What VHF channels can l use without a license?
VHF Frequencies You Can Use Without a License
In many regions, there are specific VHF frequency bands that you can legally use without obtaining a formal radio license—thanks to regulatory frameworks like “licensed‑by‑rule” or harmonized personal radio services.
- MURS (Multi‑Use Radio Service, USA): Five VHF channels between 151.820 MHz and 154.600 MHz are available license-free under FCC rules. Power is limited to 2 W, and users must operate compliant equipment.
- Marine VHF (USA, “voluntary” vessels): For recreational vessels under approx. 20 m in length operating domestically, no license is required to use marine VHF radios—including channels 9, 13, 16, 68, 69, 71, 72, and 78A for ship‑to‑ship or ship‑to‑shore communications.
- PMR446 (Europe, Singapore, Malaysia): UHF service in the 446 MHz band—but adjacent to PMR446 frequencies, there are regions like Singapore where license‑free VHF-like services exist under harmonized regulation. PMR446 is available without a license and widely used for short-range comms.
- Finland’s RHA68 (Finland): A mid‑band VHF allocation (around 68–72 MHz) with 26 channels for hobbyist use, no license needed, power limits from 5 W to 25 W depending on channel.
These services are ideal for businesses and individuals needing reliable, short‑range communication with minimal regulatory overhead. VHF offers good range outdoors, through foliage, and near water—perfect for construction, marine, event coordination, and recreational uses.
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