Difference Between FM & UHF Receivers

By Maya Austen

UHF (ultra high frequency) receivers are able to detect different kinds of radio signals in the UHF band of the radio frequency spectrum. FM receivers are used to decode frequency-modulated broadcast radio signals no matter where they fall in the radio frequency spectrum.

Design

What distinguishes a radio wave as an FM signal is the manner in which the signal is processed during transmission. An FM receiver is specifically designed to detect and decipher frequency-modulated radio signals. Different types of UHF receivers are designed to detect and decipher different kinds of radio signal modulations--FM signals or otherwise--within the UHF frequency band.

UHF Frequency Ranges

UHF (ultra high frequency) receivers are tuned to receive various radio frequency ranges spanning from 329 megahertz to 2.9 gigahertz.

FM Frequency Ranges

FM receivers are not confined to a frequency range, but the most popular kind of FM receiver, which you use every time you tune into a local FM radio station, is tuned to receive the radio frequencies ranging from 88 to 108 megahertz.

Function

There are many kinds of FM receivers. Some hearing aids, for instances, are equipped with FM receivers. There are also several types of UHF receivers. The types of UHF receivers vary depending upon which frequencies in the UHF band the receiver is tuned to pick up, and which type of signal it’s designed to decipher.

Types

The most familiar type of UHF receiver is in your television set. Other authorized broadcast uses in the ultra high frequency spectrum include (but are not limited to) maritime communications, amateur radio, and private radio communication.

Fun Fact

The FM radio occupies a very small portion of the VHF (very high frequency) television broadcast band.

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