A band (NATO)

For other uses, see A band.

NATO A band

Frequency range	0 to 250 MHz
Wavelength range	≥ 1.2 m

The NATO A band is the obsolete designation given to the radio frequencies from 0 to 250 MHz (equivalent to wavelengths from 1.2 m upwards) during the cold war period. Since 1992, frequency allocations, allotment and assignments are in line with the NATO Joint Civil/Military Frequency Agreement. However, in order to identify military radio spectrum requirements, e.g. for crisis management planning, training, electronic warfare activities, or in military operations, this system is still in use.

NATO Radio spectrum designation

NATO LETTER BAND DESIGNATION						BROADCASTING BAND DESIGNATION
NEW NOMENCLATURE			OLD NOMENCLATURE
BAND	FREQUENCY (MHz)		BAND	FREQUENCY (MHz)
A	0 – 250		I	100 – 150		Band I 47 – 68 MHz (TV)
						Band II 87.5 – 108 MHz (FM)
			G	150 – 225		Band III 174 – 230 MHz (TV)
B	250 – 500		P	225 – 390
C	500 – 1 000		L	390 – 1 550		Band IV 470 – 582 MHz (TV)
						Band V 582 – 862 MHz (TV)
D	1 000 – 2 000
			S	1 550 – 3 900
E	2 000 – 3 000
F	3 000 – 4 000
G	4 000 – 6 000		C	3 900 – 6 200
H	6 000 – 8 000		X	6 200 – 10 900
I	8 000 – 10 000
J	10 000 – 20 000		Ku	10 900 – 20 000
K	20 000 – 40 000		Ka	20 000 – 36 000
L	40 000 – 60 000		Q	36 000 – 46 000
			V	46 000 – 56 000
M	60 000 – 100 000		W	56 000 – 100 000
US- MILITARY / SACLANT
N	100 000 – 200 000
O	100 000 – 200 000

Examples to military frequency utilisation in this particular band

• HF long distance radio communications
• tactical UHF radio communications
• aeronautical mobile service