequencyLW: Long Wave
MFMedium FrequencyMW: Medium Wave
HFHigh FrequencySW: Short Wave
VHFVery High FrequencyMeter band
UHFUltra High FrequencyDecimeter band
SHFSuper High FrequencyCentimeter band
EHFExtremely High FrequencyMillimeter band
THFTremendously High FrequencyMicrometer band

Microwave Bands (IEEE US)

BandFrequency Range
L-band1–2 GHz
S-band2–4 GHz
C-band4–8 GHz
X-band8–12 GHz
Ku-band12–18 GHz
K-band18–26 GHz
Ka-band26–40 GHz
V-band40–75 GHz
W-band75–111 GHz

Amateur Radio Bands (License Required)

BandFrequency Range
2200 m135.7 – 137.8 kHz
635 m472.0 – 479.0 kHz
160 m1.810 – 1.880 MHz
80 m3.500 – 3.800 MHz
60 m5.3515 – 5.3665 MHz
40 m7.000 – 7.200 MHz
30 m10.100 – 10.150 MHz
20 m14.000 – 14.350 MHz
17 m18.068 – 18.168 MHz
15 m21.000 – 21.450 MHz
12 m24.890 – 24.990 MHz
10 m28.000 – 29.700 MHz
6 m50.000 – 52.000 MHz
4 m70.000 – 70.500 MHz
2 m144 – 146 MHz
70 cm430 – 440 MHz
23 cm1240 – 1300 MHz
13 cm2320 – 2450 MHz
9 cm3400 – 3410 MHz
6 cm5650 – 5850 MHz
3 cm10,000 – 10,500 MHz
1.2 cm24,000 – 24,250 MHz
6.4 mm47,000 – 47,200 MHz
3.9 mm75,500 – 81,500 MHz
2.45 mm122,250 – 123,000 MHz
2.24 mm134,000 – 141,000 MHz
1.24 mm241,000 – 250,000 MHz

License-Free Bands

These bands can only be used with short-range, low-power devices. Only equipment that complies with NMHH regulations and is not on the NMHH prohibited list may be used. Operating outside the permitted power levels or frequency ranges constitutes a legal violation.

CB (Citizens Band)

Allowed between 26.960 MHz and 27.410 MHz, except:

  • 26.995 MHz
  • 27.045 MHz
  • 27.095 MHz
  • 27.145 MHz
  • 27.195 MHz

Channel spacing: 10 kHz (45 possible, 40 permitted).
Usage: person-to-person radio communication.
Power limit: 4 W RMS, NBFM/DSB modulation (formerly allowed: 12 W PEP AM and SSB).

Model control applications in the CB band:
Reserved low-power frequencies (e.g. RC toys):

  • 26.995 MHz (26.990–27.000 MHz)
  • 27.045 MHz (27.040–27.050 MHz)
  • 27.095 MHz (27.090–27.100 MHz)
  • 27.145 MHz (27.140–27.150 MHz)
  • 27.195 MHz (27.190–27.200 MHz)

Example: Bosch garage door openers use 26.995 MHz.
The 13th CB channel (27.125 MHz) is sometimes used by toys with selective audio tones.


PMR446

PMR = Personal Mobile Radio. PMR446 is a license-free standard for personal communication. Introduced by CEPT in 1997 (ERC/DEC/(98)25, 26, 27). Free for private and business use in most participating countries.

  • Frequency: 433.05 – 434.79 MHz
  • Use: remote controls, gate openers, alarms, basic amateur gear
  • Power limit: max. 0.5 W ERP
  • Range: 5–10 km in open areas, up to 30 km with line of sight; sharply reduced in urban settings.

Channel allocation (12.5 kHz spacing):
Channels 1–16 range from 446.00625 MHz to 446.19375 MHz.


433 and 868 MHz SRD Bands

SRD = Short Range Devices
Examples: garage openers, toys, RFID, cordless phones, thermometers, intercoms, cameras, wireless medical implants, mics, alarms, IoT (e.g. LoRa, Sigfox), baby monitors.

  • Frequencies: 433.05–434.79 MHz and 863–870 MHz (in several segments)
  • Power: typically 10 mW ERP (wearables: 50 mW; in vehicles/rooms: 10 nW)
  • More frequency details are in the national SRD annex.

2.4 GHz ISM Band

ISM = Industrial, Scientific and Medical
Also used by broadband and wireless access systems (WAS), wireless LAN (RLAN), and SDR devices.

  • Frequency: 2400 – 2483.5 MHz
  • Uses: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, drone control
  • Power: max. 100 mW EIRP (typically for Wi-Fi)

5 GHz Wi-Fi Band

For Wireless Access Systems (WAS) and RLANs.

  • Frequencies: 5150–5350 MHz and 5470–5725 MHz (license-free parts)
  • Uses: Wi-Fi 5/6 (802.11a/ac/ax)
  • Restrictions: DFS (radar detection), indoor or restricted outdoor use

24 GHz Radar Applications

Used in SDR radar systems (e.g. tank level radar, TLPR), motion sensors, alarms.

  • Frequency: 24.0 – 24.25 GHz (limited)
  • Uses: parking assistance, motion detection
  • Power: heavily restricted

Broadcasting

Long Wave

  • 153 – 279 kHz
  • Channel spacing: 9 kHz

Medium Wave

  • 531 – 1602 kHz
  • Channel spacing: 9 kHz

Shortwave Bands

WavelengthFrequency RangeNotes
120 m2300 – 2495 kHzTropical; used in Africa, Australia, Asia
90 m3200 – 3400 kHzTropical; used in Africa, Australia, Asia
75 m3900 – 4000 kHzIn Europe evenings: 3950–4000 kHz
60 m4750 – 5060 kHzTropical; used in Africa, Australia, Asia
49 m5900 – 6200 kHzEurope: 5950–6200 kHz
41 m7200 – 7450 kHzEurope, N. America, Australia, Asia
31 m9400 – 9900 kHzMost commonly used
25 m11,600 – 12,100 MHzAfrica, Australia, Asia
22 m13.570 – 13.870 MHzMainly in Europe and Asia
19 m15,100 – 15,800 MHzAfrica, Australia, Asia
16 m17,480 – 17,900 MHzAfrica, Australia, Asia
15 m18,900 – 19,020 MHzProposed DRM band
13 m21,450 – 21,850 MHzUsable all year round
11 m25,600 – 26,100 MHzNetherlands: 25,670 – 26,100 MHz
  • Channel spacing: 5 kHz

VHF

  • FM Band: 87.5 – 108 MHz
  • Channel spacing: 100 kHz

Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB)

  • VHF-3 TV band no longer used for analog TV, now repurposed for DAB-T.
  • DAB-T band: 174 – 230 MHz
  • Frequency raster: 1.75 MHz

UHF

  • UHF-4/5 TV bands no longer used for analog TV; now used for DVB-T (digital TV).
  • Also used for other purposes such as wireless microphones.

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