Radio waves are one form of electromagnetic radiation.

They have the lowest frequency, and hence

the longest wavelengths. Above the radio spectrum, other forms of radiation can be found. These
include infra red radiation, light, ultraviolet and a number of other forms of radiation. Although they
have different names, and they are often thought of as different entities, they are all forms of
electromagnetic wave. The only fundamental difference is the wavelength / frequency. As a result of
this difference they act in slightly different ways, and they may be used for different purposes. For
example infra-red radiation may be used for heating, while light is used for illuminating areas and
visibly seeing things. Nevertheless they are all fundamentally the same.

The different types of electromagnetic wave and their relative frequencies and wavelengths may be
displayed on what is often termed the electromagnetic spectrum. This covers radio waves at the
lower end with the lowest frequencies and longest wavelengths to infra-red, light and ultraviolet
radiation and extending further up in frequency to radiation such as gamma and x-rays.

Electro-magnetic wave spectrum

While the whole of the electromagnetic wave spectrum covers a huge range of frequencies, radio
waves themselves extend over a very large range as well. Again it is useful to be able to easily refer
to different sections of the spectrum. To achieve this different designations are given to different
areas. The frequencies that are covered are split into sections that vary by a factor of ten, e.g. from 3
MHz to 30 MHz. Each section is allocated a name such as high frequency and these areas are
abbreviated to give terms like HF, VHF and so forth that are often used. Often talk is heard of VHF
FM, or UHF television. The VHF and UHF refer to the areas of the radio spectrum where these
transmissions take place

The radio spectrum

It can be seen from the diagram that transmissions in the long wave broadcast band which extends
from 140.5 to 283.5 kHz available in some parts of the world falls into the low frequency or LF
portion of the spectrum. There are also a number of other types of transmission which are made
here. For example there are a number of navigational beacons which transmit on frequencies
around 100 kHz or less.

Moving up in frequency, the medium wave broadcast band falls into the medium frequency or MF
portion of the spectrum. Above this broadcast band is often where the lowest frequency short wave
bands start. Here there is an amateur radio band together with allocations for maritime
communications.

Between 3 and 30 MHz is the high frequency or HF portion. Within this frequency range lie the real
short wave bands. Signals from all over the world can be heard. Broadcasters, radio amateurs and a
host of others use them.

Moving up further the very high frequency or VHF part of the spectrum is encountered. This contains
a large number of mobile users. "Radio Taxis" and the like have allocations here, as do the familiar
VHF FM broadcasts.

In the ultra high frequency or UHF part of the spectrum most of the terrestrial television stations are
located. In addition to these there are more mobile users including the increasingly popular cellular
telephones.

Above this in the super high frequency or SHF and extremely high frequency or EHF portions of the
spectrum there are many uses for the radio spectrum. They are being used increasingly for
commercial satellite and point to point communications.