Sept 1, 2026 – “A Comparison of VHF vs UHF Range”

Good evening. This is W1UT and tonight’s topic will about “A Comparison of VHF vs UHF Range”.

I thought this would be an interesting topic to cover. VHF and UHF communications range is different as each band behaves differently in real terrain. For best performance look at the terrain around you or between where you are and what is between you and a repeater or the person you wish to contact if operating simplex. Remember that the 2m band, which covers 144 – 148 Mhz has a longer wavelength than the UHF band which is from around 420 to 450 Mhz. Longer radio wavelengths tend to bend slightly over terrain than shorter wavelengths. VHF signals will defract more around obstacles such as mountain tops, buildings, trees or foliage than UHF signals. UHF signals often perform better in dense man-made environments like cities where reflections and multiple signals are typical. UHF signals also need a line-of-sight between you and a repeater or simplex contact.

In wide‑open, mostly flat or gently rolling areas, line‑of‑sight dominates performance for both VHF and UHF. If you place antennas high and maintain true or near‑true line‑of‑sight, both bands can deliver impressive range. However, VHF often retains an edge at extreme distances because it bends slightly more over the horizon. It also loses a bit less to atmospheric and ground absorption which can increase range.

Back in the 1980s I set up a station to do CW and SSB transmissions on the 2m band using a 17 element yagi on top of a tower. Some of you new operators may not realize that on the lower side of the 2m band you can operate using other modes of transmissions. It was not unusual for me to regularly contact other hams 200 or more miles away without the use of a repeater. I was running 80W to the beam antenna the other contact was typically using high power as well – sometimes as much as 1500W. This was back in Vermont which is a very hilly state. I was always amazed that I could make contacts further away than using a repeater.

So what gives VHF its range? The longer wavelengths on 2m does a few important things. First of all the 2m wavelength diffracts around hills and ridges more effectively causing a bending effect just enough to remain useable despite the obstruction. The bending effect allowing longer comms only works if the ridge is either far away or not too high based on your location.

Second VHF interacts less when your signal passes through leaves, small branches and forest undergrowth. In other words vegetation attenuates VHF signals less than UHF. This can help coverage in hilly or rural terrain. The disadvantage on VHF is that antennas are physically larger than on UHF which at least for handheld radios usually means some sort of negative gain. On UHF the signal gain is often better and so the advantages of VHF over UHF may be lost. The advantages of VHF are really noticeable when using a full size or gain type antenna. Those who live in a wide open spaces where a high external antenna can be installed with low loss coaxial cable will be able to enjoy much better coverage.

So what gives UHF its range? As mentioned earlier UHF signals have shorter wavelengths. This means that it tends to be superior in canyons, vehicles, around buildings and even near window frames. Why? Because UHF signals can reflect off flat surfaces resulting in multiple paths to you or someone else’s receiver.

The other advantage is the UHF antennas are physically shorter for the same performance. This means that on UHF hand held radios tend to work better when using the typical rubber duck antenna. The signal loss tends to be less on UHF when using a stock antenna. However UHF signals tend to suffer more attenuation from foliage, soil and simply over natural terrain. If you test a VHF signal to a UHF signal using the same power and antenna type UHF will usually lose out.