70 centimetres

The 70 centimetre band is a popular UHF band.

Equipment
Single-band equipment for 70cm is rare, but many dual-band transceivers are available that operate on both 2 metres and 70cm. Available gear includes both mobile units and HTs.

Modulation
The most common mode is FM, but weak-signal operation using CW and SSB occurs at the lower end of the band. This is also the most popular band for Fast-Scan Television.

Propagation
Propagation at UHF is primarily line-of-sight. However, tropospheric ducting can occasionally upport contacts over ranges of as much as 1500 to 3000 kilometres. Aurora and meteor scatter propagation have been observed, but are relatively rare and difficult to use.

Australian 70cm bandplan
Access : All licence classes

420 - 450 MHz RADIOLOCATION Primary Service

420 - 450 MHz FIXED, MOBILE Primary Service

420 - 430 MHz AMATEUR (restricted access in some states) Secondary Service

430 - 450 MHz AMATEUR Secondary Service

435 - 438 MHz AMATEUR SATELLITE Permitted on non-interference basis